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

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. (in application below)

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. 

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.

Start your journey by completing the application below!

Application should take approximately 15 minutes to complete. Contact us with any questions at (561) 449-2482 or info@ntla.org.