• 2025-2026 TxCDBG Certified Administrator Test

  • You have 24 hours to complete this test and submit for review. The test is 100 questions and you must get 80% correct to become certified. If you fail the test, you will have to wait 30 days before retaking it. YOU WILL NOT BE NOTIFIED OF YOUR ERRORS. Repeated failures may require additional time for review of the test materials before being eligible to retake it. Only the TxCDBG Implementation Manual, related TxCDBG forms, Survey Methodology Guide, and the TxCDBG Guide to Meeting a National Program Objective may be used for reference. Assistance from individuals is strictly prohibited. All of these reference materials may be found on the TDA website at www.texasagriculture.gov/CDBG

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  • TxCDBG Guide to Meeting a National Program Objective

  • For activities with multiple, non-contiguous benefit areas, each benefit area must separately meet the LMI National Program Objective: At least 51% of the beneficiaries in EACH non-contiguous benefit area must be LMI.
  • Which of the following is an eligible TxCDBG activity?
  • If an infrastructure project has a total of 512 beneficiaries and 261 are low-to-moderate income (LMI) persons, then the activity meets the National Program Objective of principally benefiting LMI persons.
  • Which of the following is an example of a project with city-wide benefit?
  • For 14A Housing Rehabilitation projects, you MUST use the 80% Survey Questionnaire.
  • With prior TDA approval, project costs for non-LMI households receiving improvements on private property may be considered as matching funds.
  • Which of the following is NOT an example of a project with city-wide benefit?
  • Water line looping will NOT be accepted as the primary justification for determining a project’s beneficiaries.
  • Replacement of water meters for vacant households is an eligible TxCDBG cost.
  • To meet the Urgent Need National Program Objective, which of the following must be true?
  • Public Housing Authority (PHA) certifications may be used to document low-to-moderate households within a PHA.
  • To qualify for the National Program Objective for the elimination of slum and blight, which percentage of the buildings throughout the area must be deteriorated or deteriorating?

  • Administration and Reporting

  • Which of the following is NOT part of the Project Complete Group Documents?
  • In which section of the TxCDBG Grant Agreement can the Special Conditions be found?
  • Which of the following may occur if a Grant Recipient fails to meet the Mid-Point Progress Threshold?
  • Documentation to satisfy a Grant Agreement Special Condition must be uploaded where in TDA-GO?
  • Which of the following is NOT an allowable way to give Public Notice?
  • When document file sizes are too large to upload in TDA-GO, the Grant Recipient should coordinate with TDA staff to utilize a file upload platform such as Google Docs or Dropbox.
  • The Section 3 Service area must have a minimum population of which of the following?
  • How does a Grant Recipient determine which record retention period schedule applies to their TxCDBG grant agreement(s)?
  • In which section of the TxCDBG Grant Agreement can the Timeline be found?
  • TDA will allow the Grant Recipient to incur costs for CDBG activities before the TxCDBG Grant Agreement start date via the Pre-Agreement Strategy.
  • The Labor Standards Officer and Civil Rights Officers MUST be identified on which page in TDA-GO?
  • A Colonia area is an unincorporated community, established prior to November 1990, lacking public infrastructure, and located in a non-metropolitan county within how many miles of the Texas-Mexico border?
  • Which persons must complete the Group C Performance Report?
  • Which of the following is NOT a conflict of interest?

  • Financial Management

  • Per the TxCDBG program, "FMS" is an acronym for which of the following?
  • Upon TDA acceptance of Group A, Group B, Group C and Construction Complete Group documents, which percentage of Construction Grant Funds may be requested?
  • NOTE: Use the below budget for this question. If a Grant Recipient deobligates $30,000 in TxCDBG construction funds from the below budget, which of the following will need to be reduced per the Maximum 16% General Administrative and 25% Engineering Services Reimbursement caps?

