This is the final column in a three-part series on HOA management.
Part 1: Which type of management does your HOA need?
Part 2: What to look for in management contracts
California HOA managers are unregulated, with no required license or minimum education. Rental managers must have real estate broker licenses, but not HOA managers.
There is a wide range of qualification and experience in the profession, so finding indications of superiority is important.
The state has a purely voluntary designation from Business and Professions Code 11502, which defines a “Certified Common Interest Development Manager” as one who received 30 class hours in designated topics from a professional association of HOA managers. Section 11504 requires managers to annually disclose whether they are “Certified” and prohibits false claims of “certified” status.
Four organizations educate and credential California managers: Institute of Real Estate Management (“IREM”); California Association of Community Managers (“CACM”), Community Association Manager International Certification Board (“CAMICB”), and Community Associations Institute (“CAI“).
IREM is a national organization, with about 20,000 manager members, offering education and various property management credentials. Its managers are mostly non-residential, but over 300 California managers hold the “Accredited Residential Manager (ARM)” credential. The ARM requires 45 class hours in either rental property management or CID management and passing a half-day examination. The ARM does not qualify for “Certified” status in California.
CACM is a California organization which was founded in 1991 by a group of veteran HOA managers. Presently 1,437 of CACM’s 1,893 active manager members hold its Certified Community Association Manager (“CCAM”) credential. The CCAM requires 36 class hours and qualifies managers as “Certified.” CACM has a more advanced credential, the Masters of Community Association Management (“MCAM”), which involves 5 years minimum of CCAM status, an extensive written exam, a written case study analyzing an HOA and oral presentation, and 28 more class hours. Six managers are CACM MCAMs.
CAMICB administers the “Certified Manager of Community Associations (CMCA”)” credential. Originally affiliated with CAI when formed in 1995, the organization is now an independent credentialing body. Attaining the CMCA requires either two and a half days of instruction, five years’ experience, or the CCAM credential, and passing a 120-question exam. California currently has 1,270 CMCA managers.
The Community Associations Institute consists of 64 chapters, including 8 in California. Founded in 1973, CAI trains managers in the United States, Canada, Australia, South Africa, and United Arab Emirates. CAI offers three credentials: “Association Management Specialist (AMS)”, “Professional Community Association Manager (PCAM)” and the “Large-Scale Manager (LSM)”. The AMS credential requires attaining the CMCA credential, two years’ experience, and two additional days of classes. Currently, 770 California managers hold this credential. Managers holding the AMS designation qualify as “Certified” in California after taking CAI’s 8-hour California law course.
The highest widely-established general management credential is CAI’s PCAM designation. This requires five years’ experience, almost 100 total class hours, and preparation of a 100–200-page exhaustive study of a large HOA. About 80% of applicants achieve the PCAM on their first attempt. 281 California managers currently hold this credential. Larger or higher profile properties may prefer PCAMs or those working toward it. The LSM credential requires a PCAM and additional education regarding large associations.
Ask about designations, and make sure YOUR manager holds an earned credential (not just anyone in their office). Demonstrated achievement in professional education is helpful in evaluating prospective managers.
For more information, go to irem.org, www.cacm.org and caionline.org.
Richardson, Esq. is a fellow of the College of Community Association Lawyers and partner of Richardson Ober LLP, a California law firm known for community association advice. Submit column questions to kelly@roattorneys.com.