[Wtpcommittee] WTP renewal report for Thursday's board meeting

[Sean Holland]

Good morning, Dwight. I don't think we need to distinguish a person who is no longer employed full time by a title company, but continues title industry experience, maintains WTP requirements, and continues actively working in the title industry.  That person remains a WTP. We require industry experience to attain WTP status, but not to retain it. I figured once someone was a WTP, all they needed to remain a WTP was acquire 6 hours of education every three years and send in the renewal application and fee.

My suggestion was intended for the WTP who retires from a title job and no longer wishes to keep up with the educational requirement and the obligation of renewing every three years. WTP status recognizes someone who has devoted a signification portion of their life to developing knowledge of our profession. Their knowledge doesn't go poof when they retire and neither should the recognition conferred by WTP status. I think we should offer that person an option providing them continued recognition while relieving them of some of the obligations.  I haven't had to do anything for the Army since 2019 and my ID card says "retired," but it's still nice to get a salute from the gate guard when I drive onto JBLM.

And as for the WTP like yourself who might be retired from a title company job, but remains an active title industry participant and contributor, that's a bonus for the WLTA.

Sean
________________________________
From: Wtpcommittee <wtpcommittee-bounces at washingtonlandtitle.com> on behalf of Dwight Bickel <dwight at dwightbickel.com>
Sent: Tuesday, February 17, 2026 11:15 PM
To: execdirector at washingtonlandtitle.com <execdirector at washingtonlandtitle.com>; 1 WTP Committee <wtpcommittee at washingtonlandtitle.com>
Subject: Re: [Wtpcommittee] WTP renewal report for Thursday's board meeting

See! This program continues to have strong support.

There may be a need for a retired designation. It deserves some discussion. I think it is relevant to distinguish a person who is no longer employed full time by a title company, but continues title industry experience, maintains WTP requirements, and continues actively working in the title industry.

I don't want my WTP status to be put on a shelf.

Dwight Bickel
Title Advisor
dwight at dwightbickel.com
206-484-1976

________________________________
From: Wtpcommittee <wtpcommittee-bounces at washingtonlandtitle.com> on behalf of execdirector at washingtonlandtitle.com <execdirector at washingtonlandtitle.com>
Sent: Tuesday, February 17, 2026 10:38:03 PM
To: 1 WTP Committee <wtpcommittee at washingtonlandtitle.com>
Subject: [Wtpcommittee] WTP renewal report for Thursday's board meeting

Good evening, members of the WTP Committee.  I am pleased to report that every WTP we had identified as needing to renew has renewed their certification. Please see below for the list of 13 WTPs who are now renewed through December 31, 2028.  The only incomplete renewal involves Kathy Backstrom. Her renewal was delayed because she retired in 2024. In December I reached out to the office where she used to work to ask for contact information, but they didn't respond.  A few weeks ago I located her personal contact info and called her. She has since e-mailed a completed application.  We are just waiting on her check to arrive.

I sent every renewing WTP an e-mail confirming that their certification was now good through December 31, 2028, and reminding them of the need to accumulate 6 hours of continuing education.  I need to double check, but I don't think we have anyone who needs to renew in 2026.

A couple of issues for consideration by the committee:


  *
Bill Ronhaar asked me about a renewal process for senior title professionals, along the lines of what ALTA offers to National Title Professionals.  When I called ALTA I found out it's no bargain.  An NTP who is retired from the industry can maintain NTP certification, but it requires a hefty annual membership fee.
  *
The committee could consider a senior WTP program.  That could involve regular renewals, a one time renewal, continuing education, or not.
  *
 Another option would be instead of making accommodation that would allow for folks to maintain regular WTP status, we could establish a separate status.  It could be called "WTP - retired," "WTP - Honorary Life Member," "WTP-Emeritus," or whatever title the committee settles on.
  *
My recommendation would be that;
     *
The status is available only for someone retired from the industry. They don't have to be retired from everything, just no longer working in title.
     *
One time fee of $25 on conversion to the retired status.
     *
No continuing education requirement.  But maybe some perk, like a discount on registration for seminars.  Heck, maybe we should offer that to all WTPs. ALTA gives NTPs a break.
     *
Maybe we ask them to keep an active TAN membership?  😁
     *
Reinstatement to regular WTP status would require meeting the 6 hours in 3 years education requirement, but no test.
  *
Renewal for Gary Kissling.  Gary was not on the list of folks who had tested for WTP certification.  I wasn't aware he was a WTP until JP recently pointed out that Gary is on the list on the WLTA web site.  I think Gary received WTP status in recognition of his contributions to developing the program in the first place. If we are going to recognize a separate status for retired WTPs, I recommend Gary be the first person we consider offering it to.

See you Thursday.

Lieutenant Colonel Sean Holland, USA (Retired)




Backstrom
Kathy
Bickel
Dwight
Bullard
Lori
Holland
Sean
Howes
Kevin
Kissling
JP
Peters
George
Pfaff
Maureen
Ronhaar
Bill
Scott
Marian
Taylor
Michelle
Trummel
Craig
Rogers
Brenda





George Peters, WTP

Sean Holland, WTP

Co-Executive Directors

Washington Land Title Association

https://washingtonlandtitle.com<https://urldefense.proofpoint.com/v2/url?u=https-3A__washingtonlandtitle.com_&d=DwMGaQ&c=euGZstcaTDllvimEN8b7jXrwqOf-v5A_CdpgnVfiiMM&r=p9vJsp0aoiE7RjUE9pW-_Qg_OI-6qMHlnZdfSllgAtM&m=qCw847y4CTY_LXjd341rwwkUqjaCwjdObsCgD_1sF-4Dj3SNTuDjTUmNx_krolbP&s=p-x-SnGNfl-0CCbReActSrjYjRA9JKtugFPIGhgk9mc&e=>

Mail: PO Box 328, Lynnwood, WA 98046

Delivery: 6817 208th St SW, #328, Lynnwood, WA 98036

206-437-5869 (George's Mobile)

206-697-4199 (Sean's Mobile)

execdirector at washingtonlandtitle.com



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This is a confidential communication intended solely for the named recipient. If you are not the intended recipient, please destroy it and call Sean Holland at 206-697-4199 immediately. Thank you.



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