Certified Specialist of Eligibility and Calculation – Housing Choice Vouchers (CSEC-HCV)
NAHRO’s Certified Specialist of Eligibility and Calculation – Housing Choice Vouchers (CSEC-HCV) designation demonstrates that an individual has the knowledge, skills, and ability necessary for:
- Evaluating eligibility and income.
- Accurately calculating rent and utility allowances.
How do I get the NAHRO Certified Specialist of Eligibility and Calculation – Housing Choice Vouchers (CSEC-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 & Experience | High School Diploma or Equivalent AND 6 months of experience OR Associates degree and above (6 months of experience not required) |
| Specialist Training | Completion of NAHRO’s HCV Essentials (formerly known as Housing Choice Voucher Occupancy, Eligibility, Income, and Rent Calculation) Training |
| Ethics Training | Completion of NAHRO’s Ethics for Housing Professionals, Ethics for Management Training OR On-demand Ethics for Housers Training |
| Exam | Passing score on NAHRO’s Housing Choice Voucher Eligibility, Income and Rent Calculation OR Housing Choice Voucher Occupancy, Eligibility, Income, and Rent Calculation Certification Exam |
| Application | Submission of Certification Application |
Requirement to waive the management training and sit for the exam:
To waive the Specialist training requirement, participants must have five (5) or more years of experience working in the Housing Choice Voucher Program (e.g., Case Manager, Recertification/HCV Specialist) 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 or monitoring program exit or residency termination
NOTE: Individuals waiving the specialist training still have the following requirements:
| Education & Experience | High School Diploma or Equivalent |
| Ethics Training | Completion of NAHRO’s Ethics for Housing Professionals, Ethics for Management Training OR On-demand Ethics for Housers Training |
| Exam | Passing score on NAHRO’s Housing Choice Voucher Eligibility, Income and Rent Calculation OR Housing Choice Voucher Occupancy, Eligibility, Income, and Rent Calculation Certification Exam |
| Application | Submission of Certification Application |
Please note that due to regulatory updates from HUD, the HCVIER exam is currently unavailable.
If you are unsure if you are eligible to waive the specialist training requirement, please email professionaldevelopment@nahro.org or call 202-580-7211
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) required every 3 years from date of certification
For further information regarding NAHRO Certification, contact: