Community Association Manager Designations

Review the CAI Manager Credentials.

Administered by the Community Associations Institute. The AMS designation is the second tier of the pyramid of professionalism for community association managers. It builds upon the CMCA’s fundamental knowledge with requirements for added education and verified experience in the field. To become an AMS designee, a candidate must earn and maintain the CMCA certification, successfully complete 16 hours of course work in CAI’s Professional Management Development Program and demonstrate two years of professional management experience. An Association Management Specialist must maintain a professional level of membership in CAI, comply with the CAI Professional Code of Ethics and fulfill continuing education requirements by completing 24 hours of advanced-level courses every three years.

Administered by the Community Associations Institute. The Professional Community Association Manager designation is the pinnacle of professional achievement for managers with advanced-level skills and experience. About 1,000 managers nationwide have earned this top-level distinction. A PCAM designee must earn and maintain the CMCA certification, successfully complete the Professional Management Development Program and have at least five years of professional management experience. In addition, PCAM applicants must have a certain number of “points” which can be obtained through attending CAI and other industry events, serving on a CAI – Illinois Committee, and participating on other levels. After satisfying other participation and service requirements, the PCAM designee must successfully complete a challenging case study analyzing a subject community association. A PCAM designee must comply with the CAI Professional Code of Ethics and complete a combination of advanced-level continuing education and service requirements every three years.

• PCAM Designation Application
• PCAM Redesignation Application
• PCAM Reinstatement Application

Administered by the Community Associations Institute. An Accredited Association Management Company has met the highest standards for management companies set by CAI. To earn the accreditation, companies must meet financial management and reporting requirements for client associations’ bank accounts, reserve funds, budgets and expenditures and maintain fidelity, liability and worker’s compensation insurance. The company must have three years of experience managing client community associations and at least 75 percent of the company’s qualifying managers must hold a PCAM, AMS, CMCA or CPM credential. AAMC-accredited companies must commit to continuing education for all management staff and CAI’s Professional Code of Ethics.