FAQs

ICA Qualification Framework

• ICA Short Courses, Essentials and Certificates: suitable for those with no prior experience or looking to upskill.
• ICA Specialist Certificates: designed for anyone wanting focused yet accessible knowledge in specific areas of risk.  
• ICA Advanced Certificates: for those already working in this space at analyst level, as well as managers working in the first line of defence.  
  ICA Diplomas: designed for managers with existing experience who want to enhance their skillset to the next level.  
• ICA Professional Postgraduate Diplomas: expert-level courses for those in senior roles, such as Heads of Compliance and AML, with over ten years' experience.

Not sure which qualification is right for you? Find out here or speak to one of our Learner Recruitment Advisors on live chat or telephone +44(0) 121 362 7533.

The ICA Certificate and Specialist level qualifications align with benchmarks established for The Regulated Qualifications Framework (RQF). 

The qualifications from Advanced Certificate to Postgraduate Level align with benchmarks established by the Quality Assurance Agency for Higher Education (QAA), which are mapped in accordance with the Framework for Higher Education Qualifications (FHEQ).

Please visit the following link to find out more: ICA International Partners and Association

Approximately 2 to 4 hours of self-study per week across the duration of the course, depending on your experience.

You should plan to increase the study time before any assessment.

• ICA Advanced Certificate and Diploma courses: four intakes/cohorts a year commencing in January, March, July and October.
• ICA Professional Postgraduate Diploma courses: three intakes/cohorts a year for Governance, Risk and Compliance and two intakes/cohorts for Financial Crime Compliance.
• ICA Short Courses, Certificates and Specialist Certificates: you can enrol in these courses at any time, as they are self-led and do not have taught sessions.

ICA Advanced Certificate level courses enable you to apply what you have learned in practice.  

The courses are 6 months long and are assessed by 1 x hour scenario-based multiple-choice assessment consisting of 25 questions at the end of your course and 1 x 2000-2500 word assessment. 

If you are studying the Advanced Certificate in Practical Customer Due Diligence, the assessments will be split into 2 parts. Assessment 1 is a 1 hour online multiple-choice assessment, and Assessment 2 is an online written exam.

ICA Diploma courses are our flagship qualifications – they are recognised globally and are an industry standard for those responsible for compliance or financial crime risk within an organisation.  

Diplomas are 9 months long and assessed by 3 x 30-minute multiple-choice assessments, which consist of 20 questions each at the end of each module and 2 x 3000-3500-word assignments.

Certificate & Specialist Certificate Courses

• Duration: Can be completed in as little as 4 weeks, with access for up to 2 months.
• Assessment:
  
  • 1-hour online multiple-choice exam
  • 25 questions

Advanced Certificate Courses

• Duration: 6 months
• Assessment:
  
  • 1-hour scenario-based multiple-choice exam (25 questions)
  • 1 written assignment (2,000–2,500 words)
• Advanced Certificate in Practical Customer Due Diligence:
  • Part 1: 1-hour multiple-choice exam
  • Part 2: Online written exam

Diploma Courses

• Duration: 9 months
• Assessment:
  • Three 30-minute multiple-choice assessments (20 questions each, one per module)
  • Two written assignments (3,000–3,500 words each)

To find out our course fees, please visit our Quick course finder and select the course you are interested in.

Scroll down to 'view course fee and enrol now' and select your location.

We accept payment in Euros, GBP and US Dollars.

Payment Options

Self-Funding

You can pay for your course in full using a credit or debit card at the time of enrolment. Alternatively, we offer interest-free instalment plans to help make the cost more manageable for the following courses:

• Advanced Certificate: 4 equal monthly instalments
• Diploma: 8 equal monthly instalments
• Professional Postgraduate Diploma: 10 equal monthly instalments

Important: If you wish to pay by instalments, you must purchase ICA membership separately before enrolling in your course.

For more details, please visit our page on ICA Instalment Plans and Financial Support.

Employer-Sponsored

If your employer is funding your studies, you’ll be asked to provide their details during enrolment. You can choose one of the following payment options:

• Employer pays in full by credit or debit card
• Request an invoice (payable within 30 days)

Please ensure you include a purchase order number (if required by your employer) and their VAT registration number.

If your employer is covering the cost of your course, you will need to create a business account during the checkout process. 

To do this:

1. Add the course to the basket.
2. Proceed to checkout.
3. Select “Business Account” when prompted.
4. Enter the company’s billing details and provide details of a "Finance Contact".
5. Provide your details (student) in the "Learner Assignment" section to complete the enrolment.

