Professional Credential Programs

Credentials of the National Apartment Association Education Institute (NAAEI) are the premier offerings for multifamily housing professionals. Earning a credential demonstrates your commitment to your career and gives you valuable insights and real-world skills you can use on the job. Credentials also validate your knowledge and skills, enhance your credibility, boost your confidence and earn you respect among clients and peers. All Credential programs are a recognized and respected mark of excellence throughout the industry.

Browse the credentials available below to find the one you want to earn.

Whether you are a property manager or new to property management, this course provides in-depth training and expertise just for you! Earning CAM credentials gives you the skills to increase your community's net operating income; the knowledge to effectively manage an apartment community; and most importantly, the ability to achieve your property owners’ investment goals. 
What you'll learn: 
  • Occupancy rates
  • Comprehensive marketing plans
  • Sales team management and product readiness
  • Equitable treatment of current and potential residents
  • Resident retention and the maintenance of a positive company image
  • Consistent and ongoing resident communication
  • Positive resident service and issue resolution
  • Enforcement of company policy in compliance with laws and regulations
  • Property inspections
  • Preventive maintenance programs
  • Service request process
  • Apartment turnover process
  • Contractors and vendors
  • Recruitment, hiring, orientation and training of high-caliber employees
  • Systematic employee evaluation
  • Employment regulations and record keeping
  • Analysis of the property’s financial operations with corrective actions for underperformance
  • Monitoring of property performance to achieve the owner’s investment goals
  • Accounting principles and practices
  • Maximizing net operating income
  • Reporting property performance honestly and accurately

To obtain the CAM credential, candidates must complete the following:

  • Minimum of 12 months of onsite property management experience
  • Successful completion of all CAM coursework (totaling 40 hours)
  • Meet all examination standards within six (6) months of declaring candidacy
COURSE GOOD FOR FOLLOWING EDUCATION TRACKS:
2024 UPDATES: CAS: Discontinue awarding new credentials; continue renewals 
  • No new applications after April 1, 2024 
  • Examinations no longer delivered after July 1, 2024  
  • Earned prior to July 1, 2024, will continue to use CAS designation.
  • Listed on public registry as Active or Inactive based on renewal activity.

Leasing professionals are the first people prospective residents meet and are responsible for generating traffic, conducting leasing demonstrations, overcoming objections and qualifying prospective residents. This program teaches all these skills and more.

You'll learn about: 

  • Using technology to generate traffic
  • Monitoring and managing your community’s reputation
  • Inspecting the leasing center, tour route, model units, and vacant apartments
  • Shopping the competition while building relationships with competitors
  • Compiling a comprehensive community resource tool
  • Effective marketing plans
  • Relationship sales process and evaluating personal sales performance
  • Evaluating a prospect’s commitment level and overcoming objections
  • Reviewing the next steps in the sales process with prospective residents
  • Applying fair housing laws and communicating rental criteria
  • Qualifying prospective residents according to rental policy
  • Preparing and reviewing leases with new residents
  • The move-in process
  • Responding to resident issues and maintenance requests with appropriate follow-up
  • Building relationships with residents and creating a sense of community
  • Reporting incidents, maintaining documentation, and taking corrective action
  • Maximizing revenue and operational efficiency
  • Securing and processing lease renewals
  • Conducting a market survey

To obtain the CALP credential, candidates must complete the following:

  • Minimum of six months of onsite property management experience in a leasing role (This can be obtained while taking the course; you will receive a provisional certificate until this requirement is met.)
  • Successful completion of seven CALP courses
  • Pass the examination within six (6) months of declaring candidacy

COURSE GOOD FOR FOLLOWING EDUCATION TRACKS:

This program’s curriculum emphasizes recruiting, retaining and engaging high-performing employees. You’ll also learn how to analyze and report property and portfolio financial results, conduct due diligence and community takeovers and oversee management agreements.

You'll learn about:

  • Recruiting high-performing employees
  • Employee performance, engagement, and retention
  • Minimizing conflict through stakeholder communications
  • Ethical behavior and conflicts of interest
  • Annual operating budgets and owner performance objectives
  • Property and portfolio results
  • Due diligence process
  • Property takeover process
  • Capital improvement plans
  • Managing risk through inspections, follow-up procedures, and incident reporting compliance
  • Minimizing legal risk and liability
  • Regulatory agency oversight of assisted housing
  • Analyzing property performance data to inform action
  • Management agreements
  • Evaluating and reporting property performance using key performance indicators

To obtain the CAPS credential, candidates must complete the following:

  • Minimum of 24 months employment as a multi-site supervisor or be either a CAM, ARM or RAM credential holder in good standing.
  • Successful completion of all CAPS course work (totaling 40 hours)
  • Pass the CAPS exam within six (6) months of declaring candidacy
COURSE GOOD FOR FOLLOWING EDUCATION TRACKS:
Offered in English & Spanish

Maintenance expenses are the single largest controllable element in any operating budget. This course is designed as an introduction for new maintenance professionals or as a refresher for the veteran employee, to give these professionals the knowledge and tools necessary to run an effective maintenance program.

