I suppose this is where I need to open my mouth without saying too much.

This answer is to David, yes we are compiling guidelines for our certification process.  We are NOT however going to certify new abstractors.  Nor will we train people to become abstractors.  You must already be an abstractor to get certified.  There is going to be a minimum of experience needed to even qualify.  There are over 10 criteria that need to be met before we will even allow someone to take our certification test.  We are also looking at those who have already became certified here on SOT and may just ask for a few extra pieces of information and not even test them.  We just aren't sure about that yet.  So don't quote me.
But in my opinion (just me, not the committee) we should allow those already dedicated to their business and who have already become certified such as those of you who have done the SOT cert, to be able to become NALTEA certified with ease.
Though NALTEA will accept new abstractors as members and we will most likely provide some kind of educational information for them, NALTEA is about much more than that.  We are looking at E & O discounts, group health insurance, a voice with the local legislatures and much more.

I have seen many people register here on SOT in the past year.  I was one of the first few to register on here only 2 months after Robert started this site and I have not gotten SOT certified.  Not that I can't, I have been doing this for 13 years and own a business.  I just chose not to do it.  As some others may have chose not to do as well.  My company covers 19 areas and I guess I just haven't wanted to pay the $150 bucks to do it.  But I will soon.  Just to have my name at the top of the list with the pretty star.:)

We, the committee,  have a conference call scheduled for Wed. afternoon to iron out some more details.  We plan on making a formal presentation to the NALTEa board for their October board meeting.

Our goal is to have some people already certified by the conference, but who knows what may happen.  We might just be able to announce the guidelines then too.

We will be having a training seminar at the conference too. 
We are checking with a few people to get some good speakers for this as well.  If you have any suggestions let me know.

David, if you have some major concerns about this certification thing, please feel free to email me directly.  I will explain what I can.  I have to say I am a bit apprehensive about revealing too much on these message boards.

Thanks and sorry this was so long.

Shannon Blatt
NALTEA Chair
Education & Training Committee