  • TxCDBG Construction funds: $250,000
    TxCDBG Engineering funds: $55,000
    TxCDBG Administration funds: $35,000
    Total Project Costs $340,000

  • Which of the following would preclude a Grant Recipient from requesting an exception to the Administrative and Engineering services reimbursement caps?
  • The City of Marathon would like to apply for a TxCDBG grant to build a park on land it owns. To meet the grant's match requirement, the City would like to use the estimated market value of the land itself. Is this an eligible matching cost?
  • Program income is defined as gross income received by the Grant Recipient that was generated from activities funded in whole or in part by a TxCDBG Grant Agreement. As such, grant funds are distinct from program income and federal requirements do NOT apply to activities subsequently funded with program income.
  • The City of Goldthwaite has completed their TxCDBG project for less than the combined grant funds awarded and matching funds. As such, the City will be deobligating TxCDBG funds. Which of the following may be used to recalculate the City's match requirement?
  • Once grant funds are received, a Grant Recipient must disburse them to the contractor or service provider in how many days?
  • The City of Wickett has awarded a construction contract for a TxCDBG project. After construction had begun, the City asked the Contractor to stop construction until an unrelated matter was resolved. The contractor agreed, but stipulated that remobilization costs will be incurred to recommence construction. Per TxCDBG requirements, are the remobilization costs in this scenario eligible for reimbursement?
  • Upon approval of all Group B Documents, the Grant Recipient may request to draw down which of the following?
  • When a Closed-circuit Television (CCTV) Operator is required for a TxCDBG project, an additional classification and wage decision is required for the operator of the CCTV equipment.
  • How many authorized persons are required to approve payments in TDA-GO?
  • Administration costs may be incurred up to how many days after the Grant Agreement end date?
  • The timely disbursement of grant funds must occur in how many business days?
  • An appropriate separation of duties would NOT allow the person that authorizes payments also do which of the following?
  • The match commitment is NOT contractually assigned to specific budget lines.

  • Environmental

  • Which level of environmental review is required for the replacement of a water line >20% in size and/or capacity of the previous line?
  • GPS Coordinates are the preferred format to identify locations in environmental public notices.
  • The Responsible Entity (REs) is responsible for seeking TDA guidance to remain in compliance prior to changing steps/actions within the environmental review process when HUD or other related authorities update their rules or policies.
  • Which action triggers the one-year completion deadline for Environmental Assessments?
  • Which level of environmental review is required for the rehabilitation of a lift station?
  • Which level of environmental review is required for the procurement of a new Brush Truck?
  • Which of the following has the most reliable information for both tribal contact information and geographic areas of interest?
  • Which of the following is a choice-limiting action?
  • If a grant recipient is using Force Account labor to perform work on a TxCDBG project, actions such as equipment mobilization and staging of materials at the proposed project site is NOT a choice-limiting action and may occur prior to the State's release of funds.
  • Which activity would be considered critical action and would not be allowed in a floodway?
  • If a project site is located in a 500-year floodplain the 8-step process is not needed as long as it’s not in a 100-year floodplain.
  • All project activities under the same CDBG project number must be aggregated into the same environmental review.

  • Grant Agreement Special Conditions

  • Pursuant to the Buy America, Build America Act (BABA), all new TxCDBG awards made after which date must ensure that all construction and manufactured products used in the project are produced in the United States?
  • For a manhole replacement project occurring throughout the city and having a citywide benefit, where is an acceptable location(s) for the Temporary Project Signage?
  • Temporary signage CANNOT be reused for future TxCDBG projects.
  • Per the Texas Government Code and TDA programmatic requirements, Street Reconstruction (03K) projects located in a colonia must submit which of the following to TDA before TxCDBG Construction funds may be drawn?
  • Which of the following TxCDBG projects would require the installation of permanent signage?
  • The regulatory approval of which agency is required for projects constructing a new water well?
  • The regulatory approval of which agency is required for sidewalk improvements (03L)?
  • Community Enhancement (CE) and Fire, Ambulance and Services Truck (FAST) projects must report which of the following in TDA-GO for five years after closeout?
  • If an (03L) Sidewalk project cost is less than $50,000, then TDLR approval is NOT required.
  • The regulatory approval of which agency is required for projects constructing a new bridge?
  • TxCDBG funded projects that include construction activities on private property are considered to provide direct benefit to homeowners, even if the project does not provide first-time utility service.
  • Which of the following must be submitted with Group A documentation?
  • Which of the following is the required language for a temporary sign?
  • For first-time water/sewer projects, if fewer than which percentage of the beneficiaries proposed in the application intend to connect to the TxCDBG funded infrastructure, the project may not proceed without written approval from TxCDBG?
  • Which of the following forms is the BABA Contractor Certification?
  • Which of the following would require permanent signage?

