Tuesday July 14, 2026
What is a CAM license?
A CAM license is a credential that allows someone to professionally manage common interest communities, such as HOAs, condo associations, high-rises, and master-planned communities. In Nevada, the official term is “community manager certificate.”This certificate is issued through the Nevada Real Estate Division and is required for community association management work covered by state law.
Is a CAM certification required in Nevada?
Yes. Nevada requires a community manager certificate for people who manage common interest communities. A real estate license or property management permit does not replace it.The Nevada Real Estate Division says a real estate licensee with a property management permit may not manage a common interest community without a CAM certificate.
Who oversees Nevada CAM certification?
The Nevada Real Estate Division oversees community manager certification through its Common-Interest Communities and Condominium Hotels Program.The Division provides certification requirements, forms, continuing education information, testing details, renewal guidance, and temporary certificate instructions for Nevada community managers.
How to earn a CAM certification in Nevada
To earn Nevada CAM certification, applicants generally complete approved education, pass the Community Manager exam, submit fingerprint documents, complete the state application, and pay the required fee.A full community manager certificate also requires experience. Applicants who still need experience may qualify for a provisional community manager certificate.
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Meet basic experience requirements
A full community manager certificate generally requires experience in common interest community management, or a related management field, for the 12 months immediately before applying or for at least 2 of the 4 years immediately before applying (NAC 116A.120(1)(c)).
Applicants document that experience with service verification and a resume. If an applicant has completed the education, exam, fingerprinting, and application steps but still needs qualifying experience, the provisional community manager certificate may be the right path (more on that later).
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Complete 60 hours of education
Nevada requires at least 60 hours of education in common interest community management. The course covers practical topics managers use with boards, including Nevada HOA laws, association operations, board meetings, records, finances, budgets, reserves, enforcement, and board responsibilities.
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Pass the Community Manager exam
After completing the education requirement, applicants must pass the Community Manager exam. Nevada requires the original passing exam result to be dated within the last 12 months when submitted with the application.
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Complete fingerprinting
Applicants must complete the fingerprint background waiver before being fingerprinted. They must also submit the fingerprint verification form from an approved fingerprint vendor. Nevada notes that fingerprints expire after a set period, so applicants should plan their timing carefully.
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Submit the application
Community manager and provisional community manager applicants use Form 559. The application packet generally includes the form, fingerprint documents, education proof, passing exam result, and fee. Full community manager applicants also submit service verification and a resume.
Nevada CAM certification fees
The Nevada Real Estate Division currently lists a $300 fee for community manager and provisional community manager applications. Applicants should check the current fee before filing.Provisional community manager certificates
A provisional community manager certificate is for someone who has completed the main licensing steps, such as education, exam, fingerprints, application, and fee, but does not yet have enough qualifying experience for the full community manager certificate. It is essentially a pathway for newer applicants who are still building supervised active experience.Temporary community manager certificates
A temporary community manager certificate is a separate temporary option for certain qualified applicants, often tied to a specific situation such as having a qualifying employment offer and enough management experience. It uses a separate application, has a separate fee, and cannot be renewed or obtained again after it expires. This separate application currently has a $200 fee.Maintaining a CAM certificate
Nevada community manager certificates generally renew every 2 years. To maintain Nevada CAM certification, community managers must submit the renewal application, pay the renewal fee, and complete 18 hours of approved community manager continuing education during the certificate period.At least 3 of those hours must be in law, which helps managers stay current on Nevada association requirements, board governance, records, meetings, reserves, rule enforcement, and resident communication.
Other certifications
Other professional credentials can support a community manager’s growth, but they do not replace Nevada CAM certification when state certification is required. Common industry credentials include:- CMCA: The Certified Manager of Community Associations credential is an entry-level national certification for community association managers.
- AMS: The Association Management Specialist designation is for managers with additional community association experience and education.
- PCAM: The Professional Community Association Manager designation is an advanced credential for experienced managers.
- LSM: The Large-Scale Manager designation focuses on large-scale communities with extensive amenities, budgeting, staff, and operations.
Is a property management permit the same thing?
No. A property management permit is different from Nevada CAM certification. Rental property management and common interest community management are separate areas. A person may hold a real estate license or property management permit and still need a community manager certificate to manage an HOA or condo association.About FirstService Residential
FirstService Residential supports Nevada communities with local expertise backed by national resources. Our teams help boards stay organized with governance support, recordkeeping systems, financial management, vendor coordination, resident communication, and 24/7 customer care.We help boards apply consistent processes that align with their governing documents and Nevada law, so board members can stay focused on long-term community goals instead of day-to-day administration.
Contact a member of our team today to learn more.
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.