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Become a Certified Tax Lien Professional (CTLP)®

Your future starts here.

Learn what it takes to succeed in the competitive tax sale industry.

Certified Tax Lien Professional (CTLP)

Set yourself apart.

Earn your Certified Tax Lien Professional™ designation.

The only designation of its kind in the tax sale industry.

Become a Certified Tax Lien Professional (CTLP)®

Certified Tax Lien Professional Designation

It takes a professional—someone with solid industry education, demonstrated skills and competency, and a commitment to ethics to succeed in the competitive tax sale industry. Set yourself apart by earning your Certified Tax Lien Professional (CTLP)® designation, the only designation of it's kind, validating professional and financial tax lien expertise through rigorous training and assessment exams.

Proficiency. Trustworthiness. Self-assurance. The journey toward CTLP® certification entails a demanding yet gratifying process, equipping you with the expertise and competency essential for a satisfying career.

The Process

ETHICS REQUIREMENT

The ethics requirement is the first step on your path to CTLP® certification. It indicates you've agreed to adhere to high ethical standards for the practice of actively participating in the purchase or service of tax sales.

  • Agree and sign NTLA’s Code of Ethics and Antitrust Statement of Compliance.

You must have a total of (5) points to complete this ethics requirement.

EXPERIENCE REQUIREMENT

The experience requirement prepares you with the foundational skills needed to effectively work in the tax sale industry.

  • 3-years of validated experience in the tax lien and/or deed industry.
  • Validation will occur before you are eligible to take the final CTLP exam.

You must have a total of (10) points to complete this experience requirement.

EDUCATION REQUIREMENT

This two-part education requirement includes both (1) completing the coursework on investing and servicing through NTLA University and passing the exam, and (2) attending NTLA hosted conferences and/or webinars.

  • NTLA University & Pass the NTLA U Exam (25 points)*
  • NTLA Industry Webinar (5 points)
  • NTLA Antitrust Video or Conference Training (5 points)
  • Annual Conference Attendance (10 points)
  • Fall Symposium Attendance (10 points)

*NTLA University Master Class Tax Sale Investing and Servicing Course is required for all CTLP candidates. Cost is $500 to for NTLA Members to take this course. Visit ntlauniversity.com for more information.

You must have a total of (40) points to complete this education requirement.

PARTICIPATION REQUIREMENT

It's not just about proving you know your stuff; it's about immersing yourself in the community, learning from peers, and contributing to the collective knowledge pool. Plus, it shows dedication and commitment, which are like badges of honor in any professional arena. This requirement asks you to dive in, get involved, and let your participation be the secret ingredient that sets you apart.

  • Join a NTLA Committee (5 points per year)
  • Develop NTLA Education Programs (5 points)
  • Speak at either of the NTLA Conferences (5 points)
  • NTLA Member Conference Attendance (3 Points)

Being a NTLA Member is a requirement to participate in some of these activities. Visit the NTLA Membership Page for more information.

You must have a total of (20) points to complete this participation requirement.

PHILANTHROPY REQUIREMENT

A Certified Tax Lien Professional (CTLP)® understands there is more to business than only profit. 

  • Provide details of charitable causes that you are involved in.
  • These examples can come from rehabilitating homes, lien swaps, or lien givebacks for hardship cases.
  • Give details about how you demonstrated a “good partner – business philosophy” which demonstrates that you actually gave back because it simply was the right thing to do.

You must have a total of (10) points to complete this philanthropy requirement.

CTLP® EXAM REQUIREMENT

Passing the CTLP® exam demonstrates that you've attained sufficient training, tenure, and professionalism in
the tax lien industry.

The CTLP® exam is a 100-question, multiple-choice test that consists of one 90-minute session offered in-person only twice per year at NTLA Conferences

  • All submissions get sent for approval to a committee that approves, denies, comments and all their submissions go to the NTLA Education Committee which holds final approval to grant the designation.
  • All successful candidates are awarded the CTLP® credential at either of the NTLA Conferences.

Completing and passing this exam awards you with a total of (20) points to fulfills the CTLP® total point requirement.

Prepare for Success

Preparing for the CTLP is an exercise in success, as the process provides an assessment of your knowledge and proficiency. Your NTLA membership gives you access to a wide network of industry experts, providing you with the support you need to succeed.

Connect & Grow

Being a member of the National Tax Lien Association (NTLA) aligns you with a powerful network of seasoned tax lien and deed professionals and grow through trusted education.

Core Competencies

 

The designee understands basic tax lien mathematics and can calculate lien redemption amounts and investor-portfolio ROI.


The designee can determine the appropriate laws and regulations in at least one state and any other applicable tax lien legislation.


The designee can identify all the players with their roles and responsibilities of all components of the tax lien life cycle.


The designee has a basic core knowledge of real estate and property management.


The designee understands the core concepts of tax lien servicing and portfolio management.


The designee understands basic due diligence procedures in underwriting a property and a tax lien portfolio.

Start Your Journey to CTLP® Certification

NTLA Certified Tax Lien Professional (CTLP) is a certification that validates professional and financial tax lien expertise through rigorous training and assessment exams.


Objectives:

  • To distinguish individuals who have received sufficient training, tenure, and professionalism in the tax lien industry.
  • To establish standardized training and education for those seeking foundational skills needed to effectively work in the tax lien industry.

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