What You'll Learn: 

  • Processing work orders correctly in a timely fashion, and to residents' satisfaction
  • Electrical services and repairs
  • HVAC services and repairs
  • Painting services
  • Construction services and repairs
  • Mechanical services and repairs
  • Appliance services and repairs
  • Lock and key services and repairs
  • Customer service and performing maintenance tasks according to company policy and procedures
  • Minimizing personal and property damage while safely performing maintenance activities
  • Fair housing regulation compliance
  • Environmental responsibility and regulatory compliance
  • Reporting and documentation of maintenance activities in compliance with company policy and regulation
  • Curb appeal, property inspection, and daily maintenance
  • Established procedures for maintaining recreational facilities and common areas
  • Implementation of a preventive maintenance schedule
  • Repair and replacement decisions
  • Professional behavior patterns, communication skills, and appearance
  • Clear and respectful communication with residents, team members, and contractors.

To obtain the CAMT credential, candidates must complete the following:

  • Minimum of 12 months of apartment or rental housing maintenance experience. (This can be obtained while taking the course, you will receive a provisional certificate until this requirement is met.)
  • Successful completion of all CAMT coursework
  • Pass the examination

COURSE GOOD FOR FOLLOWING EDUCATION TRACKS:

*Please note this class needs 12 people to make. If 12 people are not registered, the course will have to be rescheduled. 

Click Here to View AAA's Upcoming Credential Courses

Click Here to View AAA's Scholarship Program

Credential Holder Benefits

Gaining an NAAEI credential not only gives you know-how, but many other perks as well:

  • Claim your digital badge! NAAEI credentials show your commitment to professional development. Before, you could only share your accomplishment with a small audience. Now, you can share if widely through social media, email, websites, and your digital resume using professional digital badges. You should have received and email from BadgeCert (you may have to check your spam folder for an email from certs@naahq.org) to claim your badge. If you did not receive the email from BadgeCert and need support, contact NAAEI for assistance.
  • You will be included in the online NAAEI Credential Directory. Companies are increasingly checking credential/certificate status with NAAEI before promoting or hiring. In order to stay current with NAAEI, make sure that your contact information is correct.
  • Substantial savings on products and services that you use every day through NAA Member Savings Program.
  • Free resources to help you recruit and hire skilled talent, including: Apartment industry skill standards for Leasing Consultants, Maintenance Technicians, Community Managers, and Portfolio Supervisors and The National Network Common Employability Skills and Work and Learn.

Taking the Test

Once you've completed your credential course with the Austin Apartment Association, the next step is to take the NAAEI Credentialing Exam. These exams are designed to assess your understanding of the material and certify your expertise in the field.

Before scheduling your exam, it's essential to familiarize yourself with the process. Visit the National Apartment Association's Education Institute (NAAEI) website for detailed instructions on how the exams run and important information regarding the rules and regulations of testing administration.

Credential exams can be taken either at an affiliate testing site or through remote proctoring. Detailed instructions for scheduling your exam at these locations are provided here.

Credential Renewals

Congratulations on taking the first step towards maintaining your expertise in the ever-evolving field of property management! Renewing your credentials not only showcases your dedication to excellence but also ensures that you stay up-to-date with the latest industry standards and practices.

By earning Continuing Education Credits (CECs), you're investing in your professional development and positioning yourself as a leader in the field. You can earn CECs by attending most AAA courses. Check out our Education Calendar to view upcoming opportunities. To view how many CECs you are required to earn in order to renew your credential, click here. 

For more information on renewing your credentials and CEC guidelines, visit the National Apartment Association's (NAA) website. There, you'll find detailed guidelines and resources to help you navigate the renewal process seamlessly.

Thanks to our Education Sponsors!

Titanium Sponsor

Are you an StarPass "SMART" subscriber?
Get 10% off your Professional Credential Program (minus CAMT) registration with your StarPass promo code. 
Learn more about StarPass
See list of StarPass subscribers