AML Compliance Self-Assessment Tool for DNFBPs
The tool covers 41 targeted compliance items across 10 critical sections. It produces an instant, colour-coded compliance posture score benchmarked against sector averages for UAE DNFBPs.
What is an AML Compliance Self-Assessment Tool for DNFBPs in the UAE?
The UAE AML Compliance Self-Assessment Questionnaire is a free, structured diagnostic tool that helps regulated entities evaluate their compliance posture against the Federal Decree-Law No. (10) of 2025, which came into force on 14 October 2025, and its Executive Regulations under Cabinet Resolution No. (134) of 2025, which came into force on 14 December 2025.
The tool covers 41 targeted compliance items across 10 critical sections. It produces an instant, colour-coded compliance posture score benchmarked against sector averages for UAE DNFBPs.
Every question is mapped to a specific legal provision or supervisory guideline. Criminal-risk items are double-weighted to ensure the score reflects genuine regulatory exposure.
Why AML Compliance Has Never Been More Critical in the UAE
The key developments regulated entities must act on:
Federal Decree Law No. 10 of 2025 introduced proliferation financing as a standalone criminal offence, strengthened FIU powers, and raised penalties, with fines of up to AED 100 million and the risk of dissolution for non-compliant entities.
Cabinet Resolution No. 134 of 2025 introduced enhanced CDD triggers, a new CPF risk framework and expanded goAML reporting obligations.
The Ministry of Economy and Tourism has significantly intensified on-site inspections of accounting firms, auditors, real estate agents, corporate service providers and dealers in precious metals and stones.
The EOCN updated its TFS guidance in July 2025, introducing stricter expectations around screening frequency, false-positive handling and CNMR/PNMR reporting timelines.
In this environment, a formal, documented AML compliance self-assessment is not optional. It is the first step in demonstrating to your supervisory authority that your entity understands its obligations and has taken proportionate action to meet them.
Who Should Use This AML Compliance Assessment Tool?
This tool is designed for any UAE DNFBP entity subject to AML/CFT/CPF obligations under the Federal Decree-Law No. (10) of 2025 and its Executive Regulations under Cabinet Resolution No. (134) of 2025.
Designated Non-Financial Businesses and Professions (DNFBPs)
Accountants and Auditing Firms
Independent accounting and auditing firms licensed and supervised by the Ministry of Economy and Tourism.
Real Estate Brokers and Agents
Real Estate agencies and brokers conducting property purchase, sale or leasing transactions on behalf of clients.
Dealers in Precious Metals and Stones
Businesses engaged in high-value transactions involving gold, silver, diamonds and other precious items.
Trust and Corporate Service Providers (TCSPs/CSPs)
Entities providing company formation, nominee director, registered office and related services.
Lawyers, Legal Consultants and Notaries
Professionals involved in financial transactions, company structuring, asset management or property transfers and supervised by the Ministry of Justice.
Commercial Gaming Operators
A new DNFBP category was introduced under Cabinet Resolution No. (134) of 2025, including operators of gaming halls, online gaming platforms, sports betting and lottery services.
Compliance Professionals and MLROs
Compliance Function | Why This Tool Is Relevant |
Money Laundering Reporting Officers (MLROs) | Conducting internal compliance reviews and semi-annual reporting |
Compliance Officers | Preparing for MoET on-site or off-site inspections |
AML Consultants | Conducting gap assessments on behalf of clients |
Legal and Advisory Firms | Advising regulated entities on UAE AML/CFT obligations |
Senior Management and Board Members
Directors, partners and senior managers who need to understand their entity’s current compliance posture and their own governance obligations, including the personal liability exposure that attaches to senior management under Federal Decree Law No. 10 of 2025.
Not sure whether your entity is covered? Under Federal Decree Law No. 10 of 2025, conducting a regulated activity without an AML/CFT/CPF programme in place is itself an offence. If you operate in any of the sectors above, this assessment is for you.
Is Your AML/CFT/CPF Programme Ready
for a MoET Inspection?
