Frequently Asked Question - Ameritrain Mortgage Institute

A Few Frequently Asked Questions

Mortgage Education Requirements

What is PE?

PE, or pre-licensure education, is education that is required to get a license,

What is CE?

CE, or continuing education, is education that is required to maintain a license.

The NMLS, or National Multistate Licensing System and Registry, is the system of record for non-depository financial services licensing or registration in participating state agencies. It is also the official system for companies and individuals seeking to apply for, amend, renew, and surrender license authorities managed through NMLS by 67 state or territorial governmental agencies.

Mortgage Career Basics

What is a mortgage loan originator (MLO)?

A mortgage loan originator (MLO) is an individual who works with borrowers to complete the mortgage loan application process and facilitates the origination of mortgage loans. Mortgage loan originators may work for banks, credit unions, mortgage brokers, or other financial institutions.

What is a mortgage broker?

A mortgage broker is a financial professional who acts as an intermediary between borrowers seeking a mortgage loan and lenders who provide funds for real estate purchases. Mortgage brokers help individuals or businesses secure financing for purchasing property by connecting them with suitable lenders.

What is a mortgage lender?

A mortgage lender is a financial institution or entity that provides funds to borrowers to purchase real estate. Mortgage lenders can include banks, credit unions, mortgage companies, and other financial institutions that specialize in mortgage lending.

What is sponsorship?

In the mortgage industry, "sponsorship" refers to a type of employment agreement between a prospective MLO and a company or institution (such as a mortgage broker, lender, or bank). Receiving sponsorship is essential for prospective MLOs to obtain and maintain their license or registration with the NMLS.

BioSig-ID Basics

How to create a BioSig-ID passcode

All BioSig-ID™ enrollments and validations occur within your course. Please log into your course as instructed by your course provider. The first BioSig-ID™ authentication will occur after the ROC and just before the start of the course. You will be prompted with a screen to create your BioSig-ID password. The steps to create a BioSig-ID™ are as follows:

1. Select the device that will be used.

2. Click the "Next" button to proceed.

3. Read the step-by-step guide and click "confirm."

4. Draw the first four-character passcode.

5. Click the "Next" button to continue.

6. The first passcode will always be "accepted." You will be prompted to draw it again with the same stoke pattern as you did the first time.

7. Once you have drawn it a second time, click the "Next" button to continue.

8. If approved, you will be prompted to draw the same passcode for a third time. If your second drawing was not approved, you will be prompted to start the drawing process over from the beginning of the first drawing.

9. Once you are finished with your third drawing, click the "Next" button to continue. This will save your 4-character/number passcode and display a final validation of BioSig-ID™.

10. Now, draw the passcode you created one final time and click the `Validate` button to continue.

This concludes the BioSig-ID enrollment process.

NOTE: It is natural to fail the validation from time to time. Try your code a few times before going through the process of resetting your password.

How to reset BioSig-ID passcode

From time to time, you may need to reset your BioSig-ID password. After failing to validate three times in a row, you will be prompted to authorize via a token received through email. Below, we have documented the steps in the password reset process.

Step 1 - Fail to enter your passcode 3 times in a row.

Step 2 - An authorization code has been sent to the email address on file. Click "OK" to acknowledge these instructions. NOTE: Do not close or refresh the BioSig-ID page.

Step 3 - Check your email to find the most recent email from no-reply@biosig-id.com.

Step 4 - Return to the BioSig-ID™ page and enter the code in the authentication code box.

Step 5 - Follow the steps to re-enroll a new password.

BioSig-ID passcode requirements

Starting October 2021, BioSig-ID passwords must adhere to new requirements. This change will ensure your password is secure, improve system security, and prevent unauthorized login attempts. To comply with these new requirements, users must pick unique characters that do not share similar strokes.

Password requirements:

Minimum of 4 characters or digits
Letters or numbers cannot be repeated nor be similar in shape

DO NOT:

Do not repeat the same character more than one time.

Do not use characters that share strokes.

