Caller reported he could not reach the exam from the website. Support explained the exam is not yet available until the Final Rule is published. Support suggested the Caller contact HUD to discuss other methods of certification in the interim. (11:10am)

Caller asked what the exam dates were. Support explained the exam was not available until the Final Rule is published. Caller asked if the exam would be on the website when it was published. (Support mistakenly said yes.)

1:35pm Caller asked how they could become certified as a HUD housing counselor. Support explained the hotline was for support of the website and training therein. Support provided contact numbers for HUD.

Support could hear nothing for the first 30 seconds or so. When the sound came on, it appeared to be a conference call with someone from the Washington Times. I am unsure if the call came directly from their system or a participant. I said "Hello?" one more time and then hung up.

Caller was interested in becoming a housing counselor. Support referred caller to HUD and/or the local State Housing Agency.

Caller asked if there were any restrictions on who could take the training and/or be certified. Support explained that the training was free and that - as far as we know - the exam is open to anyone who would like to take it, but cautioned that the Final Rule could change that.

Caller asked how much the exam would cost. Support explained the exam will not be available until the Final Rule is published. Caller asked how a person/agency could be notified when the exam would be available. Support suggested signing up for the Office of Housing Counseling listserv.

Caller asked how someone could get certified. Support referred the caller to HUD.

Caller asked if the training cost anything. Support informed the caller that training was free.
Caller asked if one could do the training and take the practice exam until the exam was available. Support explained the Practice Exam was not available.
Caller asked if the examination would require a fee and how much that would be. Support explained those features would be determined by the Final Rule.
Caller asked if there was a timeline for the release of the Final Rule. Support explained we don't have that information and caller could contact HUD.

Caller asked if she could complete the training freelance of if she needed to be associated with an agency. Support informed her anyone could take the training.