History of WLTA 1905-1955

WLTA Past Presidents & Convention Cities

The Washington Land Title Association (WLTA) is a non-profit association composed of trade professionals that promote high quality land title evidencing and title insurance services in the State of Washington. Formed in 1905, membership is composed of national title insurance underwriters, independent agents and professional affiliate members and vendors from related fields of endeavor. The WLTA is governed by an Executive Committee from its membership, including the elected positions of President and Vice President, the Immediate Past President, and Chairs of the Agents and Legislative Committees.

We actively promote sound and ethical business practices; provide educational opportunities for our membership in all areas of title evidencing and insurance and facilitate effective communication within our industry, and with our affiliated real estate professionals such as Realtors®, the escrow industry, attorneys, surveyors and the lending community, and the Office of the Insurance Commissioner.

Of special importance is the work of our Legislative Committee, which continuously monitors the legislative process in order to propose, promote and support legislation that meets the high professional standards of the Association, and to actively oppose legislation that does not. Our political action committee, TITAC, supports legislators who work for these same standards. The WLTA also encourages participation in the American Land Title Association’s Title Action Network (TAN, http://www.titleactionnetwork.com/).

The WLTA supports its members and other real estate professionals by offering annual title and escrow educational seminars, which provide superior opportunities to learn from the most qualified title, escrow and legal professionals in the industry. These seminars also provide regular and liability credits for Limited Practice Officers. In addition, it maintains an Examiners Manual exclusively for its members.

Members also participate in other active committees, including those reporting on judicial cases, following Indian affairs and maintaining liaison with the Office of the Insurance Commissioner.

The exclusive rights given to members include:

  • * the right to access and use the Examiners Manual,
  • * communication regarding proposed legislation during the legislative session,
  • * the right to be listed in the WLTA directory,
  • * the right to receive the Newsletter “For Land’s Sake,”
  • * the right to attend seminars and the convention at reduced member rates, and
  • * the opportunity for individuals to earn the newest title designation in Washington: that of Washington Title Professional.