Mortgage Certification

Candidates for the CMI designation must provide evidence of the following:

• Completion of two years on-the-job experience related to the examination and/or investigation of mortgage companies.
• Satisfactory completion of the following course offerings:
  • CSBS Day One Mortgage Examiner Training (online) (or equivalent training on mortgage fraud or examination totaling a minimum of 36 hours of classroom instruction)
  • Advanced formal classroom instruction on mortgage fraud or examination, totaling a minimum of 36 hours
• Attestation of successful job performance and mastery of appropriate job-related skills by a supervisor within the candidate's organization. All attestations shall be considered final once signed. Attestation as to a candidate's skill will be supported by a defined response form that outlines the necessary and appropriate skills. A high degree of reliance is placed on the attestation forms provided by the applicant’s supervisor when granting certification. For that reason, the individual signing the form should be familiar with the applicant’s experience, performance, and skills/abilities, and should be confident that the applicant meets all the requirements as noted on the form.

The attestation form addresses the following categories:

TECHNICAL - Provides effective leadership and organization to the investigation process:

• Effectively ensures adherence to investigation procedures and policies
• Monitors progress of assigned personnel to ensure accurate and timely completion of work
• Effectively organizes and delegates assignments
• Supervises, organizes, and effectively documents workpapers according to prescribed procedures
• Effectively supervises and oversees the entire investigation process

CONCEPTUAL - Provides effective investigation of noted activities of mortgage providers:

• Effectively investigates situations noted in reports of examination or complaints
• Effectively administers appropriate departmental response from investigation findings and follow-up on correction of problems and violations

LEGAL/COMPLIANCE - Effectively demonstrates knowledge of policies, procedures, laws, rules and regulations.

• Effectively demonstrates knowledge of policies, procedures, laws, rules and regulations
• Follows prescribed procedures for writing and presenting violations in an investigation report
• Effectively testifies as needed on findings of an investigation

HUMAN RELATIONS - Provides effective oral and written communications:

• Effectively and clearly communicates assignments to assisting personnel
• Effectively and clearly communicates with mortgage provider personnel to obtain information
• Effectively and clearly communicates investigation findings to the mortgage provider owner, directors, and supervisory personnel
• Effectively prepares written comments which are accurate, grammatically correct, logically arranged, and factually support any conclusions drawn
• Effectively coordinates examination planning and execution with other state and federal regulators or law enforcement authorities as appropriate

RECERTIFICATION

Every three years, participants will be required to provide evidence of the successful completion of a minimum of 63 continuing education hours (CEHs); at least seven CEHs must be completed each year.  Examples of qualifying programs and activities are listed below.  Other programs and activities submitted will be considered on a case-by-case basis.

The following courses would qualify as continuing education:

• NMLS Annual Conference & Training
• AARMR Annual Regulatory Conference
• Applicable portions of Annual Conferences or other seminars not utilized for minimum certification requirements of:
  • AARMR
  • CSBS
  • MTRA
  • NACCA
  • Federal Agencies