Renew your mortgage license the easy way!
No books or special software, everything you need is right here!
You don't need books, CDs, or special software. If you can read this, you have everything you need to get started!
Our mortgage education courses are delivered online and course materials are available in printer friendly formats. Your learning materials and exams are all delivered through your web browser. You will be able to access your account from any computer with an internet connection. The OnlineEd system is compatible with all major browsers and operating systems.
Our program has been rigorously reviewed and approved by the NMLS for continuing education credit.
Our program has been rigorously reviewed, approved, and authorized for continuing education credit by the Nationwide Multistate Licensing System (NMLS). Our mortgage continuing education courses meet the NMLS and state-regulatory entity guidelines for continuing education credit. We will also report your course completion confirmation directly to the NMLS.
Our mortgage education courses at OnlineEd are written by OnlineEd. Because of this, we save on overhead licensing costs and can pass those savings on to you.
You need to be registered with the NMLS before you can earn continuing education credits.
If you do not have an NMLS ID number and need to obtain one, create one using the instructions available at the NMLS Resource Center.
If you already have an NMLS ID but don't remember what it is:
MLOs are required to take a minimum of 8 hours of continuing education every year.
The SAFE Act requires licensed Mortgage Loan Originators to take a minimum of 8 hours of continuing education every year. The NMLS mortgage continuing education license renewal credit hours must be in the following categories:
Please check with each state to learn if you need to take additional credit hours. See this handy PDF for details.
Our 8-hour Originator Essentials package covers all of the courses required for continuing education in most states.
8-hour Originator Essentials package
Once you have completed the course, OnlineEd will notify the NMLS of your continuing education credit hours.
Our InlineEd Compliance Management System provides an all-in-one system for mortgage compliance. Click here to learn more.
Our InlineEd Compliance Management System provides an all-in-one system for mortgage compliance:
If you need help with managing the expanding set of mortgage compliance requirements and to conform with Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) regulations (and their random compliance audits), our InlineEd system can solve your compliance recordkeeping headaches.
It depends. You must be licensed if you work for a non-depository institution (usually an independent mortgage company). If you work for a bank, credit union, or government organization, you do not need to be licensed. However, all persons that originate mortgage loans need to be registered with the NMLS.
A mortgage loan originator is the legal term for a person that sells mortgages. This person works with customers to choose mortgage products and takes applications for loans. These persons are also referred to as "MLOs", "loan officers", and sometimes colloquially as "loan brokers" or "lenders".
A mortgage broker manages and operates an independent mortgage business and may oversee employees. Becoming a mortgage broker usually requires several years of industry experience and additional licensing. Laws vary by state.
A mortgage loan originator (MLO) is a salesperson that works with customers and must be licensed or registered. A loan processor is someone that reviews customer paperwork and does research to determine the customer's qualifications for the loan. A supervised loan processor generally does not need to be licensed.
A mortgage loan originator must be supervised by a licensed broker and must have their license associated with a particular mortgage company. Although working as an MLO can provide some level of work independence, persons that want to run their own mortgage company need to be licensed as a broker.
No. Instead, you must take pre-license education as prescribed by the SAFE Act (about 20 hours) and pass a licensing exam.
Yes. There is no minimum credit score required to get a mortgage license. However, most state agencies will be looking for signs of "fiscal responsibility" from license applicants. Having a low credit score will not disqualify anyone from getting a license. Inability to manage one's own finances may lead to a rejected application.
Generally speaking, persons convicted of financial crimes or ID-theft will not qualify for a mortgage license. However, each state has its own laws on this topic. Some are more or less strict about criminal records.
About $400-500. The total cost to start selling mortgages depends on which state you are being licensed in. The cost includes pre-license education through an NMLS-approved course provider, licensing exam fee, background check, credit report, and application fees.
You need a separate mortgage license in every state that you handle business from. Each state provides its own mortgage licenses. If your company works with customers from multiple states, you will need multiple licenses in order to service all customers.
About 6 weeks. Times vary by state agency. Pre-license education can be completed in as little as 4 days, while the license application process take up most of the time.
The first-time pass rate for the licensing exam is 55%. The NMLS updates these numbers regularly. Persons that pass the exam take their study seriously and make sure to review all of the topic outlines that the NMLS provides for free. We strongly recommend that you get a test-prep or test-review product along with your pre-license education to reinforce concepts you will be tested over.
The exam is 190 minutes long and contains 120 questions. A score of 75% or greater is required to pass. Results will be shown to you on a computer screen immediately after completing the exam.
Just take it again! There is a 30-day waiting period between attempts. After the third attempt, there is a 180-day waiting period.
Review the MLO Testing Handbook by the NMLS. It contains a comprehensive topic outline that will be tested over. OnlineEd's courses come with test prep study tools and an exam simulator to help you get ready for the exam.
Most states require about 20 credit hours. Courses provided by OnlineEd can be completed in as few as 4 days. The instructor will guide the class for the first 4 days, after which students may access the final exam. All courses must be completed within 14 days.
Yes! All of OnlineEd's courses are taken online. Most of the course can be taken on your own schedule, but we also have regular times to meet with a live instructor.
Nationwide Multistate Licensing System. The NMLS handles various mortgage license and registration functions through its website including licensing, tracking, testing, record keeping, and communication. The NMLS was initially called the Nationwide Mortgage Licensing System until its services were expanded to cover additional industries.
