NAHMA Certifications
SAHMA and NAHMA are the leading developers of continuing education and comprehensive management courses for affordable housing owners, managers and on-site staff. Certification programs ensure that quality affordable housing continues to be a part of this country's domestic policy and everyone in our industry should be proud of their contribution to it. Classes and certifications programs are offered periodically throughout the year all over the SAHMA region.
Blended Compliance Designation · Certified Professional of Occupancy · Fair Housing Compliance · CGPM
NAHP Certification · The Affordable Housing Maintenance Credential (NAHMT) · Tax Credit Training & Online SHCM
NAHMA Certifications
Blended Compliance Designation (BCD)
(This course is currently unavailable; NAHMA is in the process of reviewing and updating the course).
The Blended Compliance Designation (BCD) course is a comprehensive program designed to cover advanced topics related to working with the HUD 4350.3 Occupancy handbook such as managing mixed-finance properties, managing corporate access to HUD secure systems, managing front-line staff in their occupancy compliance duties, and more. Created by the National Affordable Housing Management Association (NAHMA) and course development sponsored by Yardi Systems, Inc., This program is composed of a full day of classroom instruction and a two-hour exam. Each participant will receive a copy of the NAHMA Blended Compliance Designation course manual. Individuals must pass the exam to become certified BCDs. All participants who successfully complete the course and pass the exam will receive a BCD certificate and lapel pin and will be listed in NAHMA’s online Credential Directory.
It is recommended that course attendees have a solid working knowledge of the HUD 4350.3 Handbook prior to registration. (Prior certification, such as earning your CPO, is recommended but not required.)
Content covered includes the following:
Senior Regulatory Management:
Housing Covered Under Section 504, Section 504 Regulations, 504 Coordinators, Notification and Outreach, Confidentiality and Accessibility, New Construction, Non-Substantial Alterations, Common Areas, Providing Modifications, Determining Reasonable Accommodation, Review of Requests, Monitoring, and Self-Evaluation and Quality Control, Addendum B Issues Related to 504 Reporting, Affirmative Fair Housing Marketing Plan Requirements, AFHMP Review During MOR, LEP Development and Oversight, VAWA.
HUD Secure Systems:
WASS, Types of Users, Obtaining/Maintaining Access to System, APPS, TRACS, Common MAT Errors, iMAX, SAVE, EIV, LOCCS, FASS-MF, Reporting Requirements for Owners/Agents, Privacy Issues.
Combined Funding:
Allowable combinations, Low-Income Housing Tax Credit Basics, HOME Basics, Rural Development Basics, Housing Choice Voucher Basics, Housing Conversion Actions, the Rental Assistance Demonstration (RAD) Program, Basics of Eligibility in Combined Funding Projects, Social Security Number Requirements, Citizenship requirements, Screening for Criminal Activity, Screening for Suitability, LIHTC Student Rule, Section 8 Student Rule, Calculating and Verifying Income, Income Limits, Rent Limits, Utility Allowances.
For more information visit https://www.nahma.org/education/blended-compliance-designation/
Certified Professional of Occupancy (CPO)
The Certified Professional of Occupancy (CPO) course is a comprehensive program for affordable housing property management staff. Created by the National Affordable Housing Management Association (NAHMA), on the HUD Handbook 4350.3. This course has been updated to reflect all changes in the 4350.3 Handbook. The CPO is a required course for the National Affordable Housing Professional (NAHP) certification.
The CPO course covers all portions of the 4350.3, including eligibility, occupancy standards, tenant screening, assets and income, the lease and rent computations, etc. It provides exceptional occupancy information for all types of affordable property management staff. Each participant will receive a copy of the NAHMA CPO manual and a link to the 4350.3 HUD Handbook.
The program is composed of classroom instruction with a take home “open book” four (4) hour certification exam that must be taken within 3 weeks of completing the course. Participants who successfully complete this course and pass the exam will receive a CPO certificate and lapel pin. All CPOs will be listed in NAHMA’s Online Credential Directory. Each year following certification, all CPOs will need to submit a modest renewal fee in order to maintain their certification. Fees and reasonable expenses for the course are an approved project expense. It is recommended that course attendees have a basic knowledge of the HUD 4350.3 prior to registration.
