5.0 · 624 reviews · Jim Blackburn · NMLS #1072866
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Advanced Certification

Certified Stairway Advisor™

Unlock more than just a loan — get a financing plan built to grow your wealth. Two designations. One powerful credential. 70+ hours of advanced training for mortgage professionals who want to advise beyond the transaction.

Two designations · One credential

Two Tracks. Deep Training. Immediate Impact.

CSA-MFS: Mortgage & Financial Strategy

40 hours
  1. Mortgage & Wealth-Building Fundamentals
  2. Financial Strategy & Debt Restructuring
  3. Understanding & Using Financial Calculators
  4. Investment Property Financing & Tax Strategies
  5. Retirement Planning & Real Estate
  6. Professional Introductions to Financial Planners
  7. Client Communication & Intelligent Conversations
  8. Case Study Analysis & Application
  9. Business Owners & Real Estate Leverage

CSA-REI: Real Estate Investing

36–40 hours
  1. Introduction to Real Estate as a Wealth Strategy
  2. Types of Residential Real Estate Investors
  3. Analyzing Deals Like a Pro
  4. Understanding Property Management
  5. Financing Strategies for Investors
  6. Scaling Your Portfolio Strategically
  7. Tax, Legal, and Insurance Considerations
  8. Creating Investment Partnerships
  9. Case Studies, Worksheets & Action Planning
Who it's for

Built for professionals who want to advise, not just close.

Loan Officers & Mortgage Advisors

If you're focused on more than just pre-approvals and want to build deeper, long-term relationships with your clients, this is built for you.

Real Estate Professionals

For agents and brokers helping investors grow — gain tools and insights that add value beyond transactions and set you apart in your market.

Team Leaders & Trainers

If you're mentoring other professionals or shaping the next generation of wealth advisors, we support your mission with content and systems that scale.

Why we created the CSA

Clients don't want salespeople — they want trusted advisors.

CSA graduates aren't licensed financial planners, but they are fluent in the language that matters:

Mortgage as a financial tool
Real estate as a wealth strategy
Collaboration with CPAs, CFPs, and attorneys
Real conversations, not sales scripts
The advantage

How this certification sets you apart.

Speak the Language of Finance

Master the terms and frameworks used by CFAs, investors, and CPAs — so you can confidently contribute to real wealth conversations.

Collaborate Across Industries

Be more than a closer. Position yourself as a connector who bridges finance, real estate, and tax strategy teams for better client outcomes.

Build Lifelong Trust

Guiding clients to wealth builds loyalty. This certification helps you become the person they call — not just for the deal, but for the plan.

Requirements

What it takes to become a Certified Stairway Advisor™.

01 Enroll in Both Courses (CSA-MFS & CSA-REI)
02 Complete 70+ Hours of Training
03 Pass the Certification Exam
04 Maintain Annual Continuing Education
05 Represent the CSA™ Standard in All Client Work
Common questions

About the CSA Program.

01 Do I need to be a licensed loan officer to enroll?

No. The CSA program is open to mortgage professionals, real estate agents, financial advisors, and anyone committed to advising clients at a higher level.

02 Can I take the courses at my own pace?

Yes. Both tracks are self-paced, so you can fit the training around your existing schedule and client commitments.

03 Will this help me attract more business?

Absolutely. The CSA designation signals expertise and trust — clients and referral partners recognize you as someone who goes beyond the transaction to deliver real financial strategy.

Ready to become the advisor clients trust for life?

Join the CSA™ Program and start building generational wealth — for you and your clients.

The Receipts

5.0
across 624 verified reviews.

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An 8-ebook journey · from 18 to legacy

Download The Stairway Roadmap.

Map your real estate journey from age 18 through legacy — one ebook for every chapter. Free.