Important: If your email address is already linked to a personal or different billing account, or if you need to update your employer's account details, please complete the Contact/Account Change Request Form so we can update these details for you.

You can enrol up to one week before the first virtual classroom session. However, we strongly recommend enrolling as early as possible to:

• Maximise your available study time before the course begins.
• Avoid missing out, as places are limited in each cohort.

Note: Before attending your first virtual classroom, you’ll be expected to have briefly reviewed your first module to ensure you're prepared and can fully participate.

You have 10 working days from the date of enrolment to change your mind and request a full refund.

To do this:

Submit your refund request in writing by completing the webform on our Contact Us page within the 10-day period.

Please note: Refunds are subject to our booking terms and conditions.

Becoming an ICA member connects you to a global community of over 30,000 professionals across 155 countries. Membership gives you access to a unique set of benefits that support both your studies and your career development, including:

• On-demand CPD learning
• Weekly webinars and insights
• Opportunities to certify your CPD with Certified Practitioner status

Hear from our members and explore the full list of Membership Benefits.

Please note: ICA Membership is compulsory for anyone enrolling on an ICA course and must remain valid for the duration of your studies.

Re-joining

You’ll receive a notification when your ICA membership is due to expire. To re-join:

• Go to the ICA website and follow the checkout process.
• If your billing account or address needs updating, please complete the Contact/Account Change Request Form

Upgrading your membership

If you wish to upgrade your membership:

• During your current subscription period: Please contact us directly
• After completing an ICA Certificate or higher: You can purchase your upgraded membership level here.

Membership levels and eligibility:

• Professional Membership (MICA designation): You’re eligible if you’ve completed an ICA Certificate course or higher.
• Fellow Membership (FICA designation): You’re eligible if you’ve completed one or more of the following:
  • ICA Professional Postgraduate Diploma
  • ICA Certified Money Laundering Reporting Officer Course
  • ICA Certified Head of Compliance Course
  • Qualify via the Experienced Practitioner Route

CPD stands for Continuing Professional Development. It refers to the ongoing learning and development activities that help professionals stay up-to-date with industry trends, expand their skills, and maintain professional competence.

ICA CPD Recommendations

• ICA recommends completing 35 hours of CPD per membership year.
• This is not compulsory, but strongly encouraged to support your professional growth.

How ICA supports your CPD

As an ICA member, you have access to a wide range of CPD resources via the ICA Learning Hub, including:

• Articles and publications
• Webinars and videos
• Jurisdiction-specific technical learning
• Soft skills development
• Bite-sized online learning tailored to your interests and expertise

The Learning Hub allows you to filter content based on your area of interest, making it easy to stay current with the latest developments.

What counts towards CPD?

Different ICA courses contribute varying amounts of CPD credit (in hours).

Please refer to the CPD Table [link or embedded table] for details.

To learn more, visit our Continuing Professional Development (CPD) Policy.

To log CPD, please log in to your learning hub, click the 'My CPD log' section and select the 'New Record' button.

This will be the same section where you view your CPD log.

ICA Professional members receive a 10% discount on all ICA qualifications.

ICA Fellow members receive a 15% discount on all ICA qualifications.

At ICA, our focus is to support our members and students to be the best they can be. Ethical excellence is integral to this approach.

As an ICA member, you will recognise the importance of best practice, compliance and achieving benefits above and beyond those delivered by meeting regulatory requirements.

The Code is applicable to all ICA members. ICA views ethical behaviour as central to demonstrating and maintaining professionalism. As you would expect from a professional membership association, adherence to the Code is expected. Members should make every effort to apply the Code.

The Code

The Code embodies the important principles of compliance and regulations that are upheld internationally. ICA members are expected to uphold the highest levels of integrity and professionalism, that is demonstrated by a series of behaviours which include (but are not limited to) the following:

Judgement

Compliance professionals must…

1. Establish the ‘spirit’ and intent of regulation and reflect upon its implications from the perspective of all key stakeholders, avoiding any over-simplification that diminishes the value and importance of compliance. 

2. Understand that the integrity and effectiveness of compliance is founded on independence of thought and judgment, recognising that they shall protect and ensure their independence and alert senior management or regulators should this be compromised. As such, they need to ensure that they have a direct voice to the board of directors (or its equivalent).

3. Take mature judgments in balancing competing priorities and conflicts of interest, interpreting ‘grey’ areas, making fine judgments and decisions and then acting with the appropriate degree of sensitivity making difficult decisions when required to do so.

Behaviour

Compliance professionals must…

4. Be proactive in building a positive culture in their firm that understands, respects and is committed to regulatory objectives, values and outcomes. 

5. Recognise that they have a unique and significant position with accountability to the firm and the relevant regulatory authorities, and must be clear and transparent about their responsibilities and the limitations of the scope of their accountabilities.

6. Be able to raise uncomfortable issues and ask challenging questions, making contributions that enables constructive challenge at all levels in the organisation.

7. Remain committed to open, clear, accurate, timely and accessible reporting, both internally and to regulators, and be committed to maintaining transparency as unconditional.

Development

Compliance professionals must…

8. Aim for open relationships with colleagues, offering high-quality advice and guidance, yet understand where ownership of risk lies.

9. Assist in the education and development of colleagues, undertaking regular briefings, inductions, training, horizon scanning, and compliance planning.

10. Develop their own competence, relevant to their role, through appropriate qualifications, training and continuous professional development and avoid exceeding the limitations of their competence.

ICA will continue to update and develop this Code so any examples of how the Code has been useful or how it could be improved are welcomed.

Consequences of non-compliance

Members must understand that should a clear infringement of this Code or the principles it contains come to the attention of the association, it would be just cause to trigger a further investigation.

If the outcome of such an investigation confirmed that a member was in breach of the Code it would lead to a disciplinary hearing that gave the member the right to defend their actions. One possible outcome of such a disciplinary hearing would be a withdrawal of membership, which the association reserves the right to make public.

Once you’ve re-joined or upgraded your ICA membership, you’ll receive an email from our digital badge partner Diplomasafe (sent from noreply@diplomasafe.com).

To claim your badge:

• Open the email and click the one-time link provided.
• Download your badge as a PDF certificate and/or share it directly to your social media.

If you need to access your badge again:

1. Visit the Diplomasafe website.
2. Log in using the email address linked to your ICA Learning Hub.
3. Click “Reset my password” to receive a new login link.
4. Follow the instructions to set a new password and access your badge.

If your name is incorrect on your ICA badge, you can request a correction through Diplomasafe:

Steps to update your name:

1. Log in to your Diplomasafe account using the email linked to your ICA Learning Hub.
2. Click on the badge you wish to update.
3. Select “Report wrong name in badge”.
4. Submit the correction request.

Once submitted, ICA will review your request and issue an updated badge with the correct name.

If your ICA badge is due to expire, you can choose to keep it by following these steps:

1. Log in to your Diplomasafe account using the email linked to your ICA Learning Hub.
2. Click on the badge that is marked for expiry.
3. Select the option “Keep after expiry”.

This will allow you to retain access to your badge even after your membership has expired.

The Certified Practitioner Certificate, is awarded to ICA members who complete the recommended amount of Continuing Professional Development (CPD) within their membership year.

CPD Requirements:

• ICA recommends completing 35 hours of CPD per membership year.
• Your CPD year runs in parallel with your membership subscription year.
• Only CPD completed within this timeframe counts toward your annual total.
• CPD hours cannot be carried forward to the next year.

How to claim your certificate:

1. Log 35 hours of CPD in your ICA Learning Hub.
2. Once completed, you’ll be able to claim your Certified Practitioner Certificate.
3. Your certificate will be sent to you via email from our digital partner Diplomasafe within 5 working days.

To learn more, visit our Continuing Professional Development (CPD) Policy.

Your Contact Number is a unique identifier used for ICA communications and records. It follows the format:  C-[your initials]-[number]

You can find it in two places:

1. Booking Confirmation Email
   
   • Sent to you after you enrol on a course.
2. ICA Learning Hub
   
   • Log in to your account.
   • Select ‘Profile’ from the left-hand menu.
   • Your Contact Number will be displayed at the top of the ‘Personal Details’ section.

It’s important to keep your contact and billing details up to date. This includes changes to:

• Name
• Address
• Phone number
• Email address
• Employer (if applicable)
• Billing address

To request changes: Please complete the Contact/Account Change Request Form and submit it to us and we will update your details.

To access your course materials, follow these steps:

1. Log in to the ICA Learning Hub.
2. From the left-hand menu, click ‘Courses’.
3. Select ‘My Courses and Results’ from the dropdown.
4. On the top right of the page, click the bright pink ‘Go to Courses’ button.

This will take you to your Learning Platform dashboard, where all your course materials and resources are available.

Yes – you can apply for a unique student discount card link if you are currently studying an ICA course. Please contact us to obtain the relevant code.

If you have a disability or learning difficulty, the standard format of training or assessment may not meet your needs. ICA is committed to making reasonable adjustments to ensure fair access to training and assessment.

We aim to:

• make our training delivery accessible to all learners 
• ensure assessments accurately reflect individual achievement. 

For more details, please refer to our Accessibility Statement.

