Professional Credentials & CAI Designations
Professional Credentials & CAI Designations are useful if you are a manager, insurance and risk management consultant, reserve provider or attorney wishing to enhance your career. CAI awards qualified professionals and companies with credentials to improve the quality and effectiveness of community management.
In addition, the Community Association Managers International Certification Board (CAMICB) awards the Certified Manager of Community Associations® (CMCA®) certification.
CAI Designations for Managers
Business Partner Credentials
CAI Designations For Managers
What Is A Community Manager?
A community association manager will have the knowledge, ethics, professionalism and skills with verifiable experience in financial, administrative, and facilities management in at least one community association, either commercial or residential.
The community association manager must be compensated for providing professional guidance and assistance to the board of directors of any association(s) managed by that community association manager, whether the individual is acting as an full time independent contractor, or as an employee of a management firm, or as a general manager or executive director of a common interest development.
Management of property other than community associations will not meet the qualifications for community association manager.
CAI Credentials – For New & Experienced Community Managers
Community associations and management companies are looking for qualified, dedicated professionals to manage their communities—do you make the grade? Do you want to gain a competitive advantage, earn more money, and obtain valuable experience? CAI Manager Designations can help!
The Community Association Institute Professional Management Development Program (PMDP) and credentialing program can help you achieve these goals. As a novice or experienced manager, you can learn something new, increase your earning potential, and further your career goals through working towards these manager designations.
Through this program, CAI provides the most comprehensive, expert education courses for community managers seeking to increase their skills, knowledge and job opportunities.
Manager Designations & Certifications
CAI offers four levels of courses that apply towards earning these manager designations. The courses are designed to give new managers a knowledge base and experienced managers a deeper understanding of all aspects of association management.
[ CMCA ] — Certified Manager of Community Associations®
Your first step in gaining the fundamental knowledge you need to manage any type of community association. The CMCA certification, administered by the CAI affiliated organization, Community Association Managers International Certification Board (CAMICB), is recommended for all community association managers. This manager designation can elevate your credibility and your community association’s confidence in you.
How do you earn the CMCA certification?
- First, enroll in the CAI Professional Management Development Program (PMDP) M-100 course, The Essentials of Community Association Management. To find a course near you or to get information on home study options, call CAI Direct at (888) 224-4321 or view courses online.
- Complete and submit the CMCA application.
- After you have successfully completed the course, you will be given materials to sign up for the CMCA Examination.
Learn More
For further information on CAMICB or requirements for CMCA certification, call (866) 779-2622 or visit www.camicb.org
[ AMS ] — Association Management Specialist®
The second level in the CAI career development track for community association managers. The AMS designation demonstrates a higher level of commitment to your career and the community association industry. An AMS designation is recommended for managers who want to enhance their career opportunities by increasing their knowledge and expertise.
How do you earn the AMS designation?
- Two (2) years verified experience in financial, administrative, and facilities management of at least one association.
- Successfully complete at least two M-200 series courses (M-201 – M-206).
- Successfully passed the CMCA exam administered by CAMICB.
- Complete the application.
- Pay the application fee.
- Member: $150 (Individual Manager Membership)
- Nonmember: $375
How do you maintain the AMS designation?
- Pay annual maintenance fees (due in August of each year).
- Member: $85 (Individual Manager Membership)
- Nonmember: $310
- Redesignate every three years in August and meet continuing education requirements.
- Comply with the CAI Professional Manager Code of Ethics.
Forms
You’ll need Adobe Acrobat Reader to view the PDF files.
[ PCAM ] — Professional Community Association Manager®
The pinnacle of community association management. The PCAM designation is the highest professional recognition available nationwide to managers who specialize in community association management. Earn your PCAM and join the elite—the select—the best. Recommended for experienced managers who want to demonstrate advanced skills and knowledge and who wish to be recognized as one of the best and most experienced managers in the nation.
What are the prerequisites for the PCAM designation?
- Five years of direct community association management experience.
- Successful completion of all six M-200 level programs (with the last PMDP course completed within the past five years).
- Successfully passed the CMCA examination administered by CAMICB.
How do you pursue the PCAM designation?
- Complete the prerequisites.
- Earn a minimum total of 125 points on the PCAM application, including:
- A minimum of 55 points in Section II.
- A maximum of 20 points is allowed for Professional Designations or Licenses.
- A maximum of 30 points is allowed for Formal Education.
- Complete the PCAM application (Attach additional sheets if necessary).
- All applicants have one year from the date of application approval to complete the Case Study. Failure to complete a Case Study will require you to re-apply with payment. Submit the PCAM application after you have met the above qualification criteria before applying to sit for the Case Study.
- Submit the nonrefundable application fee with the PCAM application.
- Member: $195 (Individual Manager Membership)
- Nonmember: $420
How do you maintain the PCAM designation?
- Pay annual maintenance fees (due in August of each year).
- Member: $160 (Individual Manager Membership)
- Nonmember: $385
- Redesignate every three years in August and meet continuing education requirements.
- Comply with the CAI Professional Manager Code of Ethics.
