CMCA STANDARDS OF PROFESSIONAL CONDUCT

The Community Association Managers International Certification Board (CAMICB) requires a Certified Manager of Community Associations (CMCA) to comply with the Standards of Professional Conduct, which govern their professional activities. These standards are designed to ensure that managers uphold their fiduciary responsibilities and comply with laws, governing documents, and professional integrity.

A Certified Manager of Community Associations (CMCA) shall:

Be knowledgeable, act, and encourage clients to follow all applicable laws and regulations relevant to community association management and operations.
Be knowledgeable, comply, and encourage clients to comply with the applicable governing documents, policies, and procedures of the Client Association(s) to the extent permitted by that Client.
Not knowingly misrepresent material facts, make inaccurate statements or act in any fraudulent manner while representing Client Association(s) or acting as a CMCA.
Not provide legal advice to Client Association(s) or any of its members, or otherwise engage in the unlicensed practice of law.
Promptly disclose to Client Association(s) any actual or potential conflicts of interest that may involve the manager.
Refuse to accept any form of gratuity, compensation, or other remuneration from individuals or companies that may improperly influence the manager’s decisions.
Participate in continuing professional education and satisfy all requirements to maintain the CMCA.
Uphold their fiduciary duty to the Client Association(s) by acting with due diligence, loyalty, and care in all aspects of community management.
Conduct themselves with professionalism, integrity, and respect when acting within the scope of their employment and in compliance with applicable laws and regulations.
Recognize the original records, files and books held by the manager are the property of the Client Associations to be returned to the Client at the end of the manager’s engagement and maintain the duty of confidentiality to all current and former clients. These materials must be returned to the Client upon request. Maintain confidentiality for all current and former clients and ensure the secure handling of records, including electronic data, in compliance with current data security standards.

Filing a Complaint

A violation of any of these Standards of Professional Conduct may be grounds for administrative action and possible revocation of the CMCA credential by CAMICB.

A complaint may be filed if you believe a clear violation has occurred. Complaints against active CMCAs are taken seriously and managed through the Enforcement Procedures for the CMCA Standards of Professional Conduct.

Complaints may be submitted by email or mail. CAMICB’s contact information is listed on the CMCA Standards of Professional Conduct Complaint Form.

Complaints must be submitted with objective evidence to ensure a fair and thorough review. CAMICB staff initially review them to determine compliance with the Enforcement Procedures. If compliant, the investigation will begin.

As a reminder, the key reporting relationship in a community association is between the manager and the volunteer Board. The manager is hired and reports directly to the elected Board of Directors. CAMICB will not become engaged in a matter in which that reporting relationship is in place: the manager is acting at the direction of and with the full knowledge of the elected Board of Directors.

Furthermore, if there is an underlying operational issue within the community or the Board acts in violation of law or regulation, that issue must be addressed with the appropriate regulatory body. If the complaint is criminal in nature, the appropriate authorities should be notified. In both cases, indicate on the complaint form that there is an ongoing investigation and supply supporting documentation. A complaint review will be suspended until a court or regulatory body has issued a judgment.

Evidence Requirements

Complaints must be supported by objective evidence that clearly demonstrates how the CMCA credential holder has violated the CMCA Standards of Professional Conduct. Acceptable forms of documentation include, but are not limited to:

Written documentation such as contracts, correspondence, meeting minutes, or records directly linked to the alleged violation.
Relevant reports or formal investigations that offer factual support.
Official records (e.g., emails, invoices, agreements) that objectively show the manager’s specific actions contributing to the alleged misconduct.

Please note: Personal statements, complaints, or expressions of dissatisfaction without concrete, objective proof will not be regarded as sufficient evidence. For example, email chains that express complaints without clearly illustrating the manager’s violation of professional standards will be considered inadequate.

Only documentation that directly illustrates the manager’s conduct and substantiates the allegations will be reviewed during the investigation process.

Criminal or Legal Violations

Please note that CAMICB does not have the authority to assign guilt for violations of the law. If your complaint involves an alleged criminal or legal violation, we recommend that you first report the issue to law enforcement. Once the legal process is complete, you may submit the outcome and supporting documentation for our review.

Complaint Updates and Outcome Notifications

For Complainants

By submitting a complaint, you are performing a valuable service to the CMCA credential and helping to protect the public by ensuring that professional standards are upheld. The process is focused on enhancing the profession, not resolving individual disputes. Confidentiality is paramount throughout. You will be notified when the investigation is complete. If a public sanction is issued, you will receive the details. If a private sanction is imposed, no specifics will be shared. No updates are provided during the investigation.

For Credential Holders

If a complaint is accepted for investigation, the credential holder will be notified. This notification includes the complainant’s identity, the complaint’s nature, the specific standards alleged to have been violated, and the documents supporting the allegations. The credential holder has 30 days to respond in writing and can request an extension if needed.

A Review Panel will conduct the investigation, which may include requests for additional materials or interviews. The credential holder has the option to request a hearing as part of their response; while this hearing is not mandatory, it is strongly encouraged. If a hearing is requested, arrangements will be made with the Review Panel. Legal representation is permitted but not required.

If a violation is determined, potential sanctions (such as censure, suspension, or revocation) may be imposed. Within 15 days, the credential holder will receive a written report detailing the findings and any sanctions.

