The present work is focused on the detailed studies of molecular, conformational and optical properties of poly(cetylammonium-2-acrylamido-2-methylpropanesulfonate) (CA-PAMPS) obtained by polymerization of a new surface active monomer (cetylammonium-2-acrylamido-2-methylpropanesulfonate), CA-AMPS, in micellar solutions (where the choice of polymerization medium has an influence on micelle formation and molecular mass of the synthesized polymer). The Mark–Kuhn–Houwink equations for CA-PAMPS were obtained; equilibrium rigidity and hydrodynamic diameter of CA-PAMPS were determined, optical anisotropy of monomer unit was calculated. Molecular properties of CA-PAMPS were compared with those of previously studied poly(dodecylammonium-2-acrylamido-2-methylpropanesulfonate) (DDA-PAMPS); the latter polymer is similar to CA-PAMPS in structure, but possesses shorter side chains. The influence of formation of CA-AMPS monomer micelles on molecular mass of the obtained polymer was studied.