Education Requirements
Condominium managers are professionals who need a licence to provide their services, like other professions in Ontario. They also need training to handle the full range of their responsibilities, and understand their legal and ethical obligations.
Education Requirements for a General Licence
The courses required for a General Licence cover the technical and practical information needed to effectively understand condominium law, build relationships, communicate effectively with condominium boards and owners/residents, maintain physical assets, and effectively manage the financial affairs of the condominium corporation: essentially combining in-class learning with on-the-job experience to ensure managers clearly understand their role and responsibilities.
In addition to all other requirements, to obtain a General Licence, individuals must successfully complete the following courses:
- Condominium Management - Law Course Blueprint
- Condominium Management - Relationship Building Course Blueprint
- Condominium Management - Building Operations and Maintenance Course Blueprint
- Condominium Management - Financials Course Blueprint
- Condominium Management - Operational Quality Course Blueprint
The CMRAO has partnered with Humber College on the development and coordinated delivery of the CMRAO’s new education program, as well as the delivery of the regulatory examinations. Courses will be available across the province soon.
All applicants for a General Licence who have enrolled in or have completed any of the original educational requirements for a General Licence prior to November 1, 2021, AND who successfully complete all of these requirements by October 31, 2022, will be deemed to have complied with the educational requirements for a General Licence.
Education Requirements for a Transitional General Licence
Transitional General Licensees have until May 31, 2022, to complete the educational requirements to obtain a General Licence.
Education Requirements for a Limited Licence
As part of the application process for a Limited Licence, applicants must successfully complete Excellence in Condominium Management, a mandatory course. The course provides foundational knowledge about the condominium industry and the role of a condominium manager to a set a consistent standard of excellence for condominium managers in Ontario. The course outlines the realities of the condominium management role so learners are fully prepared before they make the decision to continue with the full program that leads to a General Licence:
Successfully completing the course content and passing the supervised exam are a prerequisite for receiving a Limited Licence. Apply for a Limited Licence to register for this course.
Limited Licence holders are required to work under the supervision of experienced condo managers who hold either a General Licence or a Transitional General Licence. There are also specific conditions on the activities that a Limited Licensee can perform. Once a Limited Licensee has completed their education and work experience requirements, they can progress to a General Licence.
Course Registration Timelines
Excellence in Condominium Management is an online course delivered by the CMRAO. There are 10 modules, in addition to virtual instructor-led sessions.
View course registration timeline
Transition Plan
The Request for Prior Learning (RPL) assessment process for all applicants for a licence on or after November 1, 2021, will be based on the new educational program.
All applicants for a General Licence who have enrolled in or have completed any of the original educational requirements for a General Licence prior to November 1, 2021, AND have not successfully completed all of these requirements by October 31, 2022, will be subject to the new educational requirements set by the Registrar.
Background
In 2017, the Minister of Public and Business Service Delivery designated the courses and challenge exams developed by the Association of Condominium Managers of Ontario (ACMO) as the education and examination requirements necessary to qualify for a General Licence. On November 1, 2021, this requirement will transfer to the Registrar of the CMRAO. The following documents were created in the process of developing new education requirements.
- The Competency Profile for Condominium Managers in Ontario [PDF - 329 KB]
The Competency Profile defines the condominium management profession in Ontario and details the minimum expectations of an individual applying for a General Licence with the CMRAO. This report describes the 79 competencies, as well as the methodology used.
The Curriculum Design and Course Blueprint for Condominium Managers in Ontario 2020 describes the methodology used to develop the curriculum roadmap and the six new course blueprints that form the new education program. The curriculum roadmap identifies the design principles that guided the creation of the new curriculum, and the course blueprints provide details about how condominium management courses should be designed and delivered to ensure they provide learners with the necessary knowledge and skills to meet the requirements of the Competency Profile.
Frequently Asked Questions
General Questions
Are there any requirements for continuing education?
There will be continuing education requirements under the new education program. The CMRAO is currently working on defining what the continuing education requirements will be under the new education requirements.
Do you have to have completed one course under the current education program by October 31, 2021, or can you have started by October 31, 2021 to still be under the current program?
Individuals who have started (or will start before October 31, 2021) the current education program (i.e., four ACMO courses) have until October 31, 2022, to complete all four courses. Those who do not complete all four courses by October 31, 2022, all previous education will be assessed under the CMRAO’s Request for Prior Learning (RPL) process.
Will the RCM be recognized as a designation?
RCM is a designation specific to the Association of Condominium Managers (ACMO) and does not relate to the CMRAO. Any questions related to this designation should be addressed with ACMO.
If I finished my last ACMO course on April 30, 2020, will I need to take the new courses as of November 2021?
No. You do not need to take the new program. If you have not already applied for a General Licence, just note that the educational requirements have to be completed within five years of submitting the application. So, for example, if you waited until May 1, 2025, to apply for a General Licence, then you would be subject to the new program.
If you start the program prior to November 1, 2021, you will have until October 31, 2022, to complete it.
General Licensees Questions
Will managers with an existing General Licence be required to take the six new courses?
No. Condominium managers who currently hold a valid General Licence do not have to complete any of the new courses. They will be subject to the new continuing education requirements, which will be set annually.
What are the education requirements going to be for current General Licensees wishing to maintain their licence?
There will be required annual continuing education. Details of the continuing education program will be announced in early 2022.
Do applicants need to complete the new education program within five years before submitting the General Licence application?
Yes. Whether you are subject to the new education program or the current education program, you have to complete that education program within the five years before applying for a General Licence.
If I am enrolled in the ACMO courses by November 1, 2021, do I need to submit a General Licence application by that time? Or do I have until October 31, 2022, to submit it?
You have until October 31, 2022, to complete the four ACMO courses and you can submit your General Licence application after the courses are completed.
All General Licence applicants who have enrolled in or have completed any of the original education requirements (the current four ACMO courses) prior to November 1, 2021, and who’ve successfully complete all of these requirements by October 31, 2022, will be deemed to have complied with the educational requirements for a General Licence.
Even though the new program starts on November 1, 2021, the current program will continue to be recognized for an additional year until October 31, 2022, as long as you've started that program before November 1, 2021. If you start the current education program before November 1, 2021, but do not complete it by October 31, 2022, then you will be subject to the new program.
Transitional General Licensees Questions
I currently hold a Transitional General Licence (obtained prior to November 1, 2021). Do I need to complete the “Excellence in Condominium Management” course?
No. As a current licence holder you are not required to complete the Excellence in Condominium Management course.
As a Transitional General Licensee you are reminded that your licence would not be eligible for renewal after May 31, 2022. If you have not completed all four ACMO courses, the only option for you to continue providing condominium management services would be to apply for a Limited Licence and you may be required to complete the Excellence in Condominium Management course.
If I currently have a Transitional General Licence and I can’t complete my courses by July 2021, what options do I have in terms of continuing with my education program and my licence?
A Transitional General Licensee may not apply for a renewal of their licence or reapply for a Transitional General Licence after May 31, 2022 (the original deadline in Reg. 123/17 was extended on May 20, 2021).
You will continue to have the opportunity to complete all four current courses until October 31, 2022.
Limited Licensees Questions
If I completed all the required courses and I am still working on obtaining two years work experience, do I have to do these new courses?
No. Limited Licensees who have already completed all four ACMO courses only need to complete the two-year work experience requirement under supervision (performing mandatory functions) to be eligible for a General Licence.
I am currently a Limited Licence holder and started one of the four ACMO courses. With the new education program, should I still complete this course or switch over to the new curriculum?
As a Limited Licensee, if you have started (or will start) taking ACMO courses prior to November 1, 2021, you have until October 31, 2022, to complete the four ACMO courses. After November 1, 2022, the new education program comes into effect. If you have taken some ACMO courses but not completed all four courses by October 31, 2022, you will need contact the CMRAO for guidance.
I currently hold a Limited Licence (obtained prior to November 1, 2021). Do I need to complete the “Excellence in Condominium Management” course?
No. The “Excellence in Condominium Management” course is a prerequisite for anyone who is applying for a Limited Licence on or after November 1, 2021.
Once I get my Limited Licence, can I take the new courses?
Individuals who start the current education program before November 1, 2021, will have until October 31, 2022, to complete the current four ACMO courses. Individuals who start taking courses after November 1, 2021, will be subject to the new education program.
Condominium Management Provider Licensees Questions
If I hold a General Licence and a Condominium Management Provider Licence, could I apply for the Request for Prior Learning (RPL) process?
If you hold a General Licence, you do not need to take any of the new courses and do not need to apply for the RPL process.