Certification & Training

Certified Specialist of Section 3 and Labor Standards (CSSEC3)

NAHRO’s Certified Specialist of Section 3 and Labor Standards (CSSEC3) designation demonstrates that an individual has the knowledge, skills and ability necessary for:

  • Understanding the latest provisions of Section 3 standards and reporting.
  • Implementing a Section 3 program that complies with all Federal laws and requirements.
  • Identifying the Section 3 requirements associated with the use of Federal funds.
  • Developing a Section 3 action/implementation plan.
  • Understanding required record keeping, compliant processing, and resolutions for labor standards and Section 3.
  • Ensuring contractor compliance.
  • Understanding the best practices of other agencies in the industry.

How do I get the NAHRO Certified Specialist of Section 3 and Labor Standards (CSSEC3)?

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 Section 3 and Labor Standards (CSSEC3) Flow Chart There are two paths to become NAHRO CSSEC3 Certified. Path 1: If you do not have five or more years of experience contracting with vendors and contracts subject to Davis Bacon and other Labor Standards act rules, you are required to take either the NAHRO Section 3 and Labor Standards Training. This path also requires you to receive a passing score on either the NAHRO Section 3 and Labor Standards Certification Exam, take NAHRO Ethics for Housing Professionals or Ethics for Management Training, and Complete the CSSEC3 Certification Application. Path 2: If you have five or more years of experience contracting with vendors and contracts subject to Davis Bacon and other Labor Standards act rules, you may forgo the NAHRO Section 3 and Labor Standards Training. This path still requires you to receive a passing score on either the NAHRO Section 3 and Labor Standards Certification Exam, take NAHRO Ethics for Housing Professionals or Ethics for Management Training, and Complete the CSSEC3 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 TrainingCompletion of Section 3 and Labor Standards Training 
Ethics TrainingCompletion of NAHRO’s Ethics for Housing Professionals
OR Ethics for Management Training 
ExamPassing score on NAHRO’s Section 3 and Labor Standards Certification Exam 
ApplicationSubmission 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 contracting with vendors and contracts subject to Davis Bacon and other Labor Standards Act Rules (e.g., management program staff) and demonstrated knowledge in all of the following:  

  • Construction contracting, including: 
    • Pre-Bid & Bid Process Phase.
    • Contract Award & Pre-Construction Phase. 
    • Construction & Monitoring Phase. 
    • Project & Grant Closeout Phase. 
  • The Davis-Bacon Act and HUD Program Related Acts, including: 
    • How to determine the correct prevailing wage decision.
    • Ensuring compliance by contractors and subcontractors.
    • How to manage intended or unintended non-compliance.
    • Requirements for HUD postings and reporting.
  • Payroll analysis, including understanding and reviewing: 
    • Certified payrolls.
    • Apprentice documentation.
    • Allowable and disallowed payroll deductions.
    • Overtime requirements.
    • Employee interviews.
  • Section 3 under the new regulations, including: 
    • Minimum threshold requirements for Section 3 residents and Section 3 business.
    • How to calculate labor hours.
    • Compliance and reporting requirements.

NOTE: Individuals waiving the specialist 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 Section 3 and Labor Standards 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. 

certification APPLICATION

Recertification:

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

RECERTIFICATION APPLICATION

For further information regarding NAHRO Certification, contact:

professionaldevelopment@nahro.org

PLEASE CLICK HERE FOR A LISTING OF PERSONS NAHRO CERTIFIED