Ultimate Nan McKay Housing Choice Voucher Specialist Exam Prep – HOTMA Aligned

Nan McKay Housing Choice Voucher (HCV) Specialist
Exam Study Guide 2026-2027


Prepare for the Nan McKay Housing Choice Voucher (HCV) Specialist Certification
Exam with comprehensive practice questions covering eligibility, income, rent
calculations, occupancy, inspections, leasing, portability, and HUD regulations.
Detailed answer explanations reinforce key concepts and help build confidence for
certification and day-to-day HCV program administration. Ideal for housing
professionals seeking to strengthen their knowledge and prepare effectively for
the HCV Specialist exam



Owner responsibilities - CORRECT ANSWER Selects and screens tenants

Enforces lease

QUESTION : State responsibilities - CORRECT ANSWER Passes legislation
establishing PHAS

QUESTION : PHA administrative plan - CORRECT ANSWER establishes local
policies for administering the HCV program

QUESTION : HUD vs ADA definition of disability - CORRECT ANSWER HUD
definition is more specific, used for eligibility determination and allowances/deductions

ADA definition - broader, used for reasonable accommodations

QUESTION : Live in aide - CORRECT ANSWER would not be living in the unit
except to provide necessary supportive services

QUESTION : Occupancy cycle - CORRECT ANSWER Intake - preapplication,
waiting list, needs estimation, final eligibility determination

Initial lease-up - briefing & voucher issuance, RFTA and lease approval submitted, HQS
inspection, approval & execution, moves

Annual Activities - recerts, HQS (biennially), rent adjustment

,Moves

Interim activities - interem recerts, HQS compliance

Terminations - HCV violation, lease termination, HAP contract termination

QUESTION : Certification of preference + waitlist addition - CORRECT ANSWER
At time of initial app, need only certify preference eligibility (not verify)

Place on waitlist according to preference claimed

QUESTION : eligibility verification requirement: X number of days - CORRECT
ANSWER 60 day window to obtain verification docs

QUESTION : elderly family: - CORRECT ANSWER head or spouse is 62+

QUESTION : disabled family: - CORRECT ANSWER head/spouse is disabled

two+ people in hh are disabled

one+ people w/ one+ live-in aides

QUESTION : exemptions from SSN disclosure - CORRECT ANSWER
Noncontending family member (someone not declaring citizenship/eligible non-citizen
status)

QUESTION : Noncontending family member - CORRECT ANSWER someone
not declaring citizenship/eligible non-citizen status

exempt from SSN disclosure

QUESTION : Mixed family - CORRECT ANSWER Citizens + eligible
noncitizens/non-eligible non-citizens

QUESTION : To declare citizenship/national status: - CORRECT ANSWER
complete signed declaration (section 214 status)

QUESTION : Section 214 - CORRECT ANSWER to declare citizenship/national
status

QUESTION : When is income eligibility not tested? - CORRECT ANSWER After
lease-up/admission

,QUESTION : Student rule for eligibility - CORRECT ANSWER Cannot give
assistance to someone who:
• Is enrolled as a student at an
institution of higher education;
• Is under the age of 24;
• Is not a veteran of the United
States military;
• Is unmarried;
• Does not have a dependent
child;
• Is not a person with disabilities,
• Student and parents are both income eligible (80% AMI) or student is
independent/absent from their parents

QUESTION : Before beginning denial on basis of criminal/sex-offender status, PHA
must - CORRECT ANSWER Notify household and provide an opportunity to
dispute

QUESTION : PHA must deny if applicant fails to: - CORRECT ANSWER sign
consent forms

not disclose SSN

no citizens/eligible nationals

QUESTION : PHA may deny for - CORRECT ANSWER debts owed

QUESTION : Family obligations are listed on - CORRECT ANSWER the voucher

QUESTION : PHA is not obligated to approve tenancy when: - CORRECT
ANSWER voucher is issued

QUESTION : Oral briefing must include: - CORRECT ANSWER Description of
how program works

Family/owner responsibilities

Where family may lease (inside and outside of PHA jurisdiction)

Explanation of portability + list of contacts at neighboring PHAs

QUESTION : Oral briefing must be done prior to: - CORRECT ANSWER voucher
issuance

, QUESTION : Voucher suspension (stopping the clock) - CORRECT ANSWER
must be done by the PHA

QUESTION : PHA must give owner these records: - CORRECT ANSWER
current/prior family addresses

current/prior landlord names + addresses (if known)

QUESTION : Owner is responsible for: - CORRECT ANSWER Screening
tenant's behavior/suitability for tenancy

QUESTION : PHA may not approve tenancy until: - CORRECT ANSWER Unit
eligible

HQS

Tenancy addendum included

Reasonable rent

Family share !> 40% monthly adjusted income

QUESTION : Ineligible units - CORRECT ANSWER Public housing

project-based units

health facilities

educational facilities

criminal facilities

owner occupied units

QUESTION : Initial lease can be less than a year if: - CORRECT ANSWER
shorter term would improve housing opportunity

shorter term is prevailing market practice

QUESTION : Tenancy addendum includes: - CORRECT ANSWER tenancy
requirements for programs

QUESTION : Can tenancy be terminated during the initial term by owner? -
CORRECT ANSWER Not without good cause (contract reqs etc)