Florida's Department of Business and Professional Regulation ("Department"), through the Regulatory Council of Community Association Managers, regulates the licensure of community association managers under Chapter 468, Part VIII, Florida Statutes and Chapter 61-20, Florida Administrative Code. In most circumstances, community association managers in Florida are required to be licensed in order to carry out their duties as a manager.
If someone provides management services for an association with more than 10 units, or a budget of $100,000 or greater, and receives compensation for those services, a Community Association Manager license is required. The threshold from 50 units to 10 units is a recent change that became effective October 1, 2008 when Governor Charlie Crist signed into law House Bill 995 which sets forth this requirement (see CAM FAQs [PDF]).
Effective January 1, 2009, all Community Association Management Firms responsible for the management of more than 10 units or a budget of $100,000 or greater, must be licensed by the Department to provide association management services.
House Bill 995 also requires management firms to be licensed effective January 1, 2009. Applications are available on the website. For specifics, review frequently asked questions relative to the licensing of management firms. Licenses will be renewed on September 30 of odd numbered years. For management firms receiving licenses prior to September 30, 2009, the licenses will be valid through September 30, 2011. All management firms currently registered with the department will be required to be licensed by September 30, 2009. Additionally, each management firm seeking licensure with the department must designate at least one CAM who will respond to inquiries from and investigations by the department. If the management firm does not employ at least one licensed CAM, the management firm's license will be invalid during that time period.
A community association manager is defined as: a person who is licensed to perform community association management services including the following:
- Practices requiring substantial specialized knowledge, judgment, and managerial skill when done for remuneration;
- Controlling or disbursing funds of a community association;
- Preparing budgets or other financial documents for a community association;
- Assisting in the noticing or conduct of community association meetings;
- Coordinating maintenance for the residential development and other day-to-day services involved with the operation of a community association.
A person who performs clerical or ministerial functions under the direct supervision and control of a licensed manager or who is charged only with performing the maintenance of a community association and who does not assist in any of the management services described above is not required to be licensed.
Licensing applicants are required to:
- Be at least 18 years of age
- Have successfully completed all pre-licensure education requirements
- Satisfactorily completed a minimum of 18 in-person classroom hours of instruction within 12 months prior to the date of examination
- Be of good moral character as defined in Florida administrative code
- Take and pass the licensure examination
- File a complete set of fingerprints that have been taken by an authorized law enforcement officer
A Community Association Management Business Entity must register.
61-20.003 Business Entity Registration (MS Word).
(1) A corporation, association or other organization or entity that engages in, or is desirous of engaging in, the business of community association management shall be registered under this rule and shall employ only licensed persons in the direct provision of community management services. Such entities shall, no later than October 1, 1988, register with the division, on a BPR form 33-008, COMMUNITY ASSOCIATION MANAGEMENT BUSINESS ENTITY REGISTRATION, incorporated herein by reference and effective 2-5-91.
(2) No entity described in subsection (1) above may, subsequent to October 1, 1988, conduct association management business or use its name in the conduct of its business without first registering with the division.
(3) There shall be no fee required to register an entity with the division. Once an entity is registered, no renewal of the registration is required, and the registration shall be deemed valid unless suspended or revoked pursuant to Section 468.436, F.S., or Rule 61-20.503, F.A.C.
(4) As officers or licensed personnel or the business address change, the division shall be notified on BPR form 33-008, Community Association Management Business Entity Registration, within 60 days of such change.
The Department has a Q&A (PDF) for frequently asked questions.
Legislation & State-Specific Requirements
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