Need to Get Certified in Compliance

Need to Get Certified in Compliance?

You've Come To the Right Place!!

Article on Tax Credit Designations Education

Site Level Designations Supervisor Level Designations

Compliance Diploma Site Compliance Specialist National Compliance Professional

More and more State Agencies, investors and management companies are requiring people who work on or with Tax Credit Properties to become "certified in compliance". Its the new push today in the Housing Credit industry and, quite frankly, it makes sense. You are running an important aspect of this affordable housing program and the industry is stating... no demanding... you be certified in what you do.

So, for things first... "certified in compliance"?

Many people jump to the immediate conclusion that when your State, investor or employer tells you you must be certified, it means you must earn a full-blown designation. BUT STOP!!

This may NOT be what they actually mean. Despite the fact the word "certified" is used, often what they are really looking for is proof you have been EDUCATED or have earned CONTINUING EDUCATION CREDITS by taking professionally instructed courses. Other times, they are truly mandating an actual Certification Designation must be earned. So, do yourself a favor and determine exactly what they are looking for -- Education only or an actual Certification Designation.

If an actual Certification Designation is what you are after, you need to understand there are multiple designation opportunities available to you. To decide which designation level is right for you, look to your current responsibilities as these designations really fall into 2 simple categories... site level designations and supervisor level designations.

Site Level Designations

Site level designations are for professionals that work day in and day out with applicants & residents; make decisions at the property level; work with the residents that live at these properties; and deal with their eligibility at move-in as well as at recertification.

The Site Level Designations focus on the skills and knowledge in these areas testing you to determine if you have mastered these requirements and, if you have, rewarding you accordingly.

The certification you need is the...

Site Compliance Specialist
or
SCS

This certification or designation is created specifically for people who concentrate on such site issues and honors their accomplishment in mastering the Program rules that go hand-in-hand with these responsibilities.

Supervisor Level Designations

Supervisor Level Designations are for managers, supervisors, compliance directors, asset managers and individuals who often are called in to troubleshoot or problem solve.

These professional have to know a lot about the Program. Not just the site compliance rules but also the rules regarding allocation, development and other financing.

The certification you need is the...

National Compliance
Professional
or
NCP

The Supervisor Level Designations focus on these advanced concepts and those that earn them are considered among the elite of Tax Credit Professionals.

Depending on your current role, pick a certification that fits your responsibilities and then read how to obtain the corresponding designation below. Don't forget about future career opportunities as well and considering earning multiple designations as the adage... more is better... truly fits here!

Now... once you know what you need
-- education or certification --
how do you obtain it?

Education Only:

If you are looking to take an annual Tax Credit compliance course to keep your knowledge refreshed, the easiest, most convenient and fastest way to do this is by taking a course online! Yep... today incredible Tax Credit compliance and management courses are available right from the convenience of your own computer... 24 hours a day... 7 days a week... which means no traveling and minimal, if any, time out of the office!! Visit the Housing Credit Online Training Center and view the Course Catalog to select the course or courses that fit your needs best!

You can take individual courses or a group of courses through the Course Package Plan. Make this decision based on the number of credits or course hours needed to meet your goals and to satisfy your State Agency, investor and/or employer.

Compliance Diploma:

Now quite frankly, you should be rewarded for showing dedication to your compliance education because without education, Tax Credit compliance and properties are at risk.

That is why, if you complete enough courses through the Housing Credit College and/or the Housing Credit Online Training Center to earn 22 continuing education units or credits (CEUs), you will be awarded your Compliance Diploma! The Compliance Diploma is nationally recognized and shows the industry that you are a dedicated professional committed to your compliance education!

To earn your Compliance Diploma, you must earn a minimum of 22 CEUs through Housing Credit Online Training Center courses and/or Housing Credit College public workshops. Credits can be accrued over time and do not expire.

When you have earned your credits, complete the Diploma portion the Certification Designation Order Form and submit it to the Housing Credit College. Diplomas are FREE however there is a charge for rush delivery, duplicates and/or replacements. Upon receipt of your order, we will review your educational records and send you your Diploma upon approval. Allow 2 to 3 weeks for processing.

Site Compliance Specialist (SCS):

To become a Site Compliance Specialist, you must pass the Site Compliance Exam...

	This Exam is comprised of 50 questions divided into 5 Testable Areas.
	To pass this Exam you must answer 40 of the 50 questions correctly.
	The Exam is graded as a Pass or Fail, so if you pass, you immediately earn your Site Compliance Specialist (SCS) designation and all of the respect and accolades that come with it.

To prepare for the Exam...