Speak directly with an ACAMS-certified UAE AML specialist:
How the AML Compliance Self-Assessment Tool Works
Step 1 — Answer Questions
Work through 41 questions across 10 compliance sections. Each question covers a specific regulatory obligation drawn from Federal Decree Law No. 10 of 2025, Cabinet Resolution No. 134 of 2025, MoET DNFBP Guidelines (September 2025), EOCN TFS Guidance (July 2025), Cabinet Decision No. 74 of 2020 and UAE NRA 2024 findings.
You can navigate freely between sections, return to earlier questions and complete the assessment at your own pace.
Click the “? Why” button on any question to expand a contextual hint explaining the regulatory significance and what inspectors typically look for.
Step 2 — Rate Your Compliance Posture
For each question, select the rating that most accurately reflects your entity’s current position.
Rating | Code | What It Means |
Compliant | C | The requirement is fully observed with no or negligible shortcomings |
Largely Compliant | LC | A large majority of criteria are met; only minor shortcomings exist |
Partially Compliant | PC | Some necessary action has been taken but moderate shortcomings remain |
Non-Compliant | NC | Major shortcomings exist; the requirement is not observed to any significant extent |
Not Applicable | N/A | The requirement genuinely does not apply to your entity or business model |
This scale is directly aligned with the methodology used by FATF in its Mutual Evaluation process.
Step 3 — Track Your Progress
As you answer each question, your section score and overall compliance percentage update in real time. Critical-risk items, those carrying direct criminal or significant administrative penalty exposure under Federal Decree-Law No. (10) of 2025 are flagged with a red Critical badge and double-weighted in your score.
Step 4 — Receive Compliance Report
Your personalised results page includes:
Report Element | What It Shows |
Overall compliance posture speedometer | Your weighted score and FATF-aligned rating |
Section-by-section speedometers | Scores across all 10 sections vs sector benchmark |
Critical Gaps panel | All criminal-risk items rated PC or NC |
Recommended Actions list | Specific actions for every section scoring below 70% |
Gaps Register | Every PC and NC item for remediation planning |
Reassessment Scheduler | Set a calendar reminder for your next review |
Step 5 — Speak with an Expert
Your personalised results page includes:
Get in touch with AML UAE consultant for a free, prioritised remediation roadmap tailored to your entity type, size and risk profile.
Methodology and Regulatory Basis for AML Compliance Self-Assessment Tool
What Laws and Guidelines Does This Tool Cover?
The questionnaire is built on the following legal and regulatory sources, current as of the date of publication.
Primary Legislation
| Instrument | Status |
| Federal Decree-Law No. 10 of 2025 on Combating Money Laundering, Terrorism Financing and Proliferation Financing | In force 14 October 2025 |
| Cabinet Resolution No. 134 of 2025 — Executive Regulations to FDL 10/2025 | In force 14 December 2025 |
| Cabinet Decision No. 74 of 2020 on Targeted Financial Sanctions and Terrorist Lists | In force |
Supervisory Guidance
Instrument | Issued By |
Ministry of Economy and Tourism | |
Implementation Guide on Customer Due Diligence (November 2024) | Ministry of Economy and Tourism |
Implementation Guide on Customer Risk Assessment (November 2024) | Ministry of Economy and Tourism |
Ministry of Economy and Tourism | |
Circular No. 8 of 2025 — High-Risk Countries and Increased Monitoring Lists | Ministry of Economy and Tourism |
EOCN | |
Guidance on Counter-Proliferation Financing for FIs, DNFBPs and VASPs | EOCN |
Risk Intelligence
How Are Scores Calculated?
Each question is assigned a point value based on your rating.
Rating | Points | Weighting for Critical Items |
Compliant (C) | 3 pts | 6 pts |
Largely Compliant (LC) | 2 pts | 4 pts |
Partially Compliant (PC) | 1 pt | 2 pts |
Non-Compliant (NC) | 0 pts | 0 pts |
Not Applicable (N/A) | Excluded | Excluded |
Formula: Section Score = (Weighted Points Earned ÷ Maximum Weighted Points) × 100
Score thresholds:
Score | Posture |
90–100% | Compliant |
70–89% | Largely Compliant |
50–69% | Partially Compliant |
Below 50% | Non-Compliant |
How Are Sector Benchmarks Determined?
