Can I take the required mortgage broker classes online?
Yes. The required pre-licensing education can be taken online from NMLS-approved providers, and NMLS itself does not offer courses. Before applying for a license, an individual must complete at least 20 hours of NMLS-approved education, including 3 hours of federal law, 3 hours of ethics, and 2 hours on nontraditional mortgage products, plus any state-specific hours the state requires.
Yes. Alabama's pre-licensing education may be delivered in the classroom, online, or by other NMLS-approved means, so long as the required 20 hours of coursework are NMLS-approved. The required content is 3 hours of federal law, 3 hours of ethics, 2 hours on nontraditional mortgage products, and 12 hours of electives.
Sources: Alabama Banking Dept: SAFE Mortgage Licensing Act text (PDF) — Code of Ala. Title 5, Chapter 26; NMLS: Alabama state-specific PE and CE requirements for MLOs.
Yes. Approved providers commonly offer the required 20 hours of pre-licensure education online, in both self-paced and instructor-led formats. Alaska adds no state-specific law hours, so any Nationwide Multistate Licensing System (NMLS) approved national course satisfies the education requirement.
Sources: NMLS: Alaska state-specific PE and CE requirements for MLOs (MLO Testing Handbook).
Yes. Florida's education requirement attaches to the individual loan originator license: 20 hours of prelicensing education approved by NMLS, including 2 hours of Florida law and rules. Providers on the approved-education list offer this coursework in several formats, including self-paced online and live webinar options. The entity-level mortgage broker license itself has no class requirement.
Sources: Fla. Stat. 494.00312: Loan originator license; NMLS: Florida state-specific PE and CE requirements for MLOs.
Yes. Maine law allows the required 20 hours of mortgage loan originator prelicensing education to be delivered in a classroom, online, or by any other means approved by NMLS. The courses and providers must be reviewed and approved by NMLS, and Maine adds no state-specific hours beyond the national 20-hour package.
Sources: 9-A M.R.S. §13-106: Prelicensing education for mortgage loan originators.
Yes. Maryland's prelicensing education may be offered in a classroom, online, or by any other means approved by NMLS, and since January 1, 2010 all courses and providers must be NMLS-approved. Continuing education required for annual renewal can also be completed online through NMLS-approved providers.
Sources: Md. Code Fin. Inst. §11-606: Prelicensing education; Md. Code Fin. Inst. §11-604: License application and fees.
Yes. Missouri law allows prelicensing education to be delivered in the classroom, online, or by other means approved by the Nationwide Multistate Licensing System (NMLS). The required 20 hours must come from NMLS-approved providers, and Missouri adds no state-specific hours beyond the standard course.
Sources: RSMo 443.717: MLO prelicensing education requirements.
Yes. Montana accepts prelicensing education approved by the Nationwide Multistate Licensing System (NMLS), and approved providers offer the required courses online. The 20 hours for loan origination include 3 hours of federal law, 3 hours of ethics, 2 hours on nontraditional mortgage products, 2 hours of Montana-specific law, and elective coursework to fill the remaining time.
Sources: MCA 32-9-107: Prelicensing education requirements for mortgage loan originators.
Yes. Nevada's pre-licensing coursework is available online from NMLS-approved providers, and you must use an approved provider for the hours to count. The state requires 30 hours total, including 4 hours of Nevada law. After you finish, the provider reports your completion to NMLS, so allow up to 7 days for the hours to post before you file your application.
Sources: NMLS: Nevada state-specific PE and CE requirements for MLOs.
Yes. New Hampshire pre-licensure education is widely available online from NMLS-approved providers, in self-paced and webinar formats. Webinar courses typically require students to be on camera for the entire session and to show a government-issued photo ID at the start.
Sources: NMLS: New Hampshire State PE and CE Requirements for MLOs; NH Banking Department: Mortgage Bankers, Brokers, Servicers, Originators.
