Texas SML Mortgage License Requirements
Learn about the Texas (SML) mortgage education requirements for mortgage licensing.
In the state of Texas, under the Texas Department of Savings and Mortgage Lending (SML), 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 your state agency.
- Take and pass a National Test.
Texas (SML) NMLS Pre-Licensing Education Requirements:
New state-licensed MLOs are required to complete 23 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
- 3 hours Texas (SML) state-specific education
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.
TX-SML will not accept any hours of other state-specific education to count towards the 12 hours of elective. MLOs are advised to complete either a 23-hour TX-SML comprehensive course or a 20-hour comprehensive course and a 3-hour TX-SML elective course.
Texas (SML) 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.
Texas (SML) Mortgage Licensing:
- Texas Department of Savings and Mortgage Lending
- Phone: 512-475-1350
- Email: nmls@sml.texas.gov
- Website: www.sml.texas.gov
NMLS Resources:
- Texas (SML) MLO License Description Page
- Professional Standards: Mortgage Education
- Professional Standards: Criminal Background Check
- Professional Standards: Credit Report
- Professional Standards: MLO Testing