Sector benchmark percentages are derived from AML UAE’s experience of conducting over 800 compliance engagements, gap assessments and inspection-support assignments across UAE-regulated entities.
They represent approximate average scores observed across DNFBP sector and are intended to provide directional context. Benchmarks are updated periodically as the regulatory environment evolves.
Important Limitations
This tool is for self-assessment and awareness purposes only. It does not constitute a formal supervisory assessment, legal advice or an audit opinion.
Results are only as accurate as the answers provided. AML UAE recommends using this tool as a starting point and engaging a qualified compliance professional to conduct a formal, documented review.
Your Compliance Posture Is Only as Strong as the Controls Behind It
If your results show Partially Compliant or Non-Compliant in any section, particularly TFS, STR/SAR reporting or goAML, those gaps represent live regulatory and criminal exposure that must be addressed before your next inspection.
AML UAE provides rapid-response gap remediation for UAE-regulated entities of all types and sizes.
What to Do If You Are Unsure How to Answer a Question
Use the "? Why" Hint on Each Question
Every question includes an expandable hint that explains what it tests, why it matters from a regulatory perspective, and what inspectors typically look for. Start there if you are unsure.
Apply the Benefit of the Doubt Conservatively
If you are genuinely uncertain whether your entity meets a requirement, rate it Partially Compliant rather than Compliant.
The value of this tool lies in identifying genuine gaps — not in producing an artificially high score.
Use N/A Only When Genuinely Applicable
The Not Applicable rating should be selected only when a requirement genuinely does not apply to your entity’s business model, customer base, or sector.
Example | Correct N/A Application |
Real Estate Activity Report (REAR) | Not applicable to an accounting firm |
Dealers in Precious Metals and Stones Report (DPMSR) | Not applicable to a corporate service provider |
Commercial gaming-specific controls | Not applicable to a law firm |
If in doubt, rate the item rather than marking it N/A.
Speak with an Expert
If you are unsure about specific obligations under the 2025 framework, particularly around CDD triggers, UBO identification, TFS screening, CPF controls or goAML reporting types, AML UAE offers a free 30-minute consultation with an ACAMS-certified UAE AML specialist.
Contact AML UAE at amluae.com/contact.
Struggling with Specific Compliance Requirements Under the 2025 Framework?
Our ACAMS-certified consultants have supported 200+ advisory engagements across UAE-regulated entities and have delivered 1,000+ hours of AML/CFT/CPF training.
We understand regulatory expectations from both sides — as advisors and as inspection-support specialists.
How AML UAE Helps UAE-Regulated Entities Achieve and Maintain Compliance
AML UAE is the UAE’s specialist AML/CFT/CPF consultancy, providing end-to-end compliance services to DNFBPs, VASPs and financial institutions across the UAE mainland, commercial free zones and financial free zones.
Our services are built around the practical, day-to-day challenges that regulated entities face, from setting up an AML programme from scratch to defending against a supervisory penalty or preparing for an imminent MoET inspection.
Enterprise-Wide Risk Assessment (EWRA)
We design, conduct and document your EWRA from the ground up, incorporating the UAE NRA 2024, your sector-specific risk environment and the latest supervisory typologies.
Our EWRAs are built to be inspection-ready, clearly distinguishing inherent risk, controls and residual risk, and directly calibrated to your entity’s business model and customer profile.
For accounting firms, audit firms, real estate agencies, TCSPs, precious metals dealers, FIs, and VASPs.
AML/CFT/CPF Policies and Procedures
We draft and update your complete policy framework, including the AML/CFT/CPF Policy, CDD/EDD Procedures, Customer Risk Assessment Methodology, TFS Screening Procedure, STR/SAR Escalation Protocol, Record-Keeping Policy and Training Framework.
