(CAP-2101.20) RPA Capstone Experience Certification Exam

What Is the RPA Capstone Experience?

The RPA Capstone is the final exam in BOMI’s Real Property Administrator (RPA) designation, now delivered through BOMA International. It’s the last step after you’ve passed every required RPA course exam, and it pulls together everything from building systems to finance, law and asset management into one comprehensive test.

RPA Capstone at a Glance

An optional RPA Capstone Experience Prep Course is available from BOMA.

What Does the Capstone Cover?

The Capstone draws on the full RPA curriculum, including:

• Building design, operations and systems (HVAC, electrical, plumbing, life safety)
• Environmental health and safety
• Real estate investment and finance, including NOI, cap rates and cash flow
• Asset management and leasing
• Law and risk management for property managers
• Ethics and professional practice

Who Takes It?

Commercial property managers, asset managers and building operations professionals completing the RPA designation.

How to Prepare

1. Revisit every course you took, focusing on areas where your course exam scores were lowest.
2. Drill the finance formulas. It’s closed book, so you need NOI, cap rate, cash-on-cash and IRR basics memorised.
3. Review building systems at a manager’s level: what affects cost, safety and tenant comfort.
4. Take the prep course if you’re short on time.
5. Do full 100-question practice sets to build stamina.

A 4-Week Study Plan

Week 1: Building systems and safety. Week 2: Finance and investment. Week 3: Asset management, leasing, law and risk. Week 4: Full practice tests and review.

Common Mistakes

• Relying on the calculator without knowing the formulas
• Focusing on recent courses and forgetting early ones
• Assuming open book, when it’s closed book

Is the RPA Worth It?

The RPA is one of the most recognised commercial property management designations. Completing the Capstone shows employers and owners you have broad, tested knowledge across operations and finance.

Where the Capstone Fits in the RPA Journey

The Capstone is the last step of BOMI’s Real Property Administrator (RPA) designation, not a starting point. You first pass the required RPA course exams, then sit the Capstone to show you can pull everything together. By then you’ve covered building systems, budgeting, law, leasing, asset management and more, so the Capstone asks you to apply those topics side by side. BOMA’s career path material notes that holders of the PMFP or PAC certificate have only five courses left before they reach the RPA.

The Experience Requirement

Passing the exam alone doesn’t earn the RPA. BOMI also requires three years of verifiable property management experience, tied to a portfolio of at least 50,000 square feet. Each employer you list must verify that experience on BOMI’s RPA Capstone Experience form, so contact former managers early. Gaps in verification are a common reason the designation stalls after the exam.

Using the Prep Course Well

BOMA offers an optional, self-paced online RPA Capstone Experience Prep Course that you can start anytime. BOMA says its topics are suggestions only and that you should expand your study using the exam blueprint. Since the exam is closed book with only an on-screen calculator, practise the property finance formulas by hand until they’re automatic.

What’s in the CertsArea RPA Capstone Practice Pack?

• 300 practice questions with explanations across the RPA curriculum
• PDF plus practice test software for Windows, Mac and mobile
• Free updates for 180 days and instant download

Frequently Asked Questions

How many questions are on the RPA Capstone?

100 multiple-choice questions.

What score do I need?

A weighted score of 700 or higher.

Is it open book?

No, it’s closed book with an on-screen calculator.

How is it proctored?

Online through HonorLock in the BOMI Learning Portal.

When can I take it?

After passing all required RPA course exams.

Is there a prep course?

Yes, an optional RPA Capstone Experience Prep Course.

How much experience do I need for the RPA?

BOMI requires three years of verifiable property management experience on a portfolio of at least 50,000 square feet, confirmed by each employer.

Is the Capstone prep course mandatory?

No. BOMA’s RPA Capstone Experience Prep Course is optional and self-paced, and its topics are a starting point alongside the exam blueprint.