Gail: While your frustrations with the industry are certainly understandable, and shared by many, I don't think that NALTEA is to blame. NALTEA is a not-for-profit corporation and making money has nothing to do with the certification test. In fact, those taking the test at the conference are paying $125 for the test and they get a free copy of Principles of Abstracting, Searching and Land Records Management which sells for $175.
The fact that most states do not require licensing is exactly why something like this certification is necessary. NALTEA cannot change state laws, though it can, and does, support a licensing requirement. Hopefully, this certification will be useful in helping to convince the states that they should adopt more formal requirements for abstractors. It will also help clients select qualified abstractors by setting some national standard for certification.
I agree it would be nice if NALTEA could do something "on the legislature side" and work on stopping the outsourcing to India, but those decisions are made by large corporations - not NALTEA. It would take a large group effort to have any possibility of lobbying for change. Unfortunately, the vast majority of abstractors aren't willing to join and support the ONLY national organization that represents abstractors. They all want "instant benefits." They all say "what do I get" when I join... not "what can we do to help." Without a large membership base, those expectations are unrealistic.
I agree that abstractors are paying the price for being in a dying business. However, the abstractors are the ones who seem incapable, or unwilling, to do anything about it. I have never seen such a group of "professionals" who are so apathetic about their industry. It really is sad.
You can blame NALTEA, but NALTEA didn't create the problem and it seems unfair to blame the few who did join and volunteer their time to try to improve the industry. In my opinion, NALTEA didn't fail the abstractors - the abstractors failed NALTEA.
Best,
Robert A. Franco
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