By CAMICB Director of Credential Services, Madeline Hay, CAE
Significant updates to the Certified Manager of Community Associations (CMCA®) exam take effect on Dec. 9. These changes stem from CAMICB’s 2021-2022 job analysis study that assessed the key tasks and knowledge areas required of community managers to ensure the exam content aligns with current professional standards.
Exam Changes
The updated content outline will condense the eight current exam domains into six broader categories, offering a more streamlined approach to understanding and preparing for the exam.
One notable shift is the increased emphasis on the meetings and events domain, which will now represent 18% of the exam, up from 10%. This change underscores the importance of event planning, board meetings, and elections, which are essential aspects of a community manager’s role.
Three closely related content areas — budgets, reserves, investments, and assessments; financial controls; and risk management and insurance — will merge into the broader domains of financial management and risk management. While reorganized for clarity, the weight of these topics remains essentially unchanged and maintains the focus on financial stability and risk mitigation.
The emphasis on property maintenance will increase to mirror the growing importance of preserving property values and preventive maintenance. Meanwhile, governance and compliance remain the largest domain at 23%, reflecting the ongoing importance of legal accountability, rule enforcement, and transparency.
Notably, the human resources domain, which previously accounted for 6% of the exam, will be eliminated. This reflects the evolving scope of early-career managers’ responsibilities as HR tasks are increasingly managed by specialized staff or external providers.
Preparing for the Updated Exam
Candidates can review both the current and updated content outlines at camicb.org. Separate CMCA study guides are available for each version, allowing candidates to choose the guide that aligns with their planned exam date and preparation needs.
Both versions of the CMCA exam uphold the same rigorous standards and ensure credential holders are well-equipped for community association management. However, the revised outline will better reflect the profession’s evolving demands.
The upcoming changes allow candidates to align their skills with the latest industry developments. As the profession grows in complexity, the CMCA remains a hallmark of excellence and ensures credential holders are prepared to meet future challenges. With this updated exam, CAMICB reaffirms its commitment to maintaining the highest standards in community association management.