Certification Requirement – Housing counseling required under or provided in connection with HUD programs must be provided only by certified housing counselors who work for organizations approved to participate in HUD’s Housing Counseling Program. In order to be certified, an individual must both pass a standardized written examination covering six major topic areas, and work for an agency approved to participate in HUD’s housing counseling program.

Timing – Requirement in effect on August 1, 2020, which is 36 months after the date the certification examination becomes available.

See Housing Counseling: New Certification Requirements Final Rule on the HUD Exchange for more information.