Professional Designations and CECs
CALP • CAM • CAPS • CAMT • CAS
Education programs and designations of the National Apartment Association Education Institute (NAAEI) are the premier offerings for rental housing professionals. NAAEI's professional credential programs are a recognized and respected mark of excellence throughout the industry. Each course and program has been carefully crafted and tailored to meet the changing needs of today's multifamily housing professionals. Be sure to visit our Scholarships page to see if you qualify to apply for education funding.
GNAA members can log in to their accounts to see classes they are currently registered for and classes that were previously taken, as well to see and download their earned Continuing Education Credits (CECs).
Earning CALP (Certified Apartment Leasing Professional), your first industry credential, signals to an employer your commitment to a career in residential property management. 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. 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
Find Upcoming CALP (Certified Apartment Leasing Professional) Course
Earning your CAM (Certified Apartment Manager) credential allows you to demonstrate your skills, knowledge, and ability to manage an apartment community and achieve owners’ investment goals. 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.
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
Find Upcoming CAM (Certified Apartment Manager) Course
Earning your CAPS (Certified Apartment Portfolio Supervisor) takes you to the next level in property management. It fast-tracks your career advancement and your corresponding earning potential. 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.
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)
- Meet all examination standards within six (6) months of declaring candidacy
Find Upcoming CAPS (Certified Apartment Portfolio Supervisor) Course
Earning your CAMT (Certificate for Apartment Maintenance Technicians) validates your knowledge, enhances your reputation and credibility, boosts your confidence, and earns you respect. Maintenance expenses are the single largest controllable element in any operating budget. This course acts as an introduction for new maintenance professionals or as a refresher for the veteran employee, teaching what it takes to run a cost-effective maintenance program. CAMT credential holders can further develop their maintenance knowledge online with two micro-credentials, CAMT+E which focuses on building energy efficiency, and CAMT+L which concentrates on developing supervisory and leadership skills.
The CAMT program is accredited by the American National Standards Institute (ANSI), a private non-profit organization that administers and coordinates the U.S. voluntary standardization and conformity assessment system.
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
Find Upcoming CAMT (Certificate for Apartment Maintenance Technicians) Course
Earning CAS (Certified Apartment Supplier) allows you to network with your peers from other companies, learn about the benefits and activities your local apartment association offers and engage in apartment association meetings and events. The course is an opportunity for suppliers to hear the everyday challenges faced by apartment-manager customers. A valued supplier partner has a deep understanding of the apartment industry. This course helps you gain that insight so you can better position your products and services to meet industry needs. This course is ideal for new salespeople and helps industry veterans gain further knowledge of apartment community operations.
To obtain the CAS credential, candidates must complete the following:
- Complete the Supplier Success Course
- Employment within the apartment industry in a supplier position
- Successful completion of all CAS coursework (totaling 26 hours)
- Meet all examination standards within six (6) months of declaring candidacy
Find Upcoming CAS (Certified Apartment Supplier) Course
Continuing Education Credits (CECs)
A CEC (Continuing Education Credit) is one hour of continuing education with meals and breaks excluded. All CECs required for the renewal period must be earned the previous year. CECs submitted for your credential renewal may date back no more than 12 months before your credential renewal date.
**Please note the annual credential requirements are changing in 2022 - you can review the changes in this PDF from NAA.
Continuing education credits are needed for all NAAEI credentials that require annual renewal. This includes CALP, CAM, CAPS, CAMT and CAS. If you are unsure of the number of credits you need, check on your renewal invoice. Please submit the entire number of CECs required in one submission to ensure that your CECs are recorded accurately.
- Certified Apartment Manager (CAM) - 8 CECs annually
- Certified Apartment Leasing Professional (CALP) - 5 CECs annually
- Certified Apartment Portfolio Supervisor (CAPS) - 8 CECs annually
- Certified Apartment Supplier (CAS) - 5 CECs annually
- Certification of Apartment Maintenance Technician (CAMT) - 5 CECs annually
Individuals who hold multiple NAAEI credentials may use the same CECs for renewal of all credentials. For example, if you have a CAM and CALP credential, you would owe 8 CECs annually. The total number of CECs that you must report is indicated on your invoice.
At least half of your CECs MUST be from the following sources:
- NAA Conference sessions (live or recorded)
- Any course or seminar offered by the NAA, NAAEI or your local NAA affiliated apartment association
- Serving on an NAA, NAAEI or local apartment association board or committee (1 CEC per board or committee and a maximum of 3 used per year)
- Participation in an apartment industry legislative event (each event counts for 1 CEC)
- Volunteering to instruct NAA, NAAEI or NAA affiliate courses without compensation (maximum of 3 CECs per year)
A maximum of half of your required CECs may come from:
- Accredited college or university courses
- Education programs from national housing organizations (For example: NAHMA or IREM)
- Courses, seminars or workshops approved by your State Real Estate Board or Commission
- Serving on boards, committees, commissions and task forces related to the housing industry
- Volunteering to instruct apartment industry courses (without compensation)
- Writing an original article published in an apartment industry publication (without compensation)
Not Accepted
- Corporate in-house training - For example: Classroom or online training required or offered through your company.
- Any courses, seminars or trainings that do not meet the criteria listed in the two sections above.
- CECs earned more than one year prior to your credential renwal date.
Accepted Documentation
Education Programs
- Certificates of course completion
- Transcript or exam results
- Receipt or confirmation of payment for a program
- A CEC reporting form signed by affiliate apartment association staff
Civic Service, Writing & Instruction or Training Activities
- Copy of page in directory or newsletter listing board and committee members
- Copy of letter sent to credential holder to confirm board or committee appointment
- Copy of published article
- Copy of promotional piece listing course description, instructor and contact hours
- Copy of letter sent to confirm instruction or training assignment
How to Submit CECs:
Online: https://www.naahq.org/education-careers/credentials/renew-credential
Fax: 703.797.0666
Email: education@naahq.org
Mailing Address
Attention: NAAEI
4300 Wilson Blvd Ste 800
Arlington, VA 22203