CMCA certifications: 2026 requirements and overview

What is a CMCA?

The Certified Manager of Community Associations (CMCA®) is an international certification for professionals who manage community associations. It’s administered by the Community Association Managers International Certification Board (CAMICB), which was established by Community Associations Institute (CAI) and operates as an independent nonprofit certification body.

CMCA certification is meant to show that a community association manager has proven baseline, job-relevant knowledge, including things like governance, financial operations, maintenance oversight, reserve planning, contracts, risk/insurance, and ethics.
 

Is CMCA required in California?

California does not require a statewide license to work as a community association manager.
 

How to earn a CMCA

1. Meet one prerequisite option

   CAMICB generally allows three prerequisite pathways before you sit for the CMCA exam:
    
   1. Education pathway: Complete an approved prerequisite course.
       
   2. Experience pathway: Have at least two years of experience as a community association manager to qualify for a one-time waiver of the prerequisite course.
       
   3. License/credential pathway: Hold an active qualifying credential 



2. Submit your CMCA exam application

   You apply through CAMICB, and your eligibility is reviewed before you’re cleared to schedule the exam. A $360 fee is required for application, and covers the application fee, examination, and your first year of certification.
    

3. Schedule the CMCA exam with Pearson VUE

   The CMCA exam is delivered through Pearson VUE testing centers. Scheduling is handled through Pearson VUE once your application is approved.
    

4. Pass the CMCA exam

   Pearson VUE describes the CMCA exam as a 2.5-hour, 120-question multiple-choice exam.

Maintaining a CMCA

CAMICB requires recertification every two years. Renewal is based on a few things:

• You are still practicing in the field.
   
• You complete 16 hours of continuing education every two years.
   
• You pay the required $135 annual service fee each year.
   
• You reaffirm your commitment to the CMCA Standards of Professional Conduct.

Other types of certifications

There are several types of certifications that a community manager in California can have in addition to their CMCA. In general, they signal more experience, more training, and a higher level of responsibility:

• Association Management Specialist (AMS): A “next step” designation that generally requires the manager to already hold the CMCA and have at least two years of community association management experience, plus additional education to build on the fundamentals.
   
• Professional Community Association Manager (PCAM): CAI’s most advanced manager designation. It typically requires the manager to hold the CMCA and have at least five years of community association management experience, along with advanced education and a case study that demonstrates they can apply what they know to real management scenarios.
   
• Large-Scale Manager (LSM): An advanced add-on for managers who already hold the PCAM. It generally requires at least 10 years of community association management experience, including five years as large-scale manager, plus specialized training focused on large-association operations.

Certification disclosures before you sign a contract

The Davis-Stirling Act requires a prospective managing agent to give the board a written disclosure statement no more than 90 days before you enter into a management agreement. That disclosure helps boards understand who they’re hiring, including what professional certifications/designations the manager holds, and flags certain financial relationships that could influence recommendations (Cal. Civ. Code § 5375).
 

What are the benefits of having a community manager with advanced certifications?

Securing varying certification levels requires community managers to accrue more years of experience. HOAs often discover that managers possessing unique expertise can better fulfil their specific requirements.

For instance, if your community is expansive with over 1,000 units and an annual budget surpassing $2 million, an LSM-certified community manager will serve you better. The diverse certifications symbolize that the community manager is associated with a firm that promotes continuous learning and is dedicated to delivering superior service to clients.
 

What a CMCA does (and doesn’t) tell you

CMCA certification is designed to confirm baseline, job-relevant knowledge, but it isn’t a guarantee that a manager is the right match for every community. Two CMCA-certified managers can have very different strengths depending on the types of properties they’ve supported (high-rise vs. single-family, new build vs. aging infrastructure, self-managed board vs. hands-on support).

The credential is best used as a starting point, then paired with questions about experience with your property type, communication style, and how the manager handles budgets, maintenance planning, and compliance with California HOA laws.
 

Can board members get any special education, too?

Your community management company can provide educational sessions for your HOA’s board of directors. In addition, here in California, CAI’s eight chapters offer the CAI course Board Leadership Development Workshop (also available online).
 

What HOAs should ask when comparing certified managers

A CMCA can be a helpful signal, but it’s still worth asking a few practical questions to understand how that credential shows up day to day.

For example: How many associations does the manager oversee at once? Who handles accounting, vendor bidding, and after-hours calls? How are board packets prepared and delivered, and how far in advance? What’s the escalation path if something urgent happens? These questions help you separate “has the credential” from “has the staffing and systems to support your community consistently”.
 

About FirstService Residential

FirstService Residential supports California communities with local expertise backed by national resources. For more than 40 years, our dedicated teams have helped boards stay organized with governance support, recordkeeping systems, financial management, vendor coordination, banking and insurance programs, resident communication, and 24/7 customer care.

We help boards apply consistent processes that align with their governing documents and California law, so board members can stay focused on long-term community goals instead of day-to-day administration.

Credentials do matter. Learn more about finding a community manager with the right credentials for your community. Contact FirstService Residential, the leading community management company in California.

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.