Ohio Mortgage License Requirements
Application Requirements to become licensed in Ohio:
| Description | Requirement |
|---|---|
| Temporary Authority to Operate Eligible | Yes |
| Application Fee | $0.00 |
| License Registration Fee | $200.00 |
| NMLS Processing Fee | $35.00 |
| Sponsorship Fee* | $15.00 |
| 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 | No |
*Note: A sponsorship request must be submitted by your employer. OH will review and accept or reject the sponsorship request.
Ohio NMLS Pre-Licensing Education Requirements:
New state-licensed MLOs are required to complete 24 hours of NMLS-approved education. This includes:
3 hours of federal law
3 hours of ethics
2 hours of non-traditional mortgage lending
12 hours of electives
4 hours of Ohio state-specific education
NOTE: Only applicants under ORMLA must take the additional 4 hours of education. ORMLA applicants only require 20 hours.
Ohio 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
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.
Ohio Division of Financial Institutions Contact Info:
Phone: 614-644-6484
Email: webdfi‑cf@com.ohio.gov
Website: www.com.ohio.gov/fiin
