Exam Related Topics
Learn About The Process
Appointment details
Your test date details are included in your Assessment Purchase Confirmation email.
Changing Online/Onsite Registration
Exam registration, cancellations, and changes are handled through your account on HUDHousingCounselors.hud.gov.
Be sure to review the No Shows and Cancellations Policy prior to making changes.
Feedback and scoring
Upon completion of the certification exam, each candidate receives an immediate PASS or FAIL notification, as applicable. Candidates who pass receive an email outlining next steps. Those who fail receive an email report with information as described in the practice exam feedback explanation. Passing scores are not provided to test takers.
Note: The minimum passing score is 500. Test takers do not receive information on topic area weighting with their exam scores. For most information, please visit the HUD FAQ on scaled scoring.
FHA Connection
The purpose of HUDHousingCounselors.hud.gov is to help counselors prepare for the HUD Housing Counselor Certification Exam and provide access to the exam. After passing the exam, counselor certification activities shift from HUDHousingCounselors.hud.gov to FHA Connection.
Questions regarding the application process for HUD Certified Housing Counselor certification must be submitted to housing.counseling@hud.gov with subject line "FHAC."
For additional steps to certification visit the HUD Exchange website and view the HUD Certified Housing Counselor Application Process. Certificates are available to print after the candidate's employment is verified in FHA Connection. Find instructions for printing your certificate here.
Proctoring and Rules
Technical Issue Assistance – Instructions & Rules
Launching the exam symbolizes your signature and acceptance of the following terms:
Each candidate deserves a fair and equal opportunity to demonstrate his or her knowledge in the examination process. Therefore, exam security measures have been developed to prevent any candidate from gaining an unfair advantage.
All exam materials are the property of HUD. Unauthorized removal of any material is prohibited. Any attempt to reproduce or memorize all or part of the exam is prohibited. Any unauthorized disclosure, publication, copying, reproduction, transmission, distribution, or possession of exam content or materials in any form without the prior express written permission of HUD may result in your disqualification from the HUD housing counselor certification program. The prohibition against "unauthorized disclosure" means you may not discuss the contents of the exam with anyone except those who developed or delivered the exam.
A proctor may dismiss a candidate, halt an examination progress, or report a candidate for any unauthorized behavior, such as any of the following: attempting to gain unauthorized admission to an exam site; attempting to take the exam for someone else; creating a disturbance; giving, receiving, or attempting to give or receive help from unauthorized sources; removing, or attempting to remove, exam materials; having in his or her possession any item prohibited from the exam taking area as specified above; exhibiting behavior consistent with memorization or copying of exam items.
Note: Exam sessions may be recorded.
Additional Exam Help
Advice for a Successful Test Center Exam
- Print your Assessment Confirmation Email and bring it with you to your exam.
- Verify both Primary Photo ID and Secondary ID are valid (not expired) and will be valid on test date.
- Arrive up to 15 minutes early for your exam.
- Be prepared for test center staff to secure all of your personal items in a locker during your exam.
- Be prepared to remove your glasses briefly for examination by test center staff.
- Request assistance from test center staff immediately if you encounter any technical issues during the exam.
Advice for a Successful Online Exam
- Exams should be launched at least 10 minutes before the appointment time, but may be launched up to 20 minutes after.
- Upon launching, you will be queued up for the next available proctor and alerted when a proctor becomes available.
- The proctor will communicate with you through a chat feature on the computer. Be prepared for possible interruptions by proctor requests during the exam.
- Prepare to work with the proctor before beginning the exam to ensure the testing environment and camera placement are in compliance.
- Use a camera stand to allow for quick adjustments to camera placement. Make sure the camera view includes your eyes, hands, keyboard, and mouse. (Beginning August 6, 2020 an external webcam is no longer required. HUD will accept any camera).
- If you wear glasses, the proctor will ask you to remove them and present them for inspection through the camera.
- Make sure the testing room is well lit, quiet, and free from distraction.
- Ensure your testing surface is clutter-free and contains only one computer, one monitor, one keyboard, and one mouse (online proctored exams).
Additional Guidance About the Exam
- Do not read the exam aloud.
- Do not interact with another individual during your test session.
- Do not leave your workstation or take a break for any reason.
- Candidates are not allowed access to or use of books, paper, reference material, or writing utensils during the exam. (Candidates will have access to an online calculator during the exam).
- Electronic devices, including telephones, cameras, signaling devices, pagers, alarms, and recording/playback devices of any kind are not permitted.
- Remove all items from your neck and wrist. Watches, bracelets, and necklaces are not permitted during testing.
- No questions concerning the content of the exam may be asked during the examination period. Listen carefully to the directions and carefully read the directions shown on the computer monitor.
- No examination materials, documents, or memoranda of any type may leave the testing room.
Limited Language & Accommodations
Limited English Proficiency
Limitadong kasanayan sa ingles | 제한된 영어 능력 | Trình độ tiếng anh hạn chế | Maîtrise limitée de l'anglais | 英语水平有限 | Konpetans angle limite
The HUD Housing Counselor Certification Exam is available in English, Korean, Vietnamese, Simplified Chinese, and Spanish. Candidates with limited English proficiency, limited Korean proficiency, limited Vietnamese proficiency, limited Simplified Chinese proficiency, and limited Spanish proficiency may request additional exam time.
Please complete the Limited Language Proficiency Accommodations Request Form to request additional exam time due to limited English, limited Korean proficiency, limited Vietnamese proficiency, limited Simplified Chinese proficiency and limited Spanish proficiency. Additional time is limited to one additional hour for a total of 3 hours.
참고: 한국어가 모국어인 경우 시험이 한국어로 제공되므로 언어 편의 시설을 이용할 수 없습니다.
XIN LƯU Ý: Nếu tiếng Việt là ngôn ngữ chính của bạn, bạn không đủ điều kiện để được hỗ trợ ngôn ngữ vì kỳ thi có sẵn bằng tiếng Việt.
请注意:如果简体中文是您的主要语言,则您没有资格获得语言便利,因为考试以简体中文提供。
TENGA EN CUENTA: Si el español es su idioma principal, no es elegible para una adaptación de idioma porque el examen está disponible en español.