Example: 1, T and + all share a similar vertical stokes. T17+

An example of a password that looks valid for these new rules but will fail due to shared strokes: TIME

DO:

Do try curved shapes. Curved characters rarely share strokes with any other character.

Example: 3, S, 6, 5, and J.

If you struggle to draw curved shapes, try characters such as 1, 4, 7, /, —, \, √, <, >, L, N, T, V, Y, and Z.

Still struggling? Click here to submit a support ticket.

About Ameritrain

How long has Ameritrain been in business?

Ameritrain was established in 2002 with the sole purpose of providing quality, affordable mortgage education.

What course formats does Ameritrain offer?

We offer live, online, and webinar courses, primarily to the mortgage industry.

What categories of courses does Ameritrain offer?

Ameritrain offers NMLS-approved live, online, and webinar courses for pre-license education and continuing education. Professional development courses are also offered to enhance the development of mortgage industry professionals.

Besides NMLS courses, what other resources does Ameritrain offer?

Ameritrain offers a wide range of resources to support advanced learning and personal edification of our students and clients. We offer stand-alone tests that simulate the NMLS test format; eBooks with a high level of interactivity; specific state exam prep courses and materials; cram courses that consolidates a comprehensive course content; and summary guides for more complex subjects.

What if I need to know how an online course works before deciding to purchase?

Select resources on the Ameritrain.com website and view a demo of our course. We are the only course provider that provides a comprehensive detailed demo of our course.

How are quizzes and tests structured?

Our quizzes and tests simulate the NMLS testing format where one question is available at a time. Correct answers have attached comments to help reinforce your learning. Once a test is completed and passed, it is instantly graded based on the NMLS 5 testing categories. Test results are displayed to help student gauge their performance in each testing area. If a student fails a test, it is immediately available for a retake.

Can I retake a quiz or test that I have already passed?

Quizzes are available for viewing after passing; however, tests are not available once you receive a passing score. Each test is available for printing, studying, and reviewing.

How can I receive a copy of my completion certificate?

After successfully completing a course, you can return to your account dashboard to view and/or print your completion certificate.

If I have questions about a course, quiz, or test who do I contact?

Our student advisors and instructors are available to provide support with any questions you may have. Contact your instructor directly for online instructor led courses. For all other course related or general questions, email support@ameritrain.com or call (877) 406-0333 for assistance.

If I’m in the middle of an exam and lose my internet connection or my computer freezes or I have to reboot my computer, is my exam saved?

Unfortunately, a test or quiz is saved only when it has been completed. If a test is timed out for inactivity or there is a connection failure, then you will need to retake the test from the beginning.

How do I request a refund?

Please send an email to accounts@ameritrain.com to request your refund. All refund requests must be made in writing. Please review our refund policy under our terms of service.

Do I have to pass a final exam before completing a NMLS-approved course?

Yes. You will need to pass a final exam before completing an online NMLS course. If you fail the exam, then you will have an opportunity to retake it as many times as needed to achieve a passing score. If you need assistance, please contact us for support.

My course is listed as "not available." What does that mean?

A "not available" status means that the course date is in the future. On the date and time the course becomes available the status will change to start and is available for access.

Do I need a special user ID and password?

Ameritrain uses your email address as your username. Your password should be something that you can remember.

What if I do not remember my username or my password?

Your username is your email address. If you are unable to remember your email address you may contact our Ameritrain support line at (877) 406-0333 and one of our client services advisers will assist you. If you have forgotten your password, click on the 'Forgot password' link and your password will be sent to the email on record.

What if I make a purchase and I don't receive an email notification?

An email notification is sent automatically once you have completed your purchase. The notification may have gone to your email spam folder. Please review your spam folder. If the notification is not there, then contact us at support@ameritrain.com or call (877) 406-0333 for further assistance.

Do I need special computer technology to view an online course?

Ameritrain technology works on all computer formats. We recommend Google Chrome as the preferred browser. Google is the best browser for online platforms. We do not support most versions of Safari and recommend downloading Google Chrome to improve your user experience on an iPad.

What happens if my computer freezes in the middle of taking a course?

