CMCA (CERTIFIED MANAGER OF COMMUNITY
ASSOCIATIONS) PRACTICE EXAMINATION
2026/2027 Edition | 110 Questions with ANSWERs
& Rationales
EXAM OVERVIEW
The CMCA examination is administered by the Community Association Managers International
Certification Board (CAMICB). Effective December 2024, the exam features six content domains:
Domain Weight
Governance and Compliance 23%
Financial Management 20%
Meetings and Events 18%
Risk Management ~14%
Property Maintenance ~13%
Contracting 10%
Note: The Human Resources domain (formerly 6%) has been removed from the updated content
outline.
SECTION 1: GOVERNANCE AND COMPLIANCE (Questions 1-25)
Q1. In the hierarchy of governing documents for a community association, which document typically
takes precedence over all others?
A. Bylaws
B. Articles of Incorporation
,C. Declaration / CC&Rs
D. Rules and Regulations
Correct ANSWER: C
Rationale: The Declaration or CC&Rs (Covenants, Conditions, and Restrictions) typically hold the highest
authority in the document hierarchy as they are recorded with the county and establish the basic
structure and obligations. Bylaws govern internal operations, Articles of Incorporation establish the
corporation, and Rules and Regulations are subordinate and cannot conflict with higher documents.
Q2. Quorum requirement conflicts between governing documents and state statute are resolved by:
A. A vote of those present at a meeting
B. The board of directors
C. State statute
D. Appointment of a person as a proxy
Correct ANSWER: C
Rationale: State statute takes precedence over conflicting provisions in an association's governing
documents. The statute sets the minimum requirements for quorum and other procedural matters.
Q3. A board member is found to have a financial interest in a landscaping company bidding for a
contract with the association. What is the proper course of action under fiduciary duty principles?
,A. The board member may vote on the contract as long as they disclose their interest
B. The board member must disclose the conflict and abstain from voting
C. The board member should resign from the board immediately
D. The board member may participate in discussion but not vote
Correct ANSWER: B
Rationale: The duty of loyalty requires board members to avoid conflicts of interest. The proper
procedure is full disclosure of the conflict and complete abstention from voting.
Q4. At an annual meeting, the association's bylaws require a quorum of 20% of the voting membership.
If the association has 200 units, how many votes must be represented to establish a quorum?
A. 20 members
B. 30 members
C. 40 members
D. 50 members
Correct ANSWER: C
Rationale: A quorum is calculated as 20% of 200 units, which equals 40 members.
Q5. The higher a document's place in the hierarchy, the:
, A. Harder it is to implement
B. Greater its power with the board
C. More it is regulated legally
D. Greater its legal weight in a court of law
Correct ANSWER: D
Rationale: Documents higher in the hierarchy carry greater legal weight in court. Governing documents
are interpreted in order of precedence, with higher documents controlling lower ones.
Q6. True or false: The "business judgment rule" means that if a board has exercised reasonable business
judgment in making a decision, the court will generally not consider the board negligent in its fiduciary
duty.
A. True
B. False
Correct ANSWER: A (True)
Rationale: The business judgment rule protects board members from personal liability when they make
informed, good-faith decisions that are in the best interest of the association.
Q7. Which of the following responsibilities relate to the governance function of a community association
board of directors?
ASSOCIATIONS) PRACTICE EXAMINATION
2026/2027 Edition | 110 Questions with ANSWERs
& Rationales
EXAM OVERVIEW
The CMCA examination is administered by the Community Association Managers International
Certification Board (CAMICB). Effective December 2024, the exam features six content domains:
Domain Weight
Governance and Compliance 23%
Financial Management 20%
Meetings and Events 18%
Risk Management ~14%
Property Maintenance ~13%
Contracting 10%
Note: The Human Resources domain (formerly 6%) has been removed from the updated content
outline.
SECTION 1: GOVERNANCE AND COMPLIANCE (Questions 1-25)
Q1. In the hierarchy of governing documents for a community association, which document typically
takes precedence over all others?
A. Bylaws
B. Articles of Incorporation
,C. Declaration / CC&Rs
D. Rules and Regulations
Correct ANSWER: C
Rationale: The Declaration or CC&Rs (Covenants, Conditions, and Restrictions) typically hold the highest
authority in the document hierarchy as they are recorded with the county and establish the basic
structure and obligations. Bylaws govern internal operations, Articles of Incorporation establish the
corporation, and Rules and Regulations are subordinate and cannot conflict with higher documents.
Q2. Quorum requirement conflicts between governing documents and state statute are resolved by:
A. A vote of those present at a meeting
B. The board of directors
C. State statute
D. Appointment of a person as a proxy
Correct ANSWER: C
Rationale: State statute takes precedence over conflicting provisions in an association's governing
documents. The statute sets the minimum requirements for quorum and other procedural matters.
Q3. A board member is found to have a financial interest in a landscaping company bidding for a
contract with the association. What is the proper course of action under fiduciary duty principles?
,A. The board member may vote on the contract as long as they disclose their interest
B. The board member must disclose the conflict and abstain from voting
C. The board member should resign from the board immediately
D. The board member may participate in discussion but not vote
Correct ANSWER: B
Rationale: The duty of loyalty requires board members to avoid conflicts of interest. The proper
procedure is full disclosure of the conflict and complete abstention from voting.
Q4. At an annual meeting, the association's bylaws require a quorum of 20% of the voting membership.
If the association has 200 units, how many votes must be represented to establish a quorum?
A. 20 members
B. 30 members
C. 40 members
D. 50 members
Correct ANSWER: C
Rationale: A quorum is calculated as 20% of 200 units, which equals 40 members.
Q5. The higher a document's place in the hierarchy, the:
, A. Harder it is to implement
B. Greater its power with the board
C. More it is regulated legally
D. Greater its legal weight in a court of law
Correct ANSWER: D
Rationale: Documents higher in the hierarchy carry greater legal weight in court. Governing documents
are interpreted in order of precedence, with higher documents controlling lower ones.
Q6. True or false: The "business judgment rule" means that if a board has exercised reasonable business
judgment in making a decision, the court will generally not consider the board negligent in its fiduciary
duty.
A. True
B. False
Correct ANSWER: A (True)
Rationale: The business judgment rule protects board members from personal liability when they make
informed, good-faith decisions that are in the best interest of the association.
Q7. Which of the following responsibilities relate to the governance function of a community association
board of directors?
