You see interviews all over the internet, so today, since my name is on the door, I thought I would do one on Mortgage Loan Originator Continuing Education. For the interviewer, I selected Dick Green of Mission Viejo. Let’s get started.
DICK: Duane, your company has been at the forefront of MLO CE since it began. Exactly, when did it begin?
DUANE: California passed its SAFE Act, Senate Bill 36, in October 2009, stating that all residential lending MLOs had to have this endorsement by 1/1/11. So their first renewal was due on 12/31/11. To become endorsed, they had to pass an NMLS Exam by the due date, so we spent 2010 doing License Examination Preparation Classes. Therefore, we were ready to give the renewals the first year and have continued to present them every year since then.
DICK: In simple terms, what are the Continuing Education Courses?
DUANE: The classes are 8 hours and consist of four chapters: 2 Hours of Non-Traditional Lending, 2 Hours of Ethics, 3 Hours of Federal Law, and 1 Hour of Electives.
DICK: Who selects the topics?
DUANE: The Nationwide License Registry Service (NMLS) is very strict on what is covered. They have recommended lists for Ethics and Non-Traditional Lending, and they send out each year 10-14 Required Questions for Federal Law. The courses must be changed each year per NMLS rules.
DICK: How does a day go?
DUANE: One thing that many students do not understand is that one hour means fifty minutes in a course. We have breaks and a lunch break. Everything is designed to move quickly. The Federals insist on a case study or exam to end the course. Students do not want exams. With over 100 people in a webinar, the case study would have to be read and discussed in 20 minutes. Not possible with any semblance of education. So we have gotten approval to do a Trivia Pursuit/Jeopardy type ending with questions being asked and answered quickly. Students have really approved.
DICK: I have heard you say many times that your courses are the best. Why?
DUANE: We have been here from the start, so we have the experience. Our instructors are professionals in the field and are entertaining and informative every day. Our customer service staff only need to know California regulations, and they are customer-friendly. No long phone menus and no AI. We have an IT expert following every webinar and a monitor observing for any problems. For example, in each course we have a rapid question section to make each chapter lively. A few years ago, we added a new feature. Each course has one speaker in the morning and another in the afternoon. Students appreciate the change in tone, and no speaker has to endure eight hours, and the students hear different experts.
DICK: Anything you would like to add?
DUANE: I really treasured my years talking live to MLOs all over the State at many, many Realtor Associations. COVID took it away, but it is also a profound pleasure to present Outstanding Webinars to our returning and new students. If you or any friend, relative, associate, or other Loan Brokers ever need MLO, Notary, or DRE courses, remember Duane Gomer Education. Keep Singing and Dancing.
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