Hello everyone. I’m new to the forum. I’ve had my notary commission for a year and I’ve decided to venture into the loan signing agent realm. I just wanted to get some opinions or recommendations on who offers the best course. I’m looking at Notary 2 Pro. I thought about NNA but I heard their course is lacking? Any feedback would be greatly appreciated. Thank you!
@lamarcusroper Excellent question! 
By any chance did you find the immediately available information found within the Notary Cafe database on this topic?
This information is a GOLDMINE!
Most members express that they find it difficult/NEARLY IMPOSSIBLE to locate the Search Function in order to access the wealth of information available within the database.
To be helpful, I’ve inserted an image for you & others [see below] to help members locate it to unlock the wisdom & knowledge of other members on the forums.
I’ve performed a cursory Search on your behalf and the results show 50+ separate threads (in addition to yours) about this particular topic. There is a plethora of data immediately available on the threads within Notary Cafe. 
https://forum.notarycafe.com/search?q=%22training%22
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Accessing the database to locate information about potential clients has saved many of us an inordinate amount of time ‘chasing’ payments for Services professionally provided to potential non-payers . . . 
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@lamarcusroper Regarding first-hand direct experience, I can extend the following to you . . .
FIRST & FOREMOST ===>>> There are many scams to be wary of . . .
This is what is meant when we reference that “it’s a very small world” in this business sector.
Someone new can make an inadvertent (or simple) error on their initial few signings and VOILA! Their name is “out for publication” between & among lenders, title/escrow companies [T/ECs], etc. and those individuals are avoided for possible Signing Orders.
Another reason we advocate for ensuring you receive some professional, reliable, & trustworthy training (not YouTube) prior to accepting your initial Signing Order. Just looking out for your successful Business Launch!
As new members seek insights regarding launching their business, a Key Element to Success is providing themselves with an appropriate foundation and undergirding that will serve & support their business.
There are multiple factors to consider:
- What is your background?
- Do you have experience in Real Estate?
- Do you have experience in Mortgage Lending?
- Do you have experience in Banking?
Etc. ad nauseam . . . => just know that you’re launching a business and the onus is upon you to create the best foundation possible from the onset.
Anyone who is engaging in predatory marketing & stating “you can make 6-figures” AVOID
Anyone who is engaged in marketing to you their “tell-all book” or their “mentoring” services AVOID
All the answers you’ll need (and then some) can be immediately found via the Search Function (see previous post above) within the Notary Cafe database.
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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 passed (February, 2022) from our earthly plane. I hope she Rests In Peace. I’m grateful to have made her acquaintance and studied under her tutelage.
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Today is my first day on the forum so I appreciate your feedback. I did see the other information on the forum so thank you for that as well.
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@lamarcusroper Welcome to the Notary Cafe forum.
You’re very Welcome!
Please know that there are 2 reference texts that I strongly recommend & that are found within the following direct url Notary Cafe link:
Best Wishes!
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@lamarcusroper If you’d like some ‘inside baseball’ on the earnings of this business sector . . . read on!
Please know that if you’re expecting piles of cash & overnight wealth, you should probably sit down prior to beginning a review of these url links. Hopefully, you’ve not invested much thus far . . .
There are a few “hawkers” who tout that six-figures can be made in this industry . . .
Of course, it’s always sagacious to do your own Research PRIOR to jumping in with both feet!
Hopefully, you’ve already created a Business Plan to chart your course & navigate your journey. It will be instrumental in assisting you to manage your business.
Remember to always vet the information you’re utilizing because most folks have ulterior motives & their interests won’t necessarily be in your best interest . . . Caveat Venditor!
This business sector is strongly influenced by multiple factors within the Financial Sector. So, it’s like most businesses . . . lots of peaks & valleys.
If you’d like to see how much is actually made currently (survey results as recent as a bit more than a year ago) within this business sector, check out the following threads within the GOLDMINE database here at Notary Cafe:
From the 2020 Survey results:
From the 2021 Survey results:
chrome-extension://efaidnbmnnnibpcajpcglclefindmkaj/https://www.nationalnotary.org/file%20library/nna/knowledge%20center/outside%20pdfs/bulletin-data-graphics-06-07-21.pdf
From the 2023 Survey results (29 pages):
chrome-extension://efaidnbmnnnibpcajpcglclefindmkaj/https://www.nationalnotary.org/file%20library/nna/download/nna-2023-notary-survey-results.pdf
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@lamarcusroper Just thought that you’d more than likely benefit from this post I created as well . . .
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In my opinion the required NNA course works just fine. You’ll learn the most by doing. Find a local mentor who can answer questions when you can’t reach a SS or title person or lender person. Be able to take the test to get the certification. Which course in my opinion doesn’t really matter so go with NNA because that’s generally acceptable to anyone who hires you.
Notary 2 Pro IMO isn’t all that special. Companies like that are notaries just like everyone else. NNA are specialists. That’s just my opinion don’t believe anyone who wants a $300 fee that you’re going to make a six-figure income as a mobile signing agent Notary Public because you took their training.
