​​​​​​​​​​​​Frequently Asked Questions

 If you don't find an answer to your question here, please contact CAMICB at 703.970.9300, toll-free at 866.779.CMCA, or via e-mail at info@camicb.org.

General
What is the difference between CAI and CAMICB?
What is certification?
What is the Certified Manager of Community Associations (CMCA^®)?
What is the difference between a Community Association Manager and a Property Manager?

CMCA Certification
What are the steps to earning the CMCA certification?
Is work experience or membership required to earn the CMCA?
I just passed the M-100 course—does that automatically award me the CMCA certification?
I just submitted my application. When do I receive my Authorization to Test (ATT) Letter?​​​
Can I still apply for the CMCA exam if I took my M-100 course over a year ago? ​
I have a membership with CAI. Will I receive membership discounts for my CMCA exam fee or recertification? ​

CMCA Examination
What exam options do I have?
How do I get an application?
I have special needs. Will CAMICB be able to accommodate me for the examination?
What if I don't pass the exam?
What happens when I pass the exam?
Is the M-100 course material enough information to study for the CMCA exam? 
Can I submit my application other than online? 
Can I pay with a credit card over the phone? ​
I can’t find my ATT letter. Can I be sent a new one? ​
Is there a limit to the number of retakes I can take for the CMCA? ​
I just passed my CMCA exam. When will I receive my certificate? 
Will I receive a grade for my exam? ​
How long is the exam?​

Recertification
When must I recertify?
What are the requirements for recertification?
Does CAMICB sponsor continuing education programs?
What is the rationale for the recertification intervals?
What is professional development?
Why is my CMCA not listed under My Designations on the CAI website? ​
How do I keep track of my hours?​
If I took a course before the two-year recertification period, can I use that for recertification hours? ​
How do I get a copy of my CMCA certificate? 

General

What is the difference between CAI and CAMICB?

Community Association Managers International Certification Board (CAMICB), formerly NBC-CAM, was established by CAI in 1995 to administer a national, voluntary certification program for community association managers. CAMICB grants the Certified Manager of Community Associations (CMCA) credential to individuals who fulfill certain requirements demonstrating fundamental knowledge and expertise in managing homeowner, condominium, and cooperative associations.

Community Associations Institute (CAI) is a non-profit organization serving all stakeholders in community associations. Established in 1973, CAI provides education and resources to residential condominiums, cooperatives, homeowner associations, and the professionals and suppliers serving them.

What is certification?

Certification is the process by which a non-governmental association or agency recognizes an individual who has met certain predetermined qualifications specified by that association or agency.

What is the Certified Manager of Community Associations (CMCA)?

The Certified Manager of Community Associations (CMCA) is the only international certification program that recognizes community association managers who have successfully demonstrated fundamental knowledge and expertise in community management by completing certain requirements and have agreed to comply with the Standards of Professional Conduct.

What is the difference between a Community Association Manager and a Property Manager?​
The two roles have distinctly different responsibilities and skills. Community Association Managers can manage any type of community and work directly with the home or property owners, while a property manager oversees individual rental units or groups. For more information, you can read the article describing the various differences between these two roles in detail. ​

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CMCA Certification

What are the steps to earning the CMCA certification?

Community managers interested in obtaining the Certified Manager of Community Associations (CMCA) certification can follow these three steps.

Step One:

• Option 1: Education
  Complete and pass a prerequisite course on community association management.
• Option 2: Experience
  If you have at least five years of experience as a community association manager, you may receive a one-time waiver of the prerequisite course. The experience must be as a community association manager, not an assistant manager. If you do not successfully pass the examination the first time, you will be required to take a prerequisite course before retaking the examination.
• Option 3: License or Credential
  Hold an active Arizona CAAM, California CCAM, Florida CAM, Illinois CAM, or Nevada CAM

Step Two:

Then, complete and submit the CMCA application. 

Step Three:

Study for and pass the CMCA Examination—a 2.5-hour, 120 multiple-choice question examination.

Is work experience or membership required to earn the CMCA?

No work experience is required, and managers are not required to be members of CAI or any other professional organization.

I just passed the M-100 course—does that automatically award me the CMCA certification?

No. The Essentials of Community Association Management (M-100) course is a prerequisite for the CMCA examination. After completing the course, you must pass the CMCA examination to be awarded the CMCA certification.

Can I still apply for the CMCA exam if I took my M-100 course over a year ago? 
Absolutely. The M-100 course does not expire and can be used as the prerequisite for the CMCA exam at any time. 

I have a membership with CAI. Will I receive membership discounts for my CMCA exam fee or recertification? ​
There are no membership discounts offered through CAMICB. 

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CMCA Examination

How do I get an application?

