Credentials, Certifications, & Programs
Credentials
CAPS CAM CAS NALP CAMT IROP NAAEI & visto Online Training
Certifications
(Please read our cancellation policies here.)
NAAEI
NAAEI Update! Effective January 1, 2020
- All NAAEI credential programs candidacy period will be 6 months
- Candidates may only extend their credential candidacy twice
- NAAEI Candidacy Extension Fee: $75 per extension
"NAAEI’s mission is to provide broad-based education, training and recruitment programs that attract, nurture and retain high-quality professionals and develop tomorrow’s apartment industry leaders."
Credential Certificate Information
Beginning in the Fall of 2019, all Candidates will be able to print their own Certificate after completing their credential program. NAAEI will send the candidate a link to a portal where candidates will be able to print certificates, wallet cards, and download their badges to add to their professional e-mail signature.
NAAEI Credential Programs must be renewed annually. Learn more here.
Multiple scholarship opportunities are available:
- Alexandra Jackiw Diversity and Inclusion Scholarship
- Triangle Apartment Association Education Foundation Scholarship
Certified Apartment Portfolio Supervisor (CAPS) 
Due to COVID-19, TAA is canceling it’s 2020 CAPS credential program. We look forward to offering this program in the 2nd quarter of 2021, with facilitator Alex Jackiw. Stay tuned for TAA’s 2021 calendar educational offerings.
visto online Training information
Earning your CAPS takes you to the next level in property management. It fast-tracks your career advancement and your corresponding earning potential.
You'll learn about:
- Achieving ethical excellence
- Employee performance, engagement, retention, and talent development management
- Stakeholder relations with residents, communities, and municipalities
- Investigating and troubleshooting an underperforming property
- Overseeing the budget process across a portfolio and owner performance objectives
- Property acquisition and due diligence
- Mortgage financing/property development feasibility analysis
- Investment strategies, including renovation, disposition and refinancing
- Managing risk through inspections, follow-up procedures, and incident reporting compliance
- Minimizing legal risk and liability/managing staff during property sales or purchase
- Contemporary issues, including occupancy, emotional support animals, hoarding, criminal background checks, RUBS, cybersecurity, and music licensing
- Market analysis and property inspections/operational and financial analysis inspections
- Measuring portfolio performance and property valuation
- Understanding the management agreement and creating an owner's report
Client Services and Stakeholder Relations:
This module will cover the most important people and groups having a stake in the health and success of the properties in your portfolio.
As a CAPS, the decisions you make every day have an impact on many people, and in ways both immediate and far-reaching. It’s your job to balance the interests of all of these stakeholders in a way that ensures your properties are financially successful and legally compliant while serving the needs of the renting public.
Contents:
- Property Owners and the Management Company
- Lenders
- Regulatory Agencies and the Law
- Residents
- Communities and Municipalities
- Other Stakeholders
- Ethical Considerations
Investment Management:
Understanding the financial part of managing multifamily housing communities is critical to your success as a CAPS. Ultimately, your job is to help the owner make money. In order to do that, you need to become fluent in the financials of the business.
Once you've mastered this essential knowledge and can apply it back on the job, you'll be well on your way to maximizing the financial health and performance of the property owner’s investment.
Contents:
- Investing in Multifamily Housing Communities
- Mortgage Financing
- Budgeting
- Getting to the Bottom Line
- Property Valuation
Improving Asset Performance:
Improving the performance of underperforming properties is one of the most important things you’ll do as a Certified Apartment Portfolio Supervisor, and you will need to bring all of your property management knowledge to the table for the task.
You will need a solid understanding of key performance indicators, and you will need to recognize how they work together to paint a picture of property and portfolio performance. knowing the right questions to ask to get you closer to likely solutions, and while you’re searching for answers, you’ll have to bear in mind the property’s performance history, performance requirements, and the property owner’s goals.
Contents:
- Strategies
- Investigating an Underperforming Property
- Troubleshooting: Causes and Solutions
Asset Evaluation and Preservation:
Asset evaluation is an essential part of property management. It begins before the property is acquired and continues throughout the entire period of investor ownership.
