What should I look for in a certification program or designation?

1. Does this program/designation require participants to pass a written exam?

   The CMPS Institute requires each member to complete a 100 question exam and obtain at least an 80%. The CMPS® designation requires a certain level of proficiency in order to use the designation. Without being tested, anyone can call themselves “certified.” The test incorporates the five essential skill categories related to integrating a mortgage into a consumer’s overall financial plan.

2. Does this program/designation require members to follow a Code of Ethics?

   Without a Code of Ethics, you have no assurance that the person you are working with is being held accountable for the way they treat you. CMPS® professionals have pledged to follow a code of ethics. The CMPS Institute has the authority to terminate membership and the privilege to use the CMPS® designation for any marketing purposes if a member were to violate the Code of Ethics.

3. Does this program/designation require members to complete Continuing Education and renew an ongoing membership?

   CMPS® members are required to complete 8 hours of continuing education (available on the members-only web site) and remain a member in good standing.

4. Does this designation/program hold any federally registered mark?

   The CMPS Institute has received the Certificate of Registrations for the marks referenced below.

   • CMPS®
   • CMPS Situation Room™
   • CMPS Learning Gallery™
   • CMPS Board Room™
   • CMPS Gateway of Achievement™
   • CMPS Exchange™
   • CMPS Inner Chamber™
   • CMPS Trading Floor™
   • CMPS Hall of Wisdom™

   The CMPS designation takes a great deal of time and effort. Members must pass the examination and show a certain level of proficiency in order to obtain the certification. If the Institute did not register the CMPS® mark, unscrupulous persons might use the mark to try and gain an advantage in the marketplace without actually becoming CMPS members. The CMPS Institute has registered the mark to protect you and your investment.

   The mark should be used with the ® symbol: Gibran Nicholas, CMPS®

5. Does this designation/program monitor the use of its acronym ensuring only the people who have passed the exam and qualify use it?

   Yes, the Institute monitors the use of the mark and enforces proper usage of it.

6. If an organization has a designation with a registered trademark, can I trust they have actually applied for and received a Certificate of Registration?

   Unfortunately, no. Upon request, organizations should be able to show the Certification of Registration as proof of their registration.

7. How does this designation differ from NAMB’s certification?

   NAMB provides professional, valuable designations for mortgage professionals with 3 different levels of experience. GMA is for mortgage brokers who have recently entered the mortgage industry. This designation covers subjects like General Industry Knowledge, Business Practices and Ethics, Insurance, Laws and Compliance, Residential Financing, Mortgage Technology and Marketing and Sales. CRMS is for mortgage brokers who have at least 2 years of industry experience and specialize in residential mortgage lending. The subject areas covered are General Industry Knowledge, Business Practices and Ethics, Insurance, Laws and Compliance and Residential Financing. The CMC designation is a 4 hour computer based exam designed for mortgage brokers with at least 5 years of industry experience and specialize in residential mortgage lending. The subject areas covered are General Industry Knowledge, Business Practices and Ethics, Insurance, Laws and Compliance, Residential Financing and Commercial. For more information visit: www.namb.org.

   The CMPS® training and exam cover the following subject areas: Real Estate Investment Planning; Inflation, the Fed and Mortgage Rates; RESPA and Compliance; Advanced Credit Scoring Strategies; Portrait of a Mortgage Planner; and Advanced Equity Management. The CMPS® curriculum represents the core knowledge expected of residential mortgage advisors, regardless of the diversity of their specialization. The CMPS® curriculum teaches ways to incorporate a client’s mortgage, debt, and home equity strategy into their overall financial plan.