Ethics and Best Practices Flashcards
7 cards from real NSA practice questions. Tap to flip, then mark Knew It or Still Learning — missed cards come back until you master them.
Read the first 7 Ethics and Best Practices flashcards as text
A borrower asks the NSA to hold onto a signed but undated document until the rescission period expires before dating it. What should the NSA do?
Answer: Refuse, as backdating or forward-dating documents is fraudulent
An NSA must never manipulate document dates; doing so constitutes fraud regardless of who requests it.
During a signing, the NSA discovers the borrower's name on the documents is spelled differently than on their government-issued ID. What is the correct action?
Answer: Contact the title company or lender to resolve the discrepancy before completing the signing
Name discrepancies must be reported to the hiring party so they can issue corrected documents rather than risk a defective closing.
Which behavior best demonstrates an NSA's commitment to impartiality?
Answer: Witnessing signatures without advising the signer on whether to sign
An impartial NSA facilitates the signing process without influencing the signer's decision to execute documents.
An NSA is offered a $100 tip by a grateful borrower after a smooth signing. What is the most ethical response?
Answer: Decline and explain that tips could create the appearance of a conflict of interest
Accepting gratuities beyond the agreed fee can compromise the NSA's neutrality and create ethical concerns.
A borrower reveals during a signing that they are under significant financial pressure and feel forced to sign. How should the NSA respond?
Answer: Stop the signing, inform the borrower they may choose not to sign, and notify the hiring party
A signer who may be signing under duress raises a willingness concern; the NSA must halt and report rather than proceed.
What is the primary reason an NSA should never provide legal advice about loan documents?
Answer: It is outside the scope of notarial duties and constitutes unauthorized practice of law
Explaining legal rights or obligations exceeds notarial authority and constitutes the unauthorized practice of law in all states.
An NSA realizes after leaving a signing that one required notarial certificate was not completed. What should they do?
Answer: Immediately notify the title company or lender so they can arrange a cure
Promptly notifying the hiring party allows them to arrange a re-sign or other cure before the loan is funded with a defective document.