One other thing - starting out review documents as soon as you get them and if you have questions about how something should be done call the title person on the documents. They appreciate the notaries who call them for guidance to not make mistakes. Those are the answers that are the best answers. The forum is good for input and feedback but go to the source when you have questions starting out. Some signing services say do not contact title call us no matter what. Some of them really mean it. If I could not get someone to call from a signing service I would go to title.
Good luck.
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@lamarcusroper Of course, you should utilize your BEST judgment & by all means ‘trust your gut.’
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You’re absolutely spot on that the NNA training is lacking. That organization is a FOR-PROFIT company. It’s based in California and as such, the regulations & statues for all the other states are sorely missing from their databases. Many professional signing agents [PSAs] who are members & have accessed their hotline over the years have been provided with invalid/incorrect information. Several have shared that the documentation is replete with incorrect data as well.
That organization has demonstrated that it doesn’t advocate for notaries or for signing agents.
It’s a conundrum that the training & certification has an annual expiration date. This is a self-induced expiration generated by that organization as their main thrust is revenue generation.
Annual expiration certainly doesn’t make sense for training or certification, because the longer one applies their skills (after successfully achieving certification) continual improvement is the norm.
This would be akin to being required to earn your Bachelor’s or Master’s or PhD degrees each & every year . . . 
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As I indicated previously, I’ve successfully MULTIPLE (disparate regimens) training programs & certifications when I initially began providing PSA services including that national notary one.
Nearly everyone who is a novice & who has taken that course comes away with an identical experience => feeling insufficiently prepared to meet with a client & proceed though a document package.
Add to that the annual expiration & the actual EXPENSE is QUITE HIGH!
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Regarding finding a local mentor => this would be a fellow business owner/PSA within your region, also known as [AKA] a competitor for the local Signings Orders [SOs].
Most PSAs hold their knowledge & client list in high regard, because they’ve worked diligently over the years to acquire it.
‘Mentoring’ is certainly NOT something anyone should PAY for as ALL the ANSWERS are immediately available via a quick Search within the Notary Cafe database.
Any reputable training/certification course INCLUDES the mentoring for NO additional fee.
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Regarding Notary2Pro, well there will always be folks on the internet who speak out of turn, spread falsehoods, & advocate for their buddies who provide mentoring services . . .
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Anyone who flippantly infers that Carol Ray is just a notary who created a “company” is certainly not speaking from a vantage point of truth.
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The Notary2Pro Training Programs & Certifications were created, developed & designed by Carol Ray. She was a skilled expert with decades of first-hand direct experience.
- She enjoyed a multiple-year career as an Escrow Officer
- She was then was promoted to overseeing Escrow Officers as an Escrow Manager for 2 companies
- She originally became a notary in 1964-1965 in California & continued all those years with her Commission
- After she retired from her escrow manager position, she began providing PSA services for 7 years in California, then in Arizona for a subsequent 7 years
She met many reputable industry representatives over those years & noticed respect for PSAs was dwindling due to errors.
Training was unavailable at that time.
So, in 2009 she decided that with all her years of direct experience as an Escrow Officer and then an Escrow Manager followed by 14 years as a PSA, she decided that she had what it took to design & create a training program with certifications.
FYI: I receive no compensation or remuneration of any type or kind
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BOTTOM LINE:
Do you want your training that stems solely from revenue generation?
OR
Do you want your training & certification from someone who has first-hand direct experience that extends over the span of decades who has created & designed training/certification that is tailored specifically for PSA services?
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Once you make your decision, please come back after you’ve successfully completed the training/certification of your choice & share your direct experience with your fellow Notary Cafe members please!
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P.S. Here is the YouTube video of Carol sharing her idea for creation of Notary2Pro: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YdBfi8gsHQ8
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Notary training school is all you need less then $100
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@lamarcusroper If you’re seeking a training program/certification with:
- A lifetime 99.99% Customer Satisfaction Rate
- An Industry-wide reputation for training graduates to achieve error free signings
- Those who are known to guide you in building a reputation as a Professional Signing Agent with error-free signings
- Hiring entities who love Notary2Pro Graduates
Your money will be well-spent with Notary2Pro.
REMEMBER: The adage “You get what you pay for” definitively applies in this instance.
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notary two pro is an excellent course. It is highly revered in the Signing industry. You can’t go wrong with them.
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what is notary training school you are referring to?
Notary 2 pro has very thorough training. I felt ready when I did my first signing and knew how much to charge for each type of signing. In this field it doesn’t matter if you’re experienced your signing agent certification is suffice. Good luck!
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Hi, i did start with NNA, gir Certified, back ground & E & O in 2016, aldo took N2P course and the difference is day & night with N2P being day! We need the NNA because most big title agencies want the BGC thru them! Dont take low ball offers you are a professional. Get paid like 1! Deliver quality work to earn your pay! When ever you make a mistake, own it & correct it quickly!!! Which ever course you take, read, read, reread & check your docs before you leave the table, follow instructions, never back date! if in doubt call the agency that hired you!! Don’t assume ask them! Good luck!!!
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Excuse the typos😁 I see I didn’t proof it before I sent it
Its a training course. Very good I took it among others.