CONTINUING EDUCATION UNITS (CEUs)
FOR THE CAAM® CERTIFICATION PROGRAM
The role of a community manager is constantly evolving. In order to remain proficient, a CAAM® Certified individual with a CAAM®/CAASP™ designation must continue his or her education by participating in elective courses presented as the continuing education arm of the CAAM® Certification Program. CEU course requirements are based on a calendar year beginning the January 1 following a person’s certification date. For example, if a CAAM® becomes certified in May 2008, the three-year CEU requirements would begin January 1, 2009, and would need to be completed by the expiration date of December 31, 2011.
CONTINUING EDUCATION UNIT POLICIES
A total of 27 CEUs must be completed within three (3) years from the January 1 following a person’s original CAAM® /CAASP™ certification date, and three (3) years from each certification renewal date thereafter. In addition to the mandatory three units of Annual Law Update each year and the mandatory three units of Effective Communication Tools for Community Managers taken one time in the first three-year certification period, it is highly recommended that each certified individual obtain 6 units of elective courses for a total of 9 CEUs per year. CEU courses offered will change each year, and may not be available every year. CEU credits are available the first time a CAAM®-certified individual attends that particular class, but are only available one time. CEU courses may be re-taken for no credit, with priority registration given to those individuals taking the course for credit. For example, a CAAM® may take the Annual Meetings class for 3 credits, but that CAAM® may not receive 3 additional credits if he or she takes the Annual Meetings class again, or instructs the class after previously taking or instructing the course for credit.
An individual must earn either the CAAM® or CAASP™ designation prior to taking any CAAM® Continuing Education course, as our core certification classes are the foundation upon which our continuing education is built.
CEU REQUIREMENTS (for CAAM® and CAASP™ certifications only)
- 27 CEU’s in 3 years, beginning the January 1 following the certification date.
- MANDATORY Annual Law Update course, 3 credits per year
- MANDATORY Effective Communication Tools for Community Managers , 3 credits, taken one time during the first three-year certification period
- 6 elective credit units per year (or 18 total credit units per 3 years) must be obtained through the CAAM® Continuing Education Unit Courses
- Only AACM's CEU courses will be accepted toward CAAM® Certification continuing education requirements.
CEU COSTS
AACM Members
- $90.00 for each 3-credit CEU course
AACM-APPROVED CEU COURSES
*Please note that not all courses are offered each year. *
Annual Law Update, Mandatory 3 credits per year
New legislation passed that will affect community management and homeowner associations. This course is instructed by legal professionals in the HOA industry.
** This course is mandatory for all CAAM®s and CAASP™s to attend annually. Priority registration will be given to CAAM®s and CAASP™s. Failure to attend each year will result in suspension of CAAM® certification along with all rights and privileges. It is the certified individual’s obligation to register for this class in order to maintain active certification.**
Annual Meetings, Elective 3 credits
Most community associations require an annual meeting. This course helps managers to make their annual meetings run smoothly and follow legal and community document requirements. Topics include notice, voting, quorum, agendas, nominations, elections, board members and terms, and practical annual meeting tips. This course is instructed by experienced community managers and legal professionals experienced in HOA law.
Arizona Environmental Safety & Awareness, Elective 3 credits
This course educates managers and others venturing outdoors in their career duties (especially those new to AZ) about the environmental dangers and concerns specific to Arizona to be aware of when managing a community and walking onsite, including weather, terrain, wildlife and invasive/dangerous plant species.
Board Meetings, Elective 3 credits
This course is designed to educate community managers regarding how to properly direct a board of directors in calling and holding regular board meetings. Managers will learn the statutory requirements regarding board meetings, and where to look within the community documents to determine the mandatory procedures and policies that must be following in holding and conducting board meetings. Also included are suggestions for dealing with issues commonly faced in association board meetings. This course is instructed by experienced community managers and legal professionals experienced in HOA law.
Community Security, Elective 3 credits
This important topic covers methods and techniques to keep communities safe and secure while being aware of potential liabilities for the manager, the management company, the board, and the association. Instructors for this course include experienced community managers, security industry professionals, and insurance professionals.
