Certification FAQs & Policies
Find answers to frequently asked questions and learn more about certification policies to help guide you through the NAHRO certification process.
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General Frequently Asked Questions
Have a question? Check out the list of frequently asked questions below. Have another question? Send additional questions to professionaldevelopment@nahro.org.
Is Ethics training required for certification?
Yes, Ethics training is required to become NAHRO certified, and every three years for recertification.
The Ethics for Housers course is self-paced and free for NAHRO members.
For the ethics requirement for certification, only NAHRO’s Ethics trainings will be accepted (effective as of 4/8/24).
Am I certified after I pass my exam?
No, you must submit a certification application after you pass the exam to become NAHRO certified.
Who is NAHRO certified?
Below is a list of all NAHRO certified individuals.
Questions? Please contact professionaldevelopment@nahro.org.
Once I am certified, am I certified forever?
No, NAHRO values ongoing professional development and requires that you get recertified.
Recertification FAQs
Ethics training and Continuing Education Units (CEUs) are required for anyone seeking recertification for their NAHRO Certification. CEUs are also required for NAHRO premier certifications (CME, CMPO, or CMVO).
What is a CEU?
CEU stands for Continuing Education Unit. NAHRO issues CEUs based on continuing education completed in the housing and community development field.
How do I earn CEUs?
NAHRO Trainings
You can earn CEUs by attending most NAHRO trainings. These CEUs are listed on your participation certificate and in your Transcript in the NAHRO Learning Portal. The amount earned depends on the length of the training.
National NAHRO conferences
Attendees of National NAHRO conferences (Washington Conference, Summer Symposium, and National Conference) can earn CEUs by attending sessions.
Starting in April 2024, CEUs are issued automatically to attendees who pick up their badge at the conference. For conferences prior to April 2024, contact professionaldevelopment@nahro.org.
Non-NAHRO trainings
Housing and community development trainings from other providers may count toward NAHRO CEUs if you provide proof of credit and the training length.
Non-training CEUs
CEUs can also be earned through approved non-training opportunities. To have these CEUs issued, submit the Approval for CEUs application.
Publish a housing-related article — 0.7 CEUs per year
National president — 2.5 CEUs per term
National committee chair — 1.9 CEUs per term
Regional president — 1.4 CEUs per term
State chapter president — 1.4 CEUs per term
Chair of a regional or state committee — 0.7 CEUs per term
Active member of a national committee — 0.30 CEUs per term
Assist in developing a national conference session — 0.2 CEUs
Moderate a national conference session — 0.2 CEUs
Participate as a panelist for a national conference session — 0.3 CEUs
Teach a housing-related class (2+ times per year) — 0.7 CEUs per year
How many CEUs do I need for recertification?
Most NAHRO certifications require 0.5 CEUs every three years. Premier certifications (CME, CMPO, and CMVO) require additional CEUs.
CEUs earned from Ethics for Housers can be used towards recertification.
Find the requirements for your specific recertification on the Recertification Catalog.
CEUs must be completed after the issue date of your current certification and must have been completed within the past 3 years.
How many CEUs is a training worth?
Typically, 1 hour of training = 0.1 CEUs. NAHRO trainings vary in length and CEU value. To learn more, view the Training and Certification Catalog.
Do trainings from other providers count?
If the training is related to housing and community development and you can provide proof of credit and documentation of the training’s length, it will likely count.
For questions about a specific training, contact professionaldevelopment@nahro.org.
Where do I submit my CEUs?
NAHRO offers an application to submit CEUs for approval. Documentation should include proof of completion, such as a participation certificate, and confirmation of the training length.
If you would like confirmation before submitting, contact professionaldevelopment@nahro.org.
How do I view my CEUs?
Visit the NAHRO Learning Portal, sign in, and view your Transcript to see all earned CEUs.
Certification Fast Track
All of our certifications require completion of specialist training; however, this requirement may be waived for certain certifications. Review the training requirement waiver guidelines below for more information.
