Posted by NewInKansas on 12/13/04 10:00pm
Msg #13489

Loan signing certification course

Anybody heard of mymortgagetrainer.com? They offer a certification course. Company called Loan Closing Service (listed here) requests that their agents have this certification. Are these two companies related? Some SS companies are requesting certification. Being a newbie, I wonder if having certification will give me a jumpstart in getting assignments. I've not heard many good things about the NNA certificate...so what else is out there (that don't cost an arm and a leg)?

Reply by HisHughness on 12/13/04 10:30pm
Msg #13499

NewInKansas asks:

***Being a >>>newbie,<<< I wonder if having certification will give me a jumpstart in getting assignments.***

Forget the damned certification. See Post 13477 on Dec. 13, 2004 and be aware, be very aware that if you repeat this transgression, the Parlance Police are going to be all over you like Halliburton on Iraq.

Reply by NewInKansas on 12/13/04 10:53pm
Msg #13503

somebody PLEASE find this man a woman!!!

ha ha!

Reply by HisHughness on 12/13/04 11:46pm
Msg #13510

Re: somebody PLEASE find this man a woman!!!

Gawd yes! Yes! Yes!

Uhhhh...you available, NewInKansas?

Reply by NewInKansas on 12/14/04 1:06am
Msg #13515

I'm available....but I'll be "newbie" at that too

Reply by HisHughness on 12/14/04 1:51am
Msg #13522

Re: I'm available....but I'll be "newbie" at that too

Make that a newdbie and I'm there!

Reply by Bob-Chicago on 12/14/04 8:58am
Msg #13534

Urgent Request

Reply by BOb-Chicago on 12/14/04 9:05am
Msg #13537

Re: Urgent Request--OOPS

Hugh requests that all participants on this board adopt gender specific board names so he can can avoid any tragic consequenses by hitting on a guy
If you wish to avoid the advances of thie aging, but locuatious, lothario, I would suggest some variation of the name "NEWBIECHICK"

Reply by BrendaTX on 12/14/04 4:17pm
Msg #13623

Re: Urgent Request--OOPS

I just wish I could still qualify as a "chick."

But, alas, and alack...isn't there an age of disqualification on using that term?

Reply by colorless/AZ on 12/14/04 4:24pm
Msg #13624

Re: Urgent Request--OOPS

It's when certain body parts begin to go south.

Reply by Maria on 12/14/04 9:05am
Msg #13536

Re: somebody PLEASE find this man a woman!!!

He's had 3 or more wives already. Can you imagine why they left him? hmm
Not to hard to figure out.

Reply by colorless/AZ on 12/14/04 12:56pm
Msg #13589

Re: somebody PLEASE find this man a woman!!!

Some people just ain't got no since a huumer.

Reply by NewInKansas on 12/13/04 11:09pm
Msg #13506

Question to Joan Bergstrom or Cheryl Elliot

Why do you (yes, you, HisHughness) feel "the damned certification" is useless? Signing Services are asking for it. So it must be worth something...maybe if only to get a "beginner's" foot in the door. Compared to an experienced agent, the certification may be next to nothing.

Anyone from signing services ever read these forums? How about Joan Bergstrom? Or Cheryl Elliot? What's your advise?

Reply by CaliNotary on 12/13/04 11:33pm
Msg #13508

Re: Question to Joan Bergstrom or Cheryl Elliot

Lets see, Joan Bergstrom works for or owns a company that runs radio ads for notary classes that state there is a shortage of notaries in California. Which isn't even remotely true. Besides notary commission classes, she also teaches signing agent courses that offer CERTIFICATION. She also ignored 2 threads that asked her to clarify whether these radio ads (for the company that is listed in her notaryrotary profile) were accurate.

Between her obvious lack of ethics and her financial interest in getting people to take "the damned certification" course, what do you think her answer is going to be?

If you really care, you might seek a slightly more objective opinion.

Reply by NewInKansas on 12/14/04 1:03am
Msg #13514

Re: Question to Joan Bergstrom or Cheryl Elliot

I always listen to both sides

Reply by Joan Bergstrom on 12/14/04 1:27am
Msg #13518

Re: Question to Joan Bergstrom or Cheryl Elliot

Sorry, I didn't get back to the chat line I was on vacation. Well thats over so lets get started. I work for notaryclasses.com I do not own it. I have taught notary classes for a little over a year. Dan Jones, Cheryl Elliott, and I wrote "How to Become a Wildly Successful Loan Signing Agent." I teach loan signing classes for this site.

