GENERAL INFORMATION PAGE

This California Real Estate Originator License Course provides 8 hours of credit for both:

• Mortgage loan originator license renewal through the NMLS, and
• Real estate license renewal through the California Department of Real Estate (DRE).

This course does NOT provide the 1-hour elective required of persons licensed through the California Department of Financial Protection and Innovation (DFPI), however this is available as a separate package for those that need it.

Please read the included syllabus / general information page for full details before making your purchase.

Course Description

This course will instruct mortgage loan originators on a number of regulations that they will have to comply with while taking part in their mortgage loan origination activities. Rules, such as those implemented by the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act, are set in place to protect the interest and well-being of consumers who apply for mortgages to purchase or refinance their properties. To ensure that their business practices satisfy the regulations adopted by federal laws, mortgage loan originators need to keep current on the guidelines published by supervising entities.

Topics and Learning Objectives

This course consists of four sections and a final exam:

1. Top 10 Federal Topics for 2025

2. Prohibited Kickbacks Under RESPA Section 8

3. Non-traditional Mortgage Products

4. Appraiser Independence Rules

5. Final exam

Total study time: 8 credit hours (6 hours, 40 minutes)

Module 1: Top 10 Federal Topics for 2025

Study Time: 3 clock hours (150 minutes of federal law)

Licensed and registered mortgage lenders, brokers, and mortgage loan originators are required to maintain a consistent and current understanding of all regulatory requirements with which they are obligated to comply. This especially applies to individual mortgage loan originators who, in addition to their sponsoring company, will be held accountable for failures discovered through regulatory examinations and investigations involving residential mortgage loans that they originate.

The topics outlined in this module are mandated by the NMLS and state regulators, covering the more egregious regulatory compliance failures recently discovered through various regulatory examinations, investigations, and audits.

Module 2: Prohibited Kickbacks Under RESPA Section 8

Study Time: 2 clock hours (100 minutes of ethics, fraud, and consumer protection)

The Real Estate Settlement Procedures Act (RESPA) was signed into law in 1974 and became effective in June 1975. One function of RESPA was to eliminate kickbacks and unearned fees initiated by those involved in loan settlement services. Before the passage of RESPA, parties associated with the buying and selling of real estate, including lenders, real estate agents, and title companies, often engaged in undisclosed kickbacks to each other, which inflated the costs of real estate transactions and often did not properly disclose all closing costs to consumers.

While RESPA contains various consumer protection regulations, in this ethics section we're going to concentrate on the regulation's prohibitions on kickbacks and referral fees.

Module 3: Non-traditional Mortgage Products

Study Time: 2 clock hours (100 minutes of non-traditional mortgage)

Besides traditional conventional loan products, there are other options available when it comes to rehabilitating a home for purchase or refinance that might be better for the needs of a borrower.

In this module, let's explore some unique mortgage products available to borrowers that may better fit their needs compared to a conventional mortgage loan These other options include the FHA 203(k) property rehabilitation loan, four types of energy efficient mortgage products, and the Fannie Mae HomeReady® rehab loan product.

Module 4: Appraiser Independence Rules

Study Time: 1 clock hour (50 minutes of elective topics)

Now, there isn't any doubt about it - the appraisal is a critical part of the financing process, not only for the borrower but also for the loan originator. The appraiser can be viewed as protecting the interests of both parties by ensuring that the subject property is accurately evaluated.

In this section, we will review the appraisal independence requirements as outlined by various federal regulations, agencies, and published guidance.

NMLS ID Required

You must have an NMLS ID to receive credit for this course. You will need this number before you begin the course.

If you already have an NMLS ID but don't remember what it is:

• Login into NMLS
• Click on the Composite View tab.
• Click View Individual on the sub-header row.
• The number that appears in parentheses after your name is your NMLS ID number.

If you do not have an NMLS ID and need to obtain one, use the instructions available in the NMLS Resource Center

Method of Course Presentation

• Presentation: Internet
• Course Category: Consumer Protection
• Credit Hours: 8

Course Fees

Course fees consist of the initial enrollment fee and a NMLS credit banking fee of $1.50 per credit hour.

Course Materials

• Title: 8 Hour SAFE Comprehensive: 2025 Originator Essentials
• Authors: OnlineEd, LLC
• Copyright date: 2024-2025
• Pages: 151

Access

Course must be completed within one year of enrollment.

Refund Policy

All tuition and fees paid for the course are refundable when: (a) the course of instruction is discontinued by OnlineEd and such discontinuation has prevented a student from completing the course; or (b) the enrollment of the student was procured as a result of any misrepresentation in promotion materials of the school, or representation made by an owner or employee of the school. All refunds will be completed within 30 days after the effective date of enrollment termination. Refunds will not be given to any student after the student has successfully registered in a course or courses, as once registered, student has access to the registered courses. In hardship cases, OnlineEd may issue a refund at its sole discretion. OnlineEd does not issue retroactive partial refunds for courses that are subsequently discounted or put on sale after a student makes a purchase.

Final Examination Criteria

• Number of questions: 25
• Types of questions: multiple choice
• Time: 25 minutes
• How many final exam attempts are allowed: 2
• Minimum passing score: 70%

DRE Disclaimer

This course is approved for continuing education credit by the California Department of Real Estate. However, this approval does not constitute an endorsement of the views or opinions which are expressed by the course sponsor, instructor, authors or lecturers.

Correspondence Course Identification Statement

In order to verify your identity, you will be asked to provide at the time of enrollment and again prior to taking the final examination certain information to verify your identity. Among the types of identification that may be asked for are your current California driver's license, current identification permitted under the California Vehicle Code, or any identification issued to you by a governmental agency or a recognized real estate related trade organization that was issued within the immediately preceding five years that bears your photograph, signature, and identification number. In addition, you will also be asked to provide answers to additional security questions, the answers to which are unique to you.

Online Evaluation Statement

After completing this course you are encouraged to complete the California Department of Real Estate's online course evaluation form. You can access this evaluation at https://www.dre.ca.gov/files/pdf/forms/re318a.pdf.

Course Provider Complaint Statement

A course provider complaint form is available on the California Department of Real Estate (DRE) website at www.dre.ca.gov. Access this form by typing in "RE 340" in the search box located in the upper right corner of the home page. An informational form regarding course provider complaints, "RE 340A" is also available.

OnlineEd Disclaimer

The California Department of Real Estate does not approve nor endorse any of the forms used in this course with the exception of those prescribed by State and Federal Law. While this publication is designed to be accurate information about the subject matter it covers, it is sold with the understanding that the distributor, author, and publisher are not engaged in rendering legal, accounting, or other professional advice. If such advice or other expert assistance is required, the services of a competent professional should be sought. The recipient is cautioned to check with their managing supervisor before acting on any suggestion or recommendation, or before using any sample form contained herein.