Posted by Undecided, NY on 1/29/05 3:05am
Msg #18713

National Notary Association

Has anyone taken the "Online Training" program from the National Notary Association for a Signing Agent training program.

They have an online program and also an at home study program to become a "Certified Notary Signing Agent".

Has anyone done either one or the other...or both?

Thanks in advance for any help.

Reply by S/Ca on 1/29/05 4:48am
Msg #18717

I took their live signing course and found it weak. I believe there is better ones available. I also took thier Certified course and it was okay but I mainly wanted it for the name. For your signing course look for one that gives you actual experience with documents as there is a world of difference.

Reply by John Charles Gober on 1/29/05 8:28am
Msg #18723

I also found the certified a little lame. It dealt more on running your business than on what to watch out for. Anyhow the title of Certified does help and is unfortunately recognized and accepted. If you wish a good test of your skills though apply at First American Title. The test is not forgiving which I think is good and it is a good judge of knowlege. But before you take it STUDY THE TRAINING MANUAL!

Here is there link: https://www.signtrack.com/WhiteGlove/NotaryTest/TestRequirements.aspx?type=signing_agent.

Good Luck!

John Charles Gober
[e-mail address]

Reply by Loretta Reed on 1/29/05 8:46am
Msg #18725

I also think that if you do not pass the test with First American when you take it online, you cannot do signings for them until you do. Sounds good to me.

Reply by sue on 1/29/05 9:43am
Msg #18728

...Anyhow the title of Certified does help and is unfortunately recognized and accepted...

I am going to wholeheartedly disagree with this statement. I've been doing 'signings' since 1997 and I can count on one hand the number of times someone has asked me if I'm certified. And, I'm going to tell you those were all low paying services that I would never even consider working for. Companies that pay fees high enough so that you don't complain about waiting for e-docs, splitting packages, 50 faxed pages, etc., all want to know about your 'first hand experience' not a 'certification'.

Certification through the NNA does one thing and one thing only - it moves you higher on the list - it is an advertising tool only. I'm not certified but I believe it's an 'open book' test and you can take and retake it as many times as you need in order to pass. If you've got absolutely no experience or background in this business and you are going to jump in and learn as you go it's a start and it's certainly better than nothing but 'certified' isn't 'recognized and accepted' by the industry as a whole. Whose certification is recognizedNNA, SR, 123, JP&S, 50 State Notary (my skin is crawling at this one)? What standards have been set up? How long is a 'certification' good for - until your year is up, until you take some cle classes, until there have been substantive changes to the laws and you must relearn your job?

Reply by Sue/AZ on 1/29/05 11:01am
Msg #18735

Sue, I agree 100% with you.

Reply by Undecided, NY on 1/29/05 2:32pm
Msg #18750

Thanks for the link and advice/feedback. I've already checked it out and seems to be an excellent lead.

Thanks again.

Reply by Ted_MI on 1/29/05 4:27pm
Msg #18761

S,

I too took the live introductory course (about six months ago), and contrary to your impression I thought it was very helpful, very thorough. The guy presenting knew his stuff just backwords and forwards.

Reply by thnotary_NY on 1/29/05 1:22pm
Msg #18739

Undecided, NY, where are u located.? Take a look at the SigningRegistry course if u want something that will really help u in the early going.

Reply by Undecided, NY on 1/29/05 2:15pm
Msg #18745

What is the SigningRegistry course? I'm basically looking to be NNA certified as an advertising/promotional tool. But if it's going to teach me anything I'd rather know which is better to do, the at home (which is more expensive) or the online training.

Thanks again for all who've responded.



Oh and...Long Island, NY (thnotary_NY)

Reply by thnotary_NY on 1/29/05 2:49pm
Msg #18756

Are u any where near St. Albans.?

Reply by fiKS on 1/29/05 2:17pm
Msg #18747

I toook the NNA training course when I first started and I can't say it didn't help me get to know how to do the job better. However, if you want to take a course to educate yourself, might I suggest going to the signingregistry.com and take their course. Their training manual is wonderful. And you can get great support. Given that I've not tried to get assistance through the NNA but the administrators at SR has been really helpful. I get to talk to the owner, Kathy and when I have questions and email her, she writes back almost immediately and enthusiastically. And they have a mentor system as well. Not someone to teach you but to help you if you have any questions.

In my point of view, NNA is like this large corporation and SR is like a mom-and-pop's with the personal service. So where would you prefer to shop?

Reply by Undecided, NY on 1/29/05 2:34pm
Msg #18751

Thanks for your input/advice, I will check out the signingregistry.com website. I like the mom-and-pop's stores and services!

I know the NNA is pretty much a money-making scheme, but people do recognize them. It's all basically for the name, "Certified".

Thanks again!

Reply by Susie/CA on 1/30/05 10:23am
Msg #18791

Since I have been doing signings and I have done thousands I have "never" been asked if I was certified. Mind you I am constantly busy and have some excellent title companies calling me on a consistent basis. If you are going to take a certification course I believe you should take it for education purposes only. If you expect to get a ton more work because of it I think you will be dissapointed. JMHO.

Reply by Ernest Adams on 1/29/05 6:58pm
Msg #18772

"Undecided, NY": A message just for you

Please email me. I have info to share with you, but ONLY with you. Send email to CTMnsn at Comcast.Net (replacing the "at" appropriately). Thank you.

Reply by Undecided, NY on 1/30/05 9:57pm
Msg #18823

Re: "Undecided, NY": A message just for you

Hey just wanted to let you know I did email you. Did you receive my email?

Reply by Ernest Adams on 1/31/05 1:27am
Msg #18828

Re: "Undecided, NY": A message just for you

To all who were curious: We emailed. The info was not about education, but a specific situation and firm in his geographic area.

Reply by ColleenCA on 1/31/05 7:34am
Msg #18830

Yes, I took and passed the home study course. The first time I took the test, they issued the wrong one, which I passed. I was then sent a certificate for the Notary Home Study Course. It took one month for me to get through to someone who finally found out they had issued the wrong test and told me I would have to take the Signing Agent test (again). I did, and passed again and finally received the correct certificate and card. I have only been asked by one SA if I am certified.