Cost and Content Updates

Cost

The fee charged each time an individual takes the certification examination is based on the cost of administering the examination. As announced in the Federal Register Notice dated May 31, 2017, an online proctored exam costs $60 and an in-person proctored exam costs $100. Any changes in pricing will be published in advance in the Federal Register.

Content Updates

The certification examination is periodically updated to reflect changes in regulations and program policies. The certification examination will be based on the most recent version of the training content.

Receipt of Payment

The confirmation email you received when you registered for the Certification Exam included the amount you paid for the exam and serves as a purchase receipt.

Additional Account Support

User Account – Locked

You have up to five attempts to enter your account password on the User Sign In page before your account will lock. Locked accounts will unlock automatically after six hours, or you can expedite access by contacting the Support team.

User Account – Password Reset

If you are unable to recall your password, enter your account email in the Forgot Password? tool. Within a few minutes, you will receive an email with a link to verify that you are the account owner. You will need to set a new account password after email verification. Support does not assign or have access to user passwords.

If you do not receive the email with the link to reset your password, please check your spam and junk folders. Please also verify that you are checking the correct email address.

User Account – Username

For your account on HUDHousingCounselors.hud.gov, the "username" is the email address used to register for the account. If you receive an error while signing in, make sure:

• You are using the correct email address
• There are no blank spaces or other characters in the text box for the email address
• Your email address is not being autofilled by your browser.

User Account – Refunds for approved cancellation

Candidates may submit a request for a refund or fee waiver due to a documented personal emergency. Each request is reviewed on a case by case basis, and fee waivers are not guaranteed.

HUD Housing Counseling Mailing List

Visit the Housing Counseling Mailing List Registration. This HUD Mailing List is for housing counselors employed at HUD approved housing counseling agencies. Subscribers will automatically receive email notification of important housing counseling industry announcements such as new policy notices, employment opportunities, contracting opportunities, events, and training. This is a free service.

Security and Cancellations

Acceptance of terms & Security Measures

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.

No Shows & Cancellations Policy

Follow the steps to reschedule or cancel your scheduled exam (canceled exams will be refunded to the credit card used), then follow the steps to schedule a new exam.

• ONLINE EXAMS – Candidates are free to reschedule or cancel an online test session up to 24 hours before the scheduled testing time. Rescheduling an exam within 24 hours will result in no refund for the original exam date and a $50 fee to schedule a new one. Candidates who do not reschedule at the time of cancellation or miss their testing time will not be issued a refund and must purchase a new exam for $60. Be advised, 24 hours is not 1 business day; it is 24 hours prior to the scheduled exam start time. Candidates should contact Support if canceling an exam with accommodations.
• EXAMS AT A TEST CENTER – Candidates are free to reschedule or cancel an exam at a test center up to 72 hours before the scheduled testing time. Rescheduling an exam within 72 hours will result in no refund for the original exam date and an $85 fee to schedule a new one. Candidates who do not reschedule at the time of cancellation or miss their testing time will not be issued a refund and must purchase a new exam for $100. Be advised, 72 hours is not 3 business days; it is 72 hours prior to the scheduled exam start time. Candidates should contact Support immediately if canceling an exam with accommodations.

Candidates may submit a Fee Waiver Request for a refund or fee waiver due to a documented personal emergency. Each request is reviewed on a case by case basis, and fee waivers are not guaranteed.