Certification & Training

Certified Specialist of Inspection – NSPIRE (CSI-NSPIRE)

NAHRO’s Certified Specialist of Inspection – NSPIRE (CSI-NSPIRE) designation demonstrates that an individual has the knowledge, skills and ability necessary for:

  • Understanding the new National Standards for the Physical Inspections of Real Estate (NSPIRE) developed by HUD as they pertain to Public Housing, including:
    • Inspectable areas
    • Deficiencies
    • Scoring
  • Inspecting public housing units.
  • Conducting pre-inspection and inspection preparations and procedures.
  • Improving the scores of Public Housing Program properties.

This certification is designed for the Public Housing Program that is now required to implement the new inspection program known as National Standards for the Physical Inspections of Real Estate (NSPIRE).  This is not the certification for HCV programs — that certification is the NAHRO Certified Specialist of Inspection – NSPIRE-V (CSI-NSPIRE-V).

This is a NAHRO Certification and not the HUD REAC Inspector Certification. It is anticipated that HUD will outline requirements for their REAC Inspector certification at a later date.

How do I become a NAHRO Certified Specialist of Inspection – NSPIRE (CSI-NSPIRE)? 

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

Your Path to Become NAHRO CSI-NSPIRE Certified Flow Chart  There is one path to become CSI-NSPIRE Certified.  You are required to take the NAHRO NSPIRE for Public Housing Training and receive a passing score on the NAHRO NSPIRE for Public Housing Certification Exam. Additionally, you need to take NAHRO Ethics for Housing Professionals OR Ethics for Management Training, and complete the CSI-NSPIRE 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 NSPIRE for Public Housing Training 
Ethics Training Completion of NAHRO’s Ethics for Housing Professionals
OR Ethics for Management Training  
Exam Passing score on NAHRO’s NSPIRE for Public Housing Certification Exam 
ApplicationSubmission of Certification Application 

Requirement to waive specialist training and sit for the exam:

Due to NSPIRE being a brand new inspection protocol (i.e., 2023), this training cannot be waived.

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:

professionaldevelopment@nahro.org