ICA will make every effort to accommodate specific requirements based on individual circumstances. To understand how we support learners with additional needs, please read our Reasonable Adjustment Policy.

How to request support:

1. Complete and submit Reasonable Adjustments Form
2. Our Learning Support team will review your request and contact you to confirm the approved adjustments.

Most courses have a screen-reader-friendly, accessible PDF manual that you can download and print. 

To access the PDF manual:

1. Log in to your Learning Platform 
2. On your course page, look for the tile labelled 'Additional Resources' 
3. View and download the accessible PDF course manual.

There’s no mandatory preparation required before attending your Virtual Classroom. However, to get the most out of the session, we recommend:

• Reviewing your course materials ahead of time to familiarise yourself with key concepts.
• Attending the live session, as it offers valuable interaction and learning opportunities.

If you can’t attend live:

All Virtual Classroom sessions are recorded.
Recordings are uploaded to your course page within 48 hours of the session.

This ensures you can catch up at your convenience and stay on track with your learning.

We strongly recommend attending all live Virtual Classroom sessions to get the most out of your learning experience. However, if you’re unable to attend:

• Don’t worry — every session is recorded.
• Recordings are uploaded to your course page within 48 hours of the session.
• Once available, the “JOIN” link for the Zoom session will change to a “PLAY” link, allowing you to watch the recording at your convenience.

Note: While attendance is encouraged, missing a session will not affect your final grade.

Yes — if you have academic questions about your course content or assessments, please contact us. We will forward your query to a tutor on your behalf, and you’ll receive a detailed response once available.

Important:

• Please submit academic queries at least 7 days before your assessment deadline.
• Tutors aim to respond promptly, but due to demand, we cannot guarantee a reply within 7 days of your assessment.

Use of Artificial Intelligence (AI)

Generative AI Policy Update

ICA has an established policy regarding the use of Generative Artificial Intelligence (Gen.AI) tools in assessment preparation. This update is intended to clarify that policy for learners and all those involved in academic delivery and assessment.

What is Gen.AI?

We define Gen.AI broadly to include:

• ChatBots (e.g. ChatGPT, Claude)
• Tools that generate images, graphics, sound, or other data
• Advanced search engines that use AI
• Voice-activated devices that understand and respond to speech
• Grammar and spelling tools that generate alternative text, not just correct errors

What is allowed?

Gen.AI tools may be used to support research. However, verbatim use of AI-generated text is strictly prohibited and considered plagiarism, unless:

• Small amounts of AI-generated content are used
• The content is properly cited using appropriate referencing protocols

Declaration Requirement

Any use of Gen.AI — including for research, spelling, or grammar correction — must be declared at the start of your submission. ICA provides a declaration statement in the submission area for learners to confirm that the work is their own and complies with academic integrity guidelines.

Important Notes:

• Legitimate use of Gen.AI within the terms of this policy will not result in penalties.
• Undeclared use of Gen.AI may lead to further investigation and potential penalties if malpractice is identified.

You should include a citation whenever you use material that is not your own. This includes:

• Direct quotes: If you use a specific phrase or excerpt from a source (e.g. book, article, website), it must be cited.
• Paraphrased or summarised content: Even if you reword information, you must still reference the original source.
• Ideas or concepts: If your discussion is based on someone else’s theory, idea, or findings, cite the source, even if you don’t quote it directly.
• Data or statistics: Any figures or findings from research must be referenced.
• AI-generated content: If you use ideas, suggestions, or text generated by AI tools, this must be clearly declared and referenced.

Referencing Guidelines:

• Include the author, title, date, and page number (if applicable).
• For web sources, include the date and time of access.
• Always cite the original source. For example, if you refer to a FATF report, cite the FATF directly, not the course manual that mentions it.

Refer to the Assessment Handbook for detailed guidance on referencing styles and protocols.

Microsoft Word makes it easy to insert footnotes for referencing sources.

To insert a footnote:

1. Click where you want the footnote number to appear (usually after the quote, paraphrase, or reference).
2. Go to the 'References' tab in the toolbar.
3. Select 'Insert Footnote'.
4. A number will appear in the text, and a matching number will appear at the bottom of the page.
5. Type your reference details in the footnote area at the bottom.

Refer to your Assessment Handbook for guidance on what information to include in footnotes to ensure proper citation.

The word count limit depends on the level of your programme:

• Advanced Certificate: Minimum 2,000 words – Maximum 2,500 words
• Diploma: Minimum 3,000 words – Maximum 3,500 words
• Certified Practitioner MLRO: 
  
  • Reflective Journal: 300 words per eight virtual classrooms (Total: 2,400 words)
  • Assignment Section: Minimum 850 words – Maximum 1,000 words
• Certified Financial Crime Investigator: Maximum 1,500 words
• Certified Head of Compliance:
  
  • Reflective Journal: 300 words per eight virtual classrooms (Total: 2,400 words)
  • Assignment Section: Minimum 850 words – Maximum 1,000 words

The specific word count will be confirmed on the front cover of your assignment.

Important Notes:

You must meet the minimum word count, falling short may result in lower marks.

Penalties apply for exceeding the maximum word count:

• Up to 10% over the specified word limit- 10 mark penalty
• 11%–25% over the specified word limit - 20 mark penalty
• 26%–50% over the specified word limit  - 30 mark penalty
• Any assignments in excess of 50% over the specified word limit will not be marked, and a mark of zero will be recorded.

Penalties apply for exceeding the maximum word count:

• Up to 10% over the specified word limit- 10 mark penalty
• 11%–25% over the specified word limit - 20 mark penalty
• 26%–50% over the specified word limit  - 30 mark penalty
• Any assignments in excess of 50% over the specified word limit will not be marked, and a mark of zero will be recorded.

You can submit your assignment at any time before the deadline, but we recommend using the full time available to ensure your work is thorough and well-prepared.

Assignments must be submitted by midday (12:00 PM local time) on the submission deadline date.

Please note: Late submissions will incur penalties, as outlined in your Assessment Handbook.

The pass mark depends on the level of your programme:

Advanced Certificate & Diploma

Minimum pass mark: 50%

You must achieve at least 50% in each individual assignment or exam.

If you score below 50%, you will be marked as a fail and must resit the assignment or exam at the next available opportunity.

Certificate & Specialist Certificate

Minimum pass mark: 70%

This applies to the multiple-choice assessment, where you must answer at least 18 out of 25 questions correctly.

The purpose of the MCQ assessments is to test your understanding of the course material, not just your ability to recall answers. If you answer a question incorrectly, it’s meant to highlight areas that may need further study.

To support deeper learning:

• Correct answers are not provided immediately after the test.
• Instead, you’ll receive revision feedback that points you to the relevant module and unit so you can review the topic and find the correct answer yourself.

This approach encourages independent learning and helps you better understand the context behind each question.

You will receive an overall mark for the three MCQ assessments at the end of the course.

The SBQ assessments are designed to test your understanding of the course material and your ability to apply it in realistic scenarios. To ensure fairness and consistency across all learners:

• Marks are not released immediately after completing the SBQ.
• This helps maintain a standardised assessment process and avoids bias in grading.
• While we understand that immediate feedback can be helpful, individualised comments are not provided due to logistical constraints.

Your SBQ mark will be released at the end of the course, along with your final results.

Yes, you can complete your assessment on a mobile phone.

However, we strongly recommend using a laptop or desktop computer to avoid any display or functionality issues and to ensure a smoother, more reliable experience during your assessment.

Yes. Once you access the assessment link, a timer will be displayed throughout the assessment.

• The timer starts as soon as you begin.
• When the time limit is reached, the assessment will automatically close, and your answers will be submitted.

Make sure to manage your time carefully and complete all questions before the timer runs out.

Assignments

• ICA follows an eight-week marking timeframe for assignment submissions.
• Results will be available by the end of the seventh week after your submission date.
• You can find scheduled release dates in the ‘Key Dates’ section of your learning platform.

Diploma MCQ Assessments

• You will not receive immediate results after completing each MCQ (1a, 1b, and 1c).
• You will receive revision feedback for incorrect answers after each MCQ, including references to relevant modules and units.
• Your overall MCQ result will be released at the end of the course, along with your final results.
• Feedback remains available throughout the course and for two weeks after final results are released.

Advanced Certificate SBQ Assessment

• You will not receive immediate results after completing your SBQ.
• Your SBQ result will be released at the end of the course, with your final results.

Final Results

• ICA operates a ten-week timeframe for calculating final assessment results and grades.
• Your final results will be available within this period.

When your result is ready, you’ll receive an email notification confirming that your mark and feedback are available on the ICA Learning Hub.

To access your results:

• Log into the ICA Learning Hub
• Go to ‘My Course & Record of Learning’
• Select ‘Completed Courses’

Note: Results are not provided over the phone.

If your results don’t appear:

• Check the timing: Results may not be available immediately. Refer to your course’s release date.
• Refresh the page: Sometimes a simple refresh will update the view.
• Check for system updates: Look out for any announcements about platform maintenance or delays.

If the issue persists, please contact us via the contact form, and we’ll assist you.

