New Member FAQ

Membership Information

What do I get as a NAMB member? Your membership gives you access to a full suite of professional tools and advocacy support, including:

A recognized industry credential that signals professionalism to clients and partners
Exclusive discounts through NAMB's network of industry vendors and service providers
Access to NAMB Hive, our private online community for mortgage professionals
Education and certification programs
Advocacy representation before Congress, CFPB, FHFA, and other regulatory bodies
Member-only pricing for NAMB events, including NAMB Focus and NAMB National

Where do I find my member benefits? Log in to your member portal at namb.org to access your full benefits dashboard, discount programs, and member resources. If you haven't set up your account yet, check your welcome email for login instructions.

Can I list my NAMB membership in my marketing materials? Yes — and we encourage it. Use the NAMB logo and your member designation in your email signature, website, and social media profiles to communicate your commitment to professional standards. Membership logos and usage guidelines are available in the member portal.

Member Benefits

NAMB membership comes with more than access and advocacy. It also unlocks a growing lineup of member exclusive discounts and services from vetted industry partners, organized around six categories: Compliance, Education, Marketing, Resources, Technology, and Compliance and Licensing. NAMB partners with industry leaders & innovators to offer products & services to our members! NAMB membership is required to access these discounts.

Compliance partners help brokers build and maintain a Compliance Management Program, covering risk advisory, mortgage licensing support, and foundational compliance training for new brokers.
Education partners offer discounted or free continuing education, from NMLS-approved SAFE courses to sales and origination training.
Marketing partners give members discounted access to social media management, video production, direct mail, and AI-driven content tools built for loan officers.
Resources covers a broad mix of everyday business tools: lead generation platforms, surety bonds, office and technology purchasing discounts, and industry data and analytics.
Technology partners provide discounted mortgage software, including loan origination systems, CRM and point-of-sale platforms, commission automation, and AI powered underwriting and market intelligence tools.
Compliance and Licensing rounds out the list with dedicated partners for licensing applications, renewals, and ongoing compliance support.

Across all six categories, discounts are member exclusive and range from waived fees and percentage discounts to free trials, and NAMB continues to add new partners over time. Visit our member benefits page for more information.

NAMB Hive — Our Content Hub and Community

What is NAMB Hive? NAMB Hive is NAMB's content hub, built to keep mortgage professionals informed, connected, and growing. It brings together industry insights, advocacy updates, professional development resources, and real member perspectives in one place, organized into five categories: Advocacy and Policy, Industry Insights, Professional Development, Member Voices, and Partner Perspectives.

The NAMB Hive doesn't stop here. Our Facebook Group is where members and industry professionals connect in real time, sharing wins, asking questions, weighing in on industry news, and supporting one another between the posts

How do I access NAMB Hive? The content hub is open to everyone at namb.org/namb-hive. For live discussion, NAMB also runs a Facebook Group where members and industry professionals connect directly, ask questions, and share wins in real time. The NAMB Hive Facebook Group is open to mortgage professionals and industry partners.The NAMB Hive Facebook Group is open to mortgage professionals and industry partners.

What can I do on NAMB Hive?

Read curated content on advocacy, policy, and industry news
Explore professional development resources and webinars
Hear directly from members through the Member Voices section
See perspectives from NAMB's industry partners
Join the Facebook Group to ask questions, share wins, and connect with peers and NAMB leadership in real time

Education & Certifications

What certifications does NAMB offer? NAMB offers seven industry recognized credentials:

Certified Mortgage Consultant (CMC): Designed for experienced professionals with at least five years in the industry. The Certified Mortgage Consultant (CMC)® is designed for experienced professionals with at least five years in the industry.
Certified Residential Mortgage Specialist (CRMS): For mortgage professionals with at least two years of industry experience. The Certified Residential Mortgage Specialist (CRMS®) certification exam measures the knowledge of mortgage professionals who have been in the industry for at least two years.
General Mortgage Associate (GMA): An entry level credential for newer mortgage brokers and loan officers, with no experience required to sit for the exam. The General Mortgage Associate (GMA)® is designed for newer mortgage brokers and loan officers. The GMA® is an entry-level examination and no experience or qualifying points are required.
Certified Credit Specialist (CCS): Focused on credit scoring structures and how to apply that knowledge with borrowers.
Certified Affordable Lending Specialist (CALS): Focused on FHA lending
Certified Reverse Mortgage Specialist (CREV): Specialized training in reverse mortgage lending
Certified Veteran Lending Specialist (CVLS): Specialized training for serving military borrowers

Advocacy & Legislative Involvement

What does NAMB advocate for? NAMB is the voice of the independent mortgage broker channel before Congress and federal regulators. We work on issues that directly affect your business — including GSE guidelines, FHA/VA policy, credit reporting reform, trigger leads, licensing standards, and fair compensation rules. When rules are being written that affect how you do business, NAMB is at the table.