Due diligence supports the purchase decision for existing properties. Feasibility analysis supports the decision to develop new properties. During the ownership period, the same processes that informed the purchasing decision prove invaluable to the annual budgeting preparation. Finally, when the property matures and market conditions change, owners must evaluate the physical and financial condition of the property in order to make a critical decision: renovate, sell, or refinance.
It is the responsibility of the CAPS and the management company to provide the analysis the owner needs to make sound decisions about this valuable asset.
Contents:
- Property Ownership Lifecycle
- Property Acquisition and Due Diligence Overview
- Market Analysis
- Inspections
- Operational and Financial Analysis
- Analyzing and Reporting Results
- Property Ownership Transition
- Property Development Feasibility Analysis
- Investment Strategies: Renovation, Disposition, and Refinancing
Talent Development:
Optimum property performance depends on having high-performing site teams. While community managers have the most day-to-day responsibility for managing their site teams, the CAPS plays a crucial role in monitoring that
Contents:
- The CAPS Role in Talent Development
- Managing Through the Employee Cycle
- Managing During a Property Sale
Contemporary Issues in Multifamily Housing:
This module will be a compilation of topics that NAAEI anticipate changing regularly, like the following:
- Privacy Issues
- Cybersecurity
- Advocacy
- Overtime Laws
- Green Building Standards
- Hoarding
- Music Licensing
- Support Animals, etc.
The CAPS comprehensive online exam has 160 questions and is 4 hours.
Candidates are allowed 6 months from the date of application to meet all program requirements. If the requirements are not met in the time allotted, an extension fee of $75 must be paid to the National Apartment Association Education Institute (NAAEI) to extend candidacy for 6 months. Candidates may only extend their credential candidacy twice.
- Work as a multi-site supervisor for 24 months OR be a CAM credential holder in good standing with 24 months of apartment manager experience.
- Successful completion of the CAPS coursework, complete all CAPS courses/modules
- Receiving a passing grade on the CAPS online comprehensive exam
CAPS Direct - NEW!
NAAEI has established an alternative way for an individual to earn the CAPS credential. The candidate must meet two of the three criteria listed below:
- The candidate must hold a bachelor’s or master’s degree with a major, minor or concentration in property management or real estate.
- Hold a current CPM designation.
- Have over 5 years of experience as a multi-site portfolio supervisor.
Plus:
- Prepare for the CAPS comprehensive online exam through self -study
- Pass the comprehensive online exam
CAPS Amnesty - NEW!
Have you allowed your CAPS credential to lapse? Well, not to fret! NAAEI will allow an individual to reinstate their lapsed CAPS credential:
- Prepare to retake the CAPS comprehensive online exam through self-study.
- Pass the comprehensive online exam
Certified Apartment Manager (CAM) Credential Program
2020 IN-PERSON COURSE INFORMATION (In Progress)
visto Online Training information
The onsite community manager is a vital link between apartment residents, the community owners, and investors. The CAM (Certified Apartment Manager) Credential Program curriculum is designed to enhance the skills of the on-site property management professional and provides the highest standard of training, which can result in improved resident retention, increased employee productivity,
The CAM credential positions you well for career opportunities and advancement. In this course, you will gain knowledge and have a better understanding of the challenges you face day-to-day. At the same time, you will have a new opportunity to share your experiences as a multifamily industry professional with other dedicated peers, establishing valuable contacts for the future and increasing your own experience level. This course is ideal for community managers, assistant managers.
Earning your CAM Credential allows you to demonstrate that you have the knowledge and ability to manage an apartment community and achieve the owner's investment goals.
- Industry Essentials
- Financial Management
- Marketing
- Property Maintenance
- Risk Management
- Human Resources
- Legal
- Resident Experience
Occupancy rates- Comprehensive marketing plans
- Sales team management and product readiness
- Apartment turnover management
- Service request fulfillment
- Energy efficiencies
- Preventive maintenance programs/property inspections
- Development of team members
- Employee retention/employee orientation, evaluation and training
- Contractor and vendor
management - Revenue management
- Income and expense control and management of cash flow
- Budgeting and monitoring financial performance to achieve the
owner’s investment goals - 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
The CAM comprehensive online exam has 185 questions and is 4 hours.
