Top 5 Reasons Why
A CAI DESIGNATION IS IMPORTANT
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1.  A CAI designation provides the proof that you are a credentialed professional, no matter which state you work in, especially those without state manager licensing. You have been motivated to reach the top of the profession by improving your knowledge and skills.

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2.  A designation through CAI signals you have pride in your industry and recognize the important role dedicated managers, insurance experts and supportive management firms play in the success of the places where one in five Americans live.

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3.  A CAI designation provides you with marketability within the industry as selective management companies and associations require a CAI credential, possibly even a PCAM. Often times the CAI designation means increased pay levels for the credentialed professional.

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4.  A CAI designation means you have agreed to abide by a strict code of ethics. This is very important to clients when hiring a manager or management firm in today’s world.

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5.  A CAI designation puts you on a par with other credentialed professionals in other industry related professions, such as engineers, reserve specialists, accountants, insurance advisers and attorneys.

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What to Look For...

Community Associations Institute (CAI) designations help ensure that managers and other professionals have the knowledge, experience and integrity to provide the best possible service to your association.  If your manager, reserve provider or insurance and risk management consultant hold CAI designations, they made a substantial commitment and investment in their education, career and your community's welfare.  

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Community Association Credentials...

CERTIFIED MANAGER OF COMMUNITY ASSOCIATIONS (CMCA®)

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The CMCA is the only national certification program designated to recognize the  minimum standards of fundamental knowledge required for practice in community association management.  Responding to a need for an industry certification program, the National Board of Certification for Community Association Managers (NBC-CAM) was created by CAI to administer the CMCA program.

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The CMCA program provides standards for community association management and gives homeowners and Boards confidence in their manager's knowledge and ability to provide professional service.  

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Managers with this certification have successfully completed the required coursework for community association management.  They have also passed the CMCA Examination administered by NBC-CAM.  Along with adhering to standards of professional conduct, managers must continue their professional development every two years to maintain their certification.  This helps to ensure that credentialed professionals remain current on the latest practices and trends in community management.  

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ASSOCIATION MANAGEMENT SPECIALISTS (AMS®)

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The AMS designation is the second tier in the career track for professional managers.  Building upon the knowledge gained in earning their CMCA credential, AMS designees have passed one of CAI's 200-level Professional Management Development Program (PMDP) courses and have at least two years of professional management experience.  They must also comply with CAI's Professional Manager Code of Ethics.  To maintain the designation, they must continue with additional education requirements every three years.  

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PROFESSIONAL COMMUNITY ASSOCIATION MANAGER (PCAM®)

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The PCAM designation is the highest professional recognition available nationwide to managers who specialize in community association management.  Managers who have earned the PCAM designation have displayed a significant commitment to their profession.  Through extensive education requirements, they have gained an understanding of all aspects of community association management.  

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To obtain this designation, managers must earn both a CMCA certification and AMS destination, pass all of CAI's 200-level PMDP courses (covering a variety of complex management issues), complete an extensive Case Study, comply with CAI's Professional Manager Code of Ethics and have at least five years of community management experience.  

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To maintain the designation, managers must meet additional education requirements every three years.  Managers with PCAM designations are dedicated professionals at the top of their field.  

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ACCREDITED ASSOCIATION MANAGEMENT COMPANY (AAMC®)

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The AAMC credential is awarded to companies that specialize in community association management and are committed to providing unique and diverse services to their clients.  Companies that hold this accreditation ensure their staffs have the skills, experience and integrity to help their communities succeed.  

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The requirements of the AAMC are: at least 50 percent of the company's managers must hold designations or certifications; the senior manager must hold a PCAM designation; and the company must have a minimum three years of experience providing community association management services.  An Accredited Association Management Company commits to upholding the hugest ethical standards and is required to meet CAI's financial management and reporting standards.  

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COMMUNITY INSURANCE & RISK MANAGEMENT SPECIALIST (CIRMS®)

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The CIRMS designation recognizes a demonstrated high level of competency within the risk management profession.  CIRMS designees must have five years of experience in the community association insurance field and be of satisfactory legal and ethical standing in the industry. 

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CIRMS designees must also have been insurance practitioners for at least 25 association insurance programs within the past three years or demonstrated significant involvement in the provision of insurance and risk management services to community associations.  

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*CAI Designation Descriptions provided by Community Associations Institute