CMCA CERTIFIED MANAGER OF COMMUNITY ASSOCIATIONS ACTUAL EXAM 2026/2027 | 200 QUESTIONS WITH VERIFIED ANSWERS & DETAILED RATIONALES |COMMUNITY ASSOCIATION MANAGERS INTERNATIONAL CERTIFICATION BOARD (CAMICB) LATEST UPDATE

CMCA CERTIFIED MANAGER OF COMMUNITY ASSOCIATIONS
ACTUAL EXAM 2026/2027 | 200 QUESTIONS WITH
VERIFIED ANSWERS & DETAILED RATIONALES |COMMUNITY
ASSOCIATION MANAGERS INTERNATIONAL CERTIFICATION BOARD
(CAMICB) LATEST UPDATE


SECTION 1: GOVERNANCE & COMPLIANCE (Questions 1–46)
1. Which document establishes the fundamental framework for a community
association's existence and operation?

A) Bylaws
B) Rules and Regulations
C) Articles of Incorporation
D) Declaration of Covenants, Conditions, and Restrictions (CC&Rs)

Answer: C) Articles of Incorporation

Rationale: The Articles of Incorporation is the foundational document
that establishes the association as a legal entity. It is filed with
the state and defines the association's name, purpose, duration, and
basic structure. The Declaration of CC&Rs establishes the property use
restrictions and assessment obligations. Bylaws govern the internal
operations of the association. Rules and Regulations are the most
flexible documents that address day-to-day community standards.

2. The Declaration of Covenants, Conditions, and Restrictions (CC&Rs) is
primarily designed to:

A) Establish the board of directors' authority
B) Set forth the use restrictions and maintenance obligations for
properties within the community
C) Define the annual meeting procedures

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, D) Establish the association's bank accounts

Answer: B) Set forth the use restrictions and maintenance obligations
for properties within the community

Rationale: The Declaration (also called the CC&Rs or Covenants) is the
document that "runs with the land" and establishes the use restrictions
for properties within the community. It also defines the association's
assessment authority and maintenance responsibilities. It is recorded
with the county and binds all current and future owners. Bylaws define
the board's authority and meeting procedures. Rules and Regulations
address day-to-day standards.

3. The Bylaws of a community association typically contain provisions
regarding:

A) The number and terms of board members and their duties
B) The architectural standards for property improvements
C) The assessment amounts for each property
D) The color scheme for exterior painting

Answer: A) The number and terms of board members and their duties

Rationale: Bylaws are the internal governance document that establishes
the board of directors' structure, including the number of directors,
their terms of office, election procedures, officer positions, and
meeting requirements. Architectural standards, assessment amounts, and
color schemes are typically addressed in the Declaration, Rules and
Regulations, or through board resolutions.

4. Rules and Regulations in a community association are:

A) The most restrictive governing document

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, B) The most flexible governing document that addresses day-to-day
community standards
C) Filed with the county recorder
D) Permanent and cannot be changed

Answer: B) The most flexible governing document that addresses day-to-
day community standards

Rationale: Rules and Regulations are the most flexible governing
documents because they can be adopted and amended by the board of
directors without owner approval (unless restricted by the governing
documents). They address day-to-day issues such as parking rules,
pet policies, noise restrictions, trash disposal, and common area
usage policies. The Declaration is the most restrictive and requires
a supermajority of owners to amend. Bylaws are also easier to amend
than the Declaration.

5. The hierarchy of governing documents in a community association, from
most restrictive to least restrictive, is:

A) Bylaws, Declaration, Rules and Regulations, Articles of Incorporation
B) Declaration, Articles of Incorporation, Bylaws, Rules and Regulations
C) Articles of Incorporation, Bylaws, Rules and Regulations, Declaration
D) Declaration, Bylaws, Articles of Incorporation, Rules and Regulations

Answer: D) Declaration, Bylaws, Articles of Incorporation, Rules and
Regulations

Rationale: The correct hierarchy is: (1) Declaration (CC&Rs) - most
restrictive, recorded and "runs with the land"; (2) Bylaws - internal
governance; (3) Articles of Incorporation - establishes the legal
entity; (4) Rules and Regulations - most flexible, can be amended by
board. When a conflict exists, the higher document prevails. Some

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, states place the Articles before Bylaws, but the Declaration is always
the most restrictive.

6. A community association manager is asked by a board member to enforce
a rule that is not in the governing documents. The manager should:

A) Enforce the rule as directed by the board
B) Ignore the board member's request
C) Advise the board that rules must be properly adopted and
communicated before enforcement
D) Send a notice to all owners about the new rule immediately

Answer: C) Advise the board that rules must be properly adopted and
communicated before enforcement

Rationale: A rule must be properly adopted by the board and
communicated to owners before it can be enforced. The manager should
advise the board member of the proper process: (1) the rule must be
within the board's authority under the governing documents, (2) the
rule must be adopted at a properly noticed board meeting, and (3) the
rule must be communicated to owners before enforcement begins.
Enforcing an unadopted rule can expose the association to legal
liability.

7. A board of directors has the legal authority to adopt and enforce
rules and regulations because:

A) The state statute gives them that power
B) The Declaration typically grants the board this authority
C) The owners voted to give the board this power
D) The manager recommended it

Answer: B) The Declaration typically grants the board this authority

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