We offer a great Certification Program and we all feel it will be the industry standard in the years to come! Only time will tell! Check it out on www.certifiedloansigners.com.

I think it helps a new notary to be certified because it shows the signing companies that at the very least the notary has tried to improve his/her signing skills and has some additional training. This includes any certification program not just notaryclasses.

Concerning the topic are there too many notaries (Calif. is the only state we teach notary classes to pass the state exam and the only state I know anything about)? I think there are tons of notaries in Calif. but I also think that 20% of the Calif. Notaries get 80% of the loan signing work. They know how to market themselves and do a great job at the signing.

There can't be too many notaries when my phone is ringing off the hook! I live in Riverside and approx. 4 months ago I put my minimum at $75 to stop the signing companies from calling me 4-5 times a day. I was this busy way before I went to work for notaryclasses.com

I have given many work orders to other notaries because I don't travel to their areas anymore, or I'm too busy etc.

Notaryclasses.com has a free newsletter and a free recisssion calendar for 2005.

Reply by HisHughness on 12/14/04 2:03am
Msg #13524

Re: Question to Joan Bergstrom or Cheryl Elliot

Joan Bergstrom replies to many questioners:

*** I think there are tons of notaries in Calif. but I also think that 20% of the Calif. Notaries get 80% of the loan signing work.***

Even assuming that your analysis is correct, Joan, and I feel pretty confident you can offer no empirical evidence to support it, simply anecdotal evidence, you have just made the case for those who contend the commercials for your employer are dishonest. Odds are great that not even all of those 20 percent you cited are full-time and making a respectable living at being notaries public. But assuming that they are, your own analysis is that of every 10 notaries in California, eight are, as East Texas hog farmers are wont to say, sucking hind teat.

Reply by Terri - CA on 12/14/04 11:17am
Msg #13560

Re: Question to Joan Bergstrom or Cheryl Elliot

Many Many Many California notaries have obtained their commissions because their boss wants them to have it. BUT! They only use it at their place of employment, they don't do loan signings, they don't take other notarial work. I do know that my bank may have one, two or even three notaries on staff, but they do not take walk-in "public" notary work. They only perform notarial services for bank customers on bank business. Again, they, too, don't do any notarial work outside their work environment.

As Joan said, 20% of Notary Signing Agents will get 80% of the work. This is also true in sales; 20% of customers make up 80% of the sales revenue; not good because if you loose one of your 20% customers, you'll loose lots of revenue, but it's been proven.

Certification may not mean much to many, but it makes the person taking and passing the certification course (whichever one it may be) a more confident presenter, then it's worth it.

I want to clarify, that while the NNA sells their book along with the cost of the test cheaper, the classes you state are way more expensive are a better deal. I took the NNA Seminar ($199) plus the cost of the book and Test, another $100; hmm that equals $300 to me, I do believe that the other may be less expensive and is more comprehensive.

Terri
Lancaster, CA

Reply by HisHughness on 12/14/04 11:29am
Msg #13566

Re: Question to Joan Bergstrom or Cheryl Elliot

The original issue was whether Cheryl Elliot was being dishonest in claiming in radio commercials that there is a shortage of notaries in California, not how her course compared, costwise or otherwise, with other certification regimens. Nothing that either she or Joan Bergstrom have said has changed my perception that it is.

Reply by Terri - CA on 12/14/04 12:08pm
Msg #13580

Re: Question to Joan Bergstrom or Cheryl Elliot

I do believe that the original question was to Joan not Cheryl, but then Cheryl's name was thrown into the mix after the fact.

It's not THEIR commercials, those belong to the company that does the classes, they only work for the company. What part of THEY DON'T OWN THE COMPANY did you not understand? Don't shoot the messengers, sir, take your issues to the company owner if you feel you must.

Terri
Lancaster, CA

Reply by HisHughness on 12/14/04 12:49pm
Msg #13587

Re: Question to Joan Bergstrom or Cheryl Elliot

Terri - CA carped:

***I do believe that the original question was to Joan not Cheryl, but then Cheryl's name was thrown into the mix after the fact.

It's not THEIR commercials, those belong to the company that does the classes, they only work for the company. What part of THEY DON'T OWN THE COMPANY did you not understand? Don't shoot the messengers, sir, take your issues to the company owner if you feel you must.
***

1. Cheryl's name was thrown into the mix after >>Cheryl<< grabbed her name by both handles, took a firm grip, and tossed it heels over head right into the middle of the mix herself.

2. My apologies to Cheryl for a misunderstanding. I thought she was the company owner, or at least one of them.

Let's see: A owns gun, gives it to B, tells B to shoot C, D, E, F, G, H etc. Now, who is culpable, only the owner of the gun? Or is the guy who helps carry out the act a joint tortfeasor? To put it in a fashion that you apparently comprehend, WHAT PART OF SHARED RESPONSIBILITY DO YOU NOT UNDERSTAND?

Reply by Terri - CA on 12/14/04 1:33pm
Msg #13592

Re: Question to Joan Bergstrom or Cheryl Elliot

I simply re-state, the ads are for Notary Public classes, whether you believe what's said or not is up to you. I only state that the need for Notarys Public as stated in the ad could be true. You could pay some big and rich advertising firm to do market research for you to determine whether the ad is true. "The Need" is relative and up to interpretation. I believe we all now know what your interpretation is and I understand how you feel.

I suggest, however, that you should take care of your business, work it the way you want to, market yourself and you will have business and no time to worry about how many may or may not become signing agents after they become Notarys Public.

Consider that the "need" is there because people used to go to their bank to have things notarized. It was a familiar place, they weren't charged, etc. etc. But now that has been taken from them. So people can advertise at their place of business, provided that they have authorization from their employer (if they work for someone else), that they are a Notary Public available to the public.

Terri
Lancaster, CA

Reply by Anonymous on 12/14/04 2:29pm
Msg #13598

Re: Question to Joan Bergstrom or Cheryl Elliot

Like the NNA, notaryclasses is advertising for notaries and once they have them in their hot little hands they promote the loan signing business. How many notaries, not signing agents do you know of that has ever made $5,000.00 - $10,000.00 a month. As an experienced business savy signing agent you may make that much money but I would venture to say that most don't. Bottom line is the NNA, notaryclasses.com and all of the other classes for signing agents are making tons of money by having a vast influx of new notaries enter the marketplace and yes, it has affected monthly income for a lot of people, including all the people who teach these classes, ie., Joan, Kelly, Cheryl and Janet. Those who don't do as much signings as they used too, now teach and make money that way and before you can say they do the same amount of signings as they used to prior to teaching classes, stop and do the math as there aren't enough hours in the day.

I'm not saying you can't make money but yes, Cheryl, Joan, and the other guy have made oodles of money off of the ads put out by notaryclasses.com and I have not heard from the state of California that there was a shortage of notaries. Where is the proof to back up that claim?

Reply by CaliNotary on 12/14/04 3:20pm
Msg #13615

Re: Question to Joan Bergstrom or Cheryl Elliot

Or we could do our own research. On this site alone there are 1565 notaries within a 75 mile radius of my zip code. Those are only the California notaries who have registered with this site, it's safe to assume that there are plenty more out there who do not have a listing on this site.

The ad states that there is a SHORTAGE of notaries. A need and a shortage are two entirely different concepts. Do you really think the above figures show a shortage of notaries? The "need" may be open to interpretation, but that's not what our problem is, it's the blatant lie that there is a SHORTAGE of notaries.

Reply by HisHughness on 12/14/04 4:06pm
Msg #13622

Re: Question to Joan Bergstrom or Cheryl Elliot

Terri counseled:

***I suggest, however, that you should take care of your business, work it the way you want to, market yourself and you will have business and no time to worry about how many may or may not become signing agents after they become Notarys Public.***

Thank you for the counsel, Terri. I hope you will not find it too ungrateful of me if I choose to follow a different paradigm and do worry about the impact of my profession on others. Lawyers, and other honorable professions, long ago decided that the public interest in honest practices outweighed the individual attorney's economic interests, and elected to demand that members of the profession follow some ethical guidelines. Seems to have worked well for such practitioners as lawyers, doctors, architects, social service workers, engineers, nurses, psychologists, teachers, heating/ventilation/air conditioning installers, pest controllers, and sometimes even pimps. I'm just sort of drawn to the conclusion that it would also work for a notary public. (And incidentally, the plural of that term is "notaries public." A constructed homonym for a Lancaster, CA notary public would be noterri public.)

Have a good day.

