Lender Tech Stack

Loan Officer (MLO) License Requirements by State

To become a licensed mortgage loan originator (MLO), you must complete pre-licensing education, pass the SAFE MLO exam, submit to background checks, and apply through the NMLS. Requirements are similar across states but details vary. Select your state below.

Select Your State

ALAlabamaAKAlaskaAZArizonaARArkansasCACaliforniaCOColoradoCTConnecticutDEDelawareDCDistrict of ColumbiaFLFloridaGAGeorgiaHIHawaiiIDIdahoILIllinoisINIndianaIAIowaKSKansasKYKentuckyLALouisianaMEMaineMDMarylandMAMassachusettsMIMichiganMNMinnesotaMSMississippiMOMissouriMTMontanaNENebraskaNVNevadaNHNew HampshireNJNew JerseyNMNew MexicoNYNew YorkNCNorth CarolinaNDNorth DakotaOHOhioOKOklahomaOROregonPAPennsylvaniaRIRhode IslandSCSouth CarolinaSDSouth DakotaTNTennesseeTXTexasUTUtahVTVermontVAVirginiaWAWashingtonWVWest VirginiaWIWisconsinWYWyoming

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How to Become a Loan Officer

1. Pre-Licensing Education

Complete 20 hours of NMLS-approved education: 3 hrs federal law, 3 hrs ethics, 2 hrs non-traditional, 12 hrs electives.

2. Pass the SAFE Exam

Pass the SAFE MLO Test (national + state component) with a minimum score of 75%. You get 3 attempts before a waiting period.

3. Background Check

Submit to an FBI criminal background check and credit report through the NMLS system.

4. Get Sponsored

Find a licensed mortgage company to sponsor your license. You cannot originate loans without company sponsorship.