Yes. For each assignment, you will receive individual feedback covering both the content and presentation of your work.

In addition:

• ICA provides a generic feedback report summarising key points that candidates could have included. This is released alongside your mark.
• Your feedback will not include a breakdown of marks for each part of the question.

We recommend reviewing both the individual and generic feedback to support your learning and future assignments.

Advanced Certificate & Diploma

• Pass: 50%
• Merit: 60% or above
• Distinction: 70% or above

Certificate & Specialist Certificate

• Pass: 70%
• Merit: 80% or above
• Distinction: 90% or above

Your final grade is based on your overall performance across the course assessments.

Advanced Certificate, Diploma, Certified Practitioner, and Professional Postgraduate Diploma

• If you fail an assessment, you will be given one opportunity to resit the relevant assessment.
• Resit dates will be provided with your final results.
• Resit opportunities are usually available every two months.
• A resit fee applies and can be booked via the ICA website: Book your ICA resit

Certificate & Specialist Certificate

• Your course fee includes two attempts at the multiple-choice assessment.
• If you fail the first attempt, you can take a second attempt free of charge.
• If you fail both attempts, you may purchase a third and final attempt: Book your ICA resit
• If unsuccessful on the final attempt, you will need to re-enrol on the course.

Assignments

• If you submit after the deadline, penalties will apply as outlined in the Assessment Handbook.
• Extensions may be granted if you have approved Mitigating Circumstances.
  • You must request an extension before the submission date.
  • Requests received after the deadline will be automatically refused.
  • If an extension is granted and you still miss the new deadline, your assignment will receive a mark of zero.

To apply, complete a Mitigating Circumstances form. The Learning Support team will confirm whether your request is approved.

MCQ and SBQ Assessments (Advanced Certificate, Diploma, etc.)

• You must complete your assessment within the five-day assessment window.
• Extensions are not available for these assessments.
• If you miss the window, you will receive a mark of zero.

Certificate & Specialist Certificate Courses

• If you miss the deadline for your multiple-choice assessment:
  • You can request a one-month extension free of charge by contacting the Learning Support team.
• If you need more time, you can purchase a final one-month extension (a fee does apply).
  • No further extensions will be granted after this final paid extension.

Yes — you can apply to defer your studies to a later cohort if your circumstances meet the criteria outlined in our Mitigating Circumstances Policy.

To request a deferral:

1. Complete and submit the Mitigating Circumstances Form.
2. Include supporting documentation where possible.
3. Our Learning Support team will review your request and confirm whether it has been approved.

Important notes:

• If approved, a deferral fee of 500 GBP (plus VAT where applicable) will apply. A payment link will be provided upon approval.
• All ICA courses must be completed within two years of your initial enrolment, including any deferrals or resits.
• Your course fees must be paid in full, with no outstanding balance on your account.

We’re committed to maintaining the highest standards for our learners, and we’re sorry if we haven’t met your expectations.

To make a formal complaint:

1. Visit our Contact Us page and complete the webform.
2. In Section 3, select the option “Make a formal complaint".
3. Submit the form with details of your complaint.
4. Once received, a member of our team will review your complaint and get in touch to discuss next steps.

You can also view our full Complaints Policy for more information.

• A full or short essay
• A report with numbered paragraphs
• A detailed analysis applying your knowledge to a scenario

• Submit your assignment as a single Microsoft Word document
• Do not submit as a PDF — this may result in your assignment not being marked and receiving a mark of zero

• Your Customer Contact Number (e.g. C-AB-0123456)
• Submission date
• Course title
• Do not include your name
• A contents page is optional, but adds a professional touch
• Use font size 11 or 12 in a clear typeface such as Calibri, Arial, or Times New Roman
• Use 1.5 to 2 line spacing
• Use subheadings to clearly structure your content

Unfortunately, no. We do not disclose which questions were answered incorrectly or provide the correct answers. This is to protect the integrity of the question bank and ensure fairness across all assessments.

However, on some courses, you will receive revision feedback that points you to the relevant module and unit for further study, helping you identify areas to review and strengthen your understanding.

Accessing Your Assessment

You can access your assessment via the Learning Platform:

1. Go to the Assessment section and click the provided link.
2. On the Assessments page, click ‘View exam’ (note: all assessments are labelled as ‘Exam’).
3. Read the instructions carefully, including the Terms and Acceptance section.
4. Tick the box next to ‘I agree’ to proceed.
5. Click ‘Start exam’ to begin.
6. Download your question paper and save it to your device.
7. Click the arrow icon (‘Resume later’) on the right-hand side to exit, then close the window.