CAM candidates must complete the following requirements to earn the CAM credential. Candidates must complete the coursework and exam within 6 months of declaring candidacy. If the requirements are not met in the time allotted, an extension fee of $75 must be paid to the National Apartment Association Education Institute (NAAEI) to extend candidacy for 6 months. Candidates may only extend their credential candidacy twice.
- Minimum of 12 months of onsite property management experience (can be obtained during the candidacy period for CAM).
- Successful completion of CAM coursework, eight modules (40 hours).
- Receiving a passing grade on the CAM online comprehensive exam.
Certified Apartment Supplier (CAS) Credential Program
2020 IN-PERSON COURSE INFORMATION (In Progress)
visto online training information
Suppliers are important liaisons to the multifamily housing industry. This program is designed as an opportunity for suppliers to learn, gain knowledge and become more confident in how to better service their multifamily housing clients The CAS program is ideal for new salespeople as well as veterans of the industry.
Earning the CAS Credential allows you to network with your peers from other companies, community managers, and assistant managers. The CAS will help you understand the everyday challenges that apartment management customers face and help you develop unique selling propositions to meet those challenges.
- Industry Essentials (optional)
- Financial Management
- Legal Responsibilities
- Risk Management
- The Resident Experience
- Applicant screening, leasing contracts, and move-ins
- Rent collection, lease renewal, the move-out process, lease termination, and eviction
- Property management systems and their functions
- How community managers create a positive fair housing environment
- Minimizing risk through inspections, preventive maintenance, safety programs, and documentation
- Addressing property and environmental hazards and crime
- Analyzing property financial operations and underperformance
- Monitoring property performance to achieve an owner’s investment goals
- Maximizing net operating income
The CAS comprehensive online exam has 100 questions and is 2 hours.
CAS candidates must complete the coursework and exam within 6 months of declaring candidacy. If the requirements are not met in the time allotted, an extension fee of $75 must be paid to the National Apartment Association Education Institute (NAAEI) to extend candidacy for 6 months. Candidates may only extend their credential candidacy twice.
- Candidates must work in the apartment industry in a supplier partner role
- Successful completion of the prerequisite the Supplier Success Course
- Successful completion of four modules (18 hours)
- Receiving a passing grade on the CAS online comprehensive exam
The CAS credential requires annual renewal. Submission of both annual dues of $100 and documentation of three hours of continuing education credit should be submitted to complete the annual CAS renewal. Submission of continuing education is required for the first renewal and all subsequent renewals. Find online submission and renewal information.
National Apartment Leasing Professional (NALP) Credential Program
2020 IN-PERSON COURSE INFORMATION
visto online training information
The National Apartment Leasing Professional (NALP) Credential Program is meant to enhance the skills of the apartment leasing professional, resulting in better-informed, highly professional individuals with increased lease activity and improved resident relations. Earning NALP, your first industry credential, signals to an employer your commitment to a career in residential property management.
National Apartment Leasing Professional (NALP) Credential Modules:
- Bringing in New Residents
- Marketing and Maintaining your Community
- Why Your Competition Matters
- Relevant Laws and How to Apply Them
- The Sales Process and Building Relationships
- Effectively Meeting the Needs of Current Residents
- The Market Survey
Bringing in New Residents
Be Prepared - This course begins by asking participants to think about the leasing process from the prospective resident’s and the new resident’s point of view. This approach helps conceptualize the idea that everything they learn can be placed within the context of what is important to building a successful leasing relationship. Leasing Professionals learn professionalism, teamwork, organization, time management and technology, all with the goal of developing the skills they need to successfully bring in new residents. Engaging videos and lively discussions help to bring the key points to life. This course serves as an exciting kick-off for the NALP program.
