Certified Specialist of Public Housing (CSPH)
NAHRO’s Certified Specialist of Public Housing (CSPH) designation demonstrates that an individual has the knowledge, skills and ability necessary for:
- Evaluating eligibility and income.
- Calculating rents and utility allowances accurately.
- Understanding the tasks and processes associated with the public housing occupancy cycle.
- Effective interviewing and screening.
- Maintaining waitlists.
- Understanding lease and grievance procedures.
How do I get the NAHRO Certified Specialist of Public Housing (CSPH)?
NAHRO has two paths to becoming Certified! You can take the specialist training path, or waive the training if you have the required years of work experience. Please refer to the requirements 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 Public Housing 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 Public Housing 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 working in the public housing sector (e.g., Case/Asset/ Property Managers, Supervisors) and demonstrated knowledge in all the following:
- Public Housing regulations, statutes, policies, and procedures relating to admission, occupancy, and initial and on-going eligibility.
- Rules and regulations regarding the Public Housing lease.
- Rules and regulations relating to grievances and informal reviews, preferences, and the Violence Against Women Act.
- An understanding of how PH occupancy rates affect agency funding and indicators of the Public Housing Assessment System (PHAS).
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 the Public Housing 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 202-580-7211.
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.
Effective January 1, 2026: Ethics for Housers will be a requirement for recertification of all NAHRO certifications. For more information, visit the Certification Policies page.
For further information regarding NAHRO Certification, contact: