What certification is needed to become a commercial loan officer?
No certification or license is required to be a commercial loan officer. The SAFE Act's Mortgage Loan Originator license applies to residential mortgage loans, so commercial loan officers, who work on business loans, fall outside it. The Bureau of Labor Statistics states that loan officers typically need a bachelor's degree and receive on-the-job training. Voluntary credentials exist, such as the Mortgage Bankers Association's Certified Mortgage Banker designation.
In Georgia, no state certification or mortgage loan originator (MLO) license is required to work as a commercial loan officer. The Georgia Department of Banking and Finance exempts originators who work only on commercial loans from MLO licensing. Education and testing requirements, including the 20 hours of pre-licensure education and the SAFE test, apply to residential mortgage activity.
Sources: Georgia DBF: MLO Education & Testing.
Michigan does not license loan officers who work only on commercial or investment property, since commercial lending is not regulated under the Mortgage Brokers, Lenders, and Servicers Licensing Act. The typical qualification is a bachelor's degree plus on-the-job training. Only mortgage loan officers, who handle residential loans, must be licensed.
Sources: Michigan DIFS: Mortgage Loan Originator licensing page; Michigan DIFS: Schedule of Fees — Mortgage Loan Originator (2026).