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Professional Credentials

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We help you stay at the top of your game. Because the booming industry of community associations operate as a business, it needs qualified professionals to safeguard and empower the financial well-being, physical maintenance, and social harmony of the hundreds of thousands of community associations around the world. That's why we provide unparalleled education and credentials to keep you sharp and competitive. And, the more you learn, the more you earn! 

The most important action you can take to increase your earning potential, accelerate your career, and grow your business is to obtain credentials that prove you are the right professional for the job. ​Professionals who earn credentials, receive an average of a 55% increase in salary.​​

MANAGER CREDENTIALS AT A GLANCE

​​Credential
 ​Background Requirements
 ​Application Fee*
 ​Course Requirements
​Association Management Specialist (AMS)
​Two years of direct community association management experience
​Member $170
Nonmember $405
​At least two M-200 level courses (M-201-M206) + pass CMCA exam**
​Professional Community Association Manager (PCAM)​
​Five years of direct community association management experience
​Member $225
Nonmember $460
​All six M-200 level courses + pass CMCA exam** + pass the Case Study
​Large-Scale Manager (LSM)
​Active PCAM + Ten years of community association management experience, including five years as a large-scale manager. 
​Member $115
Nonmember $340

​CAI Large-Scale Managers Workshop or M-340
​Accredited Association Management Company (AAMC)​
​Three years of verified experience providing community association management services + a PCAM leader + credentialed staff
​Member $320
Nonmember $570
​Individual staff members must meet requirements according to their credentials

The above chart is an overview of credential requirements only; please review each credential's webpage for further details.

*You must be an individual manager member or the primary contact for a management company member to receive the member application price for individual manager credentials. Your company must be a management company member to receive the member application price for the AAMC accreditation. 

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

​BUSINESS PARTNER PROGRAMS AT A GLANCE

​Program
 ​Background Requirements
​Educated Business Partner member distinction​​
​Complete Business Partner Essentials course. Maintain CAI membership. 
​Reserve Specialist (RS) ​Designation
​Prepare at least 30 reserve studies within the past three (3) calendar years, hold a bachelor's degree in construction management, architecture, or engineering (or equivalent experience and education), or meet other requirements options. Please see the application for full details.
​Community Insurance and Risk Management Specialist (CIRMS)​ Designation​​​
​Five years of experience in the community association insurance field, be of satisfactory legal and ethical standing in the industry.
​College of Community Association Lawyers (CCAL)
​Minimum of eight (8) years legal practice with a demonstrated concentration in community association law, five (5) of which must immediately precede the date of application; be a member of CAI and have attended at least one CAI Law Seminar within the last three(3) years

The above chart is an overview of program requirements only; please review each program's webpage for further details.

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Hire the Right Professional 

More than 90% of community association board members prefer to hire a credentialed professional​. If you are seeking to hire a credentialed manager, insurance and risk management consultant, reserve provider or attorney for your association, visit our Directory of Credentialed Professionals​. For CAI member service providers—from attorneys, accountants and bankers to landscapers, painters and roofers—​access CAI's CAI Professional Services Directory​. 

Many CAI chapters offer member directories and hold local events where you can meet qualified professionals in your area.

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​Disclaimer

CAI credential and accreditation programs are trademarks of CAI. Misuse of CAI trademarks, credentials or other copyrighted materials without proper authorization is a violation of CAI policy and federal law.