The course has most likely timed out. NMLS requires education providers to conform to mandatory time out requirements after a period of inactivity. Another reason could be a lost internet connection. You will need to re-enter the course to continue.

What does the expiration date on my course mean?

If a course's status is showing as "expired," that means the course is no longer available. Contact support at 877-406-0333.

How does an instructor-led course work?

NMLS requires very specific functionality for instructor-led online courses. This is not a Webinar. The course is-on demand and is available 24/7. It is managed and supported by a live NMLS approved instructor. Students can log in and out whenever they choose. These courses require a specified start and end date. The student must participate in a virtual community and meet the time verification and authentication requirements. Students must enter the course within the first three days that the course becomes available or must wait until the next available date. NMLS does not allow a self-paced format for pre-license 20-hour courses. All online 20-hour pre-license course formats must be managed by an instructor.

What happens if I fail to complete an online course? Will I lose my money?

If a student fails to complete the course during the allotted time there will be a complimentary reschedule to the next available class of the student's choice. If the student fails to complete the course on the second registration, there will be a 50 percent tuition charged for the third attempt. The fourth attempt will require a full tuition charge.

Do you offer payment plans for your courses?

All course enrollments require prepayment. Payments may be made online or through the assistance of Ameritrain Enrollment Advisors.

I want to register for a class but I am afraid of my information being shared with a third party.

We do not share your information with any company whose products and services are being marketed unless you authorize us to do so. These companies are not allowed to use this information for purposes beyond specific authorization. We also may share information about you within our corporate family.

I have completed the Online 20 HR SAFE Comprehensive Course, but would now like to take the Live 20 HR Course. What is the cost, and how do I register?

Students who complete the 20 HR Online SAFE Comprehensive course may audit a LIVE 20 HR SAFE Comprehensive course within 60 days of completion for a charge of $150.00. Please call Ameritrain at 1-877-406-0333 to register to audit a live course in your area.

#Testimonial

What our Students Say About Us

Ameritrain was a great part of my journey with getting my education. Ms. Carol was very knowledgeable and helpful. I liked the 2-day class a lot.

Salon Marjan

Cousin Carol is the best! She keeps this mandatory training upbeat and enjoyable. I've been going to the live class for the last 5 years and wouldn't want to do my CE training any other way. Thanks, Cousin Carol!!

Patty Williamson

Cousin Carol did a great job covering a lot of material in a short amount of time while keeping students engaged and staying upbeat. Definitely helped me prepare for the SAFE MLO Test. I passed on my first try!

James Deniro

I took the 2-day prep class with Cousin Carol and utilized all of the resources provided (textbook, digital flashcards, and practice tests). I passed with an 85 on my first attempt. This class is a must for anyone preparing to take the test. I will use Ameritrain for CE in the future.

Britney Thrash

Words cannot adequately express the quality of service received from Ameritrain. Once you take a CE course taught by "Cousin" Carol, you will never consider taking another CE class offered by anyone else again. Carol makes an all-day class fun! Upon completing the Mortgage CE class, you not only have additional knowledge, but you are excited for the year ahead! Kudos!

Mark & Tonia Kiser

I took the 2-day 20-hour class with Cousin Carol. She was an AMAZING instructor. She gives you little clues to help you retain information that really comes in handy. I passed my exam on the FIRST ATTEMPT with a score of 86%!! Thank you, Cousin Carol!!!!

Frank Cowan

I did the live Zoom class and instructor Carol was great. I'm a terrible test taker but I scored 88% on my first attempt. She has a very unique and fun approach to teaching that really helped me to absorb the material. I am super happy and highly recommend this to anyone that is serious about passing the SAFE MLO Test on their first attempt!!

Marco Delpozo

Cousin Carol is excellent at what she does. I took the 2-day class for the SAFE Test and passed on my first attempt. Thanks, Carol!

Franklin Hanson

Cousin Carol is amazing! She truly cares and prepares you for the SAFE test. Because of her, I passed on the first attempt! You will not be disappointed!

Anquanie McSwain

I did my Annual NMLS CE yesterday online with Cousin Carol and it was by far the best experience I've had in 20 years of doing this!