Fees and reasonable expenses for the course are an approved project expense. It is recommended that course attendees have a basic knowledge of the HUD 4350.3 prior to registration.
Online CPO Exam – At the end of the course you will receive a voucher number and can take the four (4) hour "open book" exam at your convenience but within 3 weeks of completing the course. Take the exam at a time and place that works for you and NO proctor is required! You will receive the voucher number and instructions on how to log into the website that hosts the exam at the end of the course. Students are notified immediately of their test results upon completion of the exam.
*This exam is compatible with Internet Explorer 9 and higher, Safari web browsers, Chrome, Firefox or Microsoft Edge and compatible with iPad tablets.
For information and to obtain an application visit https://www.nahma.org/education/certified-professional-occupancy/
The Fair Housing Compliance (FHC) course is a comprehensive program offered by the National Affordable Housing Management Association (NAHMA) for property management staff. NAHMA’s Fair Housing Compliance course trains managers to understand complex fair housing regulations.
The requirements set forth in the Fair Housing Act and Section 504 regulations are enormously complex and far-reaching. NAHMA’s Fair Housing Compliance™ (FHC™) course trains managers to understand these complex regulations, and provides clear instructions on fair housing laws. The comprehensive, practical training manual for this course includes ready-to-use documents and forms to conduct a Section 504 Self-Evaluation and sample Transition Plan. The course teaches a step-by-step approach to determining the administrative and financial feasibility of making units accessible. Not only does NAHMA’s Fair Housing course cover the application process, which includes screening, accepting, and rejecting applicants, it also presents instruction on developing company-wide policies and procedures.
Each participant will receive a copy of the NAHMA Fair Housing manual. The program is composed of classroom instruction and a take home two (2) hour certification exam that must be taken within 3 weeks of completing the course. Individuals must pass this exam to obtain the FHC designation. The FHC is a requirement for NAHMA’s National Affordable Housing Professional (NAHP) certification program.
All participants who successfully complete this course and pass the exam will receive a FHC certificate and pin, and be listed in NAHMA’s Online Credential Directory.
Online FHC Exam - An exciting feature of the Fair Housing Compliance certification course is the opportunity to take the FHC exam online AND in the comfort of your office or home. At the end of the course you will receive a voucher number via email and can take the two (2) hour exam at your convenience but within 3 weeks of completing the course. Take the exam at a time and place that works for you and NO proctor is required! You will receive the voucher number and instructions on how to log into the website that hosts the exam at the end of the course via email. Individuals must pass this exam to obtain the FHC designation.
*This exam is compatible with Internet Explorer 9 and higher, Safari web browsers, Chrome, Firefox or Microsoft Edge and compatible with iPad tablets.
For information and to obtain an application visit https://www.nahma.org/education/fair-housing-compliance/
NAHMA Credentials
Credential for Green Property Management™ (CGPM™)
The National Affordable Housing Management Association (NAHMA) and National Apartment Association Education Institute (NAAEI) offer the Credential for Green Property Management™ (CGPM™) to on-site managers, maintenance staff and supervisors of front-line staff based on green building principles and best practices, and HUD Office of Affordable Preservation (OAHP) – established guidelines, with training offered by OAHP-recognized trainers.
The Credential for Green Property Management will provide management companies and owners a mechanism for meeting their initial and ongoing training commitments to OAHP if they have opted for a green Mark-to-Market restructuring.
The Credential for Green Property Management is not restricted to employees of management companies who have opted for OAHP green restructuring. This credential will also benefit on-site managers, maintenance staff and supervisors of front-line staff at other affordable and conventional apartment communities employing Green Operations and Maintenance Practices.
For information and to obtain an application visit https://www.nahma.org/education/credential-for-green-property-management/.