Important Note: Ethics for Housers and exam requirements cannot be waived.
Certified Specialist of Housing Choice Vouchers (CSHCV)
Training Requirement Waiver Guidelines:
| Five (5) or more years of experience working in the Housing Choice Voucher Program (e.g., Case Manager, Recertification/HCV Specialist) 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 or monitoring program exit or residency termination. Note: Individuals who waive the specialist training must still meet all other application requirements. |
Certified Specialist of Public Housing (CSPH)
Training Requirement Waiver Guidelines
| Five (5) or more years of experience working in the public housing sector (e.g., Case/Asset/ Property Managers, Supervisors) and demonstrated knowledge in all the following: -Public Housing regulations, statutes, policies, and procedures relating to admission, occupancy, and initial and on-going eligibility. -Rules and regulations regarding the Public Housing lease.Rules and regulations relating to grievances and informal reviews, preferences, and the Violence Against Women Act. -An understanding of how PH occupancy rates affect agency funding and indicators of the Public Housing Assessment System (PHAS). Note: Individuals who waive the specialist training must still meet all other application requirements. |
Certified Specialist of Family Self-Sufficiency (CSFSS)
Training Requirement Waiver Guidelines
| Five (5) or more years of experience working in the Family Self Sufficiency program (e.g., Coordinator, FSS Case Manager, or Eligibility Specialist) and demonstrated knowledge in all the following: -Executing an Individual Training and Services Plan (ITSP) for every head of FSS family/each adult member of the FSS family that elects to participate in the FSS program. -Securing services included in the participants’ Contracts of Participation and making certain those services are provided on a continuing, consistent, and satisfactory basis – including, but not limited to, education, financial education/management/coaching programs, health, employment, and job development through service delivery and/or leveraging partnerships with organizations/companies. -Monitoring, evaluating, and reporting the progress of participants fulfilling their responsibilities under each contract. -Establishing and properly maintaining FSS escrow accounts for eligible families. -Building partnerships with employers and service providers in the community. -Working with an active Program Coordinating Committee (PCC). Note: Individuals who waive the specialist training must still meet all other application requirements. |
Certified Maintenance Manager (CMM)
Training Requirement Waiver Guidelines
| Five (5) or more years of experience working within a housing maintenance program (e.g., maintenance manager/supervisor)* and demonstrated knowledge in all the following: -Ability to effectively hire, on-board, manage, coach, and evaluate maintenance employees. -Ability to develop program and property level maintenance, preventative maintenance and disaster/contingency plans based on owner/agency goals and asset preservation strategies. -Effectively and efficiently prioritize the daily work and projects and maximize the performance of maintenance employees. -Effectively and efficiently managing property and program resources such as inventory, equipment, tools, and budget. -Ability to calculate vacancy loss (total unit turnover time) and minimize the time maintenance needs to turnover units. *This experience can be acquired through work with a private housing organization, public sector/local/state housing authorities or a combination of both. Note: Individuals who waive the specialist training must still meet all other application requirements. |
Certified Public Housing Manager (C-PHM)
Training Requirement Waiver Guidelines
| Five (5) or more years of experience working in the public housing sector (e.g., Case/Asset/Property Managers, Occupancy Specialists) and demonstrated knowledge in all the following: -Public Housing regulations, statutes, policies, and procedures relating to admissions and continued occupancy. -Rules and regulations relating to hearings, grievances, and terminations in public housing. -Federal rules and requirements of the Capital Fund Program. -Requirements pertaining to the use and protocol of the annual inspection and Uniform Physical Condition Standards in public housing. -Federal guidelines and indicators of the Public Housing Assessment Program System (PHAS). Note: Individuals who waive the specialist training must still meet all other application requirements. |
NAHRO Certified Manager of Property Operations (CMPO)
Training Requirement Waiver Guidelines