The Nationwide Multistate Licensing System handles mortgage license applications on behalf of individual state agencies. Each state issues its own licenses to do mortgage business inside the state. You can get a mortgage license by taking required pre-license education, passing a licensing exam, and applying for a state mortgage license through the NMLS website.
The difference is in the mortgage license status of the loan originator. The NMLS is a national organization that tracks all mortgage activity in the US, regardless of licensing status. Persons that work for independent mortgage companies must be licensed by the state in which they work. Persons that work for banks, credit unions, and government organizations are generally supervised by other organizations and are not required to be licensed. However, they still need to be registered with the NMLS. All MLOs require an NMLS ID, regardless of license status.
Starting your pre-license education is the first step towards a career as a licensed mortgage loan originator. Each state issues its own mortgage licenses and may choose its own hour requirements for licensure. Below are the pre-license hour requirements for each state and links to courses that fulfill the education requirements.
For additional details, see the NMLS state-specific education document.
State | Total Hours |
State Specific |
State Licensing Authority |
---|---|---|---|
Alabama | 20 | 0 | Alabama Banking Department |
Alaska | 20 | 0 | Alaska Division of Banking & Securities |
Arizona | 20 | 4 | Arizona Department of Financial Institutions |
Arkansas | 20 | 0 | Arkansas Security Department |
California (DRE) | 20 | 0 | California Department of Real Estate |
California (DFPI) | 20 | 2 | California Department of Financial Protection and Innovation |
Colorado | 20 | 2 | Colorado Division of Real Estate |
Connecticut | 21 | 1 | Connecticut Department of Banking |
Delaware | 20 | 0 | Delaware Office of the State Bank Commissioner |
District of Columbia | 20 | 3 | District of Columbia Department of Insurance, Securities and Banking |
Florida | 20 | 2 | Florida Office of Financial Regulation |
Georgia | 20 | 0 | Georgia Department of Banking and Finance |
Guam | 20 | 0 | Guam Department of Revenue and Taxation |
Hawaii | 20 | 3 | Hawaii Division of Financial Institutions |
Idaho | 20 | 2 | Idaho Department of Finance |
Illinois | 20 | 0 | Illinois Department of Financial & Professional Regulation |
Indiana (SOS) | 20 | 2 | Indiana Secretary of State |
Indiana (DFI) | 20 | 0 | Indiana Department of Financial Institutions |
Iowa | 20 | 0 | Iowa Division of Banking |
Kansas | 20 | 0 | Kansas Office of the State Bank Commissioner |
Kentucky | 20 | 0 | Kentucky Department of Financial Institutions |
Louisiana | 20 | 0 | Louisiana Office of Financial Institutions |
Maine | 20 | 0 | Maine Bureau of Consumer Credit Protection |
Maryland | 20 | 5 | Maryland Commissioner of Financial Regulation |
Massachusetts | 20 | 3 | Massachusetts Division of Banks |
Michigan | 20 | 2 | Michigan Department of Insurance and Financial Services |
Minnesota | 20 | 0 | Minnesota Department of Commerce |
Mississippi | 20 | 4 | Mississippi Department of Banking and Consumer Finance |
Missouri | 20 | 0 | Missouri Division of Finance |
Montana | 20 | 2 | Montana Division of Banking & Financial Institutions |
Nebraska | 22 | 2 | Nebraska Department of Banking and Finance |
Nevada | 30 | 4 | Nevada Division of Mortgage Lending |
New Hampshire | 20 | 2 | New Hampshire Banking Department |
New Jersey | 20 | 4 | New Jersey Department of Banking and Insurance |
New Mexico | 20 | 3 | New Mexico Financial Institutions Division |
New York | 20 | 3 | New York Department of Financial Services |
North Carolina | 24 | 4 | North Carolina Commissioner of Banks Office |
North Dakota | 20 | 0 | North Dakota Department of Financial Institutions |
Ohio | 24 | 4 | Ohio Division of Financial Institutions |
Oklahoma | 20 | 1 | Oklahoma Department of Consumer Credit |
Oregon | 20 | 4 | Oregon Division of Financial Regulation |
Pennsylvania | 20 | 3 | Pennsylvania Department of Banking and Securities |
Puerto Rico | 20 | 0 | Puerto Rico Bureau of Financial Institutions |
Rhode Island | 20 | 3 | State of Rhode Island Department of Business Regulation |
South Carolina (BFI) | 20 | 3 | South Carolina Board of Financial Institutions |
South Carolina (DCA) | 20 | 3 | South Carolina Department of Consumer Affairs |
South Dakota | 20 | 0 | South Dakota Division of Banking |
Tennessee | 20 | 2 | Tennessee Department of Financial Institutions |
Texas (SML) | 23 | 3 | Texas Department of Savings and Mortgage Lending |
Texas (OCCC) | 20 | 0 | Texas Office of Consumer Credit Commissioner |
Utah (DRE) | 35 | 15 | Utah Division of Real Estate |
Utah (DFI) | 20 | 0 | Utah Department of Financial Institutions |
Vermont | 20 | 2 | Vermont Department of Financial Regulation |
Virginia | 20 | 0 | Virginia Bureau of Financial Institutions |
US Virgin Islands | 20 | 0 | Virgin Islands Division of Banking and Insurance |
Washington | 22 | 4 | Washington Department of Financial Institutions |
West Virginia | 24 | 4 | West Virginia Division of Financial Institutions |
Wisconsin | 20 | 0 | Wisconsin Department of Financial Institutions |
Wyoming | 20 | 0 | Wyoming Division of Banking |