Get Your Mortgage License in New York

The NMLS system is used to process MLO licensing requests for all 50 states, including New York. Creating an account is a simple process that only takes a few minutes to complete.

1. Visit the NMLS online registration portal to request an NMLS account.
2. Select the Individual option.
3. If prompted, complete the security captcha and click next.
4. Provide the required information and submit your application.

To become a New York-licensed MLO you'll need to complete the required 20-hour NMLS S.A.F.E pre-licensing course, which must include 3 hours of New York content, along with any additional coursework required by the New York state licensing agency: The New York Department of Financial Services (DFS).

Required NMLS SAFE mortgage license training

All states require 20 hours of mortgage education from an NMLS approved mortgage school. If you are seeking a new mortgage license, be sure to enroll in the 20 hours SAFE course in addition to your state-specific education requirements.

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Once you’ve completed your pre-license education, you’ll need to schedule an appointment to take the National Test Component with Uniform State Content through your NMLS account.

SAFE MLO national test component

The SAFE MLO exam covers federal mortgage related laws, ethics, Mortgage loan originator activities, and general mortgage knowledge. Effective 4/5/21, test details are as follows:

• 120 questions (115 scored)
• 190 minutes
• Cost: $110

Uniform State Content (UST)

The UST portion of the exam covers:

• Regulatory authority, responsibilities and limitations
• Definitions and documents
• License law and regulation
• Compliance

New York Department of Financial Services

New York requires at least 20 hours of pre-license education and meet one of the following three conditions:

1. Passing results on both the National and New York State components of the SAFE Test, or
2. Passing results on both the National and stand-alone UST components of the SAFE Test, or
3. Passing results on the National Test Component with Uniform State Content

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Once you completed the required pre-licensing courses and achieved passing scores on the National and any applicable state required tests, you will be able to apply for your mortgage loan originator license on the NMLS website.

How to apply for your New York MLO license:

• Login in to your NMLS account.
• Select the filing tab on the top of the screen.
• Select Individual if applying as an individual.
• Select Request New/Update.
• If you’re directly responsible for the paying the filing fees, click continue.
• If you’re already employed with a mortgage company, your employer may handle this step for you. These fees are not refundable. Check with your employer before you proceed.
• Click Add to apply for your New York license.
• Select the appropriate New York license and click Next.
• Select the New York Mortgage Loan Originator license and click Next.
• Verify that the information is correct and click Next.
• Carefully review the final page before proceeding. Click Finish.

You are now ready to finalize your application.

Apply now

The SAFE act established licensing and registration standards for all Mortgage Loan Originators. In order to receive your New York MLO certification, you'll need to provide the following information and pay the associated fees:

Request	Fee	Required
NMLS Processing	$30	YES
FBI CBC	$36.25	YES
NY State CBC	$95	YES
Credit Report	$15	YES
NY Application This fee includes the $125 Investigation Fee & the $254 License Fee	$379	YES

Fingerprints

Create a Fieldprint account and register for an appointment.

Criminal Background Check

Initiate a criminal background check via your NMLS account.

Credit Report

Authorize a credit report via your NMLS account.

Special Note on Employer Sponsorship - Change in Application Process

Until now, when a mortgage loan originator working in another state or for a federal bank wanted to move to a New York licensed mortgage banker or broker, that person couldn’t apply for a license until after she got a new job, and was unable to work at that new job until her license was processed. DFS is changing its procedures to eliminate this delay. Individuals can now apply for an MLO license before being hired by a New York regulated entity.

Once the Department is satisfied that the applicant has met all of the requirements to become an MLO other than affiliation with a New York regulated entity, the Department will send the applicant a sponsorship notification. The sponsorship notification will require the applicant to become affiliated with a New York regulated entity within 30 days of the date of such notification. More information available on the DFS Website.