Certification & Training

Certified Specialist of Occupancy-Housing Choice Vouchers (CSO-HCV)

NAHRO’s Certified Specialist of Occupancy-Housing Choice Vouchers (CSO-HCV) designation demonstrates that an individual has the knowledge, skill, and ability necessary for:

  • Understanding the housing choice voucher occupancy cycle.

How do I become a NAHRO Certified Specialist of Occupancy-Housing Choice Vouchers (CSO-HCV)?

NAHRO has two paths to becoming Certified! Please refer to the chart below to determine the path that works best for you. 

Certification Requirements

Education & ExperienceHigh School Diploma or Equivalent AND 6 months of experience 
OR Associates degree and above (6 months of experience not required) 
Specialist TrainingCompletion of NAHRO’s Housing Choice Voucher Occupancy
OR Housing Choice Voucher Occupancy, Eligibility, Income, and Rent Calculation Training 
Ethics TrainingCompletion of NAHRO’s Ethics for Housing Professionals
OR Ethics for Management Training  
ExamPassing score on NAHRO’s Housing Choice Voucher Occupancy
OR Housing Choice Voucher Occupancy, Eligibility, Income, and Rent Calculation Certification Exam 
ApplicationSubmission of Certification Application 

Requirement to waive the specialist training and sit for the exam: 

To waive the specialist training requirement, participants must have five (5) or more years of experience in the Housing Choice Voucher Program (or as a case manager or supervisor for waitlists) and demonstrated knowledge in all the following:  

  • Determining eligibility for occupancy or program admission utilizing income limits, requirements, and additional criteria.
  • Monitoring program participants or residents for continued compliance.
  • Processing recertification for continued eligibility for program participation or occupancy.
  • Processing or monitoring program exit or residency termination.

NOTE: Individuals waiving the management training still have the following requirements:

Education & ExperienceHigh School Diploma or Equivalent
Ethics TrainingCompletion of NAHRO’s Ethics for Housing Professionals
OR Ethics for Management Training  
ExamPassing score on NAHRO’s Housing Choice Voucher Occupancy
OR Housing Choice Voucher Occupancy, Eligibility, Income, and Rent Calculation Certification Exam 
ApplicationSubmission of Certification Application 

If you are unsure if you are eligible to waive the specialist training requirement, please email professionaldevelopment@nahro.org or call 202-589-7211.

All applicants must understand the importance of, and agree to adhere to, NAHRO’s Professional Code of Conduct. 

Recertification:

0.5 NAHRO CEUs (5 training hours) are required every 3 years from date of certification.

For further information regarding NAHRO Certification, contact:

professionaldevelopment@nahro.org