11. Can HUD limit the number of times a counselor can take the certification exam?
Currently, HUD is not limiting the number of times a counselor may sit for the exam.
Currently, HUD is not limiting the number of times a counselor may sit for the exam.
Here is a link to the proposed rule.
*Update – The comment period has closed. Comments are currently being reviewed and responses are being prepared for inclusion in the Final Rule.
No. Comments must be submitted through www.regulations.gov or mailed to the address in Answer #1 in order to be evaluated for the final rule. As stated in Question 2 above, the comment period has closed.
Housing counseling agencies have always had strong and innovative partnerships with other service providers in order to meet clients’ needs and achieve their housing goals. This edition of The Bridge features a myriad of partnerships and collaborations among housing counseling agencies and housing stakeholders including federal and state government agencies, REALTORS® and and real estate professionals, government-sponsored enterprises, community groups, faith-based organizations, and civic associations.
HUD cannot make this change by rulemaking. The Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act (the “Dodd-Frank Act”) amended the Housing Counseling Statute by removing HUD’s discretion to certify counseling agencies or individual counselors. The Housing Counseling Statute now requires that all individuals that provide counseling for HUD Programs must be HUD-certified by way of passing a new written examination showing competency in each of the 6 areas prescribed.
The Dodd-Frank Act mandates that housing counselors demonstrate, by written examination, competency to provide counseling in each of the following areas:
You must pass the exam demonstrating proficiency in all six Dodd-Frank competency areas.
All counselors will be required to successfully complete the HUD Certification Exam within one year from the date of publication of the Final Rule to be eligible to continue providing housing counseling related to HUD programs.
The Proposed Rule requires that an individual successfully pass the HUD Certification only once to become certified.