(a) Application. To be considered for placement on the Roster, a HECM counselor must apply to HUD in a form and in a manner prescribed by HUD.
(b) Eligibility. HUD will approve an application for placement on the Roster if the application demonstrates that the HECM counselor:
(1) Is employed by a HUD-approved housing counseling agency or an affiliate of a HUD-approved intermediary or State housing finance agency;
(2) Successfully passed a standardized HECM counseling exam administered by HUD, or a party selected by HUD, within the last 3 years. In order to maintain eligibility, a counselor must successfully pass a standardized HECM counseling exam every 3 years;
(3) Received training and education related to HECMs within the prior 2 years;
(4) Has access to and is supported by technology that enables HUD to track the results of the counseling offered to each loan applicant, e.g., what action(s), if any, did the client take after receiving the HECM counseling; and
(5) Is not listed on:
(i) The General Services Administration's Suspension and Debarment List;
(ii) HUD's Limited Denial of Participation List; or
(iii) HUD's Credit Alert Interactive Response System.
(c) ``Grandfathering'' of counselors who have passed standardized HECM counseling examination. HECM counselors who have passed the standardized HECM counseling exam described in paragraph (b)(2) of this section on or before October 2, 2009 will automatically be placed on the Roster and will remain on the Roster for 3 years. After 3 years, the counselor is required to take the standardized HECM counseling exam again.