The designations and certifications obtained by a common interest development (CID) manager must typically be disclosed to an association’s board of directors. (See “Manager Disclosure Requirements.”) Professional designations and certifications available to CID managers are offered through the following HOA and real estate management organizations:
- California Association of Community Managers (CACM)
- Community Associations Institute (CAI)
- Community Association Managers International Certification Board (CAMICB)
- Institute of Real Estate Management (IREM)
Certification Overview
The following table provides an overview of the various certifications offered through the above organizations:
| Certification Acronym | Certification Name | Offering Organization |
| AAMC | Accredited Association Management Company | CAI |
| AMS | Association Management Specialist | CAI |
| ARM | Accredited Residential Manager | IREM |
| CCAM | Certified Community Association Manager | CACM |
| CMCA | Certified Manager of Community Associations | CAMICB |
| CPM | Certified Property Manager | IREM |
| LSM | Large-Scale Manager | CAI |
| MCAM* | Master of Community Association Management | CACM |
| PCAM* | Professional Community Association Manager | CAI |
| RS | Reserve Specialist | CAI |
*Denotes highest level certification for that organization
The ability to obtain one of the above certifications may be contingent upon whether the manager already obtained a lower certification offered through the issuing organization. Accordingly, managers who obtain a high-level certification within a particular organization often do not list any of the lower designations which he or she previously obtained through that organization.
