Lapsed Certification
CHA Loss and Reinstatement
Individuals who do not meet recertification requirements will lose certified status. Learn more about the options for Certified Homelessness Advocates to reinstate certification status.
Loss and Reinstatement of Certification
Individuals who do not meet recertification requirements will lose certified status. To reinstate certified status, individuals may:
- Submit the required number of CEs and pay the applicable late fee(s).
- Submit a late renewal request.
- Apply for Reinstatement.
- Apply for Retired Status.
- Apply for Inactive Status.
- Re-establish eligibility and pass the certification examination.
Late Renewal Requests
HACB will accept and review late renewal requests submitted up to one year after the expiration date printed on the individual’s certificate. To be considered for a late renewal, the CHA must present:
- Documentation of completion of at least 30 hours of continuing education, completed during the 3-year certification cycle, up to and including the 12 months after expiration.*
- Payment of a late fee assessed at $10/month
- Continuing Education (CE) must be directly related to one of the six domains outlined in the Competencies and Best Practices required for a Board Certified Homelessness Advocate document or to the Ethical Standards for a Board Certified Patient Advocate.
- Continued agreement and compliance with the Code of Professional Responsibility.
- A documented rationale for having missed the renewal deadline.
Making a Late Renewal Request
To make a late renewal request, contact HACB to submit documented rationale for missing the renewal deadline. If the request is approved, the CHA may submit the required continuing education, pay late fees, and submit the renewal form and renewal fee. Once completed, an updated certificate will be issued, and the individual may resume use of the CHA credential
Renewal
Beginning with renewals due in 2024, the following fee structure will apply.
| $195 | A renewal fee of $195 is assessed for applications processed from six (6) months before expiration up to and including a 90-day grace period after expiration. |
| $10/month | After the 90-day grace period, a late fee of $10 per month will apply and will be assessed for up to twelve (12) months. |
| $275 | Renewal by examination. |
Withdrawals and Refunds
Once applications for renewal of certification by Continuing Education have been submitted to HACB, they may not be withdrawn. Fees for re-certification by CE are nonrefundable.
Rejected Applications for Recertification of the CHA Credential
HACB may reject applications for recertification for any of the following reasons:
- The application is incomplete or not completed properly.
- HACB determines the applicant did not meet the eligibility requirement for recertification.
- The application materials and/or the fee were not submitted by the designated deadline.
In the event that an application is rejected for one of the above stated reasons, the application fee, less a $125 processing fee, will be refunded.
Filing a Recertification Extension Request
Keeping your credential active requires renewal every three (3) years. A CHA may apply to HACB for a filing extension due to the following conditions:
- Unemployment
- Appointment or election to full-time public office on the local, state, or national level
- Service in the military
- Health related issues
A request for the filing extension must be submitted in writing to HACB within three (3) months of their recertification date. Extensions are not granted for more than one (1) year and are subject to the review of the Certification Commission. There may be an extension fee of $125 applied to each request.