Friday October 30, 2026
What is a Florida community association manager?
A Florida community association manager, or CAM, is a licensed professional who helps manage homeowners associations, condominium associations, cooperatives, and other residential communities.What does a Florida CAM do?
From overseeing a staff that might include housekeeping, maintenance, front desk, and security to collaborating with board members and residents, CAMs work to maintain and improve their community and residents' quality of life. Think of the role as a hotel general manager but with permanent guests. In fact, many people who have considered becoming hoteliers have decided to become CAMs instead.Working as a CAM can be exciting as you get to work with a variety of people, and no two days are ever the same.
How to get a CAM license in Florida
There are five main steps to get a CAM license in Florida:- Meet the basic requirements: You must be at least 18 years old and meet Florida’s good moral character requirement.
- Complete 16 hours of approved pre-licensure education: The course must come from a DBPR-approved provider and be completed within 12 months before you pass the exam.
The pre-licensure course can typically be completed either online at your own pace or in a traditional classroom setting, depending on your schedule and preferred learning style. Many programs also include study materials, practice exams, and other resources to help candidates prepare. The licensing process generally takes about 3 to 4 weeks, depending on how quickly the coursework is completed.
- Submit your application: Apply for the Community Association Manager Initial License by Examination through the Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation.
- Submit electronic fingerprints: Florida requires a background check using a Livescan provider registered with the Florida Department of Law Enforcement. DBPR instructs applicants to submit fingerprints after filing the license application.
- Pass the state CAM exam: The minimum passing scaled score is 75.
Cost of a Florida CAM license
The total cost to get a Florida CAM license is typically around $580–$630, depending on the pre-licensure course and fingerprinting provider you choose.Here’s a typical breakdown:
- DBPR application, examination, and licensing fees: $205.50 for an initial CAM license by examination.
- Pre-licensure course: About $269–$319 for the required 16-hour course.
- Electronic fingerprinting: About $55–$60 through an approved provider.
- Pearson VUE exam administration fee: $49.50 to the testing service.
Is a specialized degree required to become a community association manager?
While a formal college degree is not required to become a CAM, it is beneficial. For some management companies, a bachelor's degree can indicate that the candidate can demonstrate the breadth of knowledge necessary for the role.At FirstService Residential, a bachelor's degree isn’t required but is strongly preferred, according to Ophelia Casey, vice president of human resources.
"They don’t have to have a degree, but we do want them to have the equivalent job-related experience and financial acumen needed to read a balance sheet or income statement, for example. And, of course, previous experience in property management is always a plus!"
Ophelia Casey, vice president of human resources
What skills and experience are necessary to be successful in the role of a community association manager?
Being a successful CAM requires more than just knowledge of the property management industry’s standards and processes. Since the job involves frequent interactions with residents, vendors, contractors, and other stakeholders, an effective CAM should have strong interpersonal and communication skills, organizational aptitude, and empathy — the ability to relate to and understand what the association and its residents need.Casey says,
"Being able to work with people from all walks of life and relate to and understand different perspectives is invaluable in making residents, board members, and others within the community feel heard and respected. At FirstService, we aim to maximize property values and enhance residents’ lifestyles.
Our CAMs accomplish this partly by understanding the motivations behind issues or problems and anticipating them before they happen. Understanding, combined with empathy, is more likely to lead to viable solutions that will benefit everyone involved."
Is there room for growth?
Absolutely! CAMs have plenty of growth opportunities — whether it’s managing a larger team in a more complex community or moving on to a senior leadership role. With the proper training and guidance, many CAMs advance into positions with greater responsibilities.And to support the transition, FirstService Residential offers several development programs to help accelerate associates’ readiness for future management roles. CAMtoRD, for example, is a 6-month program for high-potential property managers designed to help them build the leadership skills needed to move into the Regional Director role.
The company also offers additional courses and programs, such as Leadership Essentials and FirstLeader, to help further develop and inspire its future leaders.
Is on-the-job training available?
Most property management companies provide some type of on-the-job training. At FirstService, there are several on-site training workshops and resources to help CAMs excel in their roles.For example, CAM Onboarding is a 4-stage program for new or newly promoted CAMs. It includes 4 days of instructor-led training in the first month, followed by 3 months of self-paced online learning. This training teaches associates the necessary skills to succeed in their positions.
"Our depth of resources and 360° of support is extensive. FirstService employs team members who have worked at some of the world's best-known hotels and resorts and are available to help new and existing community association managers succeed. Our culture and passion around our people's well-being and professional development make FirstService a terrific place to work and grow."
Amy Sanchez, president at FirstService Residential
How much does a community association manager earn?
The salary of a CAM varies depending on the manager’s location, experience, and the type of property they manage. For example, a CAM overseeing a large condominium or homeowners association with multiple amenities, complex operations, substantial budgets, and several on-site staff members will typically earn more than a CAM managing a smaller property with fewer operational responsibilities. Generally, compensation increases with the size, complexity, and service demands of the association.Property management careers with FirstService Residential
FirstService Residential is a great place to build a career in property management. We put the same care into supporting our associates that we bring to our communities. Team members have access to professional development resources, competitive pay and benefits, and opportunities to grow across a wide range of property management roles.FirstService Residential has been Certified™ by Great Place To Work® in the U.S. and Canada, based entirely on feedback from current associates about their workplace experience.
Explore FirstService Residential careers.
About FirstService Residential
As North America’s leading property management company, FirstService Residential serves Florida communities with local expertise backed by national resources. Our teams support board members with meetings, recordkeeping, financial management, banking and insurance programs, resident communication, and 24/7 customer care teams. This way, board members can focus on long-term goals instead of day-to-day administration.With over 30 years of experience across the state, we help HOAs, condo associations, high-rises, and master-planned communities operate smoothly and meet their goals with confidence. To learn how we can support your association, contact our Florida team today.
This information is provided for general informational purposes only and is not intended to constitute, and should not be relied upon as, legal, regulatory, financial, or operational advice, or as a representation or guarantee of any specific services, capabilities, or outcomes. Property management needs, regulatory requirements, market conditions, and available services vary by jurisdiction, property type, and community. FirstService Residential provides services through locally based affiliates and associates, and services and results may vary by community, region, contractual terms, and applicable law.