Training

Knowledge Assessment - Results Feedback

The Knowledge Assessment, unlike the HUD Housing Counselors Certification Exam, poses questions at three levels of difficulty. By reviewing the results of this type of test, learners can assess their knowledge and focus their studies where there may be knowledge gaps. Within each level of difficulty, performance on questions answered correctly determines the feedback provided. 

After completing the assessment, each test taker receives personalized feedback via email and a summary report that identifies correct and incorrect answers and areas of strength and weakness. The summary report points to specific HUD Housing Counselors Study Guide module page numbers for further study. Test taker summary report is accessible via the Training tab on the User Profile. However, each new attempt overwrites the results of the previous attempt, so only the most recent Knowledge Assessment results are accessible via the User Profile. 

While reviewing the results, test takers should note that the responses highlighted in green are the correct responses. The candidate's incorrect response is outlined in red. Responses are highlighted in green and outlined in dark green when the candidate selected the correct response.

Knowledge Assessment – Access

To access the Knowledge Assessment, you must be signed into your account on HUDHousingCounselors.com.

Once you are signed in, click on the Training Center button on the home page, then click on “Take Knowledge Assessment.” If you are already signed in, you can access the Take Knowledge Assessment launch page directly.

Training - Knowledge Check Answers

Training materials include correct answers and corresponding explanations for knowledge checks. The online training provides feedback onscreen for incorrect answers submitted. The Study Guide provides the same feedback at the end of each module. 

User Account - Training & Exam Status

Your User Profile provides access to account information, including:

  • Access to update your name, state, email, or password.
  • Knowledge Assessment results.
  • Online Training Status, including modules in progress or completed. 
  • Exam Registration Status, access to registration and exam details.
  • Access to launch the online exam.
  • Certification Exam Status, including completion results.

To access your User Profile, you must be signed into your account on HUDHousingCounselors.com. Once you are signed in, select “Profile” at the top of the page. If you are already signed in, you can access your User Profile directly.

Training - Access & Requirement for Certification

Completion of training is optional and is not required to become certified. However, to increase certification exam passing rates, candidates are highly encouraged to study the course content.

To access the training, you must be signed into your account on HUDHousingCounselors.com. 

Once you are signed in, select “Training Center” at the top of the page. If you are already signed in, you can access the Training Center launch page directly.

Training is available to anyone who creates an account. You can choose from two study methods: an interactive online training course or a downloadable Study Guide in PDF format. 

Spanish Materials - Training & Exam

HUDHousingCounselors.com provides access to training and exam materials in Spanish. Sign into your account and take the following steps to access each component.

  • Training - Select “Training Center” at the top of the page. Then, select "en español" to find the Study Guide in Spanish.
  • Practice Exam - Select “Training Center” at the top of the page. Then, select “Take Practice Exam” to take the practice exam or learn more.
  • Certification Exam - Select Begin Exam Registration in the "Countdown to Your Exam!" section of your User Profile Dashboard.

Practice Exam - Eligibility, Availability & Access

The practice exam is free and accessible in both English and Spanish. You may take the practice exam as many times as you would like.

You do not need to be a housing counselor to take the practice exam; it is available to anyone who creates a HUDHousingCounselors.com account.

To access the practice exam, you must be signed into your account on HUDHousingCounselors.com.

Once you are signed in, click on the Training Center button on the home page, then click on “Take Practice Exam.” If you are already signed in, you can access the Take Practice Exam launch page directly.

Practice Exam - Feedback & Scoring

The practice exam is designed to give candidates a feeling for the format and style of test questions and the breadth of the subject matter in the test (90 questions that are not broken into smaller stand-alone sections). It is delivered in a similar format to the certification exam. The practice exam does not provide numeric scoring because performance on the practice exam does not guarantee passing results on the certification exam.

Upon completion, you will receive a summary page with feedback and recommendations for further study by topic. Please take note of the summary page, as you will not have repeat access to the results. The recommendations are based on how well candidates perform in each content area of the examination:

  • Areas in which candidates perform well receive feedback that some additional review is recommended for continued success;

  • Areas in which performance was marginal receive feedback that additional study is needed for moderate improvement; and

  • Areas in which performance was weak receive feedback that significant study is needed for considerable improvement. 

Training - Details

The online training consists of 15 modules that vary in length. Shorter modules take about 30 minutes, and longer modules may take up to 90 minutes to complete. 

The online training is interactive, but it does not include audio.

The Study Guide consists of 15 modules and a Glossary that vary from approximately 20 to 60 pages. A single file of the entire training is not available.

The Support team is not able to provide physical copies of the Study Guide. You are welcome to print the training as befits your needs to prepare for the exam. 

Training - Technology Requirements

To take the interactive online training course, be sure your computer meets minimum requirements by installing one of the following browsers: 

Windows:

  • Internet Explorer 11 or later
  • Firefox (latest version)
  • Google Chrome (latest version)
  • Microsoft Edge (latest version)

Mac:

  • Safari (latest version)
  • Firefox (latest version)
  • Google Chrome (latest version)

If you prefer, you can view the modules in a downloadable Study Guide, available in a PDF format.