Community association managers (CAMs) are professionals that oversee the day-to-day operations of community associations. CAMs typically have backgrounds in property management, although some may come from other industries, such as accounting or law.
They handle everything from collecting dues and filing legal documents to fielding tenant questions about their rental agreements and supervising landscaping crews. In addition to running the day-to-day operations of a community association, CAMs must also keep up on state and local laws related to the management profession.
This article will explain how long it takes for someone to acquire a community association manager license in Florida so they can begin providing services for HOAs and COAs immediately upon receiving their license.
A Quick Look At State Requirements
Most states require CAMs to hold certain certifications or licenses in order to do business with homeowners’ associations (HOAs), condominium associations (COAs), townhome communities and other types of common interest communities (CICs).
For example, Florida requires all CAMs who manage associations with more than 10 units or parcels to be licensed by the department before they can provide any services for an HOA or COA.
In order to be eligible for a community association manager license in Florida, you must meet the following requirements:
- Must be at least 18 years of age
- Have a United States Social Security number. If you don’t have one, you may be able to obtain one by completing an application at your local Social Security office or online
- Have completed at least post-secondary education
Education and Training
In order to get a community association manager license in Florida, you must enroll in a pre-license course. The course takes 16 hours and can be taken online or in a classroom. Once you complete the course, you must take the exam within an year of your completion date.
Taking the Exams
Once you have completed your pre-license coursework, you will be required to take an exam to determine whether or not you are ready to become licensed as a community association manager in Florida. This exam includes both multiple choice questions that require applicants to write answers in full sentences that demonstrate understanding of the material covered in class prior to taking the test.
Before you can take the exam, you must have your fingerprints taken for a background check. This will take seven to fourteen days to receive a notice of approval from the State before taking your exam. Once approved and fingerprinted, you may schedule an exam date at any Pearson Vue testing center within 365 days of applying for licensure (which is also when your credentials expire).
You may take the exam as many times as needed; however there are some rules in place preventing you from wasting too much time studying: You must wait 24 hours between attempts.
In Summary
As you can see, the time it takes to get a Community Association Manager license in Florida depends on several factors, including the candidate’s level of experience and education.
For example, someone with less than one year’s experience might spend three months while someone who has more than five years’ experience could take a month or less. The state also offers specific requirements for those who want to receive certification as an expert in their field through continuing education courses or other educational programs such as seminars.
With that said, don’t be overwhelmed by the requirements and processes involved for you to acquire your CAM license. In any case, the sooner you get started, the quicker you’ll get done!
