Best Property Management Courses

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The Certified Apartment Management Course by the National Apartment Association tops our list as best overall property management course not only thanks to the extensive list of topics it covers, but because the topics can be applied to other property niches aside from apartments.

The topics covered in the Certified Apartment Manager (CAM) Course’s eight modules will prepare you for managing apartments, one of the most common specialties in real estate, and provide a firm foundation for growing your property management skills if your career leads you to other niches. This widely applicable foundation, coupled with its comparatively low cost, makes it our choice for the best property management course overall.

The National Apartment Association (NAA) has over 92,000 members throughout the U.S. and offers credentials and education to apartment industry professionals. The association consists of 141 regional affiliate organizations.

The CAM course covers the gamut of essential topics needed for managing apartments. It introduces students to industry essentials, financial management, legal requirements, property maintenance, management, inspection, and other important subjects like creating a relationship with residents. Students have a year to complete the 40 hours of coursework consisting of eight modules. They also have to show that they have actively managed apartments for at least one year before their exam date.

Modules can be purchased one at a time, or as a full program. The course is conducted online or locally. Exams are offered online and administered by Castle Worldwide.

The full course costs non-NAA members $1,125, while each module can be purchased separately for $150. The exam fee is included in the price of the course, but you’ll have to pay more if you need to retake the test. The course is only $900 for NAA members. NAA membership requires paying dues. Additionally, to maintain your CAM credentials, you’ll need to take eight credits of continuing education and pay annual CAM dues of $100.

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With their affordable price, comprehensive course program, and no background experience required, Penn Foster’s Property Management Certificate Course is our winner for beginners.

Most property management courses require a year or more of experience in the field before you can apply, but the Penn Foster Property Management Certificate Course is an exception. If you’re looking for a comprehensive starter course that doesn’t require time in the field first, check out Penn Foster for a deep-dive introduction.

Penn Foster is a unique educational institution that offers private high school, college, and career programs that you can afford. The company has been teaching students for over 125 years and is a leader in innovative, flexible, and affordable education. Each year, 300,000 students enroll to learn on Penn Foster’s unique PFx online learning platform.

The Property Management Certificate Course covers the basics of real estate law, maintenance, tenant relations, and facility management. The course is available completely online in a self-paced, mobile-friendly format. They don’t offer an in-person learning option, though. Thankfully, learning materials are included in your tuition, so you won’t have to worry about purchasing them separately. 

This course is very well-priced at $579 if you pay in full, with discounts often available. They do have monthly payment options, but you’ll end up paying more. The course includes access to student support services and the ability to connect with fellow students.

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For property managers who already have some experience, the Institute of Real Estate Management (IREM) offers a comprehensive, expert-level Certified Property Manager Course that has a track record of helping graduates get promotions and potentially more than double their income.

We chose IREM’s Certified Property Manager (CPM) Course as the best for working property managers because their program was created for professionals who are serious about getting promoted and earning a higher salary. IREM has been around since 1933 and its nearly 20,000 members have proven that its courses are worth it. CPM boasts 144% greater earnings than non-certified property managers and they land higher-level positions as well.

The CPM Course covers advanced-level topics such as investment real estate, ethics, and leadership. If you already have a degree, certain certificates, or over 20 years of experience in property management, you can skip seven of the eight required courses. The courses are offered in-person, and most are available online, too. There is a two-part final exam and certification called the Capstone. Most students graduate in 12 to 18 months. 

This course is one of the most expensive property management courses, costing between $7,500 and $8,500. There is an opportunity for IREM members to get a discount on some courses. You should also know that in order to maintain your CPM designation, you’ll have to continue paying yearly dues.

In order to graduate, you’ll need to have 36 months of qualifying real estate management experience, so this course is best suited to those who are already in the industry.

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For those with extensive residential property management experience, the Master Property Manager (MPM) Course is perfect for you. This course digs deep into the specialized knowledge you need to become an industry leader, set you apart from your peers, and open the path toward other certifications.

For seasoned property managers who have managed at least 500 units in the last five years, the MPM course is the highest NARPM designation, and credibility-wise, elevates you to the top of your real estate management career, making it our top choice for residential property management courses.

In addition to having managed 500 units in the last five years, the MPM course requirements include:

• Membership in NARPM 
• Letters of recommendation from three clients
• Letters of recommendation from two MPM designees who are not employed by your company
• Completion of 24 hours of courses plus 18 hours for the RPM
• Attendance two NARPM conferences or conventions
• Completion of the NARPM Ethics course
• Completion of several career electives such as attending local NARPM chapter meetings or serving as a committee member

To become an MPM, you’ll first need to complete the Residential Management Professional (RMP) designation. That course consists of 18 hours of coursework and costs $150 to apply plus course costs. Afterward, you can work towards your MPM designation by taking an additional 24 course hours.

The courses are available online with some in-person options. Each regional chapter hosts its own classes and presentations; the schedule for your chapter can be found on their website by entering your location. Courses range from $45 to $265 for non-members, though you can get significant discounts if you become a member at $295 per year.

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To get started in the vacation rental industry, the Vacation Rental Management Association (VRMA) offers the best specialized Vacation Rental Management Course thanks to its expert panel of course designers, low price, and short hourly requirements.

If your dream is to manage vacation rentals, then the VRMA’s Vacation Rental Management Course is your ticket. We favor this course because it’s specifically designed for vacation property managers, and its online format means you can learn remotely from wherever you learn best at your own pace.

The VRMA is an organization that has been bringing together vacation property managers, supplies, and other professionals since 1985. Members enjoy networking events, professional development and education, access to the VRMA magazine, and online content. 

This course was developed by the VRMA and a panel of leading industry experts in 2016 with the purpose of creating a property management certification just for vacation rental managers. The course contains five modules of everything you need to know to start or grow your own vacation rental management business. You’ll learn about business operations and planning, organization management, marketing and promotion, guest relations, and owner relations.

The self-paced course is fully online, which is great for busy property managers, but not the best for people who prefer to learn in person.

The Vacation Rental Management Course is $750, but you can bring the price down to $450 if you become a member. Memberships for property managers start at $540 per year. After you graduate, you’ll need to submit $100 and 15 continuing education credits every three years to keep your certification up-to-date. For those just starting out in vacation rental management, this is the perfect beginner course.

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For property managers interested in commercial property management, we chose the Building Owners and Managers Association (BOMA) Certified Manager of Commercial Properties (CMCP) course. You’ll benefit from BOMA’s commercial real estate industry reputation, the network it provides, and its world-class course content.

BOMA is the name to know in commercial property management, so it’s no surprise that their course is our winner. The course is custom-designed to make you an expert in commercial property management by giving you real-world knowledge and linking you to an international network of professionals.

BOMA’s Certified Manager of Commercial Properties (CMCP) course was custom-created in July 2019 to prepare property managers for a successful career in the industry. BOMA isn’t a newcomer to the commercial real estate space, however; they’ve been bringing together owners, managers, and property professionals of commercial buildings since 1907.

If you have a degree and some experience as a property manager, you may be able to skip the course and go right to the exam. However, if you don’t have a degree, you’ll need four years of property management experience and 30 hours of verifiable education in commercial property management to qualify. BOMA’s course is exactly 30 hours and meets all of the education requirements, so you’ll be ready for the exam.

The course covers subjects specific to commercial property management, including accounting and finance, commercial lease management, risk management and ethics, maintenance and property management, and more. It’s self-paced and fully online, and the digital textbook and study materials are included in the cost.

The exam and certification cost $675. If you need the 30-hour course, it costs $495. The test is offered at centers both in the U.S. and international locations.