CSBS, State Regulatory Registry Seek Subject Matter Experts for National Test Maintenance Committees
The Conference of State Bank Supervisors and the State Regulatory Registry LLC have begun a recruiting process for subject matter experts to serve on SSR National Test Maintenance Committees. Application deadline is Apr. 29.
CSBS, in cooperation with the American Association of Residential Mortgage Regulators, established the SSR in 2006 to develop and operate nationwide systems for state regulators in the financial services industry. SRR currently owns and operates the Nationwide Multistate Licensing System & Registry developed by state mortgage regulators.
Subject matter expert recruitment this year is for the 2016 content review and development process for the Mortgage Loan Originator National Test with Uniform State Content. For this year’s review, SSR has changed its processes to make it less time consuming and burdensome on experts. In contrast to previous years, SSR will separate item writing and item review maintenance activities and will complete each task over shorter and fewer sessions of smaller SME groups rather than in many, multi-hour sessions over 6-8 week period.
“This is a great opportunity for independent mortgage bankers to develop a closer and more collaborative relationship with state regulators who are trying to create more uniform requirements among states,” said Pete Mills, MBA senior vice president for Residential Policy and Member Engagement. “We appreciate CSBS engaging with MBA to identify subject matter experts to help improve the state system.”
Content Review Sessions
Committee members will be asked to participate in at least two webinar sessions of 2-3 hours each. These series of virtual meetings will focus on reviewing and updating the SAFE MLO National Test with Uniform State Content. Subject matter experts will be responsible for providing input on the content outline/reference list, confirming the accuracy of test content and revising problematic test questions.
Item Development Sessions
Committee members will be asked to participate in a brief training session, and will be given 2 weeks to write and submit test questions on specific topics. After items are submitted, FINRA will host 1-2 item virtual item review sessions as necessary to review and finalize test questions as a group.
Qualifications
–Subject matter experts should have at least three years of experience as an MLO and be considered an expert in the field of residential mortgage loan origination.
–Individuals that provide NMLS-approved pre-licensure education or any type of test preparation courses are not able to participate on the committee
Meeting Structure
–Sessions will be conducted through a series of virtual meetings via the Internet. There is no travel required.
–FINRA test development staff will lead the sessions and provide participants with all necessary meeting materials and instructions.
Schedules
–Committee meetings are scheduled to begin quarterly, beginning June 6, September 6 and January 9, 2017
–Meetings will be conducted in small group sessions to facilitate discussion among committee members.
–SSR will attempt to schedule the review sessions to meet the scheduling requirements of each group’s participants.
In addition, all committee members will need to abide by our confidentiality agreement. These will be distributed prior to the commencement of committee meetings
Candidates can participate in as many of these sessions for which they are available.
To participate, complete the online SME Application (http://2016smesurvey.questionpro.com/) no later than April 29. All individuals who are nominated must be approved by SRR and abide by a confidentiality agreement prior to the beginning of the process.
For more information, contact Benjamin Hunter, senior manager of Test Development and Maintenance with the Conference of State Bank Supervisors and State Regulatory Registry LLC at bhunter@csbs.org.