Reply by NewInKansas on 12/14/04 2:09am
Msg #13526

Re: Question to Joan Bergstrom or Cheryl Elliot

Thanks for your reply, Joan. What you said about new notaries getting certified makes perfect sense to me. However, the course at certifiedloansigners.com seems way to pricy. Tell me something, as an educator in this field, why aren't there any seiminars and/or classes offered here in the midwest?

Reply by thnotary_NY on 12/14/04 7:43am
Msg #13532

Re: Question to Joan Bergstrom or Cheryl Elliot

Add the northeast to that also.

Reply by Cheryl E/CA on 12/14/04 9:23am
Msg #13538

Re: Question to Joan Bergstrom or Cheryl Elliot

I've done this work seriously and full time for 4 years now. The first six months in the biz I accepted $50 work, then realized I needed to change my biz model and get paid all the fee, so I quit working for signing services and developed my own clientele over the years. I became certified by the NNA, but it was a worthless certification because there was no emphasis on how to market your services, how to take an order or how to handle the signing in a smooth, effortless, seamless manner. These are all the techniques and strategies we offer through Notaryclasses.com. The cost of the seminar, $150, can be earned back in one signing. One of my students made $14K this year so far without even trying. She says she now knows she can do this sixfold using the techniques we demonstrated in class on Sunday.

For those of you who think there are two many signing agents out there, well, it's so typical to think that. The guy who got his building permit for the house on the hill from the local planning department wants to pull up the ladder so no one else builds next door to him, or on the slopes around his hilltop. There are still lots of people going to bartender school, beauty colleges, massage institutes, truck driving school. I believe that for the motivated, knowledgeable and professional Signing Agent, there is plenty of opportunity out there. I believe from what I've read and heard on boards, most people wait for the phone to ring, and that is not how to make it big in this business. Most SA's are not promoting themselves to find all the opportunities that are available.

If a signing agent does one $100 signing a day for 365 days, that's $36.5K, a year, two a day, $73K, three a day over $100K a year. What's so difficult about making those numbers? No all people want to work that hard, so it will be different for every signing agent.

Everyone is different. Not all people can do this job and reach the heights of revenue and professionalism, one of the reasons I'm so busy is I'm out there cleaning up other jobs performed by notaries who have not had proper training and do not possess the knowledge base, but as well I've become a trusted agent and known quantity to thousands of lenders nationally.

Like anything else, we can choose to see the glass half full or half empty.

Gotta get to work. A full day of signings ahead of me, and on Friday, we're bringing my nephew home after 8 months of hospitalization due to severe brain injury he sustained in April this year. He told me last Sunday night he wants to get his notary commission, and I'm going to help him do that. I need the help. His mother is already taking over much of my over flow this holiday season!

HAVE A WONDERFUL HOLIDAY SEASON, ALL! There is much to be grateful for this year at my house.

Reply by MSS-SOC-Cal on 12/17/04 4:41pm
Msg #13952

Re: Question to Joan Bergstrom or Cheryl Elliot

Thanks Cheryl for your post.

I just took the notaryclasses.com class and signed up for the LoanSigningAgent class. I really enjoyed the book and all the marketing tips it had. I am not sure what the AP certification will do for me but I am sure that the marketing tips will help me get started on the right foot.

I hope your nephew recovers soon.

thank you.

Reply by NewInKansas on 12/15/04 12:35am
Msg #13665

Re: Question to Joan Bergstrom or Cheryl Elliot

certifiedloansigners.com only offer classes in California. I live in the midwest. I'm not sure that I'd want to take a course, tho'. I'd rather do my own self-study and get "certified"....whatever that means! If SS companies want them, I'll get it.

Reply by MSS-SOC-Cal on 12/17/04 4:38pm
Msg #13950

Re: Question to Joan Bergstrom or Cheryl Elliot

Thanks for your post Joan. Just this week I took a class from notaryclasses.com and purchased the LoanSigningAgent class and workbook. I have read it cover to cover and my certification class is not for another month. I agree that the AP certification might not mean much to mortgage companies, but the information on marketing was just what I needed. Taking the job serious in combination to effective and persitent marketing are the keys to success in any business. Thank you again.

Reply by CarolynCO on 12/14/04 11:12am
Msg #13555

Re: One-Sided Opinion

You are going to get a one-sided opinion when directing your question to anyone teaching certification classes -- no different than taking NNA at their word. Granted I am NNA certified, but I can honestly say that I have only been asked by 3 SS's if I was certified.

Read and learn from messages posted here -- from other's experience. Always have your printer turned on and print threads/messages. Don't just toss the pages aside, but get a 3-ring notebook -- use it as your Bible. Sure you will come across a lot of nonsense posts, we're all human and sometimes need a break, but if you will read the posts before asking questions, you can get a pretty good education and understanding of being a signing agent.

Reply by Cheryl E/CA on 12/14/04 11:29am
Msg #13567

Re: One-Sided Opinion

I've been a signing agent longer than I've been a certification instructor, and I do both with gusto. I think they are the best jobs I've ever had in my life! Helping people thru the maze.

Reply by WanderWomn on 12/14/04 2:57pm
Msg #13611

Re: One-Sided Opinion

I took Cheryl Elliot's Certification class (notaryclasses.com), and while I appreciate that she loves teaching and "helping people thru the maze," I noted that the class had too many people attending to allow her the luxury of time to accomplish this. I was disappointed that it was advertised as "hands on" and finding a "mentor" to observe in a signing, but that never happened, nor was it mentioned in the class. Having never seen a loan doc before. it was helpful to see a copy, but the time alloted for perusing it seemed to be so quick as to leave considerable questions. Another issue that gave me cause for question was Ms. Elliot's Website.
I assumed she was a sole proprietor, however, the photo on the site definitely was not her. What's up with that? Is that the general procedure, to put an alluring blond's photo on ones site? Also, I noticed that she did not list Certification by her own company on her site, but did so by NNA and SR, whatever that is. Some explanation and clarification by Cheryl would be appreciated.

Reply by Stephanie/CA on 12/14/04 2:59pm
Msg #13612

Re: One-Sided Opinion - Thanks for the info.

Reply by BrendaTX on 12/14/04 3:21pm
Msg #13616

Re: One-Sided Opinion

WanderWomn said: "Is that the general procedure, to put an alluring blond's photo on ones site?"

No. It is not.

I heartily endorse a good-looking (even if ever-so-slightly mature) brunette who loves L'Oreal.

Reply by CaliNotary on 12/14/04 3:25pm
Msg #13618

Re: One-Sided Opinion

Did Hugh start coloring his hair?

Reply by CarolynCO on 12/14/04 8:04pm
Msg #13640

Re: Only Hugh's hairdresser knows for sure! nm

Reply by BrendaTX on 12/14/04 8:04pm
Msg #13641

Re: One-Sided Opinion

CaliNotary said: "Did Hugh start coloring his hair?"

Cali, are you trying to crank up that old urban notary legend that BrendaTx and HisHughness are actually one notary suffering from a multiple personality disorder?

Now, if I could just find my beard trimmer...

Reply by Stephanie/CA on 12/14/04 2:42pm
Msg #13603

Hi:

I am a Notary Public and have been one for quite some time. I have extensive knowledge on Real Estate Documents, but very little knowledge on general loan documents; therefore, I took the NNA Certification Course. For me it was worthwhile because as I said I was very unfamiliar with loan documents. I owe my successful Signing Business partially to the education I received from the NNA Certification Course.
I am aware that many Signing Agents "put down" & do not think highly of the National Notary Association; however, for me I have used the NNA as any other resource available to me - it's just another tool.

Good luck on your new endeavor.

Stephanie

Reply by CaliNotary on 12/15/04 2:23am
Msg #13670

Clarification

One distinction that may need to be made in this thread. When we talk about certification being useless, we're not talking about taking a class to learn how to do the job of a signing agent. Any effort somebody makes to learn how to do this job properly is a good thing. If somebody happens to get a certification certificate at the end of the course, fine.

It's the certificate and the status of being a certified agent that we consider useless, not the education received in the course which is hopefully quite useful to the new agent.

Reply by Loretta Reed on 12/15/04 7:51am
Msg #13673

I just have to put in my 2cents in......

I am not certified by the NNA, KKK or any online or book source. I have been doing signings for 8 years. I actually learned how to do this when I was working for an abstracting company that asked me if I was interested in doing signings and only showing me a few things like
"Beginng with the top page, put a "flag" eveywhere the borrower or you (the notary) has to sign and/or stamp and you will be done when you get to the bottom of the pile". Thank God that I already knew what the Note, TIL and RTC was.

