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Education

Co-operative Housing Management Accreditation

Whether you are looking for a career that makes a difference or turning your passion for co-op housing into a profession, the CHMA program opens new doors for you.

The Co-op Housing Management Accreditation (CHMA) is the first-ever national co-operative housing professional accreditation program.

Modern townhouse buildings with yellow window accents and a multi-story structure on top, exemplifying co-operative housing, are situated on a clear, sunny day at a street corner.
Simple blue icon depicting a person, shown with a circular head and curved lines representing shoulders and an arm or accent—ideal for representing co-operative housing or CHF Canada initiatives.
Who is it for?
  • For those who are already working as a co-op housing staff person or manager
  • For those who want or plan to work as a co-op housing staff person or manager
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What is it exactly?

Four core courses and two electives, can be completed within a 12 to 24-month timeframe, depending on the delivery option.

  • The core courses are: Property and Building Administration, Strategic and Financial Management, Human Relations and Maintenance.
  • Electives will focus on a variety of topics – stay tuned for details!
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How will it work?
  • Distance learning: this is self-directed on demand learning through the use of an electronic manual.
  • Hybrid: this is a mix of self-directed on demand learning using the electronic manual and four two (2) hour live online sessions.
  • In person: these are courses offered through the CHF Canada Annual Meeting Co-op Management Conference (CMC).

Each core course will range between 30-38 hours, this will vary according to the individual and may vary slightly for in person, distance or virtual delivery options.

And … the accreditation will be maintained through ongoing professional development training!

Courses

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Human Relations for Property Managers – core course

In this course, you will learn the fundamentals of human relations, whether as a supervisor, leader, employee, advisor or decision-maker. You will gain a basic understanding of personnel procedures, recruitment, management styles and business ethics. You will also learn techniques for interacting with members, the Board of Directors, contractors, regulators, and funders, as well as how to influence, motivate, and work with challenging situations and people.

Icon of a certificate or diploma with a ribbon at the bottom, depicted in dark blue on a light background—perfect for representing Co-operative Housing or membership recognition with CHF Canada.
Property and Building Administration – core course

In this course, you will learn the fundamentals of property management and how to manage different types of properties. Key topics include marketing, contract management, insurance, maintenance planning, essential financial reporting and planning, non-profit housing co-operatives, and co-op governance. Other topics include working with a volunteer Board of Directors, the legal framework for Canadian housing co-ops and the International Co-operative Principles.

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Building Maintenance for Property Managers – core course

In this course, you will learn about residential building systems and maintenance needs. You will learn the principles of residential construction, how to reduce risk and maximize the efficiency and life expectancy of building components, how to manage life safety systems, and how to oversee contract management and a capital replacement program in support of long-term asset management plans.

Icon of a certificate or diploma with a ribbon at the bottom, depicted in dark blue on a light background—perfect for representing Co-operative Housing or membership recognition with CHF Canada.
Strategic and Financial Planning for Property Managers – core course

In this course, you will learn basic accounting principles, how to use and analyze accounting and financial statements, and how to prepare and present budgets for the Board of Directors and members. You will also learn how to support co-op housing members and Boards in setting objectives and strategic plans, including monitoring and reporting on results.

Icon of a certificate or diploma with a ribbon at the bottom, depicted in dark blue on a light background—perfect for representing Co-operative Housing or membership recognition with CHF Canada.
Co-operative Culture and Living (elective)

In this course, you will gain a deeper understanding of co-operative identity and culture and how to put the principles into action, explore member engagement in a co-operative setting and examine co-operatives as community impact institutions. You will further grow your awareness of the co-operative ecosystem both at local and global level and have an opportunity to reflect on how your co-operative engages with its wider community and the larger ecosystem. Finally, you will look at co-operative housing challenges, opportunities and the evolving approaches to co-op housing, along with practices and principles that help create healthy co-operatives, communities and workplaces.

Schedule and Registration

If you already have a user account on CHF Canada’s eLearning platform you need to sign up for your first CHMA course through us – please email us at education@chfcanada.coop.

Building Maintenance for Property Managers – core course

Distance learning

Self-directed on demand

$500 +tax

Registration open

Sign Up

Hybrid

Self-directed on demand plus live online: January 23 & 30, February 6, 13 and 20, 2026

1:00 pm – 4:00 pm EST

Exam: Feb 27, 2026

$750 +tax

Registration open

Sign Up

Strategic and Financial Planning for Property Managers – core course

Distance learning

Self-directed on demand from May, 2026

$500 +tax

Registration open

Sign Up

Hybrid

Self-directed on demand plus live online: May 8, 15 & 22 and June 19 & 26, 2026

11:00 am – 2:00 pm EST

Exam: July 3, 2026

$750 +tax

Registration open

Sign Up

In person – hybrid

Self-directed on demand plus live online: May 8, 15 & 22, 2026.

11:00 am – 2:00 pm EST

In person: June 11 & 12, 2026 11:00 am – 5:00 pm at CHF Canada Annual Meeting in Fredericton, NB.

Exam: July 3, 2026.

CMC registration fees

Registration opens February 2026

Sign Up

Elective: Customer Services & Working with Others

Distance learning

Self-directed on demand

$500 +tax

Registration opens March 2026

Sign Up

In person – hybrid

In person: June 9 & 10, 2026 9:30 am – 4:30 pm at CHF Canada Annual Meeting in Fredericton, NB.

Live online: June 19 & 26, 2026
1:00 – 4:00 pm EST

Exam: July 10, 2026.

CMC registration fees including pre-conference

Registration open

Sign Up

Property and Building Administration – core course

Distance learning

Self-directed on demand

$500 +tax

Registration open

Sign Up

Hybrid

Self-directed on demand plus live online: July 7, 14, 21, 28 & August 4, 2026

3:00 pm – 6:00 pm EST

Exam: August 11, 2026

$750 +tax

Registration opens May 2026

Sign Up

Human Relations for Property Managers – core course

Distance learning

Self-directed on demand40

$500 +tax

Registration open

Sign Up

Hybrid

Self-directed on demand plus live online: October 3, 10, 17, 24 & 31, 2026

1:00 pm – 4:00 pm EST

Exam: Nov 6, 2026

$750 +tax

Registration opens July 2026

Sign Up

Elective: Co-operative Culture and Living

Distance learning

Self-directed on demand

$500 +tax

Registration open

Sign Up

Hybrid

Self-directed on demand plus live online: November 10, 17, 24 & December 1, 2026

12:30 – 2:00 pm EST

Exam: December 13, 2026

$750 +tax

Registration opens August 2026

Sign Up

Frequently Asked Questions

If you are interested in the Co-operative Housing Management Accreditation (CHMA), and currently have the IHM accreditation, we are discussing the process to apply this learning toward achieving the CHMA.

CHMA is a joint partnership between CHF Canada and IHM. We are determining a process to allow for prior IHM accreditations and/or courses to be applied toward the new CHMA. This will entail some additional learning and material but we are working on a way to make it as accessible and efficient as possible. If you are interested in this option, the additional learning should be available in late 2025/early 2026 and with minimal additional costs.

For the IHM courses taken to date and whether these can be considered/transferred to achieve the Co-operative Housing Management Accreditation (CHMA), we are currently determining the process for this. This will entail some additional learning and material, but we are working on a way to make it as accessible and efficient as possible.   This will provide the additional learning that is co-operative housing focused to be gained from the IHM courses you have already taken.

 

To obtain the CHMA, you would still need to complete the other missing core courses and elective.

The course can be completed within 12 to 18 months based on your available time.  The core courses will all be available to be taken through distance learning as well as hybrid (distance learning and live virtual classes). Distance learning is at your own pace. However, there is a current requirement to have the accreditation completed within no more than 5 years.

CHMA requires the successful completion of four core courses and two electives. The core courses are $750 plus tax* per course per hybrid, and $500 plus tax* for distance learning. We anticipate the electives to be in this range as well. However, some elective options my be delivered by other third-party educational institutions that set their own fees.

 

*Note: this is the 2024/2025 fee

No, not at this time. We are looking into this option for the future. However, the requirements and process are extensive and limiting. They also add substantial costs to the program.

The current elective options are being developed as targeted and tailored co-operative housing sector courses.

 

At this time, we have not yet identified other elective course options offered by other educational institutions for the CHMA. This will be considered and explored.

Yes, ongoing professional development is required to maintain the accreditation.

 

We plan to identify the required number of learning hours per year but will be flexible. For example, the workshops offered at co-operative housing federation education events (either virtual or in person), along with others outside the co-operative housing sector, such as plain language or project management course(s).

 

Please note: the final decision on this has not been made at this time.

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