NAN MCKAY HOUSING CHOICE VOUCHER SPECIALIST CERTIFICATION
EXAM: COMPLETE 200-QUESTION PRACTICE BANK WITH VERIFIED
ANSWERS, EXPERT RATIONALES, AND COMPREHENSIVE COVERAGE OF
ALL 2026-2027 TEST DOMAINS - INCLUDES HOTMA REGULATIONS,
PORTABILITY RULES, HQS STANDARDS, AND RENT CALCULATION
SCENARIOS
1. Which of the following is the primary responsibility of a Public
Housing Agency (PHA) in administering the HCV program?
A. Conducting annual physical inspections of all rental units in the
jurisdiction
B. Determining family eligibility and calculating housing assistance
payments
C. Setting maximum rent amounts that landlords can charge voucher
holders
D. Performing maintenance and repairs on privately owned rental units
Correct Answer: B - Determining family eligibility and calculating the
Housing Assistance Payment (HAP) is a core PHA responsibility. PHAs do
not set maximum market rents, perform maintenance on private units,
or inspect all rental units in their jurisdiction—only those participating
in the HCV program.
2. Under HOTMA regulations, what is the maximum net family asset
threshold for initial eligibility in the HCV program?
,A. $50,000
B. $100,000
C. $150,000
D. There is no asset limit for the voucher program
Correct Answer: B - HOTMA established a $100,000 net family asset
threshold for initial eligibility. Families with net assets exceeding this
amount are not eligible for admission to the HCV program, though this
does not apply to families already receiving assistance.
3. What is the timeframe for a PHA to correct life-threatening HQS
violations?
A. 12 hours
B. 24 hours
C. 48 hours
D. 72 hours
Correct Answer: B - Life-threatening HQS violations must be corrected
within 24 hours. This includes issues like gas leaks, electrical hazards, or
lack of heat when temperatures are below freezing.
4. When a family moves to a new unit, what action must the PHA
take?
A. Issue a new voucher only
B. Approve the new tenancy and execute a new HAP contract
C. Notify HUD of the move
D. Conduct a new criminal background check
,Correct Answer: B - When a family moves to a new unit, the PHA must
approve the new tenancy and execute a new HAP contract with the new
owner. This is a requirement before assistance can begin at the new
location.
5. Which family members are required to sign the authorization to
release information?
A. Head of household only
B. All adult family members (age 18 and over)
C. All family members including minors
D. The primary wage earner only
Correct Answer: B - All adult family members (age 18 and over) must
sign the authorization to release information. Minors are not required
to sign, regardless of whether they have income.
6. What is the minimum rent requirement range under HCV program
regulations?
A. $0 - $25
B. $0 - $50
C. $25 - $100
D. $50 - $100
Correct Answer: B - The minimum rent requirement range is $0 to $50.
PHAs may set their minimum rent anywhere within this range as
specified in their administrative plan.
, 7. How often must HQS inspections be conducted under HCV program
requirements?
A. Annually
B. Biennially (every 2 years)
C. Every 3 years
D. Only upon initial move-in
Correct Answer: B - HQS inspections must be conducted at least
biennially (every 2 years). PHAs may inspect more frequently at their
discretion but must inspect at least once every 24 months.
8. If a family moves out on March 25th and the PHA doesn't learn of
this until April, must the owner return the April HAP check?
A. Yes, HAP is only paid when the family is in the unit
B. No, because the PHA failed to notify the owner in time
C. Only if the owner knew the family moved
D. Yes, but only for the portion of April after the move-out date
Correct Answer: A - The owner must return the April HAP check
because HAP payments are made only while the family is occupying the
unit. The owner is not entitled to payment for periods when the unit is
vacant, regardless of when the PHA learns of the vacancy.
9. When does the HAP contract term begin and end?
A. On the first of the month following lease execution
B. With the lease terms
EXAM: COMPLETE 200-QUESTION PRACTICE BANK WITH VERIFIED
ANSWERS, EXPERT RATIONALES, AND COMPREHENSIVE COVERAGE OF
ALL 2026-2027 TEST DOMAINS - INCLUDES HOTMA REGULATIONS,
PORTABILITY RULES, HQS STANDARDS, AND RENT CALCULATION
SCENARIOS
1. Which of the following is the primary responsibility of a Public
Housing Agency (PHA) in administering the HCV program?
A. Conducting annual physical inspections of all rental units in the
jurisdiction
B. Determining family eligibility and calculating housing assistance
payments
C. Setting maximum rent amounts that landlords can charge voucher
holders
D. Performing maintenance and repairs on privately owned rental units
Correct Answer: B - Determining family eligibility and calculating the
Housing Assistance Payment (HAP) is a core PHA responsibility. PHAs do
not set maximum market rents, perform maintenance on private units,
or inspect all rental units in their jurisdiction—only those participating
in the HCV program.
2. Under HOTMA regulations, what is the maximum net family asset
threshold for initial eligibility in the HCV program?
,A. $50,000
B. $100,000
C. $150,000
D. There is no asset limit for the voucher program
Correct Answer: B - HOTMA established a $100,000 net family asset
threshold for initial eligibility. Families with net assets exceeding this
amount are not eligible for admission to the HCV program, though this
does not apply to families already receiving assistance.
3. What is the timeframe for a PHA to correct life-threatening HQS
violations?
A. 12 hours
B. 24 hours
C. 48 hours
D. 72 hours
Correct Answer: B - Life-threatening HQS violations must be corrected
within 24 hours. This includes issues like gas leaks, electrical hazards, or
lack of heat when temperatures are below freezing.
4. When a family moves to a new unit, what action must the PHA
take?
A. Issue a new voucher only
B. Approve the new tenancy and execute a new HAP contract
C. Notify HUD of the move
D. Conduct a new criminal background check
,Correct Answer: B - When a family moves to a new unit, the PHA must
approve the new tenancy and execute a new HAP contract with the new
owner. This is a requirement before assistance can begin at the new
location.
5. Which family members are required to sign the authorization to
release information?
A. Head of household only
B. All adult family members (age 18 and over)
C. All family members including minors
D. The primary wage earner only
Correct Answer: B - All adult family members (age 18 and over) must
sign the authorization to release information. Minors are not required
to sign, regardless of whether they have income.
6. What is the minimum rent requirement range under HCV program
regulations?
A. $0 - $25
B. $0 - $50
C. $25 - $100
D. $50 - $100
Correct Answer: B - The minimum rent requirement range is $0 to $50.
PHAs may set their minimum rent anywhere within this range as
specified in their administrative plan.
, 7. How often must HQS inspections be conducted under HCV program
requirements?
A. Annually
B. Biennially (every 2 years)
C. Every 3 years
D. Only upon initial move-in
Correct Answer: B - HQS inspections must be conducted at least
biennially (every 2 years). PHAs may inspect more frequently at their
discretion but must inspect at least once every 24 months.
8. If a family moves out on March 25th and the PHA doesn't learn of
this until April, must the owner return the April HAP check?
A. Yes, HAP is only paid when the family is in the unit
B. No, because the PHA failed to notify the owner in time
C. Only if the owner knew the family moved
D. Yes, but only for the portion of April after the move-out date
Correct Answer: A - The owner must return the April HAP check
because HAP payments are made only while the family is occupying the
unit. The owner is not entitled to payment for periods when the unit is
vacant, regardless of when the PHA learns of the vacancy.
9. When does the HAP contract term begin and end?
A. On the first of the month following lease execution
B. With the lease terms
