Posted by jojo_MN on 10/17/06 7:06pm
Msg #153152

NNA certification and recertification

Note to Harry - I am not promoting the NNA products, just passing on info. for those who feel they need to comply to continue working with major companies.

Complete certification course, test and background check - $149.00 (includes NNA and NSA membership for one year).

Background check ONLY - $39.00.

Recertiication course only (no background check) - $69.00

Recertification course and background check (if certification expired less than 12 months ago) - $99.00.

If certification expired more than 12 months ago, + background check - $149.00
(Note--You have to start course over completely if you expired more than 12 months ago) they will not let you just recertify.

Per Fazana at NNA.

Reply by Linda_H/FL on 10/17/06 7:11pm
Msg #153155

Re: "if you expired more than 12 months ago"...

should be free at that point...

Sorry..couldn't resist..<G>

Reply by BrendaTx on 10/17/06 8:03pm
Msg #153169

Jo Jo, That's very interesting. But you have to be a member already to get their BGC? No?

Reply by jojo_MN on 10/17/06 8:09pm
Msg #153171

Of course...what a silly question! :}

Reply by Pamela on 10/17/06 8:19pm
Msg #153176

Jojo, Re: NNA certification and recertification

No question is a "silly question".

There are other people who may be reading your post, not knowing
that you have to be an NNA member. Afterall, you did not state that
membership was required.

Also, I telephoned last month and spoke with a NNA supervisor
and "Lead Customer Specialist" person, I was told that all NNA Certified
notaries are required to have a background check.

So please verify your information again.

Pam



The "background only" fee, is for those signing agents who are already certified,
but lack the NNA mandated background check.

Reply by jojo_MN on 10/17/06 8:28pm
Msg #153182

Re: Jojo, Re: NNA certification and recertification

Sorry, I didn't mean it in a nasty way. Right now, the general feeling among us all is that some un-named organization is trying to get as much money as possible out of our pockets. Did not mean the comment in disrespect to any of us in the signing agent profession. I was just told that you have to be a MEMBER to have the background check. You do not have to be certified to have the background check.

Reply by BrendaTx on 10/17/06 8:38pm
Msg #153187

Jojo - I was *not* offended! n/m

Reply by jojo_MN on 10/17/06 8:48pm
Msg #153189

NNA Member clarification

Sorry--I didn't think that many of you don't know that in order to be listed on the NNA website you have to be a member of their Notary Signing Agent (NSA) section of the NNA. You have to be a member of the NNA (National Notary Association) before you can get membership with the NSA. You have to be an NNA member to have the background check.

Reply by Linda_H/FL on 10/17/06 9:01pm
Msg #153193

Re: NNA Member clarification

You also have to be NNA certified in order to get their BGC -

I just went to the website (I am a member and I am NNA certified) - I plugged in my state but answered "no" to the membership question - I was given 3 options - Live Seminar, Online Training or Self Study - all three give me NNA certification.

There was no option for just a BGC through the NNA for non-NNA certified NSA's or non-members. Here's a one-paragraph blurb from that site:

"Upon successful completion of the certification/compliance training, online certification exam and background screening, you will earn your NNA Certified Notary Signing Agent title. This designation gives you a priority-status, certified/GLBA compliant listing in the NNA SigningAgent.com directory ..."

Hope this helps to clarify the member/certification question.

Reply by Pamela on 10/17/06 8:27pm
Msg #153180

Jojo,

Also, the NNA certificate course is for a two year period.
They will not let someone "recertify" if the entire course is not repeated.
This "Fazana" gave you incorrect information!

Again, the NNA requires ALL of its Certified Signing Agents, to undergo their
background check. There is no separation.

In the future, Always talk to management. Why? They "sometimes" know more.

Pam

Reply by jojo_MN on 10/17/06 8:31pm
Msg #153183

Re: Jojo,

They offer a "recertification" course that is not listed on the website. You need to talk to customer service to get that information. If you don't ask, you take the whole course over!

Reply by Pamela on 10/17/06 8:44pm
Msg #153188

Jojo, I Did Ask.

When I first received my notary commission, I also took and
completed the NNA Certified Loan Signing Agent's class
(although I did not go into the business until this year.).

My renewal came-up this summer. I telephoned the NNA for information
(as I wasn't sure if I was going to renew my certificate with them).
I was told that the recertification course is the same as the regular
certification course. The only difference, is that I can save money
by not having to purchase the book again.

Because I am also certified via another company (with no expiration date),
I decided not to renew with them (There are also other reasons too).

Pam

Reply by jojo_MN on 10/17/06 8:55pm
Msg #153191

Re: Jojo, I Did Ask.

Fazana told me that you have to pay the entire fee and you get the same book. I told her I didn't feel I had to purchase the book again since I already have it. I also said they should have a reduced fee if they don't need to send the book again. She just said that is not an option. If I want to be certified again, I have to take the entire course over and receive the book again because it was more than 12 months since I expired. Grrrr!!

As far as the course goes--why should you have to pay again if it uses the same book anyway? They don't do any work. You just read the book!!!!

Reply by NCLisa on 10/17/06 11:21pm
Msg #153233

Re: Jojo, I Did Ask.

I never bought any book from them. When I did the certification they offered it with a book or just to just take the test. I just took the test during a break at work one afternoon. I guess too many already experienced people weren't buying their book, so they changed the options they offered online.

Reply by jojo_MN on 10/17/06 8:57pm
Msg #153192

Pam, which course did you take? Is it better? N/M n/m

Reply by Pamela on 10/18/06 12:36am
Msg #153241

Jojo,

Hi!

I took the NNA's Home Study course. It was okay.
The other company's course was taken at a local community college
(this one was so-so).

In my opinion, neither of these courses prepares you for the
"real" world of signing!

Which is why, there are so many certified "newbies", who are not
as "learned' as they should be.

Also, I sent you the list of certified courses a few minutes ago.


Pam

Reply by Linda_H/FL on 10/17/06 9:04pm
Msg #153196

Re: Pam...would you e-mail me

With the name of that other company you're certified through?

Thanks.

Reply by jojo_MN on 10/17/06 9:13pm
Msg #153197

Would you send via e-mail . TIA n/m

Reply by Pamela on 10/18/06 12:05am
Msg #153238

Will Do! n/m

Reply by Pamela on 10/18/06 12:04am
Msg #153237

Will Be Sending You a List Shortly! n/m

Reply by JanetK_CA on 10/18/06 1:12am
Msg #153246

Does anyone know...

Has the NNA given out any information on how THEY plan to be in compliance with GLB and the *notary's* privacy protections?? Have they said if all their employees (who will be dealing with this database of many people's personal information) are also going to submit to a background check? I hope so.

Regarding the info provided by jojo_MN and other posters here, do I understand correctly that for SAs who have chosen to disaffiliate with the NNA more than a year ago, that to meet these so-called new requirements, they will have to pay the NNA $149 to, among other things, receive a book they might already have (and that only covers the basics) without any additional updates or new information? So it's the same old information over and over? And this makes us better qualified how?? What I don't get is how they convinced these companies that these additional steps (above and beyond the BGC) will meet any legal requirements or help them access a better class of SAs. But that's just me....

Reply by Kevin/Ct on 10/18/06 4:37am
Msg #153250

Has anyone taken the time to ask what section of GLB the NNA and various companies are relying upon to support their requirement od background checks and certification?

More impoprtantly have they received an answer?

Reply by MelissaCT on 10/18/06 8:06am
Msg #153261

NSA's fall into this within the Real Estate Settlement Services portion, however as I read it, that is only with regards to privacy policy development & adherance and providing an opt-out to the customer with regards to sharing public or non-public personal information.

Real Estate Settlement Services defined:



--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Summary of activities from three Federal Reserve Bulletin orders attached below:

1. Review the status of the title in the title commitment, resolve any exceptions to the title, and review the purchase agreement to identify any requirements in it in order to ensure compliance with them;

2. Verify the payment of existing loans secured by the real estate and verify the amount of and then calculate the prorating of special assessments and taxes on the property;

3. Obtain an updated title insurance commitment to the date of closing, prepare the required checks, deeds, affidavits, and obtain any authorization letters needed;

**4. Establish a time and place for the closing, conduct the closing, and ensure that all parties properly execute all appropriate documents and meet all commitments; **

5. Collect and disburse funds for the parties, hold funds in escrow pending satisfaction of certain commitments, prepare the HUD settlement statement, the deed of trust, mortgage notes, the Truth-in-Lending statement, and purchaser's affidavits;

6. Record the appropriate documents as required under law; and

7. Provide real estate abstracting services: conduct title search and prepare abstract of title.

As for safeguarding of information, I don't see anywhere within the GBLA regarding background checks specifically, nor anything about training & certification. As someone else pointed out (can't remember who right now, sorry or I'd give credit where due) notaries, in their daily activities, are privy to confidential information on a routine basis, not just as signing agents.

I believe it has been asked, and no answer has been received. I suspect that the NNA has found a cash cow in some fine print that *can* be interpreted very loosely in their favor. With the right *spin*, this is what has been created.

Reply by Lee/AR on 10/18/06 8:41am
Msg #153274

Thanks for chiming in, Kevin

Sure would like to hear a lawyer's take on this 'requirement'! Many people have asked; no answers given beyond weasel-words and a bit of back-peddling.

Reply by Kevin/Ct on 10/19/06 6:55am
Msg #153559

Re: Thanks for chiming in, Kevin

Would be happy to offer an opinion once I know the Section number of the GLB Act upon which they rely. Until then I am only taking shots in the dark.

It is my understanding that the individulas who started this issue have now taken the position that it is their personal preference rather than a legal requirement. If that is the case they can make compliance part of their contractual relationship with the signing agents. If that is the case it becomes a matter of contract breach rather than violation of a statute.