Making sense of the ARM, CAM, CPM designations

I am a huge fan of education, and having the credentials to back up my skills and expertise. I am not currently the manager of my property, although I was the assistant manager of my previous property. I am looking for a new property, and I'm thinking that having one of the IREM or NAA designations might boost my "hire-ability" and make me a bit more desirable to potential employers. So my questions are; which is the most useful, and can I even earn the designation without currently holding the position as a manager?

Hello Michelle,

Now understand there are going to be a lot of opinions. So here is mine: The CPM designation is recognized as the most valuable the industry. I will say that it is easier and cheaper to get your CAM (cheapest),ARM (cost a little more than the CAM), RAM (just under the cost of the CPM), and your CPM is going to cost the most. The only time these designations really come into play is when you are up against other candidates with the same experience that you have. If you are running against others with these designations, then the designation could be considered a plus in your favor. I believe attitude and experience is everything. Not knocking the educational points and one should strive to improve, but show me a person with a positive go get em attitude and experience in the industry, they will win with me every time whether they have the designations or not!

You will need to have management experience for an ARM or CPM designation. If you go to IREM.org you can read the qualifications needed for each! I have been a member of IREM since 1996 and it is a great group to be involved with! The monthly meetings are so much fun and you have such great opportunities to keep updated on the industry and network! You can become an Associate Member of IREM now and it would look great on your resume until you have the management experience the other designations require.

Hi Michelle,

I think its great you are considering some of these designations. I disagree with Nate here on choosing experience over education. Of course, attitude is crucial but when hiring, I place a lot of weight on someone who has made the investment in time to earn a professional certification. My reasons are two-fold: first, it demonstrates competency in the subject; and secondly, it demonstrates a genuine commitment to the property management industry as a career. So surely there is a benefit of having a certifications to improve hire-ability, but there are also secondary benefits of earning credentials that employers look for. Some managers even believe that having certifications can compensate for lack of experience.

The ARM and CAM certifications are for the site-level manager. I believe both require 1 year of experience. The CAPS and CPM both require several years experience and are more difficult to obtain. As Nate said, the CPM is considered the "gold standard" and many off-site and executive-level managers have received this designation. Nate was also pretty accurate as far as cost goes too. Designation from IREM (ARM and CPM) are priced higher than their NAA counterparts (NALP, CAM, and CAPS).

As far as designations go, I say set yourself apart and go for it!

Hi Michelle,

As a longstanding member of the IREM organization, I think you are wise to consider expanding your career by seeking the ARM certification. IREM educational courses are some of the best in the industry. You should seek more information from the local IREM chapter in your market. Often there are IREM scholarships available to assist you with the cost of the ARM course. Not only will you expand your property management knowledge, you will also expand your network of industry professionals when you attend meetings and volunteer for IREM sponsored charitable events. The ARM designation will start you on the road to becoming not only a property manager, but a property manager with a solid foundation of experience and education.

I agree with Nathan, go for it!!

I fall somewhere in the middle on these opinions. When hiring I actually don't look for those designations, but rather, experience. However, there is one important thing you should do. Look at job ads in your area and see if they require a designation. I am seeing more ads that say a requirement is a particular designation. Some companies are doing this now. Of course, a really good candidate might break past that requirement, but you have enough to break through in just getting a job anyway.

If a company or companies you're interested in doesn't have any job listings, look for their managers on LinkedIn and see if they have designations and which ones they are. This might help you in your particular locale.

I am in same boat. It drives me nuts all of these certifications. I also have my Real Estate license which I changed to Referral Agent due to the very high fees here in NJ. to keep it current.

I am in need of my C.A.M. and my L.I.H.T.C. but they are kind of expensive for me. I checked with my student loan services and they told me I could have Financial Aid but would need to get these certifications from an accredited college to qualify. Unfortunately Elizabeth Moreland who does the L.I.H.T.C. does not qualify as accredited college so no way for me to pay for that. Also I.R.E.M. does not accept financial aid, they offer scholarships but so far I have not gotten one.

Do you know if you can test out of the ARM or CAM? Even though I have 27 solid years of property management under my belt, it's becoming harder to move up the career path without having a designation. Although I'm finding that my biggest hindrance seems to be that most site level managers are now required to run the full financial and budget operations and I do not have that experience since my management company does all of that in house. And many companies do not seem to want to train for budgeting (which I find strange since you have to learn it somewhere).

I do wish that the organizations that sponsor the designations would offer reasonable membership pricing for those that either may be self employed, currently looking to get into the industry, between employers, or employed by a company that does not see the value of being members at that level.

Individuals should have every opportunity to take responsibility for their knowledge and continuing education.

I understand Sherri's pain; using financial aid for these certifications (or even VA benefits) is not a possibility because these programs / designations ARM/CAM/CPM/LIHTC etc.... are not offered by 'accredited institutions'...

I tried to apply for VRAP benefits to use toward ARM, but was denied on that basis as well.