  • Procurement Procedures

  • Unless otherwise approved by TDA in writing, all equipment purchased and/or included in the TxCDBG grant agreement must be newly manufactured.
  • When a change order is necessary for a construction contract, which of the following is true?
  • Without following procurement procedures, a third-party Administrator assisted the City of Harper with preparing their TxCDBG application. If the City is awarded a TxCDBG grant, can the City then procure that same Administrator to provide administrative services?
  • The unit price for a construction bid item CANNOT be changed after the bid is opened.
  • SAM.gov clearance is required for all procurement types, including micro-purchases.
  • Which of the following is allowed if constructions bids come in over budget?
  • Eligible costs for construction advertisements may only be drawn from which of the following budget activities?
  • Per TxCDBG, which of the following describes a "Job/Project" when determining if the small purchase procurement method is allowable?
  • Retainer fees and/or retainer contracts are allowable forms of procurement.
  • Texas statutes make a distinction between professional services and other non-construction services. For the procurement of professional services such as architectural, engineering, or land surveying services, which of the following may NOT be used as a selection factor?
  • The unit price for a construction bid item can be changed via Change Order.
  • A Grant Recipient may establish the price for an Engineering contract as a percentage of the construction contract price.
  • When developing selection criteria for a Request for Proposal (RFP) or Request for Quote (RFQ), a Grant Recipient may advantage Historically Underutilized Businesses (HUBs) in the scoring.
  • Within how many days must a grant recipient submit an Materials and Services Report (MSR) after executing a contract or issuing a Purchase Order?
  • A sample construction bid packet may be found in which Appendix of the TxCDBG Implementation Manual?
  • TDA recommends that a direct solicitation be sent to more than how many individuals/firms to ensure compliance with TxCDBG program rules and encourage a more robust procurement process?
  • For construction contracts greater than $100,000, a performance bond for which percentage of the construction contract is required?
  • TDA program policy requires that the first publication date for both municipalities and counties is at least how many days prior to the bid opening date?
  • In order to change order a "lump sum" bid item, which of the following must be submitted, at a minimum, before the first day any work is performed?
  • If a bid uses deductive alternates, they must reduce quantities using the same unit price identified in which of the following?

  • Acquisition

  • As of 2024, if a specific project site is needed and only one property is appropriate to be acquired for project purposes, the acquisition may be considered "voluntary."
  • The Uniform Relocation Assistance and Real Property Acquisition Policies Act (URA) provides for three tiers of waiver valuation, whereby a formal appraisal would not be required. Which of the following tiers require approval by HUD?
  • When a contract to purchase or lease property for a TxCDBG project is executed before the environmental review is completed, which of the following has occurred?
  • When performing an involuntary acquisition, The Texas Landowners Bill of Rights is one of the documents that must be provided to the landowner to notify them of their rights. Per the TxCDBG Implementation Manual, where can this document be found?
  • A lease of which of the following durations is considered real property acquisition?
  • If no acquisition is needed for the TxCDBG funded project, the TDA-GO Acquisition Performance Report does not need to be completed.
  • Which of the following is NOT a TxCDBG method of real property acquisition?
  • If a Grant Recipient intiates a Voluntary acquisition, but negotiations fail, they can change the acquisition to Involuntary.

