Community Association Manager License and Certification Benefit

By LeadLake Team   /   Job Category   /   2026
Back to Community Association Manager Job Description

License

Currently, there are eight states and the District of Columbia that have mandatory licensing requirements for Community Association Managers (CAM). These states include:

It is worth noting that each state has its own specific regulations and criteria for obtaining a property manager license. Therefore, it is crucial to familiarize yourself with the requirements of your state in order to ensure compliance with the applicable laws.

If you are a community association manager, it is important to determine whether your state requires CAM licensing. Understanding the licensing regulations will help you fulfill your professional responsibilities and meet the legal obligations imposed by the state authorities.

Who should administer the community association manager regulatory program?

It is recommended that the regulatory program for community association managers be overseen by a regulatory entity or state department that specifically handles the regulation of professions and occupations. It is not appropriate for the community association manager regulatory program to be governed by the Real Estate Commission of a particular state.

Education

Teaching a course that is relevant to community association management can count towards continuing education credits. For the initial class, two credits are awarded for each hour of teaching. If the same course is taught again, one credit is given for each hour of class time.

Organization

The Certified Manager of Community Associations (CMCA) exam is offered by the Community Association Managers International Board (CAMICB).

To receive the member discount on application fees for the AAMC accreditation, your company must be a management company member.

How much does a professional association manager (PCAM) cost?

A Professional Association Manager (PCAM) is an individual who has at least five years of direct community association management experience. To become a PCAM, one must be a member and pay a fee of $225. In addition, the individual must complete all six M-200 level courses, pass the CMCA exam, and pass the Case Study.

To maintain the PCAM designation, the individual must be actively working as a community association manager and have at least 10 years of experience in this field, with at least five years as a large-scale manager.

Benefits

One of the most crucial steps you can take to enhance your earning potential, advance your career, and expand your business is to acquire credentials that demonstrate your expertise and suitability for the position. For the Association Management Specialist (AMS) credential, applicants are required to have at least two years of direct experience in community association management.

What is CMCA certification?

The CMCA program, known as the Certified Manager of Community Associations, is a globally recognized certification program specifically tailored for managers of homeowner, condominium associations, and cooperatives. It is the sole program of its kind, emphasizing the essential knowledge needed to effectively oversee community associations.

By attaining the CMCA certification, individuals demonstrate their proficiency in managing community associations and their adherence to the fundamental principles within this field.