Please complete the online application. Or download the paper application.

I have special needs. Will CAMICB be able to accommodate me for the examination?

CAMICB abides by all applicable federal and state statutes relating to the accommodation of disabled individuals. When applying to sit for the examination, all requests for special accommodations must be submitted in writing to CAMICB.

What if I don't pass the exa​m?

If a candidate does not pass the exam, they may retake it on a date they choose. Candidates must complete and submit the Retake Application​ and pay the exam fee, which is $150.

What happens when I pass the exam?

Candidates who pass the examination will receive a welcome kit with their CMCA certificate, CMCA lapel pin, and further information on the certification program. The manager's name will also be placed in the Directory of Credentialed Professionals. 

Is the M-100 course material enough information to study for the CMCA exam? ​​
No, the M-100 course is not intended as a review for the CMCA exam but rather as part of your examination preparation. Review the recommended Exam Preparation​ page. 

Can I submit my application other than online? 
Candidates can submit their applications with a PDF copy by e-mailing them to info@camicb.org and mailing them to 6402 Arlington Blvd. Suite 510, Falls Church, VA. 22042.

Can I pay with a credit card over the phone? 
Call toll-free at 866-779-CMCA or 703-970-9300 to pay with a credit card. Online payments are strongly encouraged. 

I can’t find my ATT letter. Can I be sent a new one? 
To request a new Authorization to Test letter, e-mail info@camicb.org. 

Is there a limit to the number of retakes I can take for the CMCA? 
There is no limit to the number of retakes a CMCA candidate can take, though each retake requires a retake application and a fee of $150.

I just passed my CMCA exam. When will I receive my certificate? 
Certificates are mailed out and are received typically within three weeks.

Will I receive a grade for my exam? 

CAMICB does not release grades for the CMCA exam. The test has either a pass or fail grade. 

How long is the exam?
The exam is about 2.5 hours long and consists of 120 questions (100 scored items and 20 pilot questions).

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Recertification

When must I recertify?

When managers become certified, they are placed in either the April 1 recertification cycle or the October 1 recertification cycle.

If you are currently certified, you can check your recertification date online.

What are the requirements for recertification?

To recertify, each CMCA must demonstrate that they continue to practice community association management and provide evidence of satisfactory completion of 16 hours of continuing education during the two-year certification cycle.  CMCAs must also pay the annual service fee to maintain their credential.

Does CAMICB sponsor continuing education programs?

No. However, CAMICB can provide a list of approved providers and courses.

What is the rationale for the recertification intervals?

The CAMICB Board determined the interval for recertification to be two years. The rationale for the recertification interval is listed below:

1. Community association management is dynamic, with best practices and laws affecting the profession changing regularly. The laws affecting community association management and operations may change yearly during state legislative sessions. Our research found that it is reasonable to expect certified professionals to obtain information about the changes in the laws and best practices every two years through continuing education opportunities.
2. The interval has to be long enough to allow the certified professionals to earn the appropriate credits but short enough to keep the certified professionals motivated to engage in education and training.
3. The determination was also based on recommendations to move towards best practice which would require routine annual continued education participation annually in attempts to help certified professionals avoid long periods of education inactivity.

What is professional development?

Professional Development refers to skills and knowledge attained for personal development and career advancement. For CMCA recertification purposes, professional development encompasses a variety of facilitated learning opportunities, ranging from college degrees and coursework to conferences, professional coaching, community workshops, seminars, symposiums, and webinars. Professional development courses include community association management operations, administration, and legal requirements. In addition, courses may include accounting, human resources, and public administration. Continuing education courses must be listed on the documentation worksheet required for recertification, a​nd each recertification application and accompanying documentation form will be evaluated to ensure that the course is relevant to the continuing education of a community association manager and that it will enhance the knowledge and/or skills of a community association manager.

Why is my CMCA not listed under My Designations on the CAI website? 
While CAI offers designations such as the AMS, PCAM, and LSM, the CMCA is a credential that is offered exclusively through CAMICB and is not affiliated with CAI. All information pertaining to your CMCA will be listed on the CAMICB.org website under your account. The login for CAMICB will be the same login information as that for your CAI online account.

How do I keep track of my hours?
CMCAs must record their 16 hours of continuing education credits to reflect their accountability as professional managers. The CE Tracking Worksheet is available for download to help CMCAs document their attendance.

If I took a course before the two-year recertification period, can I use that for recertification hours? 
No, all CMCA continuing education must be taken within the two-year recertification period. For example, if your recertification date is 10/1/25, the two-year recertification cycle would be October 1, 2023,​​ through October 1, 2025. 

How do I get a copy of my CMCA certificate? 
To request a copy of your CMCA certificate, please email CAMICB.

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