| Ten (10) or more years of (any combination) experience OR seven (7) or more years of experience (in a management position) in property management within the public sector. Roles that may be considered are HCV Program/Asset/Property Manager, Deputy Director, and Department Director. They must also have demonstrated knowledge in all the following: -The federally required rules and regulations as they pertain to the industry. -The critical nature of property management and care of the asset. -A talent for marketing and continued occupancy of a residential community Management of day-to-day operations, including staffing and maintenance, of a residential community. -Completion of compliance related responsibilities of all programs or financing requirements of the community. -Requirements of modernization and capital improvements of a community. -Management of budgets, capital needs assessments, procurement, and reserves for the community. Note: Individuals who waive the specialist training must still meet all other application requirements. |
Certified Manager of Voucher Operations (CMVO)
Training Requirement Waiver Guidelines
| Seven (7) or more years of experience within the Public Housing Sector (e.g., serving as HCV Program Manager, or Senior-level housing management). They must also have demonstrated knowledge in all the following: -The federally required rules and regulations as they pertain to the industry. -The basic federal requirements of HCV eligibility. -The HCV re-certification and inspection requirements. -Production of staffing plans and budgets for the program. -The HCV/Section 8 Management Assessment Program indicators. -Establishment of payment standards and other policies that impact the success of the program. -The full utilization of all funds. Note: Individuals who waive the specialist training must still meet all other application requirements. |
Certified Management Executive (CME)
Training Requirement Waiver Guidelines
| Fifteen (15) or more years of experience in a management and/or executive position (for example, but not limited to: CEO, CFO, Executive Director, Deputy Director, Department Director, Division Director, Division Manager, Team Manager, Program Manager, Regional Manager, and Property Manager). -Management and leadership of staff within a department, division, group, community, or team. -Federal, state, and local laws and regulations pertaining to affordable housing development, program management, and compliance. -Ethical management and leadership practices. -Managing and coping with difficult personnel and performance related challenges. -Critical decision-making skills and practices. -Effective relationship building and collaboration. -Well-developed leadership styles. -Enhanced and effective communication style and practices. -The ability to establish a highly motivating and creative work environment and brand. -The tools necessary for exercising effective management and leadership skills. Note: Individuals who waive the specialist training must still meet all other application requirements. |
Certifications Not Eligible for Fast Track
The certifications listed below are not eligible for the fast-track option, meaning all applicants are required to meet the specialist training requirement noted in the application.
- Certified Specialist of Inspection – Voucher Operations (CSI-VO)
- (Previously known as Certified Specialist of Inspection – NSPIRE (CSI- NSPIRE-V)
- Certified Specialist of Fair Housing (CSFH)
- NAHRO Certified Commissioner (NCC)
- Certified Specialist of Inspection – Public Housing Operations (CSI-PH)
- (Previously known as Certified Specialist of Inspection – NSPIRE (CSI- NSPIRE)
Certification Policies
For training requirements as a prerequisite to certification, NAHRO will accept equivalent trainings from other providers if you provide proof of credit for attending the training, with the following exceptions:
- Non-NAHRO Ethics trainings are not accepted (effective as of 4/7/24).
- Non-NAHRO training is not accepted for the CS-LIHTC Certification
Any training required for certification will remain valid for three years after the training credit is issued (effective as of 5/1/24).
If you took a training over three years ago, you must either retake the training or, if you have the required years of experience, waive the training requirement.
Similar to training requirements, passing exam scores are valid for three years from the date the exam score is issued (effective as of 5/1/24).
If you earned a passing score over three years ago, you must retake the exam. Exam requirements cannot be waived.
NAHRO has a six-month grace period for certification expirations (effective as of 5/1/24). If your certification has expired within the last six months, you can still recertify and stay within your current certification cycle! The recertification process does not require you to re-take exams, however, you must earn the required Continuing Education Units (CEUs) before applying for recertification.
If it has been more than six months since your certification expired, you will need to start the full certification process over, including passing the applicable exam.
Ethics for Housers is required for recertification of all NAHRO certifications (effective as of 1/1/26).
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