The Housing Counselor Certification Requirements Final Rule implements statutory requirements that housing counseling required under or provided in connection with all HUD programs must be provided by HUD Certified Housing Counselors.
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HUD published the Final Rule for Housing Counselor Certification in the Federal Register on December 14, 2016. This rule implements statutory requirements that housing counseling required under or provided in connection with all HUD programs will be provided by HUD Certified Housing Counselors. With these certification requirements, the benefits to the renter, the prospective homebuyer, or the existing homeowner are increased assurance of a more knowledgeable housing counselor providing more effective housing counseling services. HUD expects that more knowledgeable housing counselors will lead to better identification of housing issues, more knowledgeable referrals and resolution of barriers, and a greater ability to avoid scams.
The rule provides guidance for agencies who are required to have housing counseling certified staff as well as regulations prohibiting the distribution of HUD Housing Counseling Program grant funds to agencies convicted of election law violations or misusing those funds in a manner that constitutes a material violation of HUD requirements.
If you have questions that are not addressed in our FAQs and need further information, please contact housing.counseling@hud.gov with questions. Please put in the Subject line “Housing Counselor Certification Rule” and, if applicable, the name of the HUD program you are inquiring about (e.g., Subject: Housing Counselor Certification Rule – ROSS).
Sign up for the Housing Counseling Mailing List to be notified when each resource becomes available.
HUDHousingCounselors.com Training and Testing Website
Access the free HUD Certified Housing Counselor Knowledge Assessment Tool:
Take the Knowledge Assessment (note: you must sign up for a HUDHousingCounselors.com account to access this)
Public Search for Agencies and Counselors
Interim Final Rule: Housing Counseling Program: Revision of the Certification Timeline (August 3, 2020)
Press Release: Housing Counseling New Certification Requirements Final Rule (December 14, 2016)
Federal Register Notice: Housing Counselor New Certification Requirements Final Rule (December 14, 2016)
Federal Register Notice: Housing Counselor Certification Examination Availability (May 31, 2017)
View the frequently asked questions as a one stop shop for all your inquiries regarding the final rule. Search for the FAQs by topic:
Additional Program Requirements
Certification Exam and Training
Certification Rule - Who Needs to be Certified
Compliance with Certification Requirements
Requirements on Other HUD Programs - General
Requirements on Other Specific HUD Programs
For upcoming trainings, visit the Training Digest.
Additional Final Rule trainings are available in the Webinar Archive.