How do I stay informed on NAMB's advocacy work?

Visit our NAMB Lobbies for You page
Watch for member action alerts via email
Visit the Advocacy section of namb.org for position papers, regulatory letters, and legislative updates

Can I participate in advocacy as a member? Absolutely — and your participation matters. Members can:

Respond to Calls to Action when Congress or regulators need to hear from the industry
Attend NAMB's Advocacy in Action events in Washington, D.C.
Connect with your state affiliate for local legislative engagement
Support the NAMBPAC to amplify the industry's political voice

Events

What events does NAMB host? NAMB hosts two flagship events each year:

NAMB Focus — held each January, Focus is an intimate, high-content event designed for deep professional development and peer connection.
NAMB National — our premier annual conference held each fall, featuring CE sessions, a major trade show floor, top-tier speakers, and unmatched networking opportunities.

NAMB also hosts regional events through the NAMB Navigate roadshow series, bringing education and advocacy directly to members across the country.

How do I register for events? All event registration is available at namb.org/events. Members receive exclusive pricing — make sure you're logged in to your member account before registering to access member rates.

How do I get notified about upcoming events? Make sure your contact preferences are updated in your member profile. You can also follow NAMB on LinkedIn, Facebook and Instagram for real-time event announcements.

Affiliated Associations

NAMB doesn't work in isolation. Through formal affiliations with other national organizations, NAMB extends its reach and connects mortgage professionals to a broader network of industry expertise, advocacy, and community. These affiliated associations include groups focused on professional development for women in mortgage banking, expanding access to homeownership for Hispanic and minority communities, appraisal quality and collateral risk, and private and commercial lending.

Affiliated organizations include:

National Association of Professional Mortgage Women (NAPMW): An organization that provides business, personal and leadership development advancing women in mortgage-related professions.
National Association of Hispanic Real Estate Professionals (NAHREP): A nonprofit trade association dedicated to advancing sustainable homeownership for the Hispanic community in America, with more than 40,000 professional members and 100 local chapters nationwide.
National Association of Minority Mortgage Bankers of America (NAMMBA): A national trade association dedicated to the enrichment and betterment of minorities and women who work in the mortgage industry.
Hispanic Organization of Mortgage Experts (HOME): A nonprofit dedicated to breaking down barriers to homeownership for Hispanic and Latinx Americans.
Collateral Risk Network (CRN): Representative of all collateral risk stakeholders including lenders, investors, rating agencies, private mortgage insurers, appraisers, Appraisal Management Companies (AMCs), technology providers, data providers and regulators.
10,000 Minority Appraisers Foundation (10KMA): A leading real estate appraisal organization dedicated to empowering communities of color and combatting systemic racism and undervaluation in the real estate industry.
The Appraisal Foundation (TAF): A congressionally authorized resource for appraisers, regulators, and consumers, setting the standards of excellence, education, and public trust that guide the valuation profession nationwide.
National Private Lenders Association (NPLA): Represents private lenders, capital providers, brokers, and service professionals involved in real estate based transactions, focused on legislative advocacy, industry advancement, and community building through education, mentorship, and collaboration.
Commercial Loan Broker Association (CLBA): Dedicated to building a thriving community where commercial loan brokers, lenders, and industry professionals come together to expand their expertise, network, and drive success.

Dues, Billing & Account Management

How much does NAMB membership cost? Membership dues vary by membership type. Current rates are available at namb.org/join. If you joined through a state affiliate, your dues structure may differ — contact your affiliate or NAMB directly for details.

When are my membership dues due? Dues are billed annually on your membership anniversary date. You'll receive renewal notices by email in advance of your renewal date.

How do I update my billing information or contact details? Log in to your member portal and navigate to Account Settings to update your payment method, mailing address, email, or phone number. For billing issues, contact membership@namb.org.

What happens if my membership lapses? Access to member benefits — including NAMB Hive and member pricing — is contingent on an active membership. If your membership lapses, you can reinstate at any time through the member portal or by contacting the membership team.

NAMBPAC & Industry Involvement

What is NAMBPAC? NAMBPAC is NAMB's Political Action Committee. It allows members to pool their resources to support federal candidates who understand and champion the mortgage broker channel. In an industry shaped by legislation and regulation, a strong PAC means a stronger voice.

Is contributing to NAMBPAC required? No — PAC contributions are entirely voluntary. However, even a modest contribution makes a meaningful difference in our collective ability to influence federal policy on behalf of independent originators.

How do I contribute to NAMBPAC? Contributions can be made online through the member portal or at namb.org/pac. Contributions must be made from personal funds — corporate contributions are not permitted under federal law.

Are there other ways to get involved beyond PAC giving? Yes. Members can volunteer for NAMB committees, pursue leadership roles within their state affiliate, and apply for positions on the NAMB Board of Directors during annual nomination cycles. Check namb.org or NAMB Hive for current opportunities.