Yes. New Mexico's required 20 hours of pre-licensure education, which must include 3 hours of New Mexico law, can be completed through NMLS-approved online courses. Approved providers deliver the coursework in self-paced, video, and webinar formats, so you do not need to attend in-person classes.
Sources: NMLS: New Mexico state-specific PE and CE requirements for MLOs.
Only in restricted formats. Under New York regulation 3 NYCRR 420.11, a less-experienced originator must complete the 20 hours of pre-licensing education in a live classroom, a fully interactive video or audio conference, or a comprehension-gated format, so a passive online course does not qualify. More experienced originators may take part of the coursework as online study.
Sources: NY DFS: Mortgage Loan Originator Application Resources.
Yes. North Carolina requires 24 hours of NMLS-approved prelicensing education in a classroom or classroom equivalent setting, and approved providers deliver the coursework online. The hours consist of 3 hours federal statutes, 3 hours ethics, 2 hours nontraditional mortgage products, 4 hours North Carolina statutes and rules, and 12 hours of electives, all completed within the 3 years before you apply.
Sources: NCCOB: NC prelicensing education requirements; North Carolina Commissioner of Banks: MLO licensing requirements.
Yes. Oregon accepts any NMLS-approved pre-licensure course, and approved providers offer the required 20 hours, including the 4 hours of Oregon-specific law, in online self-paced, video, and webinar formats. The 4 Oregon hours may be taken as part of an Oregon comprehensive course or as a separate state-specific elective.
Sources: Oregon DFR: Mortgage loan originator licensing FAQ.
Yes. Rhode Island's required prelicensure education, including the 3 hours of Rhode Island law, can be completed online through NMLS-approved providers. The state-law hours may be satisfied by either a Rhode Island comprehensive course or a state-specific elective course. The annual 8-hour continuing education requirement can also be met through online NMLS-approved courses.
Sources: NMLS: Rhode Island state-specific PE and CE requirements for MLOs.
Yes. Tennessee requires 20 hours of NMLS-approved pre-licensure education, and approved providers deliver the coursework in online, self-paced, and webinar formats. This education attaches to the individual mortgage loan originator license. Tennessee does not require a pre-licensure course for the company mortgage broker license itself.
Sources: NMLS: Tennessee state-specific PE and CE requirements for MLOs.
Yes. Approved education providers commonly offer the 20-hour national course and the Utah-specific course in online, self-paced formats. The provider banks your completed hours into your NMLS education record, so you can confirm the hours posted before you apply.
Sources: Utah Admin. Code R162-2c-201: Licensing and Registration Procedures (LII mirror).
Yes. Virginia law allows the required 20 hours of pre-licensing education to be delivered in a classroom, online, or by other means approved by the Nationwide Multistate Licensing System (NMLS). The courses must be NMLS-approved and must include 3 hours of federal law, 3 hours of ethics, 2 hours on nontraditional mortgage products, and 12 hours of electives.
Sources: Va. Code § 6.2-1708. Pre-licensing education of mortgage loan originators; NMLS: Virginia state-specific PE and CE requirements for MLOs.
Yes. West Virginia permits prelicensing education to be delivered in a classroom, online, or by other means approved by the Nationwide Mortgage Licensing System (NMLS). Courses may also be provided by the applicant's employer or an affiliated entity, and the required 24 hours may be completed in any approved format.
Sources: W. Va. Code 31-17A-6: Prelicensing and relicensing education of loan originators.
Yes. NMLS-approved pre-licensure and continuing education courses are commonly offered in online self-paced, video, and webinar formats. Wyoming requires 20 hours of pre-licensure education (3 hours of federal law, 3 hours of ethics, 2 hours on non-traditional mortgage lending, and 12 elective hours) but does not mandate a delivery format. Confirm a course is NMLS-approved before enrolling.
Sources: Wyoming Division of Banking: Mortgage Loan Originators (Residential Mortgage Practices Act); NMLS: Wyoming state-specific PE and CE requirements for MLOs.