HUD Announces Availability of Housing Counselor Examination. The Department of Housing and Urban Development published a notice in the May 31 Federal Register announcing a housing counselor examination for qualified applicants starting on Aug. 1, 2017. The notice follows publication of a final rule on new certification requirements for housing counseling. HUD issued the rule on Dec. 14, 2016. In addition, the notice announced that the cost for online testing at the examinee’s location has been reduced to $60 from $100, and $100 at a proctoring site. Furthermore, beginning Aug. 1, 2020, counseling may be provided only by HUD-certified counselors working for approved counseling agencies. In related action, a notice HUD published in the May 19 Federal Register seeks approval from the Office of Management and Budget of a request to reinstate two housing-counseling forms, which the ...