  • Davis-Bacon Labor Standards

  • If a construction contract includes $1.00 of work funded through TxCDBG grant funds, and $100,000.00 in similar work funded through local funds and not included in the grant description, Davis-Bacon requirements apply to the entire $100,001.00 contract.
  • Labor Standards Officers (LSO) must conduct employee interviews to verify that contractors are complying with labor standards requirements. The information collected from these interviews must be recorded on which form?
  • Which of the following is NOT exempt from Davis-Bacon requirements?
  • The City of Kilgore has a TxCDBG project that requires boring under the interstate, as described in the Grant Agreement's Performance Statement. However, the wage decision that the Labor Standards Officer (LSO) selected for the project does not list "boring operator" as a wage classification. Which of the following actions must the LSO take next?
  • If it is discovered that liquidated damages on a TxCDBG funded project are due and the calculated amount is equal to or less than $100.00, which of the following is the employer encouraged to do?
  • A Grant Recipient has received a TxCDBG award and will be using public utility employees to perform force account construction on the utility's own system. Is this work subject to Davis-Bacon requirements?
  • If a designated Labor Standards Officer (LSO) changes during the Grant Agreement period, the Grant Recipient has 30 days to update which page in TDA-GO?
  • Which of the following is NOT one of the Davis-Bacon Wage Rate Classifications?
  • The local file must contain a payroll with the contractor or subcontractor’s original handwritten signature OR a legally valid electronic signature.
  • Which of the following is required if there is a difference between the wage rate paid and the wage rate in the wage decision?

  • Force Account Labor

  • In circumstances where a Grant Recipient intends to utilize Force Account, but will NOT seek reimbursement nor match credit, TDA approval must first be requested.
  • Which of the following is NOT an advantage of using Force Account?
  • TxCDBG allows the use of volunteers for Force Account labor costs to be reimbursed.
  • Upon completion of a Force Account construction contract, which of the following must be completed to provide a detailed description of the quantities installed and scope of work completed by force account laborers?
  • Salaries and expenses of elected officials are allowable Force Account wages.
  • When submitting a payment request for Force Account labor, a map that clearly identifies the areas where work has been completed, where the work was completed in the current payment request was performed, and where work will be performed in the future must be included.
  • When using "materials on hand" on a Force Account project, competitive procurements requirements do NOT apply.
  • When requesting TDA's approval to use Force Account, which form must be submitted?

  • Civil Rights Requirements

  • Which of the following Civil Rights Requirements are grant/project specific and apply only to the particular grant period?
  • Which of the following is NOT part of the Limited English Proficiency (LEP) four-factor analysis?
  • Which of the following may be used to determine the Section 3 Service Area?
  • Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 prohibits discrimination in federally assisted programs on the basis of which of the following?
  • Which of the following is NOT a federally protected class?
  • Adoption of a Section 504 Grievance Procedure is required for any Grant Recipient that employs how many persons?
  • Which of the following would NOT be considered a CDBG Targeted Section 3 Worker?
  • The Violence Against Women Act (VAWA) Certification must be uploaded where in TDA-GO?
  • Complaints regarding Fair Housing violations in Texas should be reported to which government body?
  • Grant Recipients must develop complaint procedures for citizens to submit complaints and grievances that include a timely written response within how many days, when practicable?

