Certification & Training

Certified Specialist of Rent Calculation Essentials (CSRCE)

NAHRO’s Certified Specialist of Rent Calculation Essentials (CSRCE) designation demonstrates that an individual has the knowledge, skills and ability necessary for:

  • Identifying income, expenses, and assets.
  • Applying appropriate deductions.
  • Accurately calculating complex rent for the public housing and housing choice voucher programs.

How do I get the Certified Specialist of Rent Calculation Essentials (CSRCE)?

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

Your Path to Become NAHRO Certified Specialist of Rent Calculation Essentials (CSRCE) Flow Chart There are two paths to become NAHRO CSRCE Certified. Path 1: If you do not have five or more years of experience managing the calculation or supervision of effective rent calculation (e.g., Occupancy specialist, property manager, program staff, or supervisor), you are required to take the NAHRO Rent Calculation Essentials Training. This path also requires you to receive a passing score on the NAHRO Rent Calculation Essentials Certification Exam, Take NAHRO Ethics for Housing Professionals OR Ethics for Management Training, and Complete the CSRCE Certification Application. Path 2: If you have five or more years of experience managing the calculation or supervision of effective rent calculation (e.g., Occupancy specialist, property manager, program staff, or supervisor), you may forgo the NAHRO Rent Calculation Essentials training. This path still requires you to receive a passing score on the NAHRO Rent Calculation Essentials Certification Exam, Take NAHRO Ethics for Housing Professionals OR Ethics for Management Training, and Complete the CSRCE Certification Application.

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 Training Completion of NAHRO’s Rent Calculation Essentials for HCV and PH Staff** Training 
Ethics Training Completion of NAHRO’s Ethics for Housing Professionals OR Ethics for Management Training 
ExamPassing score on NAHRO’s Rent Calculation Essentials Certification Exam 
Application  Submission of Certification Application 

**Note: this course is under revision and is not currently being offered.

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 in managing the calculation or supervision of effective rent calculation (e.g., Occupancy specialist/Property Manager, program staff, supervisor). They must also have demonstrated knowledge in all the following:

  • Determining rent, financial eligibility, or complete financial processing for eligibility for needs-based programs.
  • Monitoring changes in financial eligibility.
  • Evaluating program participants or residents for continued eligibility.
  • Processing recertification for continued eligibility for program participation or occupancy.
  • Processing and monitoring program exit or residency termination due to financial ineligibility.

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

Education & ExperienceHigh 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 Rent Calculation Essentials 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. 

DOWNLOAD CSRCE APPLICATION

Recertification: 

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

DOWNLOAD RECERTIFICATION APPLICATION

For further information regarding NAHRO Certification, contact:

professionaldevelopment@nahro.org

PLEASE CLICK HERE FOR A LISTING OF PERSONS NAHRO CERTIFIED