Accessing the exam

To access the online certification exam, to download Sentinel Secure, and to create your Biometrics Profile, you must be signed into your account on HUDHousingCounselors.hud.gov.

Once you are signed in, select Access Your Online Exam in the Countdown to Your Exam section of your User Profile Dashboard. Read the instructions on the Exam Pre-launch page then select the Proceed to Exam Status Center button at the bottom of the page to access the Webassessor Exam Status Center. From the Webassessor Exam Status Center, select MY ASSESSMENTS to view your exam details, download Sentinel Secure, create your biometrics profile, or launch the exam.

Please contact Kryterion Support if you experience issues with Sentinel, biometrics, or exam launch.

HUD test takers are never required to log into Webassessor separately. Exam related activity occurs through your HUDHousingCounselors.hud.gov account. Links to the Kryterion website are provided for informational purposes only.

Appointment details

Your test date details are included in your Assessment Purchase Confirmation email. Your test date details are also located in the Countdown to Your Exam! section of your User Profile Dashboard. You must be logged in to access your user profile. To change your test date, please log in to HUDHousingCounselors.hud.gov and visit the Exam Registration page.

Changing Online/Onsite Registration

Exam registration, cancellations, and changes are handled through your account on HUDHousingCounselors.hud.gov.

To change your exam delivery type, sign in and select Change Your Test Date in the Countdown to your Exam section of your User Profile Dashboard . Follow the steps under Reschedule an Exam to cancel your scheduled exam (the exam purchase will be refunded to the credit card used), then follow the steps to register for a new exam.

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, but those who do not pass can access their scaled score on the User Profile page of their HUDHousingCounselors.hud.gov account.

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.

System & webcam requirements

For online proctored exams, computer systems must meet the criteria outlined on the Kryterion Online Proctoring Support page. Before scheduling your exam, we encourage you to visit this page to test equipment compatibility, which includes checks for webcam, microphone, and internet speed. Individuals planning to take the certification examination online can prepare by taking the following steps:

1. Review the webcam requirements. NOTE: Beginning August 6, 2020, HUD will accept any camera for the online exam. An external camera will no longer be required until further notice.
2. Visit Online Testing Requirements to check equipment compatibility for webcam, microphone, and internet speed
3. Test browser functionality of the exam Calculator provided onscreen during the exam

HUDHousingCounselors.hud.gov cannot provide a webcam. You will not need a webcam if you choose to take the Certification Exam at a test center.

Note: A separate Webassessor log-in is not required for any step in this process. Candidates are automatically logged into Kryterion's Webassessor site with their HUDHousingCounselors.hud.gov account when they proceed to the Exam Status Center. Candidates should proceed to the Exam Status Center from the Exam Pre-launch page to complete the preparation steps and launch the exam. The Exam Pre-launch page can be accessed in your User Profile via Access Your Online Exam.

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 and transferring the results to FHA Connection, 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.

Transferring HECM Exam results to FHA Connection

Your HECM Exam results are submitted by Ajanta Consulting, LLC. Once you take the exam, your Pass or Fail results are taken and submitted in bulk to FHA Connection. You don't need to transfer anything! Make sure you have applied to be on the HECM Roster, this can take 3-4 weeks to go through. Once you've been approved and your exam results have been submitted you will show up 7-10 business days after result submission.

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

View additional Certification Exam - Group Testing Events Information.

Advice for a Successful Online Exam

• Download Sentinel Secure from the Exam Status Center, create your Biometrics Profile, and test your equipment at least one day before your exam.
• Some candidates may require assistance from their IT Department to install Sentinel Secure and troubleshoot any network or equipment issues.
• 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).

View additional Tips for a Successful Online Exam.

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. If you leave the workstation during the exam, Kryterion is obligated to inform your test sponsor and may suspend your exam.
• 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.