Mike Kenney

I took the 2-day, 20-hour, NMLS-approved pre-licensing course. Carol was a wonderful teacher. She was very helpful in explaining some of the more confusing parts of the mortgage business and gave fun ways to associate complex and confusing terminologies to make them simple to remember. I highly recommend this course and teacher if you want to pass the test!

Chuck Scott

Taking the 20 hour pre-licensing course a week ago, I found good support from Marie Ross. She stepped in and handled my questions when I hit a wall a few times. Thank you. Carol Thomas was my cram course instructor. She iced the cake. With energy and care she made sure all 8 of her students were involved in the material. Not an easy accomplishment when you're tasked with covering so much ground in a single day. Her positive approach carried over to me. I walked into the UST exam yesterday with confidence and left with a a good test score. Thank you, Carol.

Adrian Gordon

Strongly recommend Ameritrain Mortgage Institute. Cousin Carol is an excellent instructor. I took an 8-hour cramp course taught by Instructor Cousin Carol and passed the National Test on my first attempt. The class was very helpful!

Zhongbei Yuan

Our Cousin Carol knows her stuff! Passed on my first try. The classes online were well worth it and she made it fun. She explains everything. No MLO left behind! Ha! Thank you, Carol!

Gina Bradley

Cousin Carol! Professional, thorough, keeps you engaged, gives you every insight you need in order to be prepared. Carol is unwavering in her optimism and encouragement to see through the material and on to the test. She even makes sure you get your shout out when you pass! Highly recommend!

Micheal

I took the test and scored an 86% on the first try. The test took me just over an hour to complete. The practice tests/flashcards truly helped me succeed. Thank you to all the instructors and content preparation staff. I REALLY recommend purchasing the practice tests and flashcards! Put in the time and you will be successful.

Lindsey Shortland

Ameritrain is great. Carol is an amazing instructor! They were very prompt and helpful when I had questions.

Christina Sirten

READ THIS REVIEW!!! I took the 2-day course and Cousin Carol was AMAZING. The way she distributes the information, the energy she has, and the tips on test-taking are simply amazing. If you want to pass, TAKE THIS CLASS!!! Thank you, Cousin Carol.

Christopher Johnson

I am living proof of what persistence, prayer, and excellent educational support can do. Thanks to Ameritrain Mortgage Institute and Cousin Carol for providing such an enriching environment of learning.

Stefana Fraley

Cousin Carol did an excellent job teaching the class while keeping us engaged! She knows the material like the back of her hands! She gave great tips to help us recall the information and kept us laughing. It was worth my time and money! I'm not surprised I passed the first time.

Michele Whiteley

The 2-day 20-hour course was intense, fast, and furious, but Cousin Carol kept it engaging and enjoyable. She's an excellent instructor and I'll be doing my yearly CE with her for sure. She played a big part in me passing the exam on the first try!

Paul Arterbury

I had a fantastic interactive online experience with Cousin Carol and a great group of people. Thanks to Carol for her expertise in the mortgage field and for making this a great learning experience for me.

Tim Gibbs

I was fortunate to have "Cousin" Carol as my trainer. She has a clear presentation style and set a good pace for me. She made it very easy for me to follow and understand all the concepts. All of my questions were answered during training and I was left with no problem comprehending notes, highlights, etc. Additional study material was also provided. I paid a little extra for practice tests, which I believed were helpful by providing me an opportunity to read the questions properly to achieve the right answers. I highly recommend this course to anyone who wants to pass the first time!

Bryan Colbert

Carol was an outstanding instructor. I would highly recommend her and the Ameritrain team. If you want to get all of the information and lots of suggestions along the way, this would is the course for you.

David Greene

Carol always has a way of making learning enjoyable. She was professional but personable. I have been in her class 4 times and have always came away with learning something new and had some laughs. I definitely will take her class again!

Patty Tatom

Carol is an amazing teacher! I passed the exam on my first attempt, and I owe that to Ameritrain!

Chelsea Bensley

Always an amazing and informative class with Carol. She makes it fun and enjoyable and the time flies by. See you next year!!!