Forms
[ LSM ] — Large-Scale Manager®
This specialist designation is designed to allow PCAM members to specialize within their profession. CAI acknowledges the unique aspects of being a large-scale community manager and is providing an opportunity for recognition and continuing education in order for you to expand your career opportunities.
How do you earn the LSM specialist designation?
- This specialist designation is available only to experienced large-scale managers who hold an active PCAM designation.
- A LSM candidate must have ten years of verified, direct community association management experience or five years of community association management experience and five years of municipal management or a comparable position of responsibility at the executive level.
- Successful completion of CAI’s M-340 course or attendance at one Large-Scale Managers Workshop within the previous three years.
- A LSM candidate must be a manager of a large-scale community. For the purpose of this program, the definition of a large-scale community is:
- A single, contiguous community association with an on-site, full time manager A minimum of 1,000 units
- – or –
- a minimum of 1,000 acres
- A minimum annual operating budget of 2 million dollars
How do you maintain the LSM specialist designation?
Redesignation requires the attainment of 75 points every three (3) years which must include attendance at one (1) Large-Scale Manager Workshop and one (1) CAI Annual Conference and Exposition. Please see the redesignation form below for details on how points are earned for various continuing education activities.
Fees
- LSM Application Fee:
- CAI individual manager member – $95
- Non-member – $320
- Annual Maintenance Fee:
- CAI individual manager member – $55
- Non-member $280
Forms
For AMS, LSM, AAMC, or PCAM designation applications, or for PMDP course descriptions, locations, and schedules, follow the links above or call CAI Direct at (888) 224-4321 (M-F, 9-6:30 ET).
Disclaimer:
CAI designations and accreditation programs are trademarks of CAI. Misuse of CAI trademarks, designations, or other copyrighted materials without proper authorization is a violation of CAI policy and federal law.
CAI Credentials For Business Partners
Business Partners
CAI Business Partners are indispensable to the community associations they support with their guidance, products and services. CAI education helps these businesses and professionals differentiate themselves in the competitive community association marketplace.
Business Partner Credentials
[ RS® ] — Reserve Specialist
Are you seeking to expand your clientele and enhance your career? Community associations rely on qualified reserve specialists to assist them in extensive reserve planning to keep their communities running smoothly. Gain the confidence of board members by obtaining the Reserve Specialist® (RS®) designation.
The RS designation is awarded to qualified reserve specialists who, through years of specialized experience, can help ensure that community associations prepare their reserve budget as accurately as possible.
For more information or for an application call CAI at (888) 224-4321.
How do you earn the RS designation?
- Prepare at least 30 reserve studies within the past three full calendar years.
- Hold a bachelors degree in construction management, architecture, or engineering (or equivalent experience and education).
- Comply with strict rules of conduct outlined by the Professional Reserve Specialist Code of Ethics.
- Pay the application fee:
- Member: $300 (Business Partner Membership)
- Nonmember: $550
How do you maintain the RS designation?
- Pay annual maintenance fees (due August 1st of each year):
- Member: $110 (Business Partner Membership)
- Nonmember: $335
- Redesignate every three years on August 1st by submitting the redesignation application and required client listing.
Forms
- RS Application
Appendices B & C must be submitted with the application. - RS Redesignation Form
- RS Designation National Reserve Study Standards
[ CIRMS® ] — Community Insurance & Risk Management Specialist
Community board members are looking for qualified professionals to help them protect their most valuable investments. Obtaining the Community Insurance and Risk Management Specialist™ (CIRMS™) designation can help instill your client’s confidence in you and assist you in growing your business.
The CIRMS designation recognizes a demonstrated high level of competency within the risk management profession.
How do you earn the CIRMS designation?
- Have five years experience in the community association insurance field.
- Be of satisfactory legal and ethical standing in the industry.
- Comply with strict rules of conduct outlined by the CIRMS Code of Ethics.
- Complete the CIRMS Application, ensuring that you have enough points in each section.
- Pay the application fee:
- Member: $205 (Business Partner Membership)
- Nonmember: $455
How do you maintain the CIRMS designation?
- Pay annual maintenance fees (due August 1st of each year):
- Member: $120 (Business Partner Membership)
- Nonmember: $235
- Redesignation requires the attainment of 35 points every three (3) years on August 1st. Please see the redesignation form below for details on how points are earned for various continuing education activities.
Forms
[ EBP ] — Educated Business Partner Distinction
CAI Business Partners are indispensable to the community associations they support with their guidance, products and services. CAI education helps these businesses and professionals differentiate themselves in the competitive community association marketplace.
Business Partner Essentials is a two-part, online course to help CAI-member product and service providers better understand CAI, community associations and the industry at large.
How do you earn the CAI Educated Business Partner (EPB) designation?
Individuals who pass the Business Partner Essentials course and maintain CAI membership earn the CAI Educated Business Partner distinction, gaining special recognition among thousands of companies and professionals who support common-interest communities—accountants, attorneys, bankers, insurance professionals, landscapers, painters, reserve specialists, software providers and many others.