National Affordable Housing Professional® Certification (NAHP®)
National Affordable Housing Professional® Certification (NAHP®) is the only professional certification program with stringent requirements dedicated solely to recognizing and promoting achievement of the highest possible standards in affordable housing management.
Developed by the National Affordable Housing Management Association, this program is available to industry professionals on two levels:
- The Professional Level (NAHP)
- The Executive Level (NAHPe)
Whether on the Executive or Professional level, NAHPs are competent managers committed to the advancement of professional property management and the constant improvement of their own management skills. The NAHP certification provides: Individual recognition for competence in the affordable housing industry. Recognition of professionalism by current and future employers. Continuing educational opportunities designed to keep members in the forefront of their field. The power and support of a national organization working for affordable housing. Networking opportunities with other professionals in the specialized field of affordable housing. Affiliation with an organization committed to the constant improvement and sharpening of management skills.
To obtain these certifications, candidates must complete an application, and submitting it with the appropriate payment to the SAHMA office. The application is reviewed by the SAHMA certification review committee, then submitted to the National Certfication Review Board at NAHMA.
For information and to obtain an application visit www.nahma.org/education/national-affordable-housing-professional-certification/
National Accredited Housing Maintenance Technician™ (NAHMT™) and National Accredited Housing Maintenance Supervisor™ (NAHMS™)
The National Affordable Housing Management Association (NAHMA) National Affordable Housing Maintenance Technician™ (NAHMT™)and National Affordable Housing Maintenance Supervisor™ (NAHMS™) credentials were conceived and designed to recognize those affordable housing maintenance professionals, who, through their completion of strict NAHMT and NAHMS requirements, have met the highest possible industry standards. The successful NAHMT and NAHMS professional has demonstrated comprehensive apartment maintenance skills along with a proven knowledge of fair housing regulations. Most importantly, NAHMT and NAHMS professionals, through their commitment to the NAHMT/NAHMS Code of Ethics, are dedicated to providing safe and decent housing to all eligible residents.
The NAHMT and NAHMS credential requirements are comprised of education/training, work experience and adherence to the NAHMT/NAHMS Code of Professional Conduct.
To obtain these certifications, candidates must complete an application, and submitting it with the appropriate payment to the SAHMA office. The application is reviewed by the SAHMA certification review committee, then submitted to the National Certfication Review Board at NAHMA.
For information and to obtain an application visit http://www.nahma.org/education/nahmt-nahms-credentials/ or contact Natasha Patterson at: npatterson@nahma.org, or 703-683-8630, ext 117.
Specialist in Housing Credit Management® (SHCM®)
Specialist in Housing Credit Management (SHCM™) certification has been developed by the National Affordable Housing Management Association (NAHMA) especially for management professionals involved with properties developed and operated under the Low Income Housing Tax Credit (LIHTC) program. The SHCM is designed by management professionals for management professionals to ensure they have attained the knowledge, experience and competence required to excel in the housing credit property management industry. To earn your SHCM Certification you must have a minimum of 12 hours of housing credit specific coursework, successfully pass the online SHCM exam and demonstrate a minimum of two years of housing credit management experience. The SHCM is offered in association with the National Apartment Association Education Institute (NAAEI) and LeadingAge.
To order the voucher for the SHCM online exam only, Click Here.
*Once ordered, vouchers are valid for three weeks. Please allow 5 business days from ordering to receive emailed exam voucher number from SAHMA. It is helpful to identify your proctor prior to ordering the exam.
Online SHCM Exam - The online SHCM exam is a three (3) hour closed book, proctored exam to be completed within 3 weeks of receipt of the exam voucher. (You will want to coordinate your proctor prior to purchasing your exam). You will receive the voucher number and instructions on how to log into the website that hosts the exam. Students are notified immediately of their test results upon completion of the exam.
*This exam is compatible with Internet Explorer 9 and higher, Safari web browsers, Chrome, Firefox or Microsoft Edge and compatible with iPad tablets.
For information and to obtain an application visit https://www.nahma.org/education/specialist-in-housing-credit-management/.
