What qualifications do you need to become a mortgage advisor?

June 23, 2026 by Brendan O'Neill

Mortgage Advisors

Mortgage advisor is a skilled profession, which means training and qualifications are needed. To provide advice on mortgages in this country, you must have completed one of the industry-standard training courses.

This means one that is recognised by the main mortgage industry regulator – which is the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA). Offering advice and submitting applications to lenders without such a qualification is against the law.

This blog will outline precisely what qualifications a mortgage advisor needs to have.

Mortgage Advisor Courses

There are two qualifications that are recognised as valid by the FCA, both of which are Level 3 courses. Obtaining either of them is the first step to becoming a professional advisor. They are:

• CeMAP (Certificate in Mortgage Advice and Practice)

The CeMAP course represents the gold standard qualification for the industry. It is the most popular choice for people who wish to become mortgage advisors. CeMAP is made up of three modules: ‘UK Financial Regulation’, ‘Mortgages’, and ‘Mortgage Applications’.

It can be taken at a training centre or with an online CeMAP training company (https://www.beaconfinancialtraining.co.uk/courses/online/cemap-1-2-3/). One of the advantages of taking the course online is that you have the option of trying it out for free (https://www.beaconfinancialtraining.co.uk/free-cemap-online-course/. Approximately 80% of mortgage advisors have this qualification.

• CII Level 3 Certificate in Mortgage Advice

This is the alternative course. Whereas CeMAP is awarded by the London Institute of Banking and Finance (LIBF), this is awarded by the Chartered Insurance Institute (CII). It is held by roughly 20% of advisors.

You will also have to pass a final examination, whichever course you pursue.

Post-qualification

This is not the end of the training for mortgage advisors. Once they begin work, they are expected to do at least 35 hours of Continuing Professional Development (CPD) per year. This is to ensure their knowledge remains up to date. A minimum of 21 CPD hours must be structured learning.

This is a great time to begin CeMAP training, because advisors are in high demand.