Marketing and Maintaining your Community
This module highlights the importance of image, reputation
Why Your Competition Matters
Leasing Professionals learn how to “shop” their competition and how they can outshine their competitors to bring in new residents and keep the loyalty of current residents. Knowledge of competitors and their offerings is critical, and Leasing Professionals learn how to gain a deeper understanding of their competition and how to bring about changes in their community in order to better compete. Leasing Professionals are asked to think about what is important to them as customers, and
Relevant Laws and How to Apply Them
This course teaches Leasing Professionals what they need to know in order to adhere to fair housing laws and ADA regulations when working with both prospective and current residents. In addition, the course covers laws applying to prospect screening, application verification, the lease and lease addenda, all covered as they relate to the Leasing Professional’s role. Lively discussions and interactive scenarios put the information learned into real-world situations and keep Leasing Professionals actively engaged.
The Sales Process and Building Relationships
Leasing Professionals learn the foundations of relationship selling and the importance of problem-solving throughout the sales process. This course covers a number of key sales skills within the context of the Leasing Professional’s role. Those skills include: learning to listen and respond specifically to the customer; handling objections; and meaningful ways to close the sale. The course closes with a personal assessment of a Leasing Professional’s sales readiness.
Effectively Meeting the Needs of Current Residents
The role of a Leasing Professional continues after a prospective resident moves in! In this course, Leasing Professionals learn how to effectively handle maintenance issues and other issues that residents may encounter, all while continuing to reinforce the community’s positive brand. The course also covers lease renewals and how a Leasing Professional affects the all-important resident’s sense of community.
The Market Survey
This exercise is the second component
A proctored, closed-book, online exam is conducted at the conclusion of the coursework; exam dates will be released to students on the first day of class. Students are also required to complete a Market Survey Presentation to receive the NALP credential certification. Information on the presentation will be given to students on the first day of class. The NALP comprehensive online exam has 100 questions and is 1.5 hours.
- 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). - Completion of all seven courses
Passing grade on Market Survey Presentation- Meet all examination standards within 12 months of declaring candidacy
- All components must be completed within a 12-month candidacy period
Certificate for Apartment Maintenance Technicians (CAMT)
2019-2020 IN-PERSON COURSE INFORMATION (COMPLETED)
This program is designed both as an introduction for new maintenance professionals and as a refresher for the veteran employee, to give these professionals the knowledge and tools necessary to run an effective maintenance program. Maintenance expenses are the single largest controllable element in any operating budget. 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.
Certificate for Apartment Maintenance Technicians (CAMT) includes:
The non-technical Soft Skills course consists of online learning, including practice scenarios. Five technical courses consist of hands-on classroom training followed by online practice scenarios.
Technical Modules:
- Electrical Maintenance and Repair
- Plumbing Maintenance and Repair
- Heating, Ventilation and Air Conditioning (HVAC) Maintenance and Repair
- Appliance Maintenance and Repair
- Interior and Exterior Maintenance and Repair
Non-Technical Online Course Modules:
- Welcome to the Industry
- Customer Service
- Teamwork
- Time & Project Management
- Money Matters
- Documentation & Paperwork
- Maintenance & Emergencies
- Safety First
- Compliance
- Enhanced with FranklinCovey Insights on Demand video-based online courses
Programs may be taken as standalone seminars or in full to earn the industry credential.
Certificate candidates must complete the following requirements to earn the CAMT credential. Candidates must complete coursework and exam within 6 months of declaring candidacy. If the requirements are not met in the time allotted, an extension fee of $75 must be paid to the National Apartment Association Education Institute (NAAEI) to extend candidacy for 6 months. Candidates may only extend their credential candidacy twice.
- Minimum of 12 months of apartment or rental housing maintenance experience (this requirement may be met after completion of coursework and exam. During that period a candidate holds a Provisional CAMT).
- Successful completion of CAMT coursework, six courses plus online content (80 hours).
- Receiving a passing grade on the CAMT online comprehensive exam.
The CAMT comprehensive online exam has 100 questions and is 2.5 hours.
Independent Rental Owner Professional (IROP) 
visto online training information
Whether you are a new or experienced independent rental owner, earning your IROP gives you an "insider's view" of professional property ownership and management practices.
You'll learn about:
- Key elements of successful rental unit ownership
- Preparing and managing a budget
- Planning taxes strategically
- Establishing relationships with code department representatives
- Protecting and
insuring your investment - Increasing your property's energy efficiency to increase the market value
- Screening, hiring, and training employees
- Scheduling unit inspections for preventive maintenance
- Establishing rental rates and marketing to find residents
- Qualifying residents and complying with fair housing laws
- Considering the important elements of an enforceable lease
- Owner liability, rent collection, security deposits, and eviction
- Developing turnkey rental unit preparation and resident move-in processes
- Showing the rental unit and qualifying and screening prospective residents
- Managing resident retention and terminating a lease
Visto Online Training
Powered by Grace Hill & NAAEI
Visto Property Management Training
Grace Hill and the National Apartment Association Education Institute (NAAEI) have teamed up to create Visto—all the credentials and training property management professionals need. Train and learn course-by-course or on a subscription basis—and take your career to the next level.
Available Online Credentials:
- Certified Apartment Portfolio Supervisor (CAPS)
- Certified Apartment Manager (CAM)
- Certified Apartment Supplier (CAS)
- National Apartment Leasing Professional (NALP)
- Independent Rental Owner Professional (IROP)
Certified Pool-Spa Operator (CPO) Course and Exam
These two-day courses offer instruction in swimming pool/spa maintenance and safety. Each course runs from 8:30 am - 5:00 pm. Participants will need to bring a hand-held battery-operated calculator, pencil, and paper to both classes. The exam will be given the 2nd day of the two-day course.
All those seeking CPO re-certifications must attend a two-day course.
NSPF-Approved Instruction Includes:
- Pool and spa chemistry
- Cost Saving Tips
- Testing and Treatment
- Water Balance
- Filtration
- Liability and Risk Management
- Record keeping
- Pool and Spa Maintenance
- Pool Management
- Chemical Troubleshooting
- Disease and Accident Prevention
If you have questions concerning obtaining your CPO certification, please check out our CPO FAQ page or contact us.
Wake County Certification:
For those operating a pool in Wake County, you are required to pass the Wake County Exam after receiving your CPO certification. The Wake County Exam comes at no cost to you. Contact Wake County at 919-856-7400 to schedule your exam. For more information click here.
CFC: Certification & Testing for Technical Service Personnel
Become CFC certified by attending 8 hours of instruction followed by testing in one or all of the following: Type I, Type II, Type III, and Universal certification in the use of EPA regulated refrigerant gases. Attendees will be instructed in the rules and regulations that meet compliance with the EPA refrigerant recycle rules. All instruction materials will be provided. Student materials are available in Spanish.
Course Topics Include:
- HVAC Theory
- Prohibition on Venting
- Mandatory Technical Certification
- Safe Disposal Requirements
- Refrigeration Maintenance Practices
- Service Practice Requirements
- Refrigerant Sales Restrictions
- Record-Keeping Requirements
Have you misplaced your CFC EPA 608 card from ESCO? Not to Fret!
You may request a copy by visiting the ESCO website.
Take the EPA 608 Examination Online, Anytime from your Location!
ESCO Institute has partnered with ProctorU to bring the EPA Section 608 examination to you rather than you having to go to a testing location! This is a professional online proctoring service where you are monitored remotely, and it does require you to have a computer or laptop with a webcam and microphone.
How Does it Work?
There is an $85 fee to test. Upon completion of your order of the exam, you will receive an email providing further instructions on setting up an account and scheduling your exam with the proctoring service as well as the code numbers needed to start your examination. Proctors are available 24/7. Please note: when scheduling your exam through the proctoring service, please schedule at least 72 hours (3 days) in advance. If you need to take your exam sooner, you may be charged a rush proctoring fee from the proctoring service.
EPA - Section 608 Technician Certification Test Topics
Below are some of the topics covered on the tests for each of the four types of technician certification. (Note that universal certification involves topics pertaining to the other three types of certification).
Other CFC EPA 608 Resources
Download EPA-Approved NC Non-Regulatory Provisions
REFRIGERANT MANAGEMENT REQUIREMENTS for property & facilities management
FACT SHEET FOR APPLIANCE DISPOSAL & RECYCLING