Certificate in Equity Release

The essential qualification for the home reversion and lifetime mortgage advice sector

This qualification from the CII is relevant for anyone seeking to advise on equity release products (both home reversion plans and lifetime mortgages), and for those who work in a support role in this sector.

Holders of the Certificate meet the regulatory examination requirements required to advise on this class of business.

Upon completion you will have gained:

• a general introduction to the UK financial services industry (including common product types, the process of giving advice, ethics, regulation and legislation);
• an introduction to the mortgage process (including the house-buying process, different types of borrowers and their needs, the various mortgage product and repayment options, and the regulation and legislation applicable to mortgages and the provision of mortgage advice); and
• an understanding of the principles of equity release, the types of schemes available and the risks associated with these, and the suitability of these products to different customer needs.

The Certificate in Equity Release is available to study as a standalone qualification for individuals entering the industry, with a total of three units requiring completion.

It is also available as a top-up for existing qualified advisers (Certificate in Financial Planning holders who also hold the Mortgage advice unit, as well as Certificate in Mortgage Advice holders). These individuals only need to complete one additional unit.

Why the Certificate in Equity Release?

The Certificate delivers many advantages:

• Satisfies the regulatory examination requirements to advise on equity release.
• Improves your long-term career prospects by improving knowledge and understanding, and by demonstrating commitment to self-improvement.
• Provides online exam sittings that enable you to enter for the exam when you are ready, with provisional results provided instantaneously.
• Upon completion you can apply to use the designation ‘Certs CII (MP and ER)’ providing a means of demonstrating your achievement to the public and to peers (membership and Continuing Professional Development requirements apply).
• Holders are eligible to become ‘Certificate’ level members of the Society of Mortgage Professionals.
• Provides one of the five units required to complete the financial adviser qualification, the Certificate in Financial Planning.

Ofqual is the new regulator of qualifications, exams and tests in England. They are also the regulators for recognised awarding bodies (such as the CII). The Certificate is accredited with Ofqual at Level 3 in the Qualifications and Credit Framework (QCF). For further information, please refer to the Ofqual website at www.ofqual.gov.uk

Funding may be available for candidates studying for qualifications listed in the National Qualifications Framework. For further details, please refer to the Learning and Skills Council website at www.lsc.gov.uk

Is the Certificate in Equity Release right for me?

The Certificate is a practical solution that develops understanding of equity release regulation, products, market practice and customer needs. It is appropriate for:

• all advisers who need to comply with the regulatory examination requirements; and
• individuals working in the mortgage/equity release market in non-advisory roles, such as in administration or in support functions including, for example, marketing, sales support, human resources and IT.

Your next step

Course enquiry