How do I become a mortgage broker without a college degree?
No college degree is required. The federal SAFE Act licensing path is the same regardless of education: complete 20 hours of NMLS-approved pre-licensing education, pass the SAFE MLO Test with a score of at least 75%, clear fingerprint and credit checks, and obtain a state license through NMLS with a sponsoring licensed mortgage company. Some states add their own requirements, and a few, such as Washington, require a high school diploma or GED.
You do not need a college degree. The minimum education level for a mortgage broker is a high school diploma or GED, and a broker license instead turns on experience: at least 3 years in financial services, though qualifying college coursework can substitute for one year. For loan originator licensing, there is no degree requirement; 20 hours of approved education and a passing test score are the education-based prerequisites.
Sources: S.C. Code Title 40 Ch. 58: Licensing of Mortgage Brokers Act; NMLS: South Carolina (SC - DCA) state-specific PE and CE requirements for MLOs.