National MLO License Requirements
Application Requirements to become licensed as a mortgage loan originator:
| Description | Requirement |
|---|---|
| Temporary Authority to Operate Eligible | Yes |
| Application Fee | See fee listed under the state you are getting licensed in |
| License Registration Fee | See fee listed under the state you are getting licensed in |
| NMLS Processing Fee | $35.00 |
| Sponsorship Fee | See fee listed under the state you are getting licensed in |
| Credit Report Required | $15.00 |
| Criminal Background Check Required | $36.25 |
| Testing Required | Yes, passing score of 75% or higher |
| SAFE MLO Test Cost | $110.00 |
| Work Remote Allowed | Depends on the state you are getting licensed in |
NMLS Pre-Licensing Education Requirements:
Mortgage loan originators are required to complete a minimum of 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
Some state agencies require additional state-specific education. Please see the individual state pages for more information.
NMLS Continuing Education Requirements:
Mortgage loan originators are required to complete a minimum of 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 elective education
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.
Some state agencies require additional state-specific education. Please see the individual state pages for more information.
