Mortgage Consultant: Job Description, Duties and Requirements

Job Description for a Mortgage Loan Consultant

Mortgage loan consultants deal with lending institutions, acting on the behalf of potential borrowers to get the best loan for their financial situation. Rather than work directly for a bank like loan officers, these consultants work as independent contractors. They often develop relationships with real estate agents who might then recommend these mortgage loan consultants to their clients when they are ready to apply for a loan. Their annual earnings are often based on commission from the number and type of loans they broker each year.

Duties

Mortgage loan consultants perform the same duties as a bank loan officer. These include collecting personal information in a loan application, using it to assess a borrower's credit and financial history and explaining the loan process to the applicants. They often use underwriting software to determine how much an applicant can afford to borrow and be able to pay back. Loan consultants deal with multiple banks in order to broker the best loan amount and interest rate for their clients.

Requirements

Education Requirements

Like becoming a bank loan officer, becoming a mortgage loan consultant requires only a high school diploma. However, mortgage loan consultants who specialize in commercial mortgages often hold a bachelor's degree in economics or finance because they must be able to analyze a business's financial standing.

Licensing Requirements

All mortgage loan officers and consultants must be licensed. Licensing requires 20 hours of coursework, all of which must be approved by the Nationwide Mortgage Licensing System and Registry. Coursework includes classes on federal mortgaging regulations, nontraditional mortgaging situations and ethics. Candidates must also pass a licensing exam and a criminal background check.

Certification Requirements

Though certification is not required, becoming a Certified Mortgage Consultant (CMC) demonstrates that a consultant holds the highest level of certification awarded to mortgage brokers by the National Association of Mortgage Brokers. Obtaining the CMC designation requires five years of work experience and 100 qualifying points, which are earned through various combinations of formal and professional education, work experience, professional certifications and leadership activities. Recertification requires an additional 30 hours of continuing education and is required every three years.