To earn this business partner designation, an individual will have successfully completed the Business Partners Essentials course and is currently affiliated with an active CAI Business Partner membership. Reference to the CAI Educated Business Partner distinction can be used as long as the holder remains a CAI Business Partner member or affiliate.
While the distinction can be referenced in corporate marketing materials, it must be clearly associated with the individual who earned the distinction, not a company.
To register for the Business Partner Essentials Online course, click here.
Management Company Credentials
[ AAMC® ] — Accredited Association Management Company
Do you want to expand your business, increase your earning potential and retain experienced employees? Learn how you can increase the quality of your staff and get noticed by associations. Community associations are looking for qualified, dedicated professionals to manage their communities—will you be their first call? Expand your business and increase your earning potential with an Accredited Association Management Company® (AAMC®) accreditation. The AAMC accreditation demonstrates a company’s commitment to providing the unique and diverse services community associations need. An Accredited Association Management Company ensures that their staff have the skills, experience, and integrity to help communities succeed. Its managers have advanced training and demonstrated commitment to the industry—just the type of professionals that community association boards seek to hire!
For more details on the AAMC accreditation requirements or an application, or for information on the AMS, LSM, or PCAM designation requirements, visit caionline.org or call CAI at (888) 224-4321.
Why should I pursue accreditation for my company?
An AAMC accreditation can help you:
- Gain credibility, trust, and loyalty from the associations you manage
- Expand your business by gaining a competitive advantage
- Increase the quality of your staff and reduce turnover
- Ensure that you have well-trained managers who can handle the myriad of responsibilities involved in managing a community
What are the requirements of the AAMC accreditation?
- A minimum of three years of experience providing community association management services, based on client verification.
- A Professional Community Association Manager (PCAM) designee as the company’s senior manager.
- A staff of which 50% of managers who have been at the company for at least two years hold a professional manager credential (CMCA, AMS, LSM, or PCAM).
- Maintain fidelity, general liability, and worker’s compensation insurance in addition to meeting federal, state and local laws. A Certificate of Insurance Liability showing the required insurance must be included with the application which should list CAI Headquarters as the Certificate Holder.
- Comply with the CAI Professional Manager Code of Ethics.
- Complete and submit an AAMC Application.
- Pay the application fee.
- Member: $300 (Management Company Member)
- Nonmember: $550
How do you maintain the AAMC accreditation?
- Pay the annual maintenance fee.
- Member: $160 (Management Company Member)
- Nonmember: $390
- Renew designation every three years by August 1 by completing and submitting the renewal application below along with an up to date copy of theCertificate of Insurance Liability listing CAI Headquarters as a Certificate Holder.
Forms
Attorney Credentials
[ CCAL ] — College of Community Association Lawyers
The College of Community Association Lawyers (CCAL) includes lawyers who have demonstrated skill, experience and high standards of professional and ethical conduct in the practice of community association law, and who are dedicated to excellence in the specialized practice of community association law.
The College provides advanced professional educational programs to its fellows and identifies and contributes to the solution of community association legal challenges. It is a collegial forum for the exchange and development of ideas by some of the most knowledgeable attorneys in community association law.
Purpose
Since 1993, the Community Associations Institute has recognized excellence in the practice of community association law through the College of Community Association Lawyers. Of the thousands of attorneys practicing community association law in the United States, fewer than 200 have been granted membership in the College. Fellows of the College distinguish themselves through contributions to the development of community association law. Their service is demonstrated by a commitment to educate and empower boards and residents of the more than 350,000 community associations across the country. CCAL attorneys commit themselves to high standards of professional and ethical conduct and work to create a community of experienced legal professionals to advance community association law for the betterment of the communities they serve.
Goals
- Promoting high standards of professional and ethical responsibility in the practice of community association law
- Developing and educating attorneys working in the field of community association law
- Facilitating the development of community association educational materials and programming related to legal issues for use by other professionals and homeowners
- Cooperating with international, national, state and local organizations, government agencies and other groups having an interest in community association law
- Assisting community associations in maximizing effective governance practices
- Creating a community of scholars to promote professional development needs and career goals of CCAL fellows
- Implementing the goals and objectives of Community Associations Institute
Apply For Entry Into The College
Applicants must submit the required fee and one (1) completed electronic application with supporting materials. The materials shall be arranged in order by labeled bookmarks, dividers or hyperlinks that follow a complete table of contents of all materials submitted. Please limit the size of your application and attachments to 150 pages.
Download a pdf of the CCAL Application here.
Applications may be submitted at any time, but are reviewed twice a year with a cutoff date of June 30 for summer applicants and September 30 for winter applicants.
Submit the electronic application to:
CAI CCAL Membership Committee
C/O Government & Public Affairs Department
government@caionline.org
Fees
- CCAL application fee — $325
- Annual maintenance fee — $325
Disclaimer:
CAI designations and accreditation programs are trademarks of CAI. Misuse of CAI trademarks, designations, or other copyrighted materials without proper authorization is a violation of CAI policy and federal law.
