David Duncan, CPM CMOC Granted General License

As of November 1, 2017, the Condo Management Regulatory Authority of Ontario (CMRAO) began licensing condominium managers. David is the first management professional in the province to be granted a General License based on equivalencies and experience, opening the door for other CPM® Members who manage condos.

Following an extensive review of Ontario's Condominium Act, the Minister of Government and Consumer Services created a mandatory licensing system. The CMRAO became a regulatory body overseeing condo managers and management companies in order to ensure that only qualified professionals with appropriate training and education hold a license.

To obtain the CMRAO General License a person must meet experience and education requirements which include one or more of the following:

• Successful completion of ACMO’s four challenge exams (which can substitute course completion).

• Successful completion of ACMO’s Registered Condominium Manager (RCM) exam.

REIC met with the CMRAO CEO and Registrar Ali Arlani in January 2018 to discuss the Institute's contributions to industry standards. Although REIC's mission does not include traditional advocacy, the Institute does advocate for its Members' breadth and depth of education, experience and ethical standards. REIC discussed the CERTIFIED PROPERTY MANAGER (CPM®) designation including its rigorous standards of education and experience, as well as Members' adherence to ethics and professional standards that go above and beyond the minimums set out in the Act. Although equivalencies are mentioned in the Act, currently the General Licensing is reserved for those who meet ACMO education requirements.

As of April 2019, REIC Past President David Duncan, CPM® CMOC was the first person in Ontario granted the General License based on equivalencies and experience. As such, he was exempt from completing the four ACMO challenge exams or the RCM exam. He was, however, required to complete the online continuing education course delivered by ACMO. General Licensees who fulfilled their education and experience requirements prior to November 1, 2017 were also required to complete the continuing education course by July 2, 2019 in order to ensure that their knowledge of the Act is up-to-date.

David reports that his application was 90 pages long and spoke to the courses required for a RCM in comparison to REIC and IREM requirements. He scored 92% on the continuing education course. "The CPM® and CMOC played a part in the application process, as did all of the volunteer work and conference seminars that I attended," says David, "I hope this is helpful to other Members." David continues to discuss competencies and qualifications with the CMRAO.

REIC congratulates David on this important accomplishment that further establishes the CPM® program as the highest standard of education, experience and ethics in property management.

For general questions and inquiries about the CMRAO and its services please contact info@cmrao.ca. •