Is it a crime to manage an association without a CAM license in Florida?

Yes. Any person who violates Part VIII of chapter 468, which includes managing or holding yourself out as able to manage a community association without a required license, commits a misdemeanor of the second degree (Fla. Stat. §§ 468.437 and 468.432(1)). That carries up to 60 days in jail and a fine of up to $500 (Fla. Stat. §§ 775.082(4)(b) and 775.083(1)(e)).

What fines can DBPR impose for unlicensed practice?

Under Fla. Stat. § 455.228, DBPR may issue a cease and desist notice and impose an administrative penalty of up to $5,000 per incident, may issue a citation with a fine of $500 to $5,000 (each day the practice continues after the citation is a separate violation), may seek a civil penalty of $500 to $5,000 per offense in circuit court, and may recover investigation costs.

Can an association be penalized for hiring an unlicensed manager?

Section 455.228(1) lets DBPR issue a notice to cease and desist to "any person who aids and abets the unlicensed practice of a profession by employing such unlicensed person." Boards should confirm a manager's license on DBPR's license search before signing a contract.

Does unlicensed practice affect a later license application?

It can. DBPR may refuse to certify an applicant for the exam if the applicant "is found to have provided management services requiring licensure without the requisite license" (Fla. Stat. § 468.433(2)(b)3.).

What discipline can a licensed manager or firm face?

For grounds listed in Fla. Stat. § 468.436(2), including violating Part VIII, gross misconduct or gross negligence, undisclosed conflicts, and violating chapter 718, 719 or 720 while managing under contract, DBPR may deny an application, revoke or suspend a license, impose a fine of up to $5,000 per count, reprimand, place a manager on probation, or restrict the scope of practice (§ 468.436(4)).

Florida statute reference · F.S. § 468.437

Penalties for managing a Florida association without a license

Managing a Florida community association for pay without a required CAM license is a second-degree misdemeanor, punishable by up to 60 days in jail and a $500 fine (Fla. Stat. §§ 468.437, 775.082, 775.083). DBPR can also issue cease and desist notices and citations, impose administrative penalties of up to $5,000 per incident, and seek civil penalties in circuit court (Fla. Stat. § 455.228).

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.

The criminal penalty

Any person who violates any of the provisions of this part shall be guilty of a misdemeanor of the second degree, punishable as provided in s. 775.082 or s. 775.083.

Fla. Stat. § 468.437

“This part” is Part VIII of chapter 468, so the penalty reaches the licensing requirement in § 468.432(1): a person may not manage, or hold themselves out to the public as able to manage, a community association without a license. For a second-degree misdemeanor, § 775.082(4)(b) allows “a definite term of imprisonment not exceeding 60 days” and § 775.083(1)(e) a fine of up to $500.

DBPR enforcement against unlicensed practice

Chapter 455 gives DBPR its general tools against unlicensed activity in every profession it regulates. Under Fla. Stat. § 455.228, the department may:

Issue a notice to cease and desist, to the unlicensed person and to anyone who aids and abets the unlicensed practice by employing that person (§ 455.228(1)).
Impose an administrative penalty of up to $5,000 per incident, and collect attorney's fees and costs if it has to enforce the notice (§ 455.228(1)).
Seek a civil penalty in circuit court of no less than $500 and no more than $5,000 for each offense (§ 455.228(2)).
Issue a citation with a fine of $500 to $5,000; each day the unlicensed practice continues after the citation is a separate violation, and DBPR recovers its investigation costs (§ 455.228(3)).

Consequences for licensing and for licensed firms

An applicant found to have provided management services that required a license, without one, can be refused certification for the exam (§ 468.433(2)(b)3.).
A licensed firm agrees to employ only licensed persons in the direct provision of management services (§ 468.432(2)(g)), and violating Part VIII is a ground for discipline of a licensed manager or firm (§ 468.436(2)(b)1.), with penalties up to revocation and $5,000 per count (§ 468.436(4)).
Disciplinary complaints, records and proceedings against licensed managers are open to the public (§ 468.4365).

Common questions

Is it a crime to manage an association without a CAM license in Florida?: Yes. Any person who violates Part VIII of chapter 468, which includes managing or holding yourself out as able to manage a community association without a required license, commits a misdemeanor of the second degree (Fla. Stat. §§ 468.437 and 468.432(1)). That carries up to 60 days in jail and a fine of up to $500 (Fla. Stat. §§ 775.082(4)(b) and 775.083(1)(e)).
What fines can DBPR impose for unlicensed practice?: Under Fla. Stat. § 455.228, DBPR may issue a cease and desist notice and impose an administrative penalty of up to $5,000 per incident, may issue a citation with a fine of $500 to $5,000 (each day the practice continues after the citation is a separate violation), may seek a civil penalty of $500 to $5,000 per offense in circuit court, and may recover investigation costs.
Can an association be penalized for hiring an unlicensed manager?: Section 455.228(1) lets DBPR issue a notice to cease and desist to "any person who aids and abets the unlicensed practice of a profession by employing such unlicensed person." Boards should confirm a manager's license on DBPR's license search before signing a contract.
Does unlicensed practice affect a later license application?: It can. DBPR may refuse to certify an applicant for the exam if the applicant "is found to have provided management services requiring licensure without the requisite license" (Fla. Stat. § 468.433(2)(b)3.).
What discipline can a licensed manager or firm face?: For grounds listed in Fla. Stat. § 468.436(2), including violating Part VIII, gross misconduct or gross negligence, undisclosed conflicts, and violating chapter 718, 719 or 720 while managing under contract, DBPR may deny an application, revoke or suspend a license, impose a fine of up to $5,000 per count, reprimand, place a manager on probation, or restrict the scope of practice (§ 468.436(4)).

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