Kryterion/Webassessor

Certification Exam - Exam Agreement

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.

Certification Exam - Reasonable Accommodations

Reasonable accommodations are provided to eligible test takers in accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA).

Before completing the Reasonable Accommodations Request Form, please review the information below. Requests that do not comply with the guidance below may not be approved.

If you seek extra time due to limited language proficiency, please review the Limited English Proficiency Policy. Limited language proficiency is not covered by the ADA.

Important Information About the Request Process:

Gather documentation before submitting your request.
Request accommodations before you register for the exam.
Submit a new request for each exam attempt.
Request accommodations for exams at a test center at least 45 days in advance (Test Center Locator).
Request accommodations for online exams at least 5 days in advance.
Note the following accommodations are only available at test centers:
- Special software or equipment
- Professional reader or recorder
Call 210-489-1461 if you have questions or concerns. Hours of operation are 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Eastern time Monday–Friday except Federal holidays.

Examples of Accepted Documentation

Recommendations of qualified professionals
Proof of past testing accommodations
Documented observations by educators
Results of psycho-educational or other professional evaluations
An applicant’s statement of his or her history regarding testing accommodations

Important Notes

Requests are not complete until Support confirms that sufficient documentation has been provided.
Online exams are proctored remotely using software that blocks all other computer applications. Screen reader or screen magnification programs will not  function during online exams.
Online exam candidates must provide their own equipment.
Candidates should contact Support if canceling or rescheduling a test center exam with accommodations.
Call 210-489-1461 if you have questions. Hours of operation are 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Eastern time Monday–Friday except Federal holidays.

Certification Exam - Test Center Cancellations Due to Emergencies

In the event of extreme weather or other hazardous or emergency conditions which occur or can reasonably be foreseen in advance of the appointed testing time, Kryterion will make every reasonable attempt to notify candidates of necessary changes to the testing appointment. In the event of extreme weather or other hazardous or emergency condition which occurs immediately before or during the test, the proctor will determine appropriate action. In the case of fire or similar extreme emergency, the testing site will be evacuated, and candidates will be rescheduled.

Certification Exam - 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.com and visit the Exam Registration page.

Certification Exam - Change Online/Onsite Registration

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

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.

Certification Exam - 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:

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.
Visit Online Testing Requirements to check equipment compatibility for webcam, microphone, and internet speed
Test browser functionality of the exam Calculator provided onscreen during the exam

HUDHousingCounselors.com 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.com 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.

Proctoring - Kryterion Testing Instructions & Rules

During the exam, test takers must abide by industry-standard testing rules. Certain actions and items are prohibited during testing. Read the following instructions and rules to ensure a successful exam experience.

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

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).

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.

Proctoring - Online Exam Support or Questions

If you experience issues with exam set up, launch, or during your exam, contact Kryterion Support immediately:

Live Chat for URGENT Assistance: Go to Online Proctoring Support, then select “Chat with an Expert" near the bottom of the screen. You may need to exit the exam page and access the link in a new window. After you enter your name and email address, the system should tell you how many people are ahead of you. Please wait for a Kryterion technician for assistance.
Webform: Go to Contact Support, then complete the form, including a detailed description, and submit. Webform responses may take up to 72 hours.

Candidates may experience long wait times for support during times of high volume. If your exam times out while you are waiting for support, Kryterion should reschedule you at no charge.

Certification Exam - No Shows & Cancellations Policy

To cancel or reschedule your exam, sign in to HUDHousingCounselors.com and select Access Exam Details in the Countdown to your Exam! section of your User Profile Dashboard.

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.

Please note: if you are unable to launch your online exam or re-launch your suspended online exam before it expires, you must contact Kryterion Online Support immediately for assistance or you will be considered a no-show.

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 if canceling an exam with accommodations.

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.

Please see the CANCELLATIONS DUE TO EXTREME WEATHER OR LOCAL EMERGENCIES policy.

Proctoring - Kryterion Testing Center Locations/Support

Individuals planning to take the certification examination at a proctoring center can utilize the tool to Locate a Kryterion Testing Center. Candidates can view appointment availability and schedule the exam via the Registration Process. Test centers cannot schedule your exam.

The exam will be available both in person and online throughout the US and in US Territories where there are proctoring centers, including Puerto Rico, Guam, and the US Virgin Islands. The exam will be available online only in the Northern Mariana Islands and American Samoa, as there are no proctoring centers in these areas.

For any additional questions relating to Kryterion Testing Centers, please visit the Kryterion FAQ page, Kryterion Support and select Onsite Proctoring or Chat with an Expert.