I am a Licensed Title Producer in Maryland and a member of the Maryland Insurance Administration. When a title company or SS calls me, they don't ask if I am "certified", they ask if I have my TPL (title producers license). If I did not have that, I could not do signings in Maryland, period. I have to have 16 credit hours a year and pay an extra $1,000(average) a year just to be able to do signings in Maryland, not including my phone/fax and advertising.

By reading the posts from other notaries and reading material online offering these classes, I have discovered that few people find those online classes or books helpful (after they take the class). I think they give little information on what is really important, but, hey, we all have to get rich some way. One thing they can't teach you is how to have a good personality and if you don't have that, you can hang up your hat in this buisness.

This is my opinion and not the opinion of anyone else on this board unless they say so themselves.

Reply by NewInKansas on 12/15/04 7:12pm
Msg #13725

Certification vs Education

Ok, I've read all the posts in this thread. I wish there were more posts from other new loan signing agents (the term "newbie" easier to type...but in honor of HisHughness' peeve, I'll use "new SA") about their experiences when talking to signing service companies. I have, so far, registered or applied with almost 100 companies, and about a third of them asked if I was a "certified" SA. These were all online or faxed registration. This is my first stage of marketing. Next will be the follow-up phone calls. I will definitely ask them how important "certification" is to them for new SAs. My gut feeling is that it does carry some weight. For someone who has no relevant experience at all, being certified, at least proves that he/she has done his/her homework and should, at least know the basics of loan signing. Compared to another new SA who has had experience in real estate or mortgage, I believe this is a better candidate for an assignment from a signing company.

I want to thank CaliNotary for his/her comment about the distinction between certification and education. What I gathered from these posts is that, the certification doesn't help a new SA DO the job....but does it help him/her to GET the job was my question. Needless to say, in order to be tested for certification you need to be educated.

My conclusion: YES, certification is helpful to some degree. For some companies, it gives them some confidence in their potential sub-contractor. To others, they rather make their own observation by using pop-quiz or questionnaires. To all the new SAs in this forum - it's up to you. If the phone doesn't ring, then maybe you need a different approach to this business....get certified.

Reply by CarolynCO on 12/15/04 8:48pm
Msg #13743

Re: Certification vs Education

**If the phone doesn't ring, then maybe you need a different approach to this business....get certified.**

If the phone doesn't ring, I do believe that you need a different approach at marketing/getting your name out there. I don't necessarily agree that the phone ringing or not ringing has anything to do with being certified or not being certified.

One misconception of new SA's is that they register with SS's and then sit and wait for the phone to ring. After registering, you need to call the SS, tell them you are available and ask if they have any signings in your area -- besides calling, you can also e-mail and fax. Anything to keep your name in front of them.

Reply by BrendaTX on 12/15/04 11:03pm
Msg #13763

Re: Certification vs Education

NIK's point: "For someone who has no relevant experience at all, being certified, at least proves that he/she has done his/her homework and should, at least know the basics of loan signing."

That's my own opinion. To me, gaining certification shows a willingness to gain education, if nothing else. But, if you ask me if it's important as far as getting business, I cannot comment with any proof to back up my opinion. I am not sure it is important to those we work for.

I got a call today from a new-to-me group who seems really concerned about getting notaries that are "comfortable" with loan docs and have a background that is more than just gaining a notarial commission and getting a certification. Two people quizzed me on the phone before assigning me the job.

They asked me to just chat with them a little bit about what my experience and background included with this type of work. They never asked me about certification. To be fair, I do have "NNA certified" stated in most of my online profiles, so I don't know if that was already knowledge that preceded their call, or not.

Reply by NewInKansas on 12/16/04 12:41am
Msg #13775

Re: Certification vs Education

Perhaps they didn't ask if you were certified because you had experience, which preceeds the importance of being certified.

Reply by MSS-SOC-Cal on 12/17/04 4:53pm
Msg #13954

Re: Clarification - from a green future Notary

Bravo, that is exactly what I think.

The certification just means you have some extra information and maybe some good knowledge. The information can be self taught, but with the LoanSigningAgent book that I received from the notaryclasses.com signup it was all right there. Copies of loan docs, tricks of the trade, etc.

I did not have to spend 10's or 100's of online hours surfing for the same info. For me, even though I have not even signed my first set of docs yet, it was worth every dollar, and I have not taking the certification class or test yet.

I just feel more confident and prepared to jump in.

Just my two cents from "not even a notary yet"