Condominium Basics, Elective 3 credits
The Arizona real estate market has seen a surge in condominiums in recent years. As these types of communities increase, so does the need for community managers to be educated in learning to manage these communities differently from single-family residential communities. Taught by seasoned real estate managers, as well as professionals from several affiliate partner industries including restoration, paint, attorneys, and insurance professionals, this course covers legal and insurance issues, physical components of condominiums, condominium maintenance and repair, rules and policies, and other issues specific to condominiums.
Advanced Condos: Special Issues, Elective 3 credits
This is an in-depth course on special issues concerning multi-family housing communities, including condominiums, high-rises, co-ops, and conversions. Topics include preventative maintenance, budgeting, utility infrastructure, special insurance issues, and construction defects. AACM strongly recommends taking Condominium Basics prior to this class.
Construction Defects, Elective 3 credits
Construction defects are an unpleasant but unavoidable part of managing community associations – even the best construction companies make occasional mistakes which need to be rectified. This course educates community managers in how to effectively communicate with boards and developers regarding construction defects, as well as introducing the concept of alternative dispute resolution. Related topics include fiduciary duty, proper procedure for developer turnover of common areas, developer and vendor liability, and warranties.
Developer Transitions, Elective 3 credits
As new communities become occupied with homeowners, they reach a point where control of the association must transition from developer to homeowner control. This course, instructed by community managers experienced in developer transitions, educates community managers regarding the transition process and the balance required between the management, the Developer, the Developer-controlled Board, and the Homeowners. Public reports, community documents, contracts, developer liability, and common area inspections/transfers, and property taxes are some of the highlighted topics.
Elements of Landscaping, Elective 3 credits
Most community associations are formed for the primary purpose of maintaining the common elements of the community, and landscaping is usually the largest of these. This course, instructed by experienced community managers and landscaping professionals, includes information on forming a basic landscape service contract, as well as licensing requirements for the industry, irrigation water conservation, landscaping budgets, overseeding, information resources regarding plant material, and technical topics such as granite, lighting, erosion control, frost damage, and vandalism.
HOA Cash Management, Elective 3 credits
Financial statements, accounting methods, foreclosures, insurance bonds, bad debt, and collections are topics included in this in-depth elective course instructed by financial professionals and experienced community managers.
HOA Insurance, Elective 3 credits
Taught by experienced community managers and HOA insurance professionals, this course covers insurance recommendations and requirements that all community managers and HOA Boards should know. Curriculum includes assignment of responsibility, types of coverage to consider, and planned communities vs. condominium insurance requirements.
Mediation & Conflict Resolution, Elective 3 credits
Managers learn how to mediate and help resolve conflicts between members of the communities they manage, especially with high-density communities and condos on the rise. Topics to include a “crime-free” segment.
Preventative Maintenance, Elective 3 credits
The best way to manage the costs of maintaining an association’s common elements is to consistently perform preventative maintenance. This course makes managers aware of the needs of various elements and their recommended maintenance methods and schedules. Reserves, the bid process, project supervision, board education, and current vs. future cost are all visited in this course instructed by experienced community managers and preventative maintenance professionals.
Effective Communication Tools for Community Managers, Mandatory (one time during first 3-year certification period) 3 credits
Whether in front of a small group such as a Board, or a large group such as an Annual Meeting, all managers could benefit this course to polish their presentation and speaking skills and enhance their professionalism.
Special Circumstances, Elective 3 credits
This course addresses situations that come up less frequently but need to be understood when they do arise, such as sub-associations, CC&R amendments, master plans, fair housing, and media relations.
Technology, Data Retention, & Legal Issues, Elective 3 credits
Exclusively for management company principals and owners, this course will help management company executives to know and understand their computer systems, when backups are needed, and which deletions should or should not take place. What do you keep? Computer forensics, legal issues, recommended data retention policies, and network system setup are all included in this course.
Water Use, Maintenance, and Conservation, Elective 3 credits
Water is a precious commodity in the desert climate of Arizona. This course, taught by experienced community managers and landscape professionals, makes managers aware of how water is measured and used, the water requirements of various plants, and provides an introduction to irrigation systems. Other topics include effluent water, groundwater replenishment districts, and Water Management Plans.
