To be able to work as a mortgage adviser you need to achieve a relevant qualification that meets the Financial Conduct Authority’s mandatory minimum requirement at Level 3, for example the Certificate in Mortgage Advice and Practice (CeMAP) awarded by The London Institute of Banking & Finance. It typically takes 12 months to complete CeMAP.

See our other CeMAP FAQs for more details of all our mortgage advice qualifications.

CeMAP is the Certificate in Mortgage Advice and Practice, awarded by The London Institute of Banking & Finance. It is widely recognised as the premier qualification for the provision of mortgage advice.

Positioned at Level 3, CeMAP is registered with Ofqual in the Regulated Qualifications Framework and meets the FCA’s examination standards for providing advice on mortgage products. It is also an approved qualification in the mortgage advice apprenticeship standards.

Once you have passed CeMAP, you can progress to the CeMAP Diploma (Level 4) by taking one further module, Advanced Mortgage Advice, and/or study for the Level 3 Certificate in Equity Release (CeRER) to expand the range of products you can advise on.

All three awards meet the FCA’s regulatory requirements and are registered with Ofqual in the Regulated Qualifications Framework.

The registration fee you pay not only includes the cost of an exam sitting, but also provides access to our course sites where the learning materials are available online (hard copies are also provided for most modules). These include the study texts for modules 1 and 2 (there is no study text for CeMAP3 as this is the summative unit and draws upon the learning from the previous modules). There are also student-led discussion forums, study tip videos, study planners, tax tables and syllabus updates.

Many students find that distance learning/self study suits their learning style and this type of provision enables them to fit study around their work and home life. However, if after commencing your study you think you would benefit from additional support, there are many external training organisations offering CeMAP training / courses.

This type of support is entirely optional and will incur an extra cost to you. Therefore, before committing to paying for extra learning provision, you are strongly advised to read the information provided in the Recognised Learning Support Provider section.

The fee you pay to us covers:

• Your registration with The London Institute of Banking & Finance.
• Online study texts for CeMAP 1 and CeMAP 2 (hard copies will also be provided), which include review questions and activities to support your learning. Because CeMAP 3 is the summative unit, it does not have its own study text, but an information.
• Access to online learning support which includes a student-led discussion forum, study tips videos, weekly study planner and syllabus updates.
• Exam entry (if you need to resit you will need to register and pay for your resit exam).

Click here for our current CeMAP fees.

Access to our CeMAP TV Channel is available free of charge.

Additional study materials and support are available at additional cost and can be purchased at any time:

• CeMAP 2 Module Support
• CeMAP Revision Tool (CRT)
• Specimen exams (available online via MyLIBF)
• Ask The Experts (online tutor support)

Find out more here.

In line with our charitable objectives, we make means-tested bursaries available to students studying our qualifications. For further information and how to apply, please visit our funding options section.

Scotland has different rules regarding a number of financial factors including the home ownership process. For students practising in Scotland we recommend the Scottish CeMAP, however both versions of the qualification are valid throughout the UK. The English/Welsh and Scottish versions of CeMAP use the same study materials and information. Study texts specific to Scotland are marked with the Scottish flag.

In the exam, students registered for the English/Welsh version will be tested on all of the content in their study texts apart from specific information related to Scotland. Students registered for the Scottish version will also be tested on the specific information related to Scotland.

CeMAP is a licence to practise qualification that meets the Financial Conduct Authority’s examination standards. This does not allow you to practise outside of the United Kingdom.

Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) encompasses a student’s previous non-certificated and certificated achievements obtained through another awarding organisation. This has previously been known as an exemption. Please read our Recognition of Prior Learning Policy as it explains the steps to take when applying. Your application will need to include certified copies of your qualification certificate or transcript. We aim to provide an outcome within 10 working days. If we need longer, we will let you know.

We are committed to providing an inclusive educational experience for all students, regardless of any disabilities or learning difficulties they may have and realise that, without reasonable adjustment, students may be prevented from demonstrating their true level of ability during an assessment.

Given the individual nature of reasonable adjustments, we recommend that you contact our Student Support team on +44 (0)1227 818609 or support@libf.ac.uk for an informal discussion before you submit your request. This will allow us to fully understand the nature of your circumstances and advise you on the type of supporting evidence required.

The Reasonable Adjustments Policy explains the steps to take when applying and has an application form included. Your application must be received, with supporting documentation, at least six weeks prior to the date when the adjustment will need to be in place.

Once you qualify as a mortgage adviser by passing CeMAP, you can progress to the CeMAP Diploma (Level 4) by taking one further module, Advanced Mortgage Advice. Find out more here.

You can also study for the Level 3 Certificate in Equity Release (CeRER) to expand the range of products you can advise on. Find out more here.

You can apply for CeMAP Professional status. This is a status you can display to your clients, employers and peers to confirm that you actively pursue personal development to ensure your knowledge of the mortgage industry is current, work in a professional and ethical manner and hold CeMAP or the CeMAP Diploma.

We have two status’: if you hold our CeMAP or Advanced CeMAP, you can apply for CeMAP Professional Status, and if you hold the higher level CeMAP Diploma or DipMAP you can apply for Advanced CeMAP Professional Status. Find out more about Professional Status here.

If you are considering changing your adviser role, you could consider studying for our financial advice qualifications, which include certificates and diplomas in financial advice, paraplanning, and more specialised areas such as pensions transfers, later life planning and long-term care. Our Advanced Diploma in Financial Advice provides a direct path to Chartered status. Find out more here.

You can become a member and take advantage of the many benefits of membership, including Continuing Professional Development opportunities, Statements of Professional Standing, and our Alumni network and events. Visit our membership page to find out more.