The credential holder can appeal any decision within 30 days. The appeal will review any procedural or factual errors, and no sanctions will be enforced until the appeal process is complete.

Download the Enforcement Procedures for the CMCA Standards of Professional Conduct to learn more about the CMCA complaint process.

Credential Revocation

Complaints filed against active CMCAs are investigated by the Professional Conduct Enforcement Committee, which, if necessary, sanctions CMCA credential holders. The sanction applied must reasonably relate to the nature and severity of the violation. The most severe sanction is the permanent Revocation of the CMCA credential. If a credential is revoked, CAMICB will publish a summary of the determination and the sanction with the manager’s name on the website. The list of individuals whose CMCA has been revoked may be found here.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

1. Does my complaint have merit?

For your complaint to have merit, it must identify a clear violation of one or more specific CMCA Standards of Professional Conduct and be supported by official, objective evidence that demonstrates this violation.

Acceptable evidence includes:

Written Documentation: This may include signed contracts, official correspondence, meeting minutes, policy documents, or association records that clearly link the CMCA credential holder’s actions to the alleged violation.
Formal Reports or Investigations: If an external investigation, audit, or report has been conducted, providing this documentation as evidence helps substantiate the complaint.
Financial or Official Records: Verified documents like invoices, account statements, or agreements that objectively demonstrate the credential holder’s conduct in relation to the alleged misconduct.

Please note that email chains or statements simply expressing dissatisfaction or general complaints are not sufficient.

The evidence must clearly and directly support the claim that the CMCA credential holder’s actions violated the standards.

2. Who can submit a complaint?

Anyone can submit a complaint against a professional holding an active CMCA. The complaint must be in writing and signed by the individual bringing the complaint. The requirements to submit a complaint are listed above.

3. Who reviews the complaint?

CAMICB staff conducts an initial review to ensure that complaints meet the submission requirements. However, CAMICB staff does not determine whether allegations are a violation of the CMCA Standards of Professional Conduct.

All compliant complaints are forwarded to the CMCA Professional Conduct and Enforcement Committee for evaluation. This committee is comprised of experienced volunteers from the association management and association law professions. Its role ensures an impartial and informed review process focused on upholding the standards of the CMCA credential.

4. What documentation or evidence is required?

For your complaint to be actionable, it must be supported by objective, verifiable evidence directly linked to the alleged CMCA Standards of Professional Conduct violation. Required documentation should clearly demonstrate how the credential holder’s specific actions breached the standards.

Acceptable types of evidence include:

Official Records and Contracts: Signed agreements, policy documents, or association records that document the credential holder’s obligations or actions related to the complaint.
Formal Reports or Investigations: Any audits, investigative reports, or formal evaluations that offer factual support for the complaint.
Financial or Transactional Records: Verified financial documents, invoices, account statements, or other records that objectively indicate the credential holder’s role in the alleged misconduct.

Please note that personal statements, expressions of dissatisfaction, or email chains with general complaints do not constitute sufficient evidence.

The documentation provided must objectively illustrate the specific actions of the CMCA credential holder that directly support the complaint’s claims.

5. How long will the process take?

The complaint process timeline can vary depending on the complexity of the case and the documentation provided. Here’s an outline of each step:

Initial Review: CAMICB staff conducts a preliminary review of the complaint to ensure it meets submission requirements, typically within 30 days of receipt.
Investigation by the Professional Conduct and Enforcement Committee: If the complaint is accepted, a Review Panel conducts an investigation. This may include gathering additional documentation, conducting interviews, and potentially holding a hearing if the credential holder requests it. Depending on the specifics of the case, this phase may take several months.
Appeals Period: Once the investigation is complete, the credential holder is notified of the findings and may appeal if they believe there was an error in the process. The credential holder has 30 days to file an appeal, and no sanctions will be enforced until the appeal is resolved.
Final Determination and Notification: After the appeals period, or if no appeal is filed, the Review Panel issues its final determination. The credential holder is notified within 15 days of the outcome, and complainants are informed only if a public sanction is imposed.

These timeframes can vary, but CAMICB strives to ensure a thorough and timely process. For specific timelines, please refer to the Enforcement Procedures.

6. Will my name be kept confidential?

The complainant’s name will remain confidential during the initial review of your complaint. However, if the complaint moves forward to an investigation, CAMICB will provide the credential holder with the complainant’s name and the complaint details to ensure a fair and transparent review process. Both must maintain confidentiality throughout the investigation and are prohibited from sharing any information related to the complaint.

CAMICB treats all complaints with the utmost discretion and ensures confidentiality as outlined in our Enforcement Procedures.

7. What will happen if a CMCA is found to have violated one or more CMCA Standards of Professional Conduct?

Any of the following sanctions or combination thereof may be imposed:

Public or private written reprimand,
Suspension of the CMCA credential for a designated period; or
Revocation of the CMCA credential. Revocation is permanent.

8. Can I file a complaint if my manager does not have a CMCA?

If your community association manager does not hold an active CMCA, CAMICB cannot accept a complaint. Individuals that do not hold an active CMCA credential are not required to adhere to the CMCA Standards of Professional Conduct. Contact your state professional regulatory body.

9. What if my manager is using the CMCA credential but has never obtained the credential or has not maintained it?

Please report this activity to CAMICB by emailing us at info@camicb.org with evidence of the trademark violation. CAMICB will follow up with a cease and desist order or pursue legal options if necessary.