What exam is required to become a mortgage loan officer?

State-licensed mortgage loan officers must pass the SAFE Mortgage Loan Originator Test, developed by NMLS and administered at Prometric test centers. The test has 120 multiple-choice questions (115 scored), a 190-minute time limit, and requires a score of at least 75% to pass. The fee is $110. Employees of federally regulated banks and credit unions follow the federal registration path instead and are not required to take the test.

Alaska requires a passing result on the National Test Component with Uniform State Content, under Alaska Statute 06.60.040. The exam fee is $110. Alaska adds no separate state test, so an out-of-state loan originator who already passed the National Test with Uniform State Content has no additional Alaska testing requirement.

California requires the SAFE MLO Test with Uniform State Content, given at Prometric testing centers rather than Department of Real Estate (DRE) exam sites. You must score 75% or higher to pass. The test has 120 multiple-choice questions, of which 115 are scored. If you fail, you must wait 30 days to retake it, and after every third failed attempt you must wait 180 days.

You must pass the National SAFE MLO Test Component with Uniform State Content, which costs $110 through NMLS. Colorado adds no separate state exam beyond the Uniform State Content. You may retake the exam 3 consecutive times, each attempt at least 30 days after the preceding one, and after failing 3 consecutive exams you must wait at least 6 months.

Connecticut requires the SAFE mortgage loan originator test, with a passing score of at least 75% on the National Component with Uniform State Content, or passing scores on both the National and Stand-alone state components. The National Component costs $110. You may retake the test up to three consecutive times, with at least 30 days between attempts, and after failing three in a row you must wait at least 6 months before testing again.

Delaware requires new applicants to pass the SAFE MLO National Test Component with Uniform State Content, with a score of at least 75%. Delaware adds no state-specific test component and no state-specific education requirement. If you fail, you may retake the test 3 consecutive times with at least 30 days between attempts; after a third consecutive failure you must wait at least 6 months before testing again.

You must pass the SAFE MLO Test, the national mortgage loan originator exam, with a score of 75% or better. DC requires the test along with 20 hours of NMLS-approved pre-licensing education before the license is issued. If you qualify for Temporary Authority to Operate, you may submit the application before passing the test and originate loans while you complete the remaining requirements.

You must pass the SAFE Mortgage Loan Originator Test, a national test with uniform state content that Florida accepts in place of a separate state exam. The passing score is 75%, and the national test component costs $110 per attempt. Prometric administers the test at its test centers, and scheduling is a two-step process: pay for the test enrollment through NMLS first, then schedule with Prometric. If you fail, you must wait at least 30 days before retaking, and after three consecutive failures a 6-month wait applies.

You must pass the SAFE Mortgage Loan Originator Test, National Component with Uniform State Content, with a score of 75 or higher. The test costs $110, and passing results expire after 5 consecutive years without a valid mortgage loan originator license or federal registration.

Hawaii requires the SAFE MLO test, which covers ethics, federal law and regulations, and Hawaii state law, including fraud, consumer protection, and fair lending. Prometric and Pearson VUE administer it at testing centers located only on Oahu. You must score at least 75%, and after three failed attempts you must wait at least 6 months before retesting; the national component fee is $110.

The required exam is the SAFE MLO National Test with Uniform State Test content: 120 multiple-choice items, 115 scored and 5 unscored, spread across federal mortgage law, uniform state content, general mortgage knowledge, loan origination activities, and ethics. Idaho does not require a separate state-specific exam, so passing the national test with uniform state content satisfies the testing requirement.

Illinois requires the national SAFE MLO Test with Uniform State Content, which costs $110. Illinois imposes no separate state-specific exam component, so the national test with Uniform State Content satisfies the Illinois requirement. Illinois is also Uniform State Content and Temporary Authority eligible.

Indiana requires the SAFE Mortgage Loan Originator Test, administered by an NMLS-approved provider for a $110 fee, with a passing score of 75%. Indiana accepts three passing combinations: the National component plus the Indiana State component, the National component plus Stand-alone Uniform State Test (UST) components, or the National Test Component with Uniform State Content. After a failed attempt you must wait 30 days to retake; after 3 consecutive failures the wait is at least 6 months.

Iowa requires the SAFE MLO test, administered through the Nationwide Mortgage Licensing System and Registry (NMLS), with a passing score of 75% or higher. No separate Iowa-specific exam is required: passing the national test component with Uniform State Content (UST) satisfies Iowa's state component requirement. The national component costs $110, and if you fail you may retake it after 30 days, with up to 3 consecutive retakes before a 6-month wait applies.

You must pass the National Test Component with Uniform State Content with a score of 75% or higher. Kansas requires this exam for every mortgage loan originator, along with 20 hours of prelicensing education, a criminal background check, and a credit check reviewed by the OSBC.

Kentucky mortgage loan originators must pass the national component of the SAFE MLO Test with uniform state content. Kentucky does not require a separate state test beyond the uniform state content. The test covers federal mortgage-related laws, general mortgage knowledge, loan origination activities, ethics, and uniform state content, and you must pass it before the state registers you.

Louisiana requires the SAFE Mortgage