Certified Specialist of Occupancy – Housing Choice Vouchers (CSO-HCV)
NAHRO’s Certified Specialist of Occupancy – Housing Choice Vouchers (CSO-HCV) designation demonstrates that an individual has the knowledge, skill, 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 |
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) are required every 3 years from date of certification.
For further information regarding NAHRO Certification, contact: