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Standards of Professional Conduct

Due to the importance of community association managers' professional responsibilities, NBC-CAM requires CMCA® certificants to adhere to a high standard of ethical conduct. CMCA certificants must comply with the Standards of Professional Conduct, which govern their professional activities.

Standards of Professional Conduct

A Certified Manager of Community Associations shall:

  • Act in accordance with federal, state, and local laws applicable to community association management and operations.


  • Comply with the applicable governing documents, policies and procedures of the Client Association(s) to the extent permitted by that Client.


  • Not knowingly misrepresent facts, make inaccurate statements or act in any fraudulent manner while representing Client Association(s) or acting as a CMCA.


  • Not engage in the unlicensed practice of law.


  • Disclose to Client Association(s) any actual or potential conflicts of interest the manager may have in dealings with any other party.


  • Refuse to accept any form of gratuity or other remuneration from individuals or companies that could be viewed as an improper inducement to influence the manager.


  • Participate in continuing professional education.

Enforcement of the Standards of Professional Conduct

In order to maintain and enhance the credibility of the NBC-CAM certification program, the Board has adopted procedures to allow consumers and others to bring complaints concerning a CMCA to the Board. In the event of a violation of the Standards of Professional Conduct, or of other substantive requirements of the certification process by a Certificant, the Board may impose sanctions against the Certificant. The grounds for sanctions under these procedures are as follows:

  1. Conviction of a felony or other crime of moral turpitude under federal or state law in a manner related to the practice of, or qualifications for, professional activity;

  2. Gross negligence or willful misconduct in the performance of professional services, or other unethical or unprofessional conduct based on demonstrable violations of the NBC-CAM Standards of Professional Conduct;

  3. Fraud or misrepresentation in the application for or the maintenance of any professional membership, professional accreditation, or other professional recognition or credential; or

  4. Loss of a state license required to practice community association management.

To file a complaint, please complete and send in the Complaint Form (MS Word, 122 KB). To understand the procedures, you may download a copy of the procedures (MS Word, 94 KB) of investigation.