TODAY'S TRAINING TIP: Get Certified!

Written by:
Stacey Sprain,
NAMP Volunteer Writer

One the best ways to boost your credibility and worth in the industry is to participate in certification programs that are available to you. The ability to include established certifications on your resume, on your business cards and in your processor marketing material will get people's attention and place you a step ahead of your competition.

Freddie Mac offers a great LP Certification program that you may not be aware of. You may go to http://www.freddiemac.com/learn/certification/ to learn specific details about the program. Once certified, you can add "Freddie Mac Certified Specialist", "Freddie Mac Certified Training Specialist", or "Freddie Mac Certified Instructor" to your resume and/or business cards. Your certification is transferable when you become employed by another eligible organization. Participants must be employed by an approved Freddie Mac Seller or eligible third party organization.

Eligible third-party organizations include: Mortgage Insurance (MI) companies; mortgage brokers; industry training resources; industry trade organizations. You should read all details of the certification program including Profile: A Good Candidate for Freddie Mac Certification which can be found at http://www.freddiemac.com/learn/certification/profile.html.

The National Association of Mortgage Processors offers a processor certification to all of its members. Visit http://www.mortgageprocessor.org/certified-mortgage-loan-processor.php to register for the certification of your choice.

The NAMP Certified Purple Processor Certification or CPP is available to processors with little or no experience for $99.99. Purple Processor status means you've agreed to pass a background check, are a current NAMP member in good standing and that you sign an affidavit certifying your commitment to maintaining the highest of ethical standards associated with your processing activities.

The NAMP Certified Master Processor designation or CMLP is designed for processors with no less than five years of experience for $249.99. CMLP status means means you've agreed to pass a background check, are a current NAMP member in good standing and that you sign an affidavit certifying your commitment to maintaining the highest of ethical standards associated with your processing activities.

The NAMP Certified Ambassador Processor or CALP is the highest designation offered through the NAMP Certification Program for $349.99. This prestigious certification is for NAMP members in good standing who have no less than 15 years of experience, who have passed a background check, who are active members in good standing and who sign an affidavit certifying a commitment to maintaining the highest of ethical standards in the business.

You will also credibility to your resume and marketing materials by including copies of certificates of completion for a wide range of training sessions- many of which are available for very low cost and even free! Visit http://www.mgic.com/ to preview their educational training sessions at the Learning Center. Fannie Mae also offers a range of web training sessions covering an array of processing-related topics at https://www.efanniemae.com/lc/ou/websem/. And don't forget to visit Freddie Mac's Learning Center at http://www.freddiemac.com/learn/ for a list of their trainings.

There is no better time than the present to extend your knowledge and education. Designated certifications and certificates of completion are the best way to grab the attention of potential employers and business associates in order to command the financial worthiness you have earned and deserve.

About the Writer. As one of NAMP's volunteer writers, Stacey Sprain is currently a NAMP member in good standing and is a NAMP Certified Ambassador Loan Processor (CALP). If you would like to become a volunteer writer for NAMP, please email us at: blog@mortgageprocessor.org.