Any financial advisor worth his onions knows the answer to this question: the Certificate in Mortgage Advice and Practice (CeMAP) is a qualification offered by the Institute of Financial Services (IFS). The CeMAP qualification is the prerequisite for anybody providing mortgage advice. CeMAP is a nationally recognized NVQ level 3 qualification.

The CeMAP qualification has been developed with the co-operation of the Council of Mortgage Lenders. The CeMAP qualification has been designed to meet the needs of those who are following the standards of good practice defined in the CML's Code of Mortgage Lending Practice.

Now let's take a deeper look. So what does CeMAP contain?
CeMAP - the Mortgage Advisors Qualification
3 papers - Multiple choice
100 questions for CeMAP 1 & 2
60 questions for CeMAP 3

CeMAP comprises of three modules: Modules 1 and 2 both have defined learning outcomes designed to give candidates the knowledge and understanding they require to operate as mortgage advisors. Module 3 consists of objectivity-tested questions and is designed to test candidates' ability to apply the knowledge gained from Modules 1 and 2.

OK. Are you interested in obtaining this qualification and becoming a mortgage advisor? Well, now you have a great opportunity to have it all!! There are some specialised CeMAP training courses run by professional companies, who will assist you in learning and passing the exam. They will provide you with an intensive programme focusing on essential points of the wide CeMAP syllabus. They will teach you all the key subjects and go through many mock exams with full review and assessments.

Most of the CeMAP training courses around are designed both for individuals who are new to the Mortgage Industry, as well as for those that have a background in Mortgages / Finance but need support to help them become CeMAP certified.
When you understand it and apply it, you will pass!

A few tips: make sure that any training course you join comes with the guarantee of passing your exam or, if not, at least, re-training should be free of charge. Always try and find out how many people will be on the course with you. If this exceeds 12 then you can be sure that this type of training company may have a lot of "repeaters". This won't help you much as it is better to go with a company where you stand a chance of passing first time. This is achieved easier in a small interactive group. Groups of 8 – 10 are the most ideal. There are also companies that will help place you in full time employed/self-employed positions on achieving your CeMAP qualification! It sounds great, right?

Now that you know the ABC of CeMAP, you might be wondering why CeMAP now? Under FSA rules it is compulsory to have a full CeMAP qualification if you wish to give advice on mortgages! In 2004, the FSA regulated the Mortgage Market. No one is allowed to give advice if he / she is not suitably qualified.

The amount of CeMAP qualified people are only a QUARTER of the actual demand! Would you like to change the statistics? The door to a rewarding career as a mortgage advisor is here. You just need to "turn the key".