In 2017, the Community Associations Institute (CAI) awarded its most prestigious and respected designation—Professional Community Association Manager (PCAM)—to 25 community association professionals. With these additions, now more than 2,850 managers have reached the pinnacle of community association management. CAI also awarded 254 other career-enhancing credentials and distinctions.

CAI awards three professional credentials to association managers, all of which require candidates to complete a specified course of study, pass a national exam, and commit to some level of continuing education. In addition to establishing base line requirements for education and (in some cases) hands-on experience, the professional designations also mandate adherence to a set of ethical standards. The professional manager credentials are structured as building blocks: Earning the CMCA (Certified Manager of Community Associations) is a prerequisite for obtaining the AMS (Association Management Specialist) or the highest (Professional Community Association Manager) PCAM designation.

Credential Overview

Certified Manager of Community Associations (CMCA): The CMCA certification, administered by the Community Association Managers International Certification Board (CAMICB) is the first step in demonstrating the fundamental knowledge required to manage a community association.

Association Management Specialist (AMS): The AMS designation is the second level in the nationally recognized CAI development track for professional managers.

Professional Community Association Manager (PCAM): The pinnacle of community association management, the PCAM is the highest professional recognition available.

In addition to the designations for managers, CAI offers designations for management companies and for the business partner professionals providing services to community associations:

Accredited Association Management Company (AAMC): This accreditation demonstrates a company’s commitment to providing the unique and diverse services community associations need. The AAMC is the only recognition awarded to companies that specialize in community association management.

Reserve Specialist (RS): Awarded to experienced providers of reserve studies. 

Community Insurance & Risk Management Specialist (CIRMS):  Recognizing those with a demonstrated level of competency within the risk management profession.

College of Community Association Lawyers (CCAL): Attorneys elected to this prestigious and highly regarded group have demonstrated a commitment to ethical behavior, professionalism, service and leadership. 

Educated Business Partner Distinction (EBP): Recognizes accountants, attorneys, bankers, insurance professionals, landscapers, painters, reserve specialists, software providers and other professionals providing services to community associations, who have successfully completed coursework detailing the issues and challenges faced by their association clients, and who are committed to providing exceptional service.

For more information about the credentials, and an updated list of credentialed professionals visit www.caionline.org.

Bob Keegan, CMCA, AMS, PCAM, is the 2017 CAI-NE Chapter president.