California Mortgage Loan Originator (MLO) pre-licensing courses
California CA-DFPI or CA-DRE MLO Pre-Licensing Course
Choose your perfect study plan
Choose the option that matches your regulator — if unsure, ask your employer.
License Course
This is the package you need to get your MLO license with the CA-DFPI
$149$218
4×$37.25
- 20 Hour SAFE Comprehensive: Mortgage Fundamentals + e-Textbook
- 2 Hour CA-DFPI SAFE: California Law and Regulation
Most popular
License + Test Prep
Add our study guide and e-textbook and reduce your exam study time by up to 90%.
$219$297
4×$54.75
- 20 Hour SAFE Comprehensive: Mortgage Fundamentals + e-Textbook
- 2 Hour CA-DFPI SAFE: California Law and Regulation
- RealEstateU National MLO Test Prep
Career Accelerator
Pass the test the first time and jumpstart your MLO career with insider knowledge from a master of mortgage loan origination.
$299$396
4×$74.75
- 20 Hour SAFE Comprehensive: Mortgage Fundamentals + e-Textbook
- 2 Hour CA-DFPI SAFE: California Law and Regulation
- RealEstateU National MLO Test Prep
- How to Succeed As An MLO
14 days
to complete your course
$0 hidden fees
credit banking fee included
100% online
instructor-led + self-study
72-hour refund
enroll risk-free
Licensed in four steps
The price you see is the price you pay
Other schools add an NMLS credit banking fee at checkout. Ours is already included — compare total prices, not advertised ones.
NMLS ID
The first step to obtaining your MLO license is creating an NMLS account to get your NMLS ID.
Obtain your NMLS ID if you don't have one:
- if you apply through your employer then you can find more information in the NMLS getting-started instructions
- if you will apply as an individual then you can find more information in the NMLS individual account setup guide (PDF)
You will need your NMLS ID when you go through your National and State Modules.
Email us at support@realestateu.com if you have any questions.
Available separately
2-Hour CA-DFPI SAFE: California Law and Regulation Course
- Online Self-study course
- Satisfies all of the CA-DFPI MLO pre-licensing education requirements
- 2-Hour CA-DFPI SAFE Course NMLS Approval Number: 16092
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Rated 4.6/5 by our students
See why 225,000 students have trusted RealEstateU to take their real estate pre-licensure course
Why Choose RealEstateU to get your MLO license?
- Only $149, credit banking fee included
- Online instructor-led and self-study course
- Complete your required California MLO pre-license education in 14 days
Commonly Asked Questions on Getting Licensed in California
Several California MLO license requirements must be met before obtaining a license. Complete 20 hours NMLS approved of pre-licensing coursework which includes 2 hours of California-specific content. Sit for the National Mortgage Loan Originator test and pass the exam. Pay the required license fees through the Nationwide Multistate Licensing Service (NMLS). Attach the application with details of residency and employment history. Complete fingerprinting to clear criminal background checks by the state and federal agencies. Submit a credit report that proves you can take financial responsibility. Be covered under an employer’s lending bond. The California Department of Financial Protection and Innovation (CADFPI) issues an MLO license in California after these conditions are met.See the answer for every state
Several factors determine the time it takes to get an MLO license in California. It takes about two weeks to obtain a unique identification number from NMLS. This period includes time taken for documentation and background checks. The pre-license coursework is 20 hours and this will take 14 days to complete even if you study at your preferred pace. Schedule and pass the SAFE ACT MLO test. Next, the CADFPI will review your application and the time for it depends on the number of pending new applications. Typically, the time taken at this stage is thirty to sixty days. Hence, you can get an MLO license in California in 2 to 4 months after all the variables given above are considered.See the answer for every state
The California MLO license education requirements include the 20-hour National SAFE course, plus the 2-hour California State specific module. That's a total of 22 hours of coursework. Check out the RealEstateU MLO license course in California that covers both the National and state-specific sections.See the answer for every state
If you act as a mortgage loan originator for pay or other compensation on behalf of a non-depository lender offering residential mortgage loans secured by real estate located in the state of California, you are required to obtain a California Mortgage Loan Origination (MLO) license. Acting as a mortgage loan originator means taking residential mortgage loan applications and/or negotiating the terms of residential mortgage loans. Independent Contractor mortgage loan processors and mortgage loan underwriters are also required to obtain this license.See the answer for every state
An MLO license is a Mortgage Loan Originator license. The license is issued by the California Department of Financial Protection and Innovation. It authorizes a compensated individual to take residential mortgage loan applications and negotiate the terms of residential mortgage loans secured by properties located within the state of California.See the answer for every state
Generally, Mortgage Loan Originators in California work on commission. This might be straight commission, some sort of draw against future commissions arrangement, or perhaps as salary plus commission. California MLO employers who hire entry level mortgage loan originators understand that training and building a “pipeline” of business takes some time, so they may pay an initial salary.See the answer for every state