Mature couple meeting counselor

Steps to receiving your reverse mortgage counseling certificate

1. Request your pre-counseling document set above (Includes loan comparison, closing cost worksheet, amortization schedule, TALC – total annual loan costs)

2. Have these mandatory documents available: HUD document titled “preparing for your counseling session” and NCOA booklet “use Your Home to Stay Home” (.PDF versions provided below)

3. Determine whether you wish to see a counselor in person or obtain counseling by phone

4. Call around and check counselor availability and pricing. Some counseling agencies only accept payment upfront while others allow you to put their fee into the reverse mortgage closing costs.

5. After you have received your counseling you will receive three copies of your certificate in the mail and have the option to have your counselor fax or email a copy of the certificate to your lender.

The U. S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) requires that homeowner(s) interested in pursuing a Home Equity Conversion Mortgage (HECM) receive mandatory counseling regarding the implications of and alternatives to a reverse mortgage from a HUD-approved HECM counseling agency.

We are required by HUD regulations to provide you with a list of reverse mortgage counseling agencies. The list must include all HUD-approved counseling intermediaries that can provide telephonic counseling, as well as five (5) counseling agencies within your local area, state or both, with at least one of the local agencies located within a reasonable driving distance for the purpose of face-to-face counseling.

Top 10 Reverse Mortgage Counseling Agencies (By Phone)

Counseling AgencyPhoneAvailabilityLanguages HECM ApprovedPlatinum ApprovedHomeSafe Approved
Cambridge Credit Counseling888-764-746024 hrs.English, Spanish, Polish, ItalianYesYesYes
Quickcert888-383-888524 hrs.English, Spanish, or interpreterYesYesYes
Greenpath888-860-416724-48 hrs.English, Spanish, or interpreterYesYesYes
Debt Helper800-920-226224-48 hrs.English, Spanish, Creole and Portuguese or interpreterYesYesNo
Smart Money Housing800-403-380724-48 hrs.EnglishYesNoYes
Hancock Development877-284-432624-48 hrs.EnglishYesNoYes
Hope Inc.888-776-015548-72 hrs.EnglishYesNoNo
Money Management International877-908-222748-72 hrs.English, SpanishYesYesYes
National Foundation on Credit Counseling866-698-63223 WeeksEnglishYesNoYes
Clearpoint Financial Solutions877-877-19952 WeeksEnglish, SpanishYesNoNo
Counseling turn times are approximate and last updated 03-28-2019. All Reverse Mortgage® does not recommend any particular counseling agency.

In-Person Reverse Mortgage Counseling Locator 

Search our newest interactive map that locates HUD approved agencies nearby with in-person availability.

Mandatory Documents for Your Reverse Mortgage Counseling Session

Additional Documents for CA Homeowners

Counseling & vested interest:

  • Independent reverse mortgage counseling is required prior to closing for the borrower and co-borrower, who will have a vested interest at closing
  • Power of Attorney or Guardian/Conservator must be counseled on behalf of any borrower(s) or vested owner(s) that are legally incompetent.

Note: POA for convenience is not permitted at this time

  • CA and AZ – Counseling must be completed prior to application
  • TX – Counseling must be completed at least 5 days prior to closing. The TX counseling cert is good for 180 days.

Note: See state regulations for additional requirements and timing.

What happens after Reverse Mortgage Counseling?

After you have completed your counseling session you will be mailed a certificate of completion (view sample document). This Counseling certificate should be signed and returned to your lender if you wish to proceed with the processing of the loan. No 3rd party services may be ordered such as Appraisal, Title, Escrow until the lender has your signed certificate in hand.

Additional resources: