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, whether CAAM®- or CAASP�-designated, 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 initial certification date. For example, if CAAM® certification was received in May, the three-year CEU requirements would begin the following January 1.
CONTINUING EDUCATION UNIT POLICIES
- A set number of Continuing Education Units (CEUs) must be earned during each three-year certification period - see details below under CEU Requirements.
- Only AACM courses will be accepted toward CAAM® continuing education requirements.
- CEUs may be earned after the initial certification date and prior to the January 1 beginning of the first certification period, but are not required during this period. This is considered a "bonus period".
- CEUs do not carry forward from one certification period to the next.
- 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/instructs that particular course, but are only available one time for that course.
- 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 complete either the CAAM® Certification Program with a CAAM® or CAASP� designation in order to take 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)
- First certification period: 27 CEUs must be completed within three (3) years from the January 1 following a person's original CAAM® certification date, including:
- 3 CEUs each year of mandatory Annual Law Update course
- 3 CEUs of mandatory Effective Communication Tools for Community Managers (only required one time during the first three-year certification period)
- AACM strongly recommends that each CAAM®-certified individual in their first certification period obtain 6 units of elective courses for a total of 9 CEUs per year.
CEU REQUIREMENTS, cont.
- Subsequent certification periods: 27 CEUs consisting of at least 18 Education CEUs including 3 CEUs each year of mandatory Annual Law Update credits, and up to 9 Participation CEUs (PCEU) for participation in AACM committees, activities and events.
- 3 CEUs each year of mandatory Annual Law Update course
- AACM strongly recommends that each CAAM®-certified individual in their second or later certification periods obtain 3 units of elective courses for a total of 6 educational CEUs per year.
CEU COSTS
AACM Members
- $75.00 for each 3-credit CEU course
(CEUs are only available to AACM Members, as an individual must be a CAAM® / CAASP� to take a CEU course, and CAAM® / CAASP� certification is only available to AACM Members.)
AACM-APPROVED CEU COURSES
*Please note that not all courses are offered each year. *
Advanced Legal Issues, Elective 3 credits
Written by community association law attorneys and construction defect attorneys, this course is for the experienced community manager seeking to expand their knowledge on more advanced legal concepts in community management. Topics include amending documents, rental restrictions, Alternative Dispute Resolution, developer issues, the Nonprofit Corporation Act, and Restatement of the Law of Servitudes.
Annual Law Update & Ethics Review, 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. Also included is a one-hour review of the AACM Code of Ethics and Standards of Practice.
** 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.
Cash Management, Elective 3 credits
Financial statements, accounting methods, foreclosures, and insurance bonds are topics included in this in-depth elective course instructed by financial professionals and experienced community managers.
Collection Issues, Elective 3 credits
In the current economy, collections have come to the forefront of managers' attention. This course will address collection laws and processes including foreclosure, liens, personal judgments, short sales, bankruptcies, and the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act.
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.
Condo Series
1. 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.
2. Condo Maintenance and Planning, Elective - NEW 3 credits
This course covers the "nuts and bolts" of issues specific to condominium maintenance, including utility infrastructure, exterior surfaces, roofs, parking lots, and hazardous materials common to condos. What is the association's responsibility to maintain, and what is the owner's? These and a host of other topics will be explored in this detailed explanation of condominium maintenance and proactive planning.
3. 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 budgeting, utility infrastructure, special insurance issues, and construction defects. AACM 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.
Effective Communication Tools for Community Managers, Mandatory (one time during first 3-year certification period) 3 credits
Communication is the key to any relationship, business or personal. Community managers are provided with tips for effectively communicating with Boards and homeowners both at meetings and in the workplace. Written, verbal, and non-verbal communication skills are all highlighted in this valuable presentation.
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.
Fair Housing and Community Associations 3 credits
Every community manager should be familiar with Fair Housing laws. What applies? What doesn't? What is the ADA? This course helps to clarify Fair Housing requirements within the state of Arizona.
Mediation & Conflict Resolution, Elective 3 credits
Managers learn how to help resolve conflicts between members of the communities they manage, especially with high-density communities and condos on the rise. Topics include an exploration of alternative dispute resolution (ADR) methods, including mediation and arbitration, as well as ways to diffuse conflicts to avoid getting to ADR.
Navigating an Insurance Claim, Elective 3 credits
Presented by experienced community managers, insurance professionals, and construction experts, this course provides managers with case studies covering potential losses and the corresponding insurance coverages required, including fire, water, D&O, "act of God" (severe weather), and Crime/Fidelity Bond.
Smarter Spending 3 credits
Taught by experienced community managers and key community association vendors, this course explores avenues of saving in the areas of operations, collections, insurance, reserves, and service providers.
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 benefited parcels and sub-associations, committees & volunteers, discrimination, self-help, party walls, bulk contracts, media relations, and a host of other important topics.
Technology, Data Retention, & Legal Issues, Elective 3 credits
This course is offered in two forms: one exclusively for management company principals and owners, and one for community managers. This course assists management company executives and community managers in understanding data retention in the age of technology. Records are no longer just paper copies in a file cabinet - but what is an "association record"? Who owns the data? The executive course discusses recommended data retention policies, litigation hold policies, and related legal issues -- vital for any management company executive to understand and employ when necessary. The community managers course focuses on familiarizing the manager with data retention policies, the litigation hold procedure, and how technology can impact community and company records.
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.
