George,

Those are fair enough questions you are asking.  There has long been a trend towards the cheap, fast search product, without much concern for quality.  That trend, however, is not universal. While there are cost pressures everywhere in the industry, I believe there are still a good number of potential clients who will gravitate towards quality - if they know where to find it.  The NALTEA certification will identify those abstractors who have met and exceeded a higher standard.

To be sure, there is more to the certification than paying some money and taking a test.  It requires a solid understanding of age-old concepts, and enough experience to be able to relate those concepts to one's occupation.  It is an additional challenge for NALTEA to earn the respect of the financial industry at large.  The goal is to set the standard for the industry, and to have the industry recognize and apply the NALTEA standard.

That will not be an easy task.  Most worth while things are not easy to gain.  We need the brightest of the abstracting industry to step up and help lead the way.  The more enthusiastic help we get on our committees, the faster we can expect to realize our goals.

If you are still under the impression that the NCA and NMA designations are a matter of paying a fee and adding some letters to the back of your name, I would encourage you to take a closer look.  Maybe seek some input from NALTEA members who have taken the exam.  I think you will find that this is not an entry level certification but, rather, a designation that sets NALTEA certified abstractors above those who are more suitable to the cheap and fast crowd.

I realize it's easier to sit on the sidelines and take pot shots.   In the long run, the greater satisfaction will belong to those who have made a genuine effort to enhance our presence in the industry.