Iowa Mortgage License Requirements
Learn about the Iowa mortgage education requirements for mortgage licensing.
In the state of Iowa, mortgage loan originators are required to:
- Complete a Criminal Background Check (CBC).
- Authorize a credit report through the NMLS.
- Fulfill all state and federal education requirements as designated by Iowa.
- Take and pass the National Test.
Iowa NMLS Pre-Licensing Education Requirements:
New state-licensed MLOs are required to complete 20 hours of NMLS-approved education. This includes:
- 3 hours of federal law
- 3 hours of ethics
- 2 hours of non-traditional mortgage lending training
- 12 hours of electives
Note: Individuals who fail to maintain an active, valid license for at least 3 years must satisfactorily complete the twenty (20) hours of pre-licensing education within the three (3) year period immediately preceding the date of application for licensure.
Iowa Continuing Education Requirements:
State-licensed MLOs are required to complete 8 hours of NMLS-approved mortgage education annually beginning the year they are licensed (unless PE was completed in the same year). This includes:
- 3 hours of federal law
- 2 hours of ethics
- 2 hours of non-traditional mortgage lending
- 1 hour of electives
The deadline to complete annual CE is December 1st.
MLOs are advised that to comply with the SAFE Act’s “successive years” rule, they may not take the same CE course two years in a row.
Iowa Mortgage Licensing:
- Iowa Division of Banking and Finance Bureau
- Phone: 515-281-4014
- Email: fblicensing@idob.state.ia.us
- Website: www.idob.state.ia.us
NMLS Resources:
- Iowa MLO License Description Page
- Professional Standards: Mortgage Education
- Professional Standards: Criminal Background Check
- Professional Standards: Credit Report
- Professional Standards: MLO Testing
