Mortgage Certification

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

• Completion of a minimum of one year of on-the-job service and training related to mortgage provider examinations.
• Satisfactory completion of the following CSBS course offering or an equivalent training on basic mortgage examination (consisting of a minimum of 36 hours of classroom instruction):
  • CSBS's Day One: Mortgage Examiner Training (online)
    • Examples of equivalent training would include the basic AARMR Examiner School; applicable portions of AARMR/NACCA Examiner Schools; FDIC Introduction to Compliance Examinations; and CFPB Lending Principles Course.
• 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 organization to the examination process by:

• Effectively adheres to examination procedures and policies
• Effectively organizes assignments
• Ensures pre-examination planning and requests are successfully completed in a timely manner
• Organizes and effectively documents workpapers according to prescribed procedures

CONCEPTUAL - Provides effective and accurate evaluation of the operational and financial activities of mortgage providers by:

• Effectively follows established examination procedures to collect and analyze data
• Develops correct conclusions from collected data

LEGAL/COMPLIANCE - Provides effective and accurate evaluation of policies, procedures, laws, rules and regulations:

• Effectively demonstrates knowledge of policies, procedures, laws, rules and regulations
• Effectively follows established examination procedures for presenting violations and recommending corrective action or enforcement powers

HUMAN RELATIONS - Provides effective oral and written communications by:

• Effectively and clearly communicates with mortgage provider personnel to obtain information
• Effectively and clearly communicates examination findings to supervisory personnel and/or owners/directors
• Effectively prepares written comments that are accurate, grammatically correct, logically arranged, and factually support any conclusions drawn

RECERTIFICATION

Every three years, certified examiners are required to submit 63 continuing education hours (CEHs) in order to renew a CME certification. If an examiner exceeds this requirement, up to 14 CEHs may be carried over into the new three-year term. Continuing education should be selected with the goal of maintaining, improving, or expanding the examiner's knowledge, skills, and abilities.