CMCA EXAM NEWEST VERSION REAL
EXAM 170 QUESTIONS AND CORRECT
ANSWERS (VERIFIED ANSWERS) PLUS
RATIONALES 2026 Q&A | INSTANT
DOWNLOAD PDF.
Core Domains
• Governance and Legal Compliance
• Financial Management and Reserve Studies
• Risk Management and Insurance
• Meetings and Events
• Property Maintenance and Operations
• Contracting and Vendor Management
• Ethics and Fiduciary Duties
• Communications and Community Relations
Introduction
The CMCA Examination assesses the competency of community
association managers in the core knowledge areas required to manage
homeowner and condominium associations effectively. It evaluates
understanding of governance, financial management, risk mitigation,
meeting procedures, maintenance operations, and ethical standards. The
assessment employs multiple-choice and scenario-based questions to test
real-world decision-making and regulatory compliance. Emphasis is
placed on fiduciary responsibility, legal document interpretation, and
,practical problem-solving. This exam ensures candidates are prepared to
serve as Certified Managers of Community Associations.
Section One: Questions 1–100
1. Which document is typically considered the highest governing
authority in a community association?
A. Bylaws
B. Articles of Incorporation
C. Declaration of Covenants, Conditions, and Restrictions
D. Rules and Regulations
C. Declaration of Covenants, Conditions, and Restrictions
RATIONALE: The Declaration (CC&Rs) is the foundational
recorded document that creates the association and encumbers the land.
Bylaws govern internal operations; Rules are subordinate to both.
2. A board member proposes a motion at a properly noticed board
meeting. What type of meeting is required to vote on the motion?
A. A special meeting only
B. A board meeting with a quorum
C. An annual meeting of the membership
D. A committee meeting
B. A board meeting with a quorum
RATIONALE: Board action requires a properly noticed board
meeting with a quorum present. Annual meetings are for membership
votes; committee meetings cannot bind the board.
3. Which of the following is a fiduciary duty owed by community
association board members?
,A. Duty of loyalty
B. Duty of care
C. Duty to act within the scope of authority
D. All of the above
D. All of the above
RATIONALE: Board members owe fiduciary duties of loyalty (act
in the association's best interest), care (act prudently), and obedience (act
within governing documents and law).
4. The business judgment rule protects board members from liability
when:
A. They act in good faith and with reasonable care
B. They make a profit from board decisions
C. They ignore expert advice
D. They act without documentation
A. They act in good faith and with reasonable care
RATIONALE: The business judgment rule presumes board members
acted reasonably and in good faith if they made an informed decision
without conflicts of interest.
5. A reserve study is best described as:
A. An audit of the association's operating budget
B. A physical and financial analysis of major common area components
C. A review of delinquent assessments
D. A tax filing requirement
B. A physical and financial analysis of major common area
components
, RATIONALE: A reserve study assesses the condition, remaining
useful life, and replacement cost of major common elements to guide
reserve funding.
6. A funding ratio of 70% in a reserve study means:
A. 70% of components are fully funded
B. The reserve fund has 70% of the recommended balance
C. 70% of owners have paid reserves
D. The study is 70% complete
B. The reserve fund has 70% of the recommended balance
RATIONALE: The funding ratio compares the actual reserve
balance to the fully funded balance recommended by the study.
7. Which federal law prohibits discrimination in housing based on
race, color, religion, sex, familial status, or national origin?
A. Fair Housing Act
B. Americans with Disabilities Act
C. Fair Labor Standards Act
D. HIPAA
A. Fair Housing Act
RATIONALE: The Fair Housing Act prohibits discrimination in the
sale, rental, and financing of housing based on protected characteristics.
8. A homeowner requests a reasonable accommodation for a
disability. What is the board's obligation?
A. Deny all accommodation requests
B. Approve only if the request is free
C. Engage in an interactive process and grant reasonable
EXAM 170 QUESTIONS AND CORRECT
ANSWERS (VERIFIED ANSWERS) PLUS
RATIONALES 2026 Q&A | INSTANT
DOWNLOAD PDF.
Core Domains
• Governance and Legal Compliance
• Financial Management and Reserve Studies
• Risk Management and Insurance
• Meetings and Events
• Property Maintenance and Operations
• Contracting and Vendor Management
• Ethics and Fiduciary Duties
• Communications and Community Relations
Introduction
The CMCA Examination assesses the competency of community
association managers in the core knowledge areas required to manage
homeowner and condominium associations effectively. It evaluates
understanding of governance, financial management, risk mitigation,
meeting procedures, maintenance operations, and ethical standards. The
assessment employs multiple-choice and scenario-based questions to test
real-world decision-making and regulatory compliance. Emphasis is
placed on fiduciary responsibility, legal document interpretation, and
,practical problem-solving. This exam ensures candidates are prepared to
serve as Certified Managers of Community Associations.
Section One: Questions 1–100
1. Which document is typically considered the highest governing
authority in a community association?
A. Bylaws
B. Articles of Incorporation
C. Declaration of Covenants, Conditions, and Restrictions
D. Rules and Regulations
C. Declaration of Covenants, Conditions, and Restrictions
RATIONALE: The Declaration (CC&Rs) is the foundational
recorded document that creates the association and encumbers the land.
Bylaws govern internal operations; Rules are subordinate to both.
2. A board member proposes a motion at a properly noticed board
meeting. What type of meeting is required to vote on the motion?
A. A special meeting only
B. A board meeting with a quorum
C. An annual meeting of the membership
D. A committee meeting
B. A board meeting with a quorum
RATIONALE: Board action requires a properly noticed board
meeting with a quorum present. Annual meetings are for membership
votes; committee meetings cannot bind the board.
3. Which of the following is a fiduciary duty owed by community
association board members?
,A. Duty of loyalty
B. Duty of care
C. Duty to act within the scope of authority
D. All of the above
D. All of the above
RATIONALE: Board members owe fiduciary duties of loyalty (act
in the association's best interest), care (act prudently), and obedience (act
within governing documents and law).
4. The business judgment rule protects board members from liability
when:
A. They act in good faith and with reasonable care
B. They make a profit from board decisions
C. They ignore expert advice
D. They act without documentation
A. They act in good faith and with reasonable care
RATIONALE: The business judgment rule presumes board members
acted reasonably and in good faith if they made an informed decision
without conflicts of interest.
5. A reserve study is best described as:
A. An audit of the association's operating budget
B. A physical and financial analysis of major common area components
C. A review of delinquent assessments
D. A tax filing requirement
B. A physical and financial analysis of major common area
components
, RATIONALE: A reserve study assesses the condition, remaining
useful life, and replacement cost of major common elements to guide
reserve funding.
6. A funding ratio of 70% in a reserve study means:
A. 70% of components are fully funded
B. The reserve fund has 70% of the recommended balance
C. 70% of owners have paid reserves
D. The study is 70% complete
B. The reserve fund has 70% of the recommended balance
RATIONALE: The funding ratio compares the actual reserve
balance to the fully funded balance recommended by the study.
7. Which federal law prohibits discrimination in housing based on
race, color, religion, sex, familial status, or national origin?
A. Fair Housing Act
B. Americans with Disabilities Act
C. Fair Labor Standards Act
D. HIPAA
A. Fair Housing Act
RATIONALE: The Fair Housing Act prohibits discrimination in the
sale, rental, and financing of housing based on protected characteristics.
8. A homeowner requests a reasonable accommodation for a
disability. What is the board's obligation?
A. Deny all accommodation requests
B. Approve only if the request is free
C. Engage in an interactive process and grant reasonable
