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Key Facts: AMS Exam
$170
AMS Application Fee (manager member)
CAI 2026
2 courses
M-200 Courses Required
CAI
2 years
Minimum Experience
CAI
CMCA
Required Prerequisite Credential
CAMICB
6 options
M-200 Course Catalog (M-201 to M-206)
CAI
3 years
Renewal Cycle
CAI
AMS is the next CAI designation after CMCA. Requirements: hold CMCA, document 2+ years of community association management experience, complete two of the six 200-level M courses (M-201 through M-206) with end-of-course assessments, submit application with $170 (manager member) or $405 (non-member) fee, and adhere to the CAI Professional Manager Code of Ethics. The 2026 application fee is published by CAI and the M-200 series costs roughly $700-$1,000 per course.
Sample AMS Practice Questions
Try these sample questions to review concepts for the AMS exam. Each question includes a detailed explanation. Start the interactive quiz above for the full 100+ question experience with AI tutoring.
1The CAI AMS designation requires which combination of prerequisites?
2Which of the following is NOT one of the six CAI M-200 level courses?
3A community association's governing documents conflict on a maintenance responsibility. The correct hierarchy for resolving the conflict is:
4A board considers adopting a new architectural guideline. To withstand legal challenge, the rule must MOST IMPORTANTLY be:
5In an HOA subject to the Fair Housing Act, refusing to allow a service animal because of a no-pets rule would MOST LIKELY be:
6Under open-meeting laws common in CAI's curriculum, executive session is appropriate for which of the following?
7A homeowner requests records inspection. Most state statutes permit the association to:
8Before imposing a fine on a homeowner, due process under most state community-association statutes requires:
9In parliamentary procedure (Robert's Rules), a motion to 'table' is intended to:
10Quorum requirements for an association membership meeting are typically established in:
About the AMS Exam
The Association Management Specialist (AMS) is the mid-tier CAI designation for community association managers, awarded after CMCA, 2+ years of management experience, and successful completion of at least two 200-level M courses (M-201 through M-206) with their end-of-course assessments. AMS designees demonstrate intermediate command of facilities, communications, governance, leadership, risk, and finance — the practice areas covered by the M-200 curriculum.
Exam sponsor: Community Associations Institute (CAI). The requirements and fees below concern the certification or admission exam, separate from our free practice resources.
Questions
100 questions
Time Limit
Varies by M-200 course (typically 60-90 minutes per course exam)
Passing Score
Criterion-referenced per M-200 course assessment
Exam / Certification Fees
$170 manager member / $405 non-member (AMS application)
Exam sponsor websiteReported exam pass rate: Approximately 80-90% per course. CAI does not publish official AMS pass rates This describes exam candidates, not OpenExamPrep users or results from using our resources. Exam sponsor website
Fees, eligibility, and exam policies can change. Confirm them with the exam sponsor before applying or paying.
Our practice resources: topics covered
We aim to reflect publicly available exam outlines and topic information in our study resources. Coverage, format, and difficulty may differ from the actual exam, and we cannot guarantee that every detail is accurate or current. Confirm exam requirements, fees, and policies with the official exam sponsor.
Facilities Management (M-201)
Preventive maintenance, life-cycle replacement, capital projects, life safety, NFPA codes, common-area asset management
Association Communications (M-202)
Multi-channel strategy, newsletters, websites, owner engagement, crisis communications, technology
Community Leadership (M-203)
Board-manager relationship, committees, volunteers, group dynamics, conflict management, coaching
Community Governance (M-204)
Governing document hierarchy, enforcement, due process, meetings, architectural review, fair housing
Risk Management (M-205)
Property/GL/D&O/fidelity/umbrella insurance, disaster planning, OSHA, certificates of insurance
Financial Management (M-206)
Budgeting, reserve studies, fund accounting, audits/reviews/compilations, collections, internal controls
Ethics & Professional Practice
CAI Code of Ethics, fiduciary duty, conflicts, confidentiality
Credential Pathway & Maintenance
Prerequisites, application, renewal CE, CAI membership
Preparing for the AMS Exam
What You Need to Know
- Passing score: Criterion-referenced per M-200 course assessment
- Exam length: 100 questions
- Time limit: Varies by M-200 course (typically 60-90 minutes per course exam)
- Exam / certification fees: $170 manager member / $405 non-member (AMS application) Official sources
Using Our Practice Resources
- Work through all 100 available questions
- Review every answer and explanation
- Track weak areas and revisit them
- Use our AI tutor for tough concepts
AMS: Suggested Study Strategy
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the CAI AMS designation?
The AMS (Association Management Specialist) is CAI's mid-tier designation for community association managers, positioned between the CMCA (foundational credential) and the PCAM (capstone). It signals intermediate competence across facilities, communications, governance, leadership, risk, and financial management — the topic areas covered by CAI's M-200 series.
What are the AMS requirements?
Candidates must hold the CMCA credential, document at least two years of community association management experience (financial, administrative, and facilities responsibilities), complete at least two 200-level M courses (any two of M-201 through M-206) with their end-of-course assessments, submit the AMS application with fee, and adhere to the CAI Professional Manager Code of Ethics.
How much does the AMS cost?
The AMS application fee is $170 for manager members and $405 for non-members in 2026. M-200 courses typically run $700-$1,000 each, and two are required, so total path cost is approximately $1,600-$2,500. Compare to CMCA ($360 exam) and PCAM ($515-$615 case study plus M-200 series).
What are the six 200-level M courses?
M-201: Facilities Management; M-202: Association Communications; M-203: Community Leadership; M-204: Community Governance; M-205: Risk Management; M-206: Financial Management. AMS candidates pick any two; PCAM candidates must complete all six. Each course is typically a 2-3 day instructor-led program followed by an end-of-course assessment.
Is there a single AMS exam?
No. The AMS designation does not have a single proctored exam. Instead, candidates pass the end-of-course assessment for each of the two M-200 courses they complete. The AMS credential is awarded after CAI verifies CMCA, experience, two qualifying course completions, application, and ethics compliance.
Which two M-200 courses should I take first?
Most AMS candidates start with M-204 (Community Governance) and M-206 (Financial Management) because they reinforce the heaviest CMCA topics. Managers with significant maintenance responsibility often substitute M-201 (Facilities Management). Choose based on career direction and gaps surfaced in your CMCA preparation.
How do I maintain the AMS credential?
AMS designees must complete CAI continuing education on a triennial cycle, maintain CAI manager membership, comply with the CAI Professional Manager Code of Ethics, and pay renewal fees on schedule. CMCA renewal (administered by CAMICB on a 2-year cycle) continues alongside AMS maintenance because CMCA is a foundational prerequisite.