Florida statute reference · F.S. § 468.433
Florida CAM license requirements and the exam
To become a licensed community association manager in Florida you must be at least 18, complete 16 hours of approved prelicensure education within 12 months before the exam, submit fingerprints for state and FBI background checks, be certified as of good moral character, and pass the state exam with a scaled score of 75 or higher (Fla. Stat. § 468.433; Fla. Admin. Code R. 61E14-1.001, 61E14-1.002).
Last verified October 4, 2026 against the 2026 Florida Statutes and Florida Administrative Code Rule Chapter 61E14. Reviewed by the Common Elements editorial team, which includes a Florida-licensed community association manager (LCAM) and insurance broker.
Step by step
- Prelicensure education. At least 16 classroom hours, each contact hour at least 50 minutes, from a DBPR-approved provider, completed within 12 months before the exam. You cannot sit for the exam without documentation of completion (Fla. Admin. Code R. 61E14-1.001(1)).
- Apply to DBPR to take the licensure examination, and file a complete set of fingerprints taken by an authorized law enforcement officer for state and FBI processing, at your cost (Fla. Stat. § 468.433(1)).
- Eligibility. DBPR examines applicants who are at least 18, have completed the prelicensure education, and are certified as of good moral character (§ 468.433(2)).
- Pass the exam with a scaled score of 75 or higher (Fla. Admin. Code R. 61E14-1.002(1)).
- Pay the initial license fee. DBPR issues the license to a qualified applicant who passes and pays the fee (§ 468.433(4)).
What the prelicensure course covers
The 16 hours are split by subject in Fla. Admin. Code R. 61E14-1.001(2), and the exam tests the same subjects in roughly the same proportions (R. 61E14-1.002(2)):
- State and federal laws on all types of community associations, governing documents, and state corporation and nonprofit corporation law: 20%
- Noticing and conducting community association meetings: 25%
- Association budgets and finances: 25%
- Insurance matters relating to community associations: 12%
- Management and maintenance: 18%
The examination must demonstrate that the applicant has a fundamental knowledge of state and federal laws relating to the operation of all types of community associations and state laws relating to corporations and nonprofit corporations, proper preparation of community association budgets, proper procedures for noticing and conducting community association meetings, insurance matters relating to community associations, and management skills.
Good moral character
“Good moral character” means “a personal history of honesty, fairness, and respect for the rights of others and for the laws of this state and nation” (§ 468.433(2)(a)). DBPR may refuse to certify an applicant only if there is a substantial connection between the lack of good moral character and a manager's professional responsibilities, if the finding is supported by clear and convincing evidence, or if the applicant “is found to have provided management services requiring licensure without the requisite license” (§ 468.433(2)(b)). An applicant found unqualified gets a statement of findings, the evidence, and notice of rehearing and appeal rights (§ 468.433(2)(c)).
That last ground matters for anyone already doing the work: managing before you are licensed can be held against your application. See penalties for unlicensed practice.
Fees
Set by the Regulatory Council in Fla. Admin. Code R. 61E14-3.001:
- Application fee: $50
- Fingerprint processing fee: $47
- Examination fee: $100 (when a professional testing service gives the exam, $50.50 to DBPR plus $49.50 to the testing service)
- Reexamination fee: same as the examination fee
- Initial license fee: $100
The statutory ranges these fees must fall within are in § 468.435.
Common questions
- How many hours is the Florida CAM prelicensure course?
- At least 16 hours of instruction, each contact hour at least 50 minutes, completed within 12 months before the exam (Fla. Admin. Code R. 61E14-1.001(1)). The statute caps the requirement at 24 hours of in-person instruction (Fla. Stat. § 468.433(2)(d)).
- Can I take the CAM prelicensure course online?
- Only in a live format. The rule requires in-person hours, and counts as in-person an interactive, real-time course, such as a web-based, satellite, telephone or video conference program, that lets you interact with the instructor in real time, including live chat (Fla. Admin. Code R. 61E14-1.001(3)).
- What score do I need to pass the Florida CAM exam?
- A scaled score of 75 or higher (Fla. Admin. Code R. 61E14-1.002(1)).
- What if I fail the CAM exam?
- You can re-apply in writing for reexamination with the reexamination fee, but only within one year from the date DBPR certified your original application (Fla. Admin. Code R. 61E14-1.003).
- How much does a Florida CAM license cost?
- Under Fla. Admin. Code R. 61E14-3.001: a $50 application fee, a $47 fingerprint processing fee, a $100 examination fee ($50.50 to DBPR plus $49.50 to the testing service when a testing service gives the exam), and a $100 initial license fee. Prelicensure course tuition is set by the provider.
- Do I need continuing education before my first renewal?
- No. A licensee does not have to meet the continuing education requirement before the first license renewal (Fla. Stat. § 468.433(2)(d)), and the rule exempts anyone licensed 24 months or less at renewal time until the end of the next renewal cycle (Fla. Admin. Code R. 61E14-4.001(7)).
Prelicensure course and exam prep
Common Elements Academy is building a 16-hour Florida CAM pre-licensure course and a practice-exam bank. Courses publish once the state approves them; each course page shows its approval status.
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