Are you putting your most valuable assets in the hands of the most qualified professionals? Search CAI's directory of credentialed professionals to find professionals who have earned a CAI designation or the NBC-CAM certification!

Why you should hire certified professionals
A community association operates as a government, a community, and a business, making it a truly specialized type of organization. Leading America's 250,000 community associations are more than a million volunteers—homeowners who dedicate their free time to serve on boards and committees.

As a board member, trustee, or volunteer leader working with your association or cooperative, you have fiduciary responsibilities which compel you to make decisions that can have profound financial and social impact on you and your neighbors. Receiving professional and accurate advice or guidance on issues such as reserves, maintenance, insurance, budgets, governance, contracts, the law, and rules can make the difference between prosperity and distress.

Many experts who work in these fields must earn degrees and pass tests to be certified. So why would a board hire professionals who may not be qualified to look after their homes and their community?

What to look for
To help ensure that you have the expert guidance you need to manage your community's assets most effectively, look for professionals with the designations and certifications described below.

Community Associations Institute's (CAI) designations help ensure that managers have the knowledge, experience, and integrity to provide the best possible service to your association. If your manager holds a CAI designation, he or she has made a substantial commitment and investment in their education and career, and your community's welfare.

Community Association Certifications and Designations

Certified Manager of Community Associations^® (CMCA^®)

The only national certification program designed exclusively for condominium, cooperative, and homeowner association managers, the CMCA program provides standards for association management and gives homeowners and boards confidence in their manager's knowledge and ability to provide professional service.

The CMCA certification is administered by CAI's affiliate organization, the National Board of Certification for Community Association Managers (NBC-CAM). The CMCA is the first level in a manager's professional education process. It recognizes individuals who have demonstrated the fundamental knowledge needed to manage community associations. To obtain this certification managers must:

• Successfully complete CAI's Professional Management Development Program (PMDP) course, M-100: The Essentials of Community Association Management
• Pass the CMCA Examination administered by the National Board of Certification for Community Association Managers (NBC-CAM)
• Adhere to standards of professional conduct
• Continue their education with additional course work every two years to maintain their certification

Association Management Specialist™ (AMS™)

The AMS designation is the second tier in CAI's career track. Building upon the knowledge gained in earning their CMCA, candidates for the AMS designation must:

• Pass one of CAI's 200-level PMDP courses
• Complete at least two years of professional management experience
• Comply with CAI's Professional Code of Ethics
• Continue with additional education requirements every three years to maintain the designation

Professional Community Association Manager^® (PCAM^®)

The PCAM designation is the highest professional recognition available nationwide to managers who specialize in community association management. A manager who has earned the PCAM designation has displayed a significant commitment to the industry. Through extensive education requirements, they have gained an understanding of all aspects of community association management.

To obtain this designation, one must:

• Earn both a CMCA certification and AMS designation
• Pass all six of CAI's 200-level courses which cover instruction on a variety of complex management issues
• Complete an extensive Case Study
• Comply with CAI's Professional Code of Ethics
• Have at least five years of community management experience
• Continue with additional education requirements every three years to maintain the designation

A manager with a PCAM designation is a dedicated professional at the top of their field.

Accredited Association Management Company™ (AAMC™)

The AAMC accreditation is awarded to companies that specialize in community association management and that are committed to providing unique and diverse services to their clients. A company that holds this designation ensures their staff has the skills, experience, and integrity to help your community succeed.

The requirements of the AAMC are:

• At least 50% of the company's managers must hold designations or certifications
• The senior manager must hold a PCAM designation
• The company must have a minimum of three years experience providing community association management services.

An Accredited Association Management Company commits to upholding the highest ethical standards and is required to meet CAI's financial management and reporting standards.

Large-Scale Manager™ (LSM™)

The LSM designation was designed to allow PCAM members to specialize within their profession. This specialist designation is available only to experienced large-scale community managers who have participated in various activities related to industry-specific education and leadership.

Reserve Specialist™ (RS™)

The RS designation is awarded to experienced, qualified reserve specialists who, through years of specialized experience, can help ensure that your community association prepares its reserve budget as accurately as possible. RS designees must meet comprehensive requirements including:

• Preparing at least 30 reserve studies
• Holding a bachelors degree in construction management, architecture, or engineering (or equivalent experience and education)
• Complying with strict rules of conduct outlined by the Professional Reserve Specialist Code of Ethics.

A Reserve Specialist can help ensure your association is planning for future needs to reduce the chances of levying special assessments to pay for unexpected expenses.

Community Insurance and Risk Management Specialist™ (CIRMS™)

The CIRMS designation recognizes a demonstrated high level of competency within the risk management profession. CIRMS designees must be active CAI members in good standing for two years, have five years experience in the community association insurance field, and be of satisfactory legal and ethical standing in the industry.

How to find a designated professional

• Search the Directory of Credentialed Professionals or visit NBC-CAM's site at www.nbccam.org. From there, you can search the database for credentialed managers in your area.



• Call CAI Direct at 703-548-8600 (M–F, 9–6:30 ET) and ask our customer care specialists to assist you in a search.



• During the hiring process, ask candidates if they hold a professional certification or designation.



• Look for the certification and designation letters (CMCA, AMS, PCAM, RS, CIRMS) behind the names of professionals who work for you or whom you might hire.



• Look for an AAMC when selecting a management company.

Additional Resources

CAI's Bookstore contains several titles that can assist you in your search for qualified professionals.

Choosing a Management Company (GAP #8)

Community Association Legal Counsel: How To Select and Use An Attorney (GAP #13)
Read an excerpt from this guide:
http://www.caionline.org/excerpts/index.cfm?ProductCode=5710

Selecting the On-Site Manager (GAP #19)

Introduction to Community Association Management, Governance, and Services (GAP #1)
Read an excerpt from this guide:
http://www.caionline.org/excerpts/index.cfm?ProductCode=5796

Visit the online Bookstore for these and other titles on community associations.

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.