JT - I used the word "I" so how am "I" speaking on behalf of alot of industry professionals?  Also, there are many businesses that one can start and succeed in without extensive knowledge - abstracting is not one of them.  You can open a McDonalds, I'm sure the general majority of people know how to flip a burger and fry french fries - and you can succeed; you can gather used clothes and open a used clothes store - I think most people know the difference between used clothes and new clothes - you could succeed.  Abstracting isn't just knowing the difference between a Deed of Trust and a Warranty Deed (Trust Deed in some states).  I think just by my post regarding UCCs said enough that people "abstracting" have all assumed that UCCs all expire at 5 years.  That's because they don't have the knowledge it takes to be a true professional abstractor.