	If you are new or inexperienced... enroll in the Course Package Plan at the Housing Credit Online Training Center as it will walk you through all of the site compliance requirements you must master to pass the Exam and become an SCS
	If you have some experience but want a good overall refresher... enroll in *Housing Credits 245: Site Compliance Specialist* at the Housing Credit Online Training Center as it will focus on the 5 Testable Areas that make up the Exam and fully prepare you to take it.
	If you are unsure where your knowledge is at... enroll in the *Compliance Assessment* at the Housing Credit Online Training Center as it is an impartial assessment of your current knowledge and will let you know if you are ready to take the Exam now or if you need to bolster your education a bit. If the latter, the Assessment will indicate which courses you should take before taking the Exam.

	The Site Compliance Exam is available online at the Housing Credit Online Training Center Exam Room!
	The cost to take the Exam is $149 and retakes are $49.
	You may register and pay online or offline.
	Once you are register for the Exam, you will have access to it for 14 days.
	Once you start the Exam, you will have 2.5 hours to complete it so you will want to be sure to have some uninterrupted time during the 14 day access period to take it.
	After you complete the Exam, you will receive your results IMMEDIATELY!
	If you pass the Exam, you will be able to print out your temporary SCS designation certificate and can order your official certificate and pin by completing the Official Certificate Designation Order Form. Official certificates and pins are FREE however their is a charge for rush deliveries, duplicates and/or replacements.
	If you fail the Exam, you may retake it at anytime. Retakes are $49 and must be ordered offline. Just complete the Exam Order Form and submit to the Housing Credit College offices. Allow 2-3 weeks for processing. You will be notified via email when your Exam Retake is ready for you.

National Compliance Professional (NCP or NCP-E):

To become a National Compliance Professional, you must...

	Meet an Education Requirement;
	Meet an Experience Requirement; and
	Join the NCP Membership Group

To meet the Education Requirement...

You have 3 different ways to meet the Education Requirement. You only have to meet 1 of these requirements.

	Pass the National Compliance Exam;
	Pass one of the industry's other major compliance exams specifically Spectrum Seminars C3P test or the National Association of Home Builder's HCCP test; OR
	Earn your Compliance Diploma

To take the National Compliance Exam...

	The National Compliance Exam is available online at the Housing Credit Online Training Center Exam Room!
	The cost to take the Exam is $149 and retakes are $49.
	This Exam is comprised of 70 questions divided into 7 Testable Areas.
	To pass this Exam you must answer 56 of the 70 questions correctly.
	You may register and pay online or offline.
	Once you are register for the Exam, you will have access to it for 14 days.
	Once you start the Exam, you will have 2.5 hours to complete it so you will want to be sure to have some uninterrupted time during the 14 day access period to take it.
	After you complete the Exam, you will receive your results IMMEDIATELY!
	If you pass the Exam, you will have met an Education Requirement of the National Compliance Professional (NCP) designation and will be able to print out your Exam Passing Certificate.

PLEASE UNDERSTAND: In order to become a National Compliance Professional,
you must fully complete the process.
You are not a National Compliance Professional simply by passing the Exam.

If you fail the Exam, you may retake it at anytime. Retakes are $49 and must be ordered offline. Just complete the Exam Order Form and submit to the Housing Credit College offices. Allow 2-3 weeks for processing. You will be notified via email when your Exam Retake is ready for you.

To meet the Experience Requirement...

You must have 6 months or more experience working with the Tax Credit Program.

To join the NCP Membership Group...

You must complete a simple 1 page Membership Application indicating how you meet the Education & Experience requirements and pay the annual membership fee. Membership fees are as low as $99 but you can also join at the Silver or Gold levels and receive additional benefits. All memberships are annual memberships that expire on December 31. To remain an NCP each year, you must renew your membership and submit proof of continuing education.

When you join the NCP Membership Group, you may join as a...

	Candidate... which means you have not fully met either the Education and/or Experience requirements but joined now to begin receiving the benefits of being part of an elite group of industry professionals while you complete your requirements. Candidates receive all benefits as full members however will not receive their designation pin and certificate until all requirements are met.
	NCP... which means you have met 1 of the Education requirements and the Experience requirement as well as submitted your Membership Application and fee.
	NCP-Executive... which means you met 2 of the Education requirements specially having passed one of the major industry compliance exams (National Compliance Exam, HCCP or C3P test) and earned your Compliance Diploma. You have also met the Experience requirement and submitted your Membership Application and fee.

After your submitted Membership Application is approved, you will be sent your applicable designation certificate (NCP or NCP-Executive) and pin. Please allow approximately 4 to 6 weeks.

If you have any questions... GIVE US A CALL AT 1-800-644-0390... and we will personally direct you. Our goal is to assist you in meeting your certification requirements!