By Leslie Alvarez, CMCA, AMS, LSM, PCAM | Founder & CEO, Community ACE | communityace.com
Florida is one of the few states in the country that requires community association managers to hold a professional license. As someone who has held a Florida CAM license for over 25 years — and who has seen the difference that licensed, credentialed management makes in a community — I believe this requirement exists for very good reason.
Whether you are a manager navigating the licensing process or a board trying to verify that your management team is properly credentialed, this guide covers what you need to know.
A Community Association Manager (CAM) license is a professional license issued by the Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation (DBPR). It is required by Florida Statute 468.431 for anyone who manages a community association that has either more than 10 units or an annual budget exceeding $100,000.
Managing a qualifying community without a CAM license is a violation of Florida law. The association, the unlicensed manager, and potentially the management company can all face consequences for non-compliance.
The CAM license requirement applies to individuals who are paid to manage community associations meeting the threshold requirements. This includes:
Volunteer board members who manage their own association without compensation are not required to hold a CAM license, provided they are not receiving payment for management services. However, many experienced board members find that obtaining a CAM license or pursuing professional education significantly improves their effectiveness.
The path to a Florida CAM license involves several steps:
The exam covers community association law, financial management, association operations, governance, and ethics. Candidates should expect to study Florida Statutes Chapters 718 (condominiums), 719 (cooperatives), 720 (HOAs), and 468 (the CAM licensing statute itself).
Florida CAM license holders are required to complete continuing education (CE) to renew their license on a biennial basis. CE requirements are set by the DBPR and include courses in:
Florida House Bill SB 382 (2024) modified certain CE requirements for some licensees, but the fundamental requirement to complete CE for license renewal remains in place. Managers should verify current CE requirements directly with the DBPR or through an approved CE provider, as requirements are periodically updated by the Legislature.
The CAM license is the baseline legal requirement. Many experienced Florida managers pursue additional professional designations through the Community Associations Institute (CAI) that represent higher levels of education, experience, and demonstrated expertise. The primary designations are:
CMCA — Certified Manager of Community Associations
Awarded by the Community Association Managers International Certification Board (CAMICB). Requires passing an examination covering the core body of knowledge for community association management. The CMCA is a foundational credential and is widely held by working managers.
AMS — Association Management Specialist
Awarded by CAI. Requires the CMCA, a minimum of two years of management experience, completion of specific CAI coursework, and active engagement in the community association industry. The AMS represents a meaningful step beyond the entry-level credential.
LSM — Large Scale Manager
Awarded by CAI for managers with demonstrated expertise in managing large-scale or master-planned communities. Requires the CMCA, completion of specific coursework, and minimum experience requirements in large-scale community management.
PCAM — Professional Community Association Manager
The highest professional designation offered by CAI. Requires the CMCA, a minimum of five years of full-time management experience in community associations, completion of an advanced CAI management development program, and a comprehensive case study evaluation. The PCAM is the designation held by the most experienced practitioners in the field and is recognized nationwide as the gold standard for community association management.
When evaluating a management company or an individual manager, credentials matter. At minimum, your manager should hold a current Florida CAM license in good standing — you can verify this through the DBPR website at myfloridalicense.com.
Additional designations (CMCA, AMS, PCAM) indicate a manager who has invested in their professional development beyond the minimum requirement. A PCAM-designated manager brings the highest level of demonstrated expertise in the industry.
You can ask any management company to provide the license numbers and designations of the specific managers who would be assigned to your community, and verify them independently. A company that cannot provide this information, or that declines to do so, is a red flag.
Ready to take the next step? Community ACE helps HOA and condo boards across Florida operate more efficiently, stay compliant, and lead with confidence. Schedule a free 20-minute consultation with Leslie Alvarez, PCAM at communityace.com.
Privacy Policy | Terms of Use | Powered by Cajabra