Johnny throughout the years you have given me some good advice. On occasion, I have even managed to provide some to you via this board. Here is a question for you. I know that there are online colleges such as Ashworth that offer Property Management courses. I can get financial aid for online accredited colleges. Problem is that as you know I have already been in the business, never had any formal training just that through my previous company for software and such. They were not big on understanding the value of education Naturally I have my Fair Housing certification, Advanced Leasing, and Property Management certificate from them (doesn't weigh much in the industry). Question is what exactly should I be looking for these courses from the online colleges to provide? What I mean is I am wanting to remain in the Multifamily Housing Industry (particularly apartment complexes). The training I received was more for being a Property Manager of properties owned by other people who do not want to manage their small properties.

I know I want and need my L.I.H.T.C. which is not offered by any accredited colleges and so no financial aid. I also want my ARM or CAM but in the meantime what precisely should I be looking for these colleges to train me in for Property Management? I have not seen any that seem to be for preparation of working at an apartment complex?

Sherri; I will take compliments any day of the week (an twice on Sunday) I can get them.

I am not sure I am the best person to ask about what to look for in terms of coursework provided by online and accredited colleges (so you can use financial aid) that can translate into property management or property management certification. Perhaps an educational counselor at the organization that provides the certification you need can provide advice?

Why do you need to have LIHTC certification? Do you want to specialize in affordable housing? I was fortunate to have been an employee of a company that allowed me to earn my LIHTC certification (through Housing Credit College / Elizabeth Moreland) as part of my training for them.

My experience has been mostly conventional housing, but I have had a few affordable properties, I have not done HUD / Project based section 8, or student properties.

My thinking is get the CAM/ARM/CPM first; then if you want to specialize with affordable housing, that would be when to seek advice on LIHTC and HUD designations.

Hi Michelle, I am also a huge fan of education. The best education I have received in property management, has been at the bottom. I find the cleaning person with similarities with the property manager. This person asides cleaning, sees everything the office personnel and maintenance personnel do.I have learned through experience that in property management, one can not start at the top, middle, or any where in between. The bottom, is the foundation of property management. Since then, I have been a maintenance supervisor for an apartment complex,leasing agent, and property manager. Owner of a maintenance company, contracting with different real estate companies doing make readies and repairs for selling or renting properties. I now have a real estate degree, and in the process of obtaining a business management, accounting, towards property management degree. To conclude, education is power, but, only when understood and properly administered.

Susan,
I'm not sure if anyone directly answered your question about testing out of CAM or ARM. I'm not as familiar with ARM, but with CAM you can now take the classes online, and at least some of the modules can be tested out. I think they still charge you a fee...but hopefully it's less than attending classes, and with your level of experience, you could probably teach some of the modules! You would still have the option of actually attending the financial management and budgeting module, which sounds like a good plan if you haven't had hands-on experience with those yet.
Best to you!
Mary

Getting hired at 50, after being out of the business has proven difficult!

Most of my early 20's was spent earning my way from weekend leasing agent to managing my own property at the age of 26. I even spent a few years working as a private consultant- shopping properties, assessing issues and submitting extensive property evaluations/reports to property owners. I left the business a little over 10 years ago to raise two homeless brothers. My husband had his own electrical business, so staying home was not a strain on us financially. I was able to help manage his business and be an involved parent. I think that most of us in this field have experienced"burn out" at some point in our career, due to the 24/7/365 nature of our position, especially if you live on property. Having been in this business for the majority of my adult life, I welcomed the opportunity for a much needed break. I never had children of my own, as I was married to my job. I say all of this to preface my actual question: How does one re-enter this field after being out for 10 years? I do not have a single certification, but have many years of proven management experience. I even started submitting an essay outlining my most challenging management assignment with my resume and cover letter. Not a single company has invited me for an interview. I reached out to my area TAA office to enroll in some seminars, and refresh myself on TAA documents. I researched certification classes and have settled on UNT who offers a certification program along with also offering a 4 year degree for this industry (GREAT IDEA).

Will this certification help someone like me? Am I just too old to be considered? Property Management is all I really know.

TerriLynn,
I think achieving your NALP (National Apartment Leasing Professional) designation would be a big plus, with so much changing in the realm of leasing over the last 10 years. Leasing on tablets, mobile marketing, geotagging, etc., are all very recent and while the basics are still the same (nice people helping nice people find their next home), understanding the impact of technology on leasing/marketing is extremely important.

In our market, many of the apartment temporary agencies hold training classes FREE. It gives them more temps, while also helping the temps get their feet in the property management door! In our market, The Liberty Group does this, and I feel sure there are temp agencies you can find through the local apartment association that would do so as well.

Best to you on your search!

Hey there,

I hope you can answer my question....The CAM....is it Certified Apartment Manager or is it Community Apartment Manager...if so, are they the same? or what is the difference between the two.

Being in Property Management for over 10 years managing mixed use, office, retail over 365,000 sq. ft.
My salary has hovered around $47,000.00. My husband recently passed and now I am considering taking the CPM course through IREM. Any wise words or recommendations for me? Maybe I need some words of encouragement! ha ha!! Thanks!