  • Grant Agreement Amendments

  • The City of Brownwood has completed a TxCDBG project. The final quantities in the Construction Estimate are 22% higher than the quantities identified in the Grant Agreement Performance Statement, but no change in beneficiaries served. In order to avoid a  penalty, the ADMINISTRATOR MUST submit a minor performance statement amendment in TDA-GO before which of the following?
  • The City of Gonzales has a TxCDBG project with three, non-contiguous, benefit areas. As such, Figure A1 of the TxCDBG Grant Agreement includes three separate maps portraying each benefit area. During the ground inspection it was determined that the street in one benefit area is only half the linear footage as originally proposed, and a minor performance statement amendment is required. As the change only impacts one benefit area, the tracked changes map submitted with the amendment only needs to reflect the change in that one benefit area.
  • The City of Reno has experienced multiple delays and has not yet submitted their Request for Release of Funds (RROF) for Environmental Review to TDA. It is now ten (10) days from the Grant Agreement end date and the City is considering the submission of an extension request. Is the City eligible to request a Grant Agreement period extension?
  • Requests to move TxCDBG funds from construction and/or acquisition activities to engineering and/or general administration activities must be submitted in TDA-GO prior to the date work is completed on the Certificate of Construction Completion. The request must include a description of the additional tasks required by these services providers for the project and be supported by which of the following?
  • Falls County has bid out a street reconstruction (03K) project with three, non-contiguous benefit areas. Due to bids coming in over budget, the County has decided to remove the benefit area with the fewest beneficiaries from the project to come within budget. The cumulative reduction in beneficiaries is less than 25%. Which type of grant agreement amendment is appropriate?
  • The City of Elgin has been awarded a TxCDBG Downtown Revitalization/Main Street grant agreement. After developing plans and specs for the proposed project, it was determined that the estimated linear footage in the application is more than 15% of the actual linear footage "on the ground." The City's current Figure A1 map in the grant agreement includes the project locations, including the estimated linear footage on the map. The City is preparing a performance statement amendment to reflect the reduction in linear footage but no change in the locations. Which of the following is true?
  • Which is the first penalty for a grant administrator that fails to timely submit an amendment?
  • If a grant recipient submits an extension amendment request, but fails to provide additional information, or provides inaccurate or conflicting information that cannot be addressed to TDA's satisfaction, the request will be denied within how many days after the Grant Agreement end date?
  • Changes in local priorities are grounds for proposing a major amendment for a substitute project.
  • Public Participation is required if a proposed budget amendment moves >20% of total grant funds between activity budget categories?

  • Grant Agreement Closeout

  • Beneficiaries of first-time service (14A) activity MUST be reported on the Direct Beneficiaries page of the Project Completion Report.
  • When MUST the Final Public Hearing be conducted?
  • In order to initiate the TxCDBG Project Completion Report (PCR) page in TDA-GO, the grant agreement status must be changed to which of the following?
  • Closeout of the TxCDBG Grant Agreement does NOT begin the record retention period.
  • Which of the following is NOT part of starting the Grant Agreement closeout process?
  • The City of Greenville is completing construction of a TxCDBG Downtown Revitalization project. When the Registered Accessibility Specialist (RAS) evaluated the project, it was noted that several ramps were incorrectly installed. The ramps cannot be reinstalled before the Project Completion Report is due. Should the city request a conditional closeout?
  • A Grant Agreement Amendment is required if the final construction quantities vary from the quantities listed on the TxCDBG Performance Statement by which amount?

  • Monitor Review

  • If a monitoring review identifies findings and/or concerns, a Grant Recipient may be required to develop and implement a Corrective Action Plan (CAP). Per TxCDBG policy, which of the following is the first requirement for a CAP?
  • Regardless of the monitoring review type, TDA will ALWAYS review documents related to this part of the TxCDBG Agreement.
  • If a TxCDBG agreement is rated "high-risk", it will generally qualify for which type of compliance review?
  • A "finding" is a violation of law, regulation, or program policy that can result in a sanction.
  • Generally, if a response to the Monitor Review Report is required, the Grant Recipient must respond to TDA within how many days of the Monitor Review Report or by the specified due date contained in the report?
  • Which percent of low-risk agreements will be randomly selected for a desk review?

  • Audit Requirements

  • Comprehensive financial audits are required for cities and counties per which of the following?
  • When a single audit is required, the audit must be conducted by which of the following?
  • Formerly known as the Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance (CFDA), what is the Assistance Listing Number (ALN) for TxCDBG funds?
  • Once the Single Audit (SA) has been uploaded and accepted by the Federal Audit Clearinghouse (FAC), which of the following must also be done?
  • For local fiscal years beginning on or after October 1, 2024, the Single Audit threshold is which amount?
  • A Grant Recipient that fails to submit an acceptable OCSAR is ineligible to receive any TxCDBG funds until the requirements are met, or for a period of how many years?
  • Should be Empty: