Specialty Certification

(Complete Company Licensing Review AND Branch Licensing Review OR All Entity Licensing Review Learning Plans) 

Candidates for the CAS Company & Branch designation must provide evidence of the following:

1. Completion of a minimum of two (2) years of on-the-job service and training related to processing licensing applications.
2. Satisfactory completion of the Branch Licensing and Company Licensing Review Learning Plans OR All Entity Licensing Review Learning Plan (see course listings below).
3. Financial Accounting Training in FLEX or equivalent
   • Financial Accounting: Accounting Basics
   • Financial Accounting: The Income Statement and Balance Sheet
   • Financial Accounting: Financial Statements
4. Completion of CHRI Training as assigned.

Applicants must ensure that they meet all certification requirements and will then complete an attestation of successful job performance and mastery of job-related skills, providing a thorough written response for each competency category. Their supervisor will then review and affirm the attestation to ensure accuracy and completeness. The core competencies are an integral part of the certification, and a high degree of reliance is placed on the attestation for determining compliance with these skill areas. The supervisor reviewing the application form should be familiar with the applicant’s experience, performance, and skills/abilities and be confident that the applicant meets all the requirements outlined in the form.

The attestation form addresses the following categories:

TECHNICAL - Provides effective organization to the application review process by:

• Effectively reviews and organizes applications.
• Ensures pre-licensure documents are received, and requirements are completed or places requirements or deficiencies on the company or direct owners/executive officers.
• Processes applications efficiently and in a timely manner (i.e., within the time period prescribed by state statute or regulation where applicable).
• System Proficiency
  • Demonstrates the ability to navigate the Nationwide Multistate Licensing System (NMLS) effectively.
  • Applies national best practices for data entry, application review, and deficiency tracking.
• Application Review and Processing
  • Conducts a thorough review of initial and renewal applications, identifying deficiencies and missing documentation.
  • Reviews and evaluates company financial statements and background documentation to ensure applicants meet state licensing requirements.
  • Accurately assesses and verifies business structures and control persons.
  • Evaluates qualifications of control persons and/or qualified individuals to ensure compliance with applicable state laws and experience standards.
  • Reviews business plans and product offerings submitted by license applicants to assess alignment with the company’s stated activities, risk profile, and regulatory requirements.
• Risk Assessment and Decision Making
  • Evaluates risk factors in licensing applications, such as prior enforcement actions, regulatory history, and financial soundness.
  • Verifies criminal background checks, credit reports, and other financial fitness documentation for individuals in positions of control, as required by state regulations.
  • Assesses state-specific experience and education requirements for qualified individuals or control persons, where applicable.
  • Identifies patterns of non-compliance and recommends appropriate next steps.

CONCEPTUAL - Provides effective and accurate evaluation of applications:

• Effectively follows established licensing procedures to collect and analyze data.
• Infers correct conclusions from collected data.
• Regulatory & Licensing Framework
  • Demonstrates an understanding of the purpose and importance of state financial regulation.
  • Applies key licensing concepts, including the roles of mortgage lenders, brokers, servicers, and other financial service providers. Understands the license types required by different business types under state guidelines.
  • Understands the importance of licensing in consumer protection and promoting market stability.
• Industry Knowledge & Trends
  • Recognizes evolving risks in the industry, including fraud schemes and cybersecurity threats.
• Standardization & Best Practices
  • Applies principles of uniformity and process improvement in licensing reviews.
  • Compares and contrasts state regulatory approaches and recognizes areas for alignment with national best practices.
  • Stays informed about regulatory updates and industry developments.

LEGAL/COMPLIANCE - Provides effective and accurate evaluation of policies, procedures, laws, rules, and regulations:

• Effectively demonstrates knowledge of policies, procedures, laws, rules and regulations.
• Effectively follows established procedures for presenting deficient application information and clearly and concisely recommends corrective action to applicants.
• Assesses the impact of federal regulations such as S.A.F.E. (Secure and Fair Enforcement) Act, Truth in Lending Act (TILA), Real Estate Settlement Procedures Act (RESPA), and Anti-Money Laundering and Countering the Financing of Terrorism (AML/CFT) requirements on state licensing as applicable.