All documents are aligned to UAE regulatory requirements, referenced to specific legal provisions and written in plain, practical language that your staff can understand and follow.
Customer Due Diligence and KYC Framework
We design your CDD/EDD/SDD procedures, including onboarding workflows, customer risk-rating models, UBO identification protocols, KYC file templates, ongoing monitoring parameters, and trigger-event review procedures.
Targeted Financial Sanctions (TFS) Implementation
We implement your TFS screening programme end-to-end: registering your email with EOCN, assessing your screening tool or vendor coverage, designing your false-positive and confirmed/partial match procedures, and documenting your CNMR/PNMR reporting workflows.
goAML Registration and Reporting Compliance
We manage your goAML registration, set up reporting credentials, design your internal escalation matrix covering all applicable report types STR/SAR, HRC, HRCA, CNMR, PNMR, REAR and DPMSR and train your MLRO on FIU query management, including AIF, AIFT and RFI responses.
AML/CFT/CPF Training
We deliver role-specific training for all levels of your organisation — from frontline staff induction modules to senior management governance workshops and MLRO-specific regulatory update sessions.
All training is updated for the Federal Decree-Law No. (10) of 2025 and its Executive Regulations under Cabinet Resolution No. (134) of 2025, includes CPF as a distinct topic, and is accompanied by certificates, attendance records and assessment results.
Independent Compliance Audit and Gap Assessment
We conduct independent AML/CFT/CPF compliance audits covering risk assessment, CDD/UBO, EDD, TFS screening, STR/SAR reporting, record-keeping, training and governance.
Our audit reports are formatted to align with MoET inspection frameworks and include a prioritised remediation plan with ownership assignments and target dates.
MoET Inspection Support
We provide hands-on support before and after MoET on-site and off-site inspections, from inspection preparation to documentation review and the preparation of written responses to findings.
AML Software Selection and Implementation
We guide you through selecting, procuring and implementing AML/CFT compliance technology, including TFS screening tools, transaction monitoring systems and KYC platforms.
We ensure your chosen solution covers UAE Local List and UN Consolidated List entries, meets MoET expectations and integrates with your operational workflows.
Whether You Are Building From Scratch or Remediating a Finding
AML UAE has the expertise, experience and credentials to help.
Over 800 compliance engagements. 200+ advisory assignments. 1,000+ hours of training delivered. ACAMS-certified professionals.
Why UAE-Regulated Entities Trust AML UAE
Our Credentials
Credential | Detail |
ACAMS-Certified Professionals | Globally recognised Certified Anti-Money Laundering Specialist (CAMS) designation the gold standard in AML professional certification |
800+ Compliance Engagements | Across DNFBPs, VASPs and financial institutions covering all major MoET-supervised DNFBP categories |
200+ Advisory Assignments | Including EWRA design, policy drafting, CDD framework build, TFS setup, goAML registration, inspection support and penalty representations |
1,000+ Hours of AML/CFT Training | Delivered to MLROs, compliance officers, frontline staff and senior management across regulated sectors |
28+ Years of Combined Experience | In governance, risk and compliance for UAE-regulated entities |
Full Regulatory Coverage | MoET · CBUAE · SCA · VARA · DFSA · FSRA · GCGRA · MoJ all competent authority frameworks covered |
Practical, Inspection-Ready Outputs | Every deliverable is designed to withstand supervisory scrutiny, not just satisfy internal requirements |
Our Approach
We believe compliance should be practical, proportionate and genuinely protective, not a box-ticking exercise.
Our work begins with understanding your business, your customer base and your actual risk exposure. From there, we design controls that are right-sized for your entity and implemented in a way that your staff can operate and your management can demonstrate to inspectors.
We have worked on both sides of the desk, advising regulated entities and supporting them through live inspections. That dual perspective informs everything we produce.
Frequently Asked Questions About AML/CFT/CPF Compliance in the UAE
Is this AML Compliance self-assessment tool free to use?
