Posted by Denise Gabbard on 2/10/07 10:26am
Msg #175079

USMNA?

Does anyone recommend them? I've been looking into "certification"-- and they offer a course that is included at no charge with membership, which seems relatively inexpensive in comparison to some of the other sites.($69 for two years.)

Reply by Lee/AR on 2/10/07 11:07am
Msg #175091

This is a completely neutral statement: Certification is whatever the certifier says it is. There is no official or legal determination as to what is or is not meant by certification nor is an 'independent certification' required by any State. You pays your money & you takes your pick.

Reply by Denise Gabbard on 2/10/07 11:18am
Msg #175093

So, I guess the question becomes-- what do the companies who employ notaries require? I've seen some listings that ask for NNA certification, but others that ask only "Are you certified?"-- What's the best route to take? What about background checks? Should I wait for the Notary Rotary site, and use theirs? Sorry for all the questions- just want to have the proper/required credentials. Thanks for any responses/direction given.

Reply by Lee/AR on 2/10/07 12:29pm
Msg #175105

I am not certified. I was doing this before it was invented. Thus far, nobody has cared when I check 'no' to that. As for the BGC, I'd wait and see if this continues to be requested. I currently have 3---all paid for by the requesting co. If I needed one, I'd get it here. Best real advice I can give you is to search on NNA CBC or some variation and read, read, read & make your own decision.

Reply by MichiganAl on 2/10/07 1:17pm
Msg #175111

Use the orange search button,we've discussed this 1000 times

There's no set answer, there's no right answer, there's no industry standard. Some people have five certifications from different places, some have none and do great. I've taken certification courses from three different places. In four years no one has asked me for copies or proof of any of them. The key is to do whatever you need to do to educate yourself so that you'll feel confident that you can handle any situation.

Reply by Sylvia_FL on 2/10/07 3:01pm
Msg #175126

Denise
I used to belong to the Florida branch, but decided it wasn't worth the money.

I don't buy into these "certification" courses, in 7 years I have never been asked if I am certified. (I know PAW will say I should be - in a different sense <g>.
And frankly, as a signing service I would put more store into the SR's training course than either the NNA's or the USMNA's

Reply by Denise Gabbard on 2/10/07 3:09pm
Msg #175130

Thanks for all your responses

Thanks for all of the responses you've given. I do have an extensive finance, banking, mortgage background-- so I'm confident of my abilities to dot all the i's and cross all the t's-- I'm been reading everything I can get my hands on (for free) and wondered if any of the so-called "certifications" were worth paying for. Seems that the general consensus is that education is absolutely important, but certification really isn't-- so, I will continue to pore through all the info I can find, and keep my money in the bank. Thanks again-Denise

Reply by Sylvia_FL on 2/10/07 4:48pm
Msg #175142

Re: Thanks for all your responses

Denise
I notice you have only been a notary since January, so please make sure you know the Florida notary laws inside out and backwards and forwards, and if you need any help my contact number is in my profile. Please feel free to call me
Download the Fl Governor's handbook for notaries, it will be very beneficial to you.
Always make sure all 9 elements are on the notary certificate on all notarizations you do