Housing Credit Certified Professional (HCCP) Exam and Designation Guide - Providing Affordable Housing Requires Expertise

Sep 30, 2026

Housing Credit Certified Professional (HCCP) is a premier LIHTC designation recognized across the affordable housing industry and used to signal verified education, experience, and ethical standards. The guide explains how the designation supports competitive advantage and industry credibility, outlines how to obtain and maintain HCCP through examination, required experience and training hours, and annual renewal with continuing education. It also details exam subject areas spanning tenant qualification, leasing, tax credit accounting, and compliance, along with where to find exam offerings and fees.

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CategoryExam

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Pages2

Reading Time5 min

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Obtaining and Maintaining the HCCP

Exam logistics and eligibility requirements

Fees

Training and Exam

HCCP Exam Testable Subject Areas

Tenant Qualification and Leasing

Tax Credit Accounting and Compliance

The HCCP is the preeminent LIHTC designation. It is well recognized and respected by all segments of the industry. HCCP designees include Compliance professionals, CPAs, Attorneys and Developers. Seeing HCCP behind a name inspires confidence in others that the individual is experienced and knowledgeable. —-Missy Covington, HCCP Raymond James Affordable Housing Investments A Sample of Organizations That Employ HCCPs Asset Living Columbia Residential ConAm Management Corporation Dominium Edgewood Management Envolve First Housing FPI Management Kittle Property Group, Inc. Ingerman Missouri Housing Development Commission National Church Residences Paradigm Management Raymond James Affordable Housing Investments RBC Community Investments Seldin Company Texas Department of Housing and Community Affairs The Franklin Johnston Group Virginia Housing Development Authority Wilhoit Properties WNC & Associates 1201 15th Street, NW Washington, DC, 20005 [nahb.org/HCCPinfo](nahb.org/HCCPinfo) Housing Credit Certified Professional (HCCP) Exam and Designation Guide Providing Affordable Housing Requires Expertise The Low-Income Housing Tax Credit (LIHTC) program is the most effective affordable housing development program in history and has resulted in the creation or preservation of more than 3.7 million units of affordable housing. Staying in compliance with all applicable regulations requires specialized skills and expertise. How do companies and governmental agencies know you’ve got what it takes to succeed in LIHTC housing? They look for the HCCP designation. The Housing Credit Certified Professional (HCCP), a specialized designation—for developers, property managers, asset managers, state housing agency administrators, lenders and syndicators—is the benchmark for education, experience and ethical standards for those working in the affordable housing sector. It's the premier designation for Low-Income Housing Tax Credit professionals. The designation validates the knowledge and experience of the best in the industry. HCCP represents a significant competitive advantage for professionals and the companies they work for in the housing tax credit industry. Learn more about this mark of distinction by visiting [nahb.org/HCCPinfo](nahb.org/HCCPinfo) [Examples of HCCP exam questions can be found at nahb.org/HCCPinfo](Examples of HCCP exam questions can be found at nahb.org/HCCPinfo) Obtaining and Maintaining the HCCP • Take the HCCP exam, which is 2.5 hours in length. • Earn a passing score of 48 or greater out of the 75 questions. • Exam scores will be sent out within six weeks of NAHB receiving the exam. • Have two years of LIHTC industry experience and ten hours of housing tax credit education prior to applying. • Complete a professional profile and sign the HCCP Code of Ethics. • To maintain the designation you must renew annually and take four hours of continuing education. Fees All relevant fees including exam, application and renewal can be found [at nahb.org/HCCPinfo in the](at nahb.org/HCCPinfo in the) "How to Earn" section. Training and Exam While there is no prescribed LIHTC training required to sit for the HCCP exam, it is highly encouraged as passing candidates are required to submit proof of 10 hours of LIHTC training at time of application submittal. Public and private training is provided by a network of distributors who also administer the exam, generally held at the conclusion of training. In most cases, you should allocate two days for both the training and exam. HCCP distributor training is designed to prepare candidates for the exam. For a list of upcoming trainings please visit [facebook.com/NAHBhome/events.](facebook.com/NAHBhome/events. Once a candidate)[ Once a candidate](facebook.com/NAHBhome/events. Once a candidate)[ ](facebook.com/NAHBhome/events. Once a candidate)is prepared to take the exam, it can be administered by a proctor in person

FAQs

What is the HCCP designation and what does it represent?

HCCP is a Housing Credit Certified Professional mark for LIHTC professionals, serving as a benchmark for education, experience, and ethical standards. It represents industry-validated knowledge and helps provide a competitive advantage.

How can someone obtain and maintain the HCCP designation?

Candidates take the HCCP exam, which is 2.5 hours, and must earn a passing score of 48 or greater out of 75 questions. To maintain the designation, it must be renewed annually and requires four hours of continuing education.

What experience and education are required before applying for the HCCP exam?

Applicants need two years of LIHTC industry experience and ten hours of housing tax credit education prior to applying. A professional profile and signing the HCCP Code of Ethics are also required.

Sep 30, 2026

Uploaded by Anna Hans