MaryBeth Zimmerman

Cousin Carol is the best! I tried other online Mortgage CE classes and it was horrible trying to get through them. Cousin Carol is a joy! I gladly opt to take her one day class to knock out the CE required for the year.

Lisa Dilts

My SAFE test class definitely helped prepare me for my NMLS license exam. So thankful for Cousin Carol.

Melissa Hightower

Amazing course and very thorough! Passed the NMLS test the first time! Look forward to future CE classes with Cousin Carol.

Chrissy Bochat

Carol and her team always gives us such great information to keep us up to date. They engage us constantly and make it fun. I so appreciate them and participate every year with Ameritrain.

Paty Kessler

Cousin Carol at Ameritrain does a wonderful job. The curriculum is well planned, easy to follow and she makes the class fun! Ameritrain is a great place to get your licensing classes completed.

Tiffany Costner

I take the GA CE class with Carol every year. She is the best. The one year I tried to do the course by myself as self-paced, I found the material to be monotonous and hard to learn. Carol keeps it fun and interesting and you still learn the material. She has a terrific attitude that spreads through the class as she teaches. She is a master communicator and a woman of great character. I highly recommend her class.

Ken St.Clair

After a Mortgage Banking Career for 22 years, this was my first CE. WOW. What an enjoyable experience. Cousin Carol has an amazing presence and it was joy to learn from her. This was so much better than clicking through online screens. I will be back.

Ann Marie Canaday

Love the classes by Ameritrain! It’s my annual class! Carol is wonderful, just like she is every year. Thanks Carol for making sure my CE hours are properly recorded and going the extra mile to help with the information on other state CE as well. You are fantastic! See you next year!

Courtney Roberson

Studying for the NMLS exam can be daunting but Cousin Carol kept it light, short, sweet, and to the point. Learning how to study for an exam of this caliber can be overwhelming but she guided me to "stay in my lane." Passed the first time! Thank you, Ameritrain and thank you, Carol!

Emily Ervin

Thanks to Ameritrain I'm ready to take the state NMLS exam!

Patrice Woods

Cousin Carol was great! She did an amazing job breaking down the material for me to really understand it as well as making the course fun.

Marc Carter

Carol is the best! Take the class with her, study before and after the class, follow up her method to learn and study, and you’ll pass the exam. I also recommend the Ameritrain practice test.

Ramon Andrades

Excellent MLO course taught by Cousin Carol. I took the live two-day course and passed the exam. Cousin Carol is very knowledgeable and engaging. She provided great mnemonics to help me remember and understand concepts to pass the exam. I have required state-specific education and I immediately signed up to take the course with Cousin Carol & Ameritrain. Thank You!!

Latrice Clark

Excellent MLO course taught by Cousin Carol. I took the 2-day course because it best fit my schedule and, quite frankly, Ameritrain had the best reviews. The course lived up to its reputation. Cousin Carol is highly knowledgeable! The course materials, especially all of the study guides, helped me to pass the MLO exam today. The Ameritrain staff was very helpful and prompt in responding to my many inquiries. I am going to continue my CE with Ameritrain. Thank you Cousin Carol & the Ameritrain staff.

Lenore Williams

Cousin Carol is family. You listen to family and you will succeed. I passed the NMLS exam on my first attempt by doing exactly what I was told.

Ben Couch

If you’re planning to take the 20 hour MLO course, you have to take it with Cousin Carol. I took her course and passed the exam about a month later on the first try. Now let’s be real, this is not the most engaging material to cover, but Carol keeps things moving and fairly entertaining. During the course, she helped us understand which material to focus on and offered different tips and tricks to help with memorization. At the completion of the course we were equipped with more helpful study materials and worksheets than we could possibly need. I highly recommend this course.

Naomi Tatum

Excellent material and methodology.

Nelson Perez

I could not have passed my NMLS test without the help of Carol and Ameritrain! 5 out of 5!!

Zachary Howard

Cousin Carol makes the classes enjoyable and fun. I look forward to her classes every year.