COMMUNICATIONS - Provides effective oral and written communication by:

• Effectively and clearly communicates with applicants to obtain the required information.
• Provides clear, timely, and professional communication with license applicants, including status updates, guidance on requirements, and responses to inquiries.
• Effectively and clearly communicates deficiencies to supervisory personnel and/or regulated entities.
• Effectively prepares written comments that are accurate, grammatically correct, and logically arranged, to factually support any conclusions drawn.
• Manages difficult conversations with tact and professionalism, particularly in cases of application deficiencies or enforcement actions.
• Effectively and clearly provides licensing information to the public.

Learning Plan, Mortgage Licensing School Course Listing for Company Licensing Reviewers:

• History of Licensing
• NMLS, Licensing, and the State Agency
• NMLS Account Management and System Navigation for Organization Users
• NMLS Resource Center and Support
• SAFE Act Requirements
• Work List Management & Assignment
• License Item Management
• License Statuses
• Reviewing a Credit Report
• Company License Applications - Industry Perspectives
• Reviewing Company License Applications
• Company Management Oversight Responsibilities
• Audits
• Dedicated Resources
• Risk Management Programs
• Compliance Management Systems
• Business Continuity and Disaster Recovery
• Reviewing Company/Branch Amendments
• Advance Change Notice
• State Regulatory Actions
• Adverse and Final License Statuses
• License Surrender
• Using NMLS Reports
• Agency Fee Invoicing
• NMLS Consumer Access

AND

Learning Plan, Mortgage Licensing School Course Listing for Branch Licensing Reviewers:

• History of Licensing
• NMLS, Licensing, and the State Agency
• NMLS Account Management and System Navigation for Organization Users
• NMLS Resource Center and Support
• SAFE Act Requirements
• Work List Management & Assignment
• License Item Management
• License Statuses
• Reviewing a Credit Report
• Branch License Applications - Industry Perspectives
• Reviewing Branch License Applications
• Reviewing Company/Branch Amendments
• Company Management Oversight Responsibilities
• Audits
• Dedicated Resources
• Risk Management Programs
• Compliance Management Systems
• Business Continuity and Disaster Recovery
• Reviewing Company/Branch Amendments
• Advance Change Notice
• State Regulatory Actions
• Adverse and Final License Statuses
• License Surrender
• Using NMLS Reports
• Agency Fee Invoicing
• NMLS Consumer Access

OR

Learning Plan, Mortgage Licensing School Course Listing for All Entity Licensing Review:

• History of Licensing
• NMLS, Licensing, and the State Agency
• NMLS Account Management and System Navigation for Organization Users
• NMLS Resource Center and Support
• SAFE Act Requirements
• MLO License Applications - Industry Perspective
• Work List Management & Assignment
• Record Access, Relationships, and Sponsorship
• License Item Management
• License Statuses
• Reviewing MLO License Applications
• Reviewing a Criminal Background Check
• Reviewing a Credit Report
• Reviewing Individual Amendments
• Company License Applications - Industry Perspectives
• Reviewing Company License Applications
• Company Management Oversight Responsibilities
• Audits
• Dedicated Resources
• Risk Management Programs
• Compliance Management Systems
• Business Continuity and Disaster Recovery
• Branch License Applications - Industry Perspectives
• Reviewing Branch License Applications
• Reviewing Company/Branch Amendments
• Advance Change Notice
• State Regulatory Actions
• Testing and Education Investigations
• Adverse and Final License Statuses
• License Surrender
• Using NMLS Reports
• Agency Fee Invoicing
• NMLS Consumer Access

Application Specialist Recertification:

Every three years, participants will be required to provide evidence of the successful completion of a minimum of 40 continuing education hours (CEH). If a participant exceeds this requirement, up to 14 CEHs may be carried over into the new three-year term. Continuing education should be selected with the goal of maintaining, improving, or expanding the participant’s knowledge, skills, and abilities. Participants are also required to review and remain in compliance with updates to certifications. Should a material change related to the certification occur, additional training may be required to maintain certification.