2. HUD Housing Counseling
Online Maria
Online Manual
Performance Reviews
Industry Latest
Counseling Certification
Q&A/Other Topics
WMY 2017

3. Meet Maria!
WMY 2017

4. Receive the Manual today and from NUL via email
Online Manual
Receive the Manual today and from NUL via
Login to your Basecamp account to access materials stored online
If you don’t have an account, let us know
What other information should be added?
WMY 2017

5. HUD Biannual Performance Reviews (BPR’s)
May be remote with Kym Torres – HUD POC
Notification of Agency Changes
Change of address or phone number
Staffing change, especially if billed to your grant (counselors and management)
Other issues that impair ability to comply with grant agreement (weather events)
Must notify within 15 days
Distribution of Pre-Purchase Home Inspection Materials
For Your Protection, Get a Home Inspection
10 Important Questions to Ask a Home Inspector
WMY 2017

6. Industry-Wide Fee for Service CounselorMax Branding
Industry Latest
Industry-Wide Fee for Service
CounselorMax
Beta testers
Branding
WMY 2017

7. Counseling Certification
OVERVIEW
Costs $60 online /$100 in-person
Online exam requires a webcam ($)
Exam costs are reimbursable if billed to HUD-CHC grant
Score 500 or higher to pass
90 questions
The test does not indicate if the response is accurate
no way to determine what was missed
Test taker should be very familiar with:
Fair housing regulations (protected classes, etc.)
Calculating lender ratios (front and back end), determining affordability, etc.
Various loan products
Feedback ed within 2 weeks
WMY 2017

8. Counseling Certification
LOGISTICS (Online)
Register through HUDHousingCounselors.com
May be able to take the same day
Have an external camera
The test taker's entire upper torso must be visible. This includes face hands, and keyboard. Proctor must also be able to view your screen
You cannot wear jewelry and if you are not within the frame of the camera at any time , you will be kicked out of the test
Get IT involved
Sentinel Secure™ must be installed on the workstation
You may need administrative rights on your profile to install  Sentinel Secure™ or any other software on to workstations
Sentinel Secure™ is the software for taking the HUD Certification Test and to create a Biometric Profile
Log in on time
May permit late logon within a few minutes, otherwise you must reschedule and pay an additional fee
 External items (calculator, books, papers, etc.) are not permitted
An online calculator is provided
WMY 2017

9. Counseling Certification
PRACTICE TEST
Requires a calculator for income to debt ratio questions. Questions are written in clear concise language and some answers are similar. Some questions may have (2) potential answers, so you must know the formula or the correct answer.
Affordability
Pre-Purchase
Obtaining Tenancy
Post-Purchase
Avoiding
Foreclosure
Avoiding Eviction
Fair Housing History
Fair Housing Violations
Significant Study is Needed 
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Additional Study is Needed
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Some Additional Review is Recommended

10. Counseling Certification
STUDY METHODS
Study Groups to discuss / debate information, build team chemistry and build everyone’s knowledge base. Amount of time needed to go through the modules, loss of time for appointments and other agency business are potential drawbacks.
Group Practice tests to reduce test-taking anxiety, build confidence, and (ideally) reach consensus on answers
Individual Practice tests at a designated time at your desk, allotting two hours. Leave a conference call line open to “phone a friend” (needed on the math questions)
WMY 2017

11. Counseling Certification
BEST PRACTICES
Establish a schedule that includes study groups, practice tests and live presenters (mapped with specific start and end dates)
Study groups should occur weekly or be pre-scheduled, last at least 3 hours per session, include reviews from the previous session and employees should receive snacks or lunch
Frequent discussions should be held with individual staff to find out if they need more remediation in a specific subject area
Bring in subject area experts to discuss specific topics (Fair Housing, Mortgage Underwriting, Consumer Credit Agencies and Landlord Tenant law)
Allow for group and individual practice testing
WMY 2017

12. Q&A/Other Topics
WMY 2017