Professional Designation Overview


IMPORTANT: You must be a current CEA Member in good standing to apply for and take the Professional Designation Exams. With demands for expertise and competition in the workplace increasing daily, earning a CEA Professional Designation has become a vital tool for success and recognition in the settlement service providers profession.

CERTIFIED ESCROW OFFICER (CEO)

  • Four (4) years escrow experience in the respective field within the immediately preceding seven (7) years; or
  • Three (3) years escrow experience in the respective field within the immediately preceding seven (7) years, and the completion of Escrow I, II and III at a community college (official transcripts must be presented) or through a property documented CEA-sponsored course with a "C" average or better; or
  • Two (2) years escrow experience in the respective field within the immediately preceding seven (7) years completion of college courses to qualify for CEA's Education Achievement Award. Either a copy of the award or application for same must be provided.
  • Additionally, one-half (½) of the total year's worked in an allied industry (lending, real estate, title, etc.) will be credited upon verification.

CERTIFIED SENIOR ESCROW OFFICER (CSEO)

  • Nine (9) years escrow experience in the respective field within the immediately preceding thirteen (13) years; or
  • Eight (8) years escrow experience in the respective field within the immediately preceding thirteen (13) years, and the completion of Escrow I, II and III at a community college (official transcripts must be presented) or through a properly documented CEA sponsored course with a "C" average or better; or
  • Seven (7) years escrow experience in the respective field within the immediately preceding thirteen (13) years and completion of college courses to qualify for CEA's Education Achievement Award. Either a copy of the award or application for same must be provided.
  • Additionally, one-half (½) of the total year's worked in an allied industry (lending, real estate, title, etc.) will be credited upon verification.

CERTIFIED ESCROW INSTRUCTOR (CEI)

  • Applicants must hold a CSEO designation to be eligible for this exam and obtain this designation. A Verification of Employment form (covering all the time from the last certification) must be submitted along with the application to be eligible for the exam.
  • California Escrow Association CEI List

CERTIFIED ESCROW TECHNICIAN (CET)


CERTIFIED BULK SALES SPECIALIST (CBSS)

  • Applicants must meet same requirement for the Certified Escrow Officer Designation.

CERTIFIED MOBILE HOME SPECIALIST (CMHS)

  • Applicants must meet same requirement for the Certified Escrow Officer Designation.

The following affects all designations:

TIME WORKED IN ALLIED INUDSTRIES will be credited up to one-half of the actual experience towards the total experience required PROVIDED the applicant has been employed in escrow in California continuously for the two (2) year period immediately preceding the application date.

TIME WORKED IN OTHER STATES which meets all criteria set out herein and is evidenced by proper letter verification will be accepted PROVIDED the applicant has been employed in escrow in California continuously for the twelve (12) month period immediately preceding the date of this application. No allowance will be made for educational achievements in other states.

Application must be received by the California Escrow Association Headquarters office at least five weeks prior to the desired testing date to allow sufficient time to confirm employment history. (i.e., Test date June 15, application must be received by May 11). Candidate must be qualified for designation applied for as of the date of the application.

After successfully completing the appropriate exam, as well as meeting other experience and/or education requirements, CEA members can earn one or more of the designations listed above. It is also important to note that Professional Designation holders are required to earn continuing education credits and maintain membership status in CEA. Earning professional designations demonstrates to the public, and colleagues, that these professionals are the most knowledgeable and well-educated escrow practitioners available in the industry.