Yes. The AML UAE AML/CFT/CPF Compliance Self-Assessment Tool is completely free to use, with no registration required. Your results are displayed instantly on completion. The optional consultation at the end of the assessment is also provided at no cost.
How long does the assessment take to complete?
Most users complete all 50 questions in 10 to 20 minutes. If you wish to consider certain questions carefully, allow 30 minutes.
Is my data saved or stored when I complete the assessment?
Your answers are stored locally in your browser session during the assessment. AML UAE does not automatically collect or store your assessment responses.
Can I download my results?
Yes. The results page includes a Print/Save as PDF button that lets you save your full compliance report — including section scores, the critical gaps panel, recommended actions, and benchmarking results.
How often should I retake the AML compliance self-assessment?
AML UAE recommends completing a fresh assessment every six months, or whenever a material regulatory or business change occurs. Use the built-in reassessment scheduler on the results page to set a calendar reminder.
Can I use this tool for my clients?
Yes. AML compliance consultants, legal advisors and accounting firms can use this tool when conducting gap assessments for clients. Each assessment session is independent and produces a standalone results report.
Who is AML UAE?
AML UAE is a specialist AML/CFT/CPF consultancy based in the UAE, providing compliance services to DNFBPs, VASPs and financial institutions. The team includes ACAMS-certified professionals with over 28 years of combined experience, having conducted 800+ compliance engagements and 200+ advisory assignments across all major regulated sectors.
Does AML UAE only serve large entities?
No. AML UAE works with entities of all sizes, from sole practitioners and small accounting firms to mid-sized real estate agencies, corporate service providers, VASPs and regional financial institutions. Our service model is calibrated to each client’s size and complexity.
How quickly can AML UAE respond to an urgent compliance need?
For urgent matters, including imminent inspections, administrative penalties, or live TFS compliance failures, AML UAE can typically mobilise within 24 to 48 hours.
Contact us at amluae.com/contact. We respond within one business day.
Have a Question Not Answered Above?
Our team answers AML/CFT/CPF compliance queries from UAE-regulated entities every day, from quick questions about goAML report types to complex issues involving UBO identification or TFS screening.
More Free AML/CFT/CPF Resources from AML UAE
Free Tools (Coming Soon)
Tool | Description |
Customer Risk Scoring Calculator | Input customer attributes and receive an instant risk score with recommended CDD level |
CDD Checklist Builder | Select your customer type and receive a tailored CDD document checklist aligned to CR 134/2025 |
UBO Mapping Tool | Map corporate ownership structures and identify beneficial owners under the 25% threshold and control tests |
Start Your AML/CFT/CPF Compliance Journey Today
AML/CFT/CPF compliance in the UAE is an ongoing commitment, not a one-off exercise. It requires controls that are proportionate to your actual risk exposure, documented to the standard inspectors expect, and embedded in your business’s day-to-day operations.
The self-assessment questionnaire is the first step. It gives you an honest, structured, benchmarked view of where you stand, across governance, risk assessment, CDD, EDD, transaction monitoring, reporting, sanctions, record-keeping, training and regulatory registration.
From that starting point, the path forward is clear:
Step | Action |
1 | Identify your gaps — the assessment does this automatically |
2 | Prioritise by severity — critical items first, then sections below 70% |
3 | Remediate systematically — with the right expertise, documents and controls |
4 | Evidence your progress — what matters in a regulatory inspection is what you can prove |
5 | Maintain and improve — with periodic reassessment, ongoing training and engaged senior management |
Ready to Close Your Compliance Gaps?
Discuss Your Results with an AML UAE Expert at No Cost
Our ACAMS-certified consultants review your assessment results, identify your highest-priority gaps, and provide a clear, practical remediation roadmap tailored to your entity type, size, and the MoET inspection standard applicable to your sector.
This is a genuine, expert conversation, not a sales pitch.
Available for: Accounting firms · Audit firms · Real estate agencies · CSPs/TCSPs · Precious metals dealers · VASPs · Commercial gaming operators · Financial institutions