California mobilehome and RV park operators should treat HCD Park Manager Training as both a training issue and a recordkeeping issue.
The official training path matters. The internal tracking system matters too.
HCD states that the Park Manager Training Program ensures at least one person is properly certified and trained as a manager for each mobilehome park or recreational vehicle park in California. HCD also states that the Program issues either a certificate of compliance for managers who complete the training and examination requirements or a certificate of exemption for managers who meet an exemption.
Official source:
CAParkManager does not issue HCD certificates, does not provide HCD-approved training, and does not determine exemptions. The purpose of this guide is to help park operators organize the internal records and readiness steps around the official process.
Used For / Not Used For
Used For
- Tracking training status
- Organizing certificate or exemption records
- Recording posting location
- Preparing questions for HCD or an approved provider
- Maintaining internal documentation and reminders
Not Used For
- Completing required HCD-approved training
- Issuing a certificate of compliance or exemption
- Determining whether someone qualifies for an exemption
- Legal advice
- Replacing HCD, a local enforcement agency, an approved training provider, or qualified professional review
What HCD Says About Training
HCD’s compliance page states that park managers have until May 1, 2026, or within one year of the manager’s hire date, whichever occurs later, to comply with training and examination requirements.
Official source:
HCD also states that each park must ensure at least one person employed as a manager, or acting in an onsite or offsite managerial capacity, is trained and successfully passes an examination.
HCD says training and examinations are provided by HCD-approved third-party providers and include:
- Initial training of at least six hours and no more than eight hours, including completion of an online examination
- Follow-up training every two years consisting of at least two hours and no more than four hours of coursework, followed by an online examination
Verify the current version directly with HCD before relying on any summary.
What HCD Says About Certificate Posting
HCD states that a certificate of compliance is issued to each park manager who successfully completes the training and examination requirements, and the certificate must be posted in a conspicuous location within the park managed.
HCD’s main Park Manager Training page also states that certificates of compliance or exemption must be posted in a conspicuous location within the park managed.
Official sources:
Your internal tracking system should record where the certificate or exemption is posted and when that posting was last reviewed.
Certificate Readiness Is Not the Same as Official Training
This distinction matters.
Official HCD-approved training is the formal training and examination path.
CAParkManager readiness tools help with the internal organization layer:
- Where are the records?
- Who is the responsible manager?
- What training status applies?
- Is the certificate or exemption documented?
- Where is it posted?
- What official source was reviewed?
- What is the next reminder?
Do not present internal readiness as official compliance.
Certificate Tracking Fields
Track:
- Park name
- Park address
- Manager name
- Manager role
- Onsite/offsite status
- Training provider
- Training type
- Training completion date
- Exam completion date
- Certificate type
- Certificate issue date
- Certificate posting location
- Follow-up training due date
- Annual fee notes
- Exemption status, if applicable
- Official source reviewed
- Last reviewed date
- Notes
This belongs in your Mobilehome Park Operations Binder.
Questions to Ask an HCD-Approved Provider
Before enrolling, ask:
- Are you currently listed as an HCD-approved third-party provider?
- Is this initial training or follow-up training?
- How long is the course?
- How is the examination completed?
- What records will the manager receive?
- How is the certificate handled?
- What should the park retain internally?
- What happens if the manager leaves?
- What follow-up training reminders should the park calendar?
- Who should the park contact for HCD account or certificate questions?
Document the answers.
Posting Checklist
Use this internal checklist:
- Verify the official HCD source
- Identify responsible manager
- Confirm training status
- Confirm certificate or exemption type
- Save copy of relevant record
- Post certificate or exemption in required/conspicuous location if applicable
- Record posting location
- Record date posted
- Set follow-up training reminder
- Set annual fee review reminder
- Record source last-reviewed date
For the shorter article, see HCD Park Manager Certificate Posting Requirements.
Fee and Annual Review Tracking
HCD’s compliance page states that all parks are required to pay the Program Certificate of Compliance or Exemption Issuance fee annually, and that the fee is paid at the same time that the park’s permit to operate fees are collected.
Because fees can change, verify directly with HCD.
Track:
- Fee type
- Amount shown by official source
- Payment timing
- PTO billing connection
- Paid date
- Responsible person
- Source reviewed
- Next review date
Manager Change Checklist
When a manager changes, review:
- Who is now acting in managerial capacity?
- Does the park still have at least one properly trained/certified or exempt person as required?
- Is training needed?
- Does the certificate posting need update?
- Does HCD account information need update?
- Does the owner/operator need to submit amendment or update forms?
- Were official sources checked?
Do not assume the record transfers automatically.
Official Source Directory
Keep these sources in your directory:
- HCD Park Manager Training Program: https://www.hcd.ca.gov/mmh/parks/park-manager-training
- HCD Park Compliance Information: https://www.hcd.ca.gov/mmh/parks/park-manager-training/compliance
- HCD Park Operation Resources: https://www.hcd.ca.gov/mmh/parks/park-operation
- HCD Mobilehome Park Maintenance Inspections: https://www.hcd.ca.gov/mmh/parks/mpm-inspections
CAParkManager Tool Tie-In
The full CAParkManager Compliance Preparation System includes certificate/posting tracking structure, official source directory concepts, binder organization, and readiness worksheets for park operations.
The free Park Operations Binder Checklist is the simplest starting point.
Bottom Line
The HCD Park Manager Training requirement is official. Your internal organization system is separate but important.
Use HCD and approved providers for official training, certificates, exemptions, fees, and requirements. Use CAParkManager-style readiness tools to track what happened, where the records live, what was posted, and what needs review next.
Official Sources to Check
Requirements can change. Always verify current training, inspection, permit, and enforcement details with HCD, your local enforcement agency, approved providers, and qualified professionals.
Next Step
Build a Cleaner Park Operations Binder
Start with the free checklist, then move into the full CAParkManager Compliance Preparation System when you are ready for forms, trackers, sample documents, and practical tools.
