cmca examination FOR ​International candidates 

updated cmca​ exam blueprint​

The Certified Manager of Community Associations (CMCA) exam is delivered as a computer-based exam at Pearson VUE testing centers worldwide.

Effective December 9, 2024, the CMCA exam will introduce a streamlined content outline, updating its structure based on CAMICB's recent job analysis study. These updates condense the exam's domains from eight to six broader categories and remove certain U.S.-specific references, making the exam more relevant to candidates outside the United States.  

Candidates outside the U.S. may benefit from scheduling their exam after December 9 to take full advantage of this more globally relevant blueprint. While this revised exam will still incorporate broader community association management concepts and practices found in the U.S., it aims to be more globally applicable. For more details on these upcoming exam changes, please visit CAMICB's Exam Updates page.


HOW TO OBTAIN THE CMCA

The first step to obtaining the CMCA is to complete one of the prerequisite pathways. They are listed below.

Option 1, Education: Complete and pass one approved prerequisite course on community association management. Approved classes include the Love Thy Neighbor course (offered only in Georgia, U.S.) and the M1​00 course, offered in-person and online by the Community Associations Institute (CAI). A U.A.E.-specific version of the course is also offered in Dubai by the Innovation Experts Real Estate Institute (IEREI).

Option 2, Experience: If you have at least five years' 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 as an assistant manager. If you do not successfully pass the examination the first time, you will be required to take the prerequisite course prior to retaking the examination.

Option 3, License or Credential: Eligibility can be met by holding certain U.S.-specific state licenses or credentials, including the Arizona CAAM, California CCAM, Florida CAM, Illinois CAM, or Nevada CAM. While these credentials provide a pathway to exam eligibility, they are primarily relevant to professionals working within the United States.

​APPLYING FOR THE CMCA EXAM

Initial Exam Application
Once you have completed the prerequisite requirement, you can apply for the exam by visiting camicb.org, and then hovering your cursor over the Get Certified tab and selecting CMCA Application from the drop-down menu. The login credentials will be the same ones that you use to access your account on CAI's website. You can complete the CMCA exam application and pay the $360 application fee through that online portal.

Retake Exam Application
You can also apply online to retake the CMCA exam. Visit camicb.org, hover your cursor over the Get Certified tab and select CMCA Retake Application, the second option from the drop-down menu. You will be prompted to complete the application and submit the exam retake fee, which is $200.

Once submitted, your application will be subject to a 3-5 business day processing period. When your application has been approved, you will receive a CMCA Authorization to Test (ATT) email. The ATT will give you information on how to schedule your examination date at a local Pearson VUE testing center.

You will be granted a one-year window to schedule your CMCA exam. You are free to schedule your exam date at any time within that window. It is the responsibility of the candidate to schedule and sit for the exam within the designated one-year period. All scheduling must be done directly through Pearson VUE, which is the CAMICB's partner that delivers the CMCA exam. CAMICB does not have access to schedule, reschedule or cancel an exam on behalf of the candidate.

Please note that the CMCA exam is only delivered as a computer-based test at Pearson VUE testing centers. It is not delivered in an at-home online format nor as a paper and pencil exam.

We encourage all candidates to make use of all of the available CMCA study materials, which can be found on CAMICB's Exam Preparation page. There are many useful resources on this page to help you study for the exam. Please note that we very strongly recommend candidates take at least 6 to 8 weeks to prepare for the exam.

Should you have any questions please contact us at info@camicb.org.​


















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