Before You Submit

Finalise your work and compile it as a single Microsoft Word document.

PDF files will not be accepted.

• Name your file using your Customer ID in the format: A-BC-1234567_Assess_1_Final.
• Do not include your name or personal information in the file name or document.
• Ensure your submission is anonymous for marking.
• Include your region/jurisdiction in the header of each page.
• Reference all work properly according to submission guidelines.
• Late submissions will incur penalties (see the Penalties section).
• Maximum file size: 5MB.
• Save your final document in an easily accessible location.

Submitting Your Assessment

1. Return to the Assessment section on the Learning Platform.
2. Click ‘View exam’.
3. Tick ‘I agree’, then click ‘Continue exam’.
4. In the File Upload section, click ‘Upload’.
5. Select the correct file from your device.
6. Verify the file name displayed on-screen.
7. (Optional) Download the uploaded file to double-check.
8. To replace the file, click ‘X’ and upload the correct one.
9. Read and acknowledge the Declaration of Academic Integrity.
10. Click ‘Submit Answer’.
11. Click ‘Continue to Submit Attempt’ (or ‘Go Back to Questions’ if needed).
12. Click ‘Submit Attempt’.

Once submitted, you cannot retrieve or modify your submission.

Your assessment is now submitted for marking. You will no longer be able to access the exam.

Please ensure you submit the correct document when uploading your assignment.

If you submit the wrong version by mistake, contact us via phone or live chat as soon as possible. We will arrange for the incorrect version to be deleted.

You must make this request before the submission deadline.

You cannot automatically request a re-mark of your assessment.

However, you may submit a formal appeal regarding the final decision of an Assessment Board, provided it is:

• Submitted within 20 working days of receiving your final grades.
• Based on one or more of the following grounds:

Valid Grounds for Appeal:

1. Undisclosed mitigating circumstances

There were circumstances affecting your performance that the Assessment Board was unaware of, for good reason, and which may have materially affected the decision.

• You must provide credible and compelling reasons, along with supporting documentation, explaining why this information was not shared earlier.

2. Material administrative error or procedural irregularity

An error occurred in the assessment process or in applying programme regulations, which may have impacted the outcome.

• You must include evidence of the error or irregularity.

3. Evidence of prejudice, bias, or improper assessment

There is evidence of unfair treatment or lack of proper assessment by one or more examiners.

• Dissatisfaction with your grade alone is not sufficient. You must provide supporting evidence.

Appeals questioning the academic or professional judgement of assessors will not be permitted.

How to Submit an Appeal:

1. Read the full ICA Appeals Policy.
2. Complete the Appeal Form.
3. Submit the form via the ICA Contact Us Webform:

Select: “I am currently studying/an ICA member and need some support with:”

Then choose: “Existing Learning Support” → “Appeals”

You will receive an automated email with a case number. Reply to this email with your completed form and supporting evidence.

Evidence must be submitted within 48 hours of your appeal. Late evidence will not be considered.

We aim to respond to appeals within 20 working days, unless advised otherwise.

This depends on the type of course you’re studying:

Certificate & Specialist Certificate

• You can instantly download your certificate from the ICA Learning Hub after successfully completing your assessment.

Advanced Certificate, Diploma, Certified Practitioner, and Postgraduate Diploma

• You will receive a digital certificate via DiplomaSafe within 4–6 weeks of receiving your final results.

Access to your certificate depends on the type of course you've completed:

Certificate or Specialist Certificate:

• Once you've successfully completed your assessment, a certificate link will appear below the link to your multiple-choice assessment in the relevant tab on your course page.

Essentials Course:

• You must tick the box to the right of the session link. This will generate your certificate in the ‘Certificate’ tab.

Advanced Certificate, Diploma, Certified Practitioner, or Postgraduate Certificate:

• These certificates are released via email from DiplomaSafe.

If you've followed the steps above and still can't access your certificate, please contact us via the Web Form for assistance.

Yes, you can order a hard copy replacement certificate for the following qualifications:

• Advanced Certificate
• Diploma
• Certified Practitioner
• Postgraduate Diploma

Use the link below to place your order. Please note that a fee applies.

Order replacement certificate

For Certificate or Specialist Certificate:

You can re-download your certificate from the Learning Hub.

If you no longer have access, please use the ‘Contact Us’ form to request assistance.

Please note: We can only replace certificates for these courses if they were completed in 2021 or later.

If you pass your qualification, there are two elements of designation you may be eligible for to recognise your achievement, qualification designation and professional designation.

If you pass an Advanced Certificate (Intermediate) course, or above, once completed you will be eligible to become a member of ICA and gain recognition by using a professional designation after your name, e.g., AICA, MICA or FICA. 

