Title Searchers and Examiners
Requirements
Education and Training Requirements
High School
A high school diploma is required to begin a career as a title searcher. Helpful classes include business, business law, English, social studies, real estate, real estate law, computer science (especially database management), and typing. In addition, skills in reading, writing, and research methods are essential.
Postsecondary Training
Title examiners usually must have completed some college course work, but a college degree is generally not a requirement. Pertinent courses for title searchers and examiners include business administration, office management, real estate law, and other types of law. In some locales, attorneys typically perform title examinations.
Most title searchers and examiners also receive on-the-job training.
Other Education or Training
The American Land Title Association offers continuing education opportunities via its Land Title Institute, as well as through distance learning, team training, and telephone seminars.
Certification, Licensing, and Special Requirements
Certification or Licensing
A few states require title searchers and examiners to be licensed or certified. The American Land Title Association offers the national title professional designation to applicants who meet educational and experience requirements.
Experience, Skills, and Personality Traits
Previous experience performing title search, abstraction, and examination work is recommended for aspiring title searchers and examiners.
Title searchers and examiners must be methodical, analytical, and detail-oriented in their work. They need to be thorough as they study many hundreds of documents that may contain important data. Overlooking important points can damage the accuracy of the final report and may result in financial loss to the client or employer. It is important not to lose sight of the reason for the title search, in addition to remembering the intricacies of real estate law.
In addition to detailed work, title searchers and examiners may have to deal with clients, lawyers, judges, real estate brokers, and other people. This task requires good communication skills, poise, patience, and courtesy.