I would like to throw these ideas out there for consideration.  I understand that years of experience are an imprtant determination in ones ability to do quality work.  BUT...is it not also important for newcomers to have some basic knowledge of real estate, judgements and liens, and ethics?  To get to the first level of competency, why don't we have a beginner's program that includes three levels of testing...TEST 1) basic real estate definitions that apply on a national level (that means those of us who use metes and bounds also understand the system of lot and block as well as the US Government Survey System [section and township system]; mortgages and deeds of trust; the types of deeds (warranty, clerk's, quitclaim, deed of distribution, etc.); forms of ownership, types of liens....there is a great deal to understand in this section alone, TEST 2) the mechanics of abstracting and locating records, the period of time required for checking records (will vary state to state for liens), types of liens to check (could vary county to county which is why we need to identify all we can) and TEST 3) ethics...communicating with clients, confidentiality, being clear about what was checked in the records, [and in this state the line of practicing law without a license].  Once these three tests have been passed, level one will be achieved and then perhaps an apprenticeship can be required, after which Level 2 can be achieved.  Level 3 comes after continuing education and years of experience.  Also, being a national organization, wouldn't it be prudent for us to offer a national certification that would make it possible for any abstractor to go anywhere in the country and work with a decent level of ability?  While I think references are nice, proven competency is of more value.

I may be ahead of my time...but I think this is a direction that will work.

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