NAHRO Certified Specialist of Occupancy-Housing Choice Vouchers (CSO-HCV)
NAHRO’s NAHRO Certified Specialist of Occupancy-Housing Choice Vouchers (CSO-HCV) designation demonstrates that an individual has the knowledge, skills 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 & 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 Housing Choice Voucher Occupancy OR Housing Choice Voucher Occupancy, Eligibility, Income and Rent Calculation Training | ||
| Ethics Training | Completion of NAHRO’s Ethics for Housing Professionals OR Ethics for Management Training | ||
| Exam | Passing score on NAHRO’s Housing Choice Voucher Occupancy OR Housing Choice Voucher Occupancy, Eligibility, Income and Rent Calculation Certification Exam | ||
| Application | Submission 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 & Experience | High School Diploma or Equivalent |
| Ethics Training | Completion of NAHRO’s Ethics for Housing Professionals OR Ethics for Management Training |
| Exam | Passing score on NAHRO’s Housing Choice Voucher Occupancy OR Housing Choice Voucher Occupancy, Eligibility, Income and Rent Calculation Certification Exam |
| Application | Submission 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: