Mortgage Broker Broadcast
Developing your knowledge to help you build a successful Mortgage Broker business. Craig Skelton shares his thoughts and experiences on all aspects of mortgage advice covering everything from operating in the banking world, estate agency based advisers all the way up to working as a self employed broker. He will be joined by experts from within the industry and other business sectors which all play a key part in becoming a successful mortgage broker in the modern world.
Mortgage Broker Broadcast
CeMAP Overhaul 2025: What Brokers Need to Know
A seismic shift is coming to the mortgage advice profession in the UK. The Certificate in Mortgage Advice and Practice (CeMAP) – the qualification that opens the door to a career as a mortgage advisor – is about to undergo its most significant transformation in years. Whether you're studying now, managing a team of advisors, or considering entering the industry, these changes will directly impact your professional journey.
From September 30, 2025, CeMAP will feature a completely redesigned structure. The regulatory foundation is moving from Level 3 to Level 4 with a new FSRE qualification replacing Module 1, reflecting higher standards and greater emphasis on ethics. Module 2 is being streamlined from four units to two, while Module 3 will incorporate protection advice – a change that acknowledges what successful brokers have always known: mortgages and protection go hand in hand. The critical date to remember is January 12, 2026 – the final day to complete exams under the current structure before the transition becomes mandatory.
This redesign isn't just bureaucratic reshuffling; it's a reflection of where our industry is heading. Under Consumer Duty, the regulatory bar has been raised, and clients expect more comprehensive advice that considers their overall financial wellbeing. For brokers committed to excellence, these changes represent an opportunity to distinguish yourself in a competitive market. Those currently mid-qualification face a choice: accelerate your studies to beat the deadline or prepare to embrace the new framework. Either way, understanding these changes now allows you to transform potential disruption into strategic advantage. Listen to explore exactly what's changing, when it takes effect, and how to position yourself for success in this new chapter of mortgage advice.
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Hi and welcome to this week's the Mortgage Broker broadcast. I'm your host, craig Skelton. I'm a mortgage business owner mentor and coach, and I'm here to help self-employed mortgage brokers and business owners build the business that they want. This is a podcast that's made for brokers at every single level, whether you're just starting out in the industry or you're running your own firm or you're looking to scale and grow your existing business. Before we get into today's episode, I just want to remind you about the next free webinar that Jonathan Needham and I are hosting on the Foundations to Freedom. That's on Wednesday, the 4th of September. So if you are a mortgage broker thinking about going self-employed, or if you're already on that early in that journey too, then it's a free session. We go to give you honest insight, tips from people who've done it and what to watch out for as well. So if you want to get registered for that, email events at thebrokerfoundercom and we'll send you a link for the next session. So now onto today's episode and CMAP, the qualification that nearly every mortgage broker, every advisor, in the UK takes, is about to go through a major overhaul, and I want to get into what's changing, when it's happening and what you need to do about it. So if you've been in the industry for a while, you know that CMAP the Certificate in Mortgage Advice and Practice is like the gold standard qualification for mortgage advice in the UK. It's the starting point for most brokers and non-negotiable if you want to give regulated mortgage advice in the UK. It's the starting point for most brokers and non-negotiable if you want to give regulated mortgage advice in the UK. But things are changing, not just a small syllabus tweak. We're talking about a major restructure of the whole qualification. So whether you're already studying your CMAP or just starting to think about it, or you're managing a team of advisors, these changes will affect you, and today's episode is all about breaking that down into plain English so you know exactly what to expect and what steps you need to take.
Speaker 0:So the key headlines are from the 30th of September 2025, cmap is getting a full overhaul new structure, new content and new assessment style. So the first thing is module one is being replaced. Currently, module one covers financial services regulation, ethics, all the really good stuff but from September, that module is being replaced completely by a new qualification called FSRE, which stands for UK Financial Services Regulation and Ethics. Now this will be delivered at a level four standard instead of level three, and that's a big jump. It reflects a higher regulatory expectation and more in line with what the FCA wants to see from advisors who are coming into the industry. Module two, which is mortgage law, policy and practice, is currently split into four units, and now that's been condensed into two core units to make the learning pathway a bit more simpler and a bit more focused. And then module three is getting a major revamp to. Module three, which tests your ability to apply your knowledge, is being turned into a standalone refresh course and it is suggested that it will now include a stronger emphasis on protection advice, which for me is a massive and a welcome move within the industry because, as we know, protection and mortgages go hand in hand, and including protection into that the Module 3, just makes so much sense.