To use these professional ICA designations, you must complete the required level of qualification, commit to ongoing professional development and operate in accordance with our Code of Conduct as a member.

In addition, by completing any ICA course, you gain the right to use a qualification designation that indicates the level and areas of specialism your course covered. For example: Adv. Cert (CDD), Dip (FinCrime) or Prof.PgDip (AML)

Here's how this would like in practice:

Ian Hancocks Adv. Cert (CDD), AICA 

Ian Hancocks Dip (FinCrime) MICA

Ian Hancocks Prof.PgDip (AML) FICA

More information can be found at ICA Designations. 

Steps to Request Proof of Qualification/Reference Request

1. Submit a Reference Request
   • Visit the ICA Reference Request page.
2. Pay the Fee
   • There is a fee applicable for this service.
3. Complete the Consent Form
   • If you're requesting on behalf of someone else, you must submit a signed consent form authorising the release of their personal information.
4. Processing Timeline
   • After payment, ICA will contact you within 48 hours to request the consent form and any additional details.

Once all documents are received, you’ll get the reference by email within 5 working days.

When referencing Gen.AI-assisted content, you must:

• Use quotation marks and a numbered reference if citing material verbatim.
• Provide a focused reference for each instance of Gen.AI-assisted text.
• Use footnotes at the bottom of each page, with numbers in the text referring to them.

Example in-text citation:

The three lines of defence model has come under considerable criticism due to its limitations and the assumption that there are only three distinct lines of defence.[1]

Footnote format:

[1] OpenAI, ChatGPT version 3, Accessed 22 October 2024.

Repeat references to the same source should follow standard footnote conventions, including the use of ibid, where appropriate.

Yes – you can purchase an academic transcript using the link below.

Purchase an academic transcript

If you’ve forgotten your password or need to reset it:

1. Go to the Learning Hub login page.
2. Click the ‘Forgot Password’ link.
3. You’ll receive an email from "Okta" (our secure password system) at your registered email address with instructions to reset your password.

Tip: If you don’t receive the email, please check your spam/junk folder. If it’s not there, contact us and we’ll assist you further.

If you're experiencing technical issues that prevent you from submitting your assignment through the Learning Platform:

• Contact us immediately via Live Chat or by phone on +44 (0)121 362 7533.
• Make sure to get in touch before your assessment deadline, so we can help resolve the issue and ensure your submission is accepted.

Your login details depend on how your account was created when enrolling:

• If you created your own account, your Learning Hub login details will be the same as those you set during registration.
• If your employer purchased your course on your behalf, you’ll receive an activation email from "Okta" (our secure password system).
• The email will contain a link to activate your account.

Note: The link is valid for 7 days.

If you haven’t received the activation email, please check your spam/junk folder. If it’s not there, contact us and we’ll assist you further.

If you encounter an error when trying to log in:

1. Take a screenshot of the error message, including:
   • The URL shown in your browser
   • Any visible error codes or messages
2. Contact us and share the screenshot along with any relevant details so we can investigate the issue.

Note: You will only be able to access the Learning Hub once your annual ICA membership has been purchased or renewed.

When logging in, if you see a message stating that your ICA membership has expired:

Step 1: Check your membership status

• Ensure you have an active ICA membership.
• If your membership has expired, you’ll need to renew or purchase a new membership to regain access.

Step 2: If your membership is active

• Take a screenshot of the error message, including:
  • The URL in your browser
  • Any visible error codes or messages
  • Contact us and share the screenshot so we can investigate and resolve the issue

All Virtual Classroom links are available in your Course Calendar within the Learning Hub, under the relevant classroom tab.

If you're having trouble accessing the session, try the following tips:

Device & Browser:

• Use a laptop or desktop PC (not a tablet or mobile device).
• Recommended browsers: Google Chrome, Microsoft Edge, or Safari (Mac).
• Avoid using Citrix or other desktop virtualisation software.
• Disable any VPN before joining.

Work Device Restrictions:

• If you're using a work device, security software may block Zoom or BARCO (WeConnect).
• Try using a personal device.
• If that’s not possible, speak to your IT department to unblock access.

Platform Compatibility:

• BARCO (WeConnect) does not work on mobile devices.
• Zoom and Microsoft Teams are supported on desktop browsers.

Test Your Equipment:

• Watch the support videos below to check your setup:
  • Zoom Support Video
  • BARCO WeConnect Support Video
  • Microsoft Teams Support Video

Still having trouble?

Contact the Learning Support team:

Live Chat via the ICA website

Phone: +44 (0)121 362 7533