NSA Training / Courses

[oyiwaa.noela]

Hello, I am interested in becoming a NSA. I see a lot of training courses around including those offered by: www.nationalnotary.org and notarypublicunderwriters.com.

Given that most of you here are already experienced, I am looking for some guidance on which training courses would offer me the best bang for the buck. I could take the more expensive option, but is it worth the additional cost?

thanks in advance for your attention, and I look forward to your guidance.

thanks - Oy

[cNsa5]

@oyiwaa.noela Welcome to the Notary Cafe forum.

Excellent query!

Initially, your query elicits a query in response: Have you noticed the DRAMATIC downturn in the Real Estate market & the sharp uptick in the Interest Rates in the US?

If so, you would simultaneously be cognizant that the work within this particular business sector would be quite ANOREXIC . . .

A brief review of the GOLDMINE found within the Notary Cafe database would provide you with a recurring theme of Professional and Regular members asking the same question: “Where are the Signing Orders?”

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In order to perform a Search of the Notary Cafe database, access the nearly-invisible Magnifying Glass and then type your topic into the search field for immediate answers. See the image below on how to locate the Magnifying Glass.

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Here are some threads that you may find immediately helpful:

IMPORTANT: A Seven-Step Guide to help you Achieve Success => Insights regarding whether to start a business (or not . . .) or to CONTINUE (or not . . .)

@dawnsnotary Yes, important & vitally critical data elements to investigate! Many have been shocked at the quantity . . . Also, doing research at the issuing agency; i.e., Secretary of State, etc. will FURTHER open ones eyes to the unbelievable amount of notaries in your region. Of course, this is only germane to those whose focus is General Notary Work [GNW] - as opposed to Professional Signing Agents [PSAs].

I need help with calculating the true costs of doing business

It would be in your best interest to jot down all of the expenses associated with performing the services you provide within your service region to determine a baseline operating cost. Then, at that point, you can calculate the fees that will generate a net profit to determine if you’ll have a Profit or sustain a Loss at that rate. There are many items to consider within your Overhead calculations. Here are a few to get you started: • telephone expenses including cell phone equipment and month…

Temper your expectations

To preface this, I’ve been a lurker on these forums for quite some time and I’ve noticed a ton of expectations lately that seem too unrealistic. I’m a NSA out of Michigan and have been one for the past 7 years. I usually pull in at least 8k worth of business every month but it takes a LONG time to get to that point. I see a ton of newer notaries looking to make fast money or expecting SS or TC to come to them over seasoned notaries while they have very little experience. A few tips that I’d sug…

NNA Membership Question

I renewed once for credibility purposes, but it’s probably not worth it. I don’t think companies are really checking for it and I don’t think it has the credibility that I thought it did. I did call for advice a few times when I first started, but now I don’t need their help. Never gotten a contact from signingagent.com, either. Sooo… idk. I was also apart of my local Chamber of Commerce for a year and didn’t renew that one since it didn’t lead to any connections like I thought. And I don’t thin…

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My personal experience:
When I initially started performing this work, I successfully completed MULTIPLE training/certification programs including Notary2Pro & NNA and many others. I have extensive experience in skill sets that require certification and recurrent evaluation tests; i.e., I’ve maintained my Project Management Professional [PMP] certification for more than 20 years. So, I understand what it usually entails and the elements that should be included within a comprehensive training program.

Regarding the NNA training specifically, it’s lacking across multiple topics & categories. Many NNA “graduates” choose to take additional training courses elsewhere, because they sense they’re insufficiently prepared. Their primer has errors throughout. Their hotline is less than reliable for accurate responses.

In my experience with undergoing the multiple training programs for certified notary signing agent [CNSA] certification, hands-down without question, Carol Ray’s Notary2Pro training programs are optimum in this industry. I’ve successfully completed ALL of the multiple training/certification programs that Carol offers through her company Notary2Pro. Her programs are thorough & detailed. These also prepare the business owner to operate a business. In addition, she offers Mentoring services. I found those to be excellent & INVALUABLE when I was initially starting out in this business sector. The prices are surprisingly reasonable.

I’ve professionally compared the training/certification programs available at Notary2Pro with the others I’ve successfully completed. The ONLY training/certification program I recommend is Notary2Pro.

A list of companies that hire Notary2Pro graduates (with minimal or no experience) is provided to successful course graduates. => This list is pure GOLD! Study up, refresh your notes, & let Carol know when your initial few signings are scheduled. She is a wonderful mentor & can be on standby in case you encounter difficulties or have questions during your first few signings. She’s the Best! Her support will help you Build your Confidence in providing this service.

In addition, Notary2Pro works diligently to keep this list up-to-date regarding vetting and viability. As we all know, some reliable clients can encounter financial difficulties and that, in turn, can negatively impact CNSAs directly.

Of course, your best bet would be to visit their website at https://www.notary2pro.com/ , research, and make the choices appropriate for your situation. The training programs by Carol Ray are comprehensive & thorough.

P.S. I receive no compensation or remuneration of any type or kind as a result of my first-hand experiential review above.

P.P.S. Unfortunately, Carol has passed from our earthly plane (in February of 2022). I hope she Rests In Peace. I’m grateful to have made her acquaintance and studied under her tutelage. Her training & certification programs are ongoing under the guidance & support of her children.

[Arichter]

STOP! Please do more research. For your own financial well-being, please read all the posts on this forum about how this business is circling the drain. From low to zero volume, thru low fees that barely cover (if they even do) expenses to the rush to low-paying Remote Online Notarization (with still more expense to you)–
Then search your zip to see how many experienced/preferred notaries you’d be competing with for very little business. And due to the Fed raising interest rates AGAIN, look at the financial & related recession news of all the lender LO layoffs, terrible housing market and realize that nobody is going to refi out of a 3-4% mortgage for 6-7% and higher. Or keep your optimism in high gear cuz you’re different and keep those trainers bank accounts full cuz they’re hurting, too.

[alice2uworld]

Love your response. What is keeping me busy in addition to GNW is requests from Arizona and Idaho for signings. I’m in WA State and this is where people with money to invest are purchasing their some vacation aka retirement homes. They know interest rate is high but anticipate refinancing later. Homes they are purchasing have dropped in price $200K to $300K. Craziness ! My contacts in AZ and ID came from working with military signers when I lived in Kitsap County.