Speaker 0:So what does the timeline look like? Well, 30th of September 2025, the new CMAP structure launches. 10th of November 2025, the first exams under the new syllabus begin. And then the 12th of January 2026, this is your cut-off day, the last day to sit exams under the current syllabus. So if you've started your CMAP journey using the current structure the CMAP 1, 2 and 3, you need to finish all your exams by January, the 12th of January 2026. If not, then you'll need to start over again under the new structure and there won't be any crossover or exemptions. And that also means that if you're advised under CMAP1 so there's quite a few advisors that I know that only have CMAP1 and already on their way to CMAP2 and CMAP3 you're including that as well. So you need to get your exams done by the 12th of January 2026.
Speaker 0:So let's just look at this based on where you are on your journey. If you're already studying C maybe you've done one, as I said, or you've done two modules the best option for you is to complete. Look at this based on where you are on your journey. If you're already studying C maybe you've done one, as I said, or you've done two modules the best option for you is to complete all three modules before the deadline and if you don't, you need to restart, reset and start again with the new syllabus. So my advice to you would be get your exams booked, plan your study time properly and don't leave it to chance and don't leave it to leave it to the last minute. Make sure you meet the deadline and if you've not started your CMAP yet and you're planning to do so in 2025, you've really got two choices. You can either start now, before the changes come in, and commit to finishing the full qualification by January, or just wait and begin under the new structure from the end of September. Both are very valid, but what I would do is have a think about what's right for you and speak to your training provider. If you're using a training provider there are quite a few out there with regards to CMAP, speak to them and think carefully about your timing, your study capacity and your goals as well. And if you're running a firm or mentoring mortgage brokers, this is essential too. Anyone that's joining your team from late 2025 onward are going to be going through that new structure, so you need to make sure that your onboarding and current support are aligned with that as well.
Speaker 0:So now let's talk about the why. Why is CMAP changing? Well, the industry has been calling for a more modern, more relevant and more rigorous entry qualification for some time. The move to the FSRE level four raises the standard. It reflects what the FCA expects from advisors under consumer duty, and so much more. It ensures brokers have a strong foundation in ethics, regulation and delivering good client outcomes. And the fact that protection is now being brought into that final assessment, that is huge, that's massive. It reflects how important it is that we're not just selling mortgages, we're advising on full client protection and financial well-being. And does that mean it's going to be harder? Well, potentially, but I'd also argue but that that is a good thing too.
Speaker 0:If you're serious about being a mortgage broker, being a mortgage advisor or growing a team of professionals, you want a qualification that properly prepares you for the job, properly prepares you for the role. And if you're thinking this just sounds daunting, I do get it, I do understand that. But the thing is, the foundations of being a great broker don't change. You still need to understand your client goals and give compliant ethical advice, build trust through relationships and have the knowledge and the confidence to back all that up. And CMAP is just your starting point. It's the driving license, it's not the destination. And if you're serious about building a career in this industry or helping others, do it, get ahead of this change, not behind it. So that's it.
Speaker 0:That's today's episode. Cmap is changing and it is a big one. It's a big changes, but if you know what's coming. You can plan accordingly and turn this into an opportunity, not an obstacle. And, as always, if you've got any questions about your own C-MAP journey or how to support your team through it, drop me a message, send me a message on LinkedIn, reach out via my website. And just a final reminder Jonathan Needham and I next webinar Foundations Freedom, wednesday, the 4th of September.
Speaker 0:If you're considering going self-employed or you've recently taken the leap, it is designed for you. It's free, it's honest, it's a great way to get ahead of the game. You can register by the link in the show notes or sending the email events at thebrokerfoundercom and we'll send you the link. And if you found today's episode useful, don't forget to follow the podcast. Leave a review, share it with someone another broker who you feel needs to hear the messages. Thanks for listening and next week's podcast. We've got a guest on next week, colin Gill, talking about wills and estate planning. So that's next week's the Mortgage Broker broadcast. Thanks for listening, as always.