​​​​​​​​CMCA Standards of Professional Conduct​

The Community Association Managers International Certification Board (CAMICB) requires a Certified Manager of Community Associations (CMCA) to comply with the Standards of Professional Conduct, which govern their professional activities.

A Certified Manager of Community Associations (CMCA) shall:

  1. ​Be knowledgeable, act, and encourage clients to act in accordance with any and all federal, state, and local laws applicable to community association management and operations.
  2. Be knowledgeable, comply and encourage clients to comply with the applicable governing documents, policies and procedures of the Client Association(s) to the extent permitted by that Client.
  3. Not knowingly misrepresent materials facts, make inaccurate statements or act in any fraudulent manner while representing Client Association(s) or acting as a CMCA.
  4. Not provide legal advice to Client Association(s) or any of its members, or otherwise engage in the unlicensed practice of law.
  5. Promptly disclose to Client Association(s) any actual or potential conflicts of interest that may involve the manager.
  6. Refuse to accept any form of gratuity or other remuneration from individuals or companies that could be viewed as an improper inducement to influence the manager.
  7. Participate in continuing professional education and satisfy all requirements to maintain the CMCA.
  8. Act in a manner consistent with his/her fiduciary duty.
  9. Conduct themselves in a professional manner at all times when acting in the scope of their employment ​in accordance with local, state and federal laws.
  10. Recognize the original records, files and books held by the manager are the property of the Client Associations to be returned to the Client at the end of the manager's engagement and maintain the duty of confidentiality to all current and former clients.

A violation of any of these Standards of Professional Conduct may be grounds for administrative action and possible revocation of the CMCA credential by CAMICB.  

If you believe that a clear violation has occurred, a complaint may be filed.  Complaints filed against active CMCAs are taken seriously and managed through the Enforcement Procedures for the CMCA Standards of Professional Conduct​.

As a reminder, the key reporting relationship in a community association is between the manager and the volunteer Board.  The manager is hired by and reports directly to the elected Board of Directors.  CAMICB will not become engaged in a matter in which that reporting relationship is in place: the manager is acting at the direction of and with the full knowledge of the elected Board of Directors.

Furthermore, if there is an underlying operational issue within the community or if the Board is acting in violation of law or regulation, that issue must be addressed with the appropriate regulatory body.  If the complaint is criminal in nature, the appropriate authorities should be notified.  In both cases, indicate on the complaint form that there is an ongoing investigation and supply supporting documentation.  Review of the complaint will be suspended until judgment has been issued by a court or regulatory body.


Complaint Process

 

​You can learn more about the CMCA complaint process by downloading the Enforcement Procedures for the CMCA Standards of Professional Conduct. 


Requirements to Submit a Complaint

Complaints may only be submitted to CAMICB against a manager who holds an active CMCA credential. 

The individual bringing the complaint must complete and submit the CMCA Standards of Professional Conduct Complaint Form.  The complaint must indicate specifically which aspects of the Standards are in question.  In addition, the complaint must include the following:

  1. ​A narrative summary of the circumstances and events leading to the alleged violation, an explanation of the evidence, and reference to the Standard(s) alleged to have been violated. 
  2. Evidence (which may include written documentation, corroborating statements by other persons, or specific information as to persons who may be contacted to provide such corroboration) supporting the allegation(s).  Note: Corroborating statements by additional Complainant(s) against the Certificant should be included as evidence in a single complaint.  If multiple complaints are filed by Complainants corroborating against a Certificant, CAMICB may combine the complaints and investigate them as a single complaint.
  3. A personal attestation that the complaint has been brought to the Association Board and a statement of Board action. Complainants are required to attempt to resolve the conflict with their association Board of Directors prior to filing a complaint with CAMICB.  
Complaints may be submitted by email, fax, or mail. CAMICB contact information is listed on the CMCA Standards of Professional Conduct Complaint Form.

Complaints that are considered to be incomplete or not in compliance with these requirements will not be reviewed by the CMCA Professional Conduct and Enforcement Committee.  If the complaint documentation is not in compliance with the requirements outlined here, CAMICB staff may return the complaint ​with instructions on compliance. ​

Credential Revocation

Complaints filed against active CMCAs are managed through the Enforcement Procedures for the CMCA Standards of Professional Conduct by the Professional Conduct Enforcement Committee. The Committee investigates allegations of misconduct and, if necessary, sanctions CMCA credential holders. The sanction applied must reasonably relate to the nature and severity of the violation. The most severe sanction is the Revocation of the CMCA credential. Revocation is permanent. If a credential is revoked, a summary of the determination and the sanction with the manager's name will be published by the Board on the CAMICB website. The list of individuals whose CMCA has been revoked may be found here​.


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Description
expand Question : 1. Does my complaint have merit? ‎(1)
expand Question : 2. Who can submit a complaint? ‎(1)
expand Question : 3. Who reviews the complaint? ‎(1)
expand Question : 4. What documentation or evidence is required? ‎(1)
expand Question : 5. How long will the process take? ‎(1)
expand Question : 6. Will my name be kept confidential? ‎(1)
expand Question : 7. What will happen if a CMCA is found to have violated one or more CMCA Standards of Professional Conduct? ‎(1)
expand Question : 8. Can I file a complaint if my manager does not have a CMCA? ‎(1)
expand Question : 9. What if my manager is using the CMCA credential but has never obtained the credential or has not maintained it? ‎(1)
​​​Documents to Download

Clarification of the CMCA Standards of Professional Conduct

CMCA Standards of Professional Conduct 

CMCA Standards of Professional Conduct Complaint Form

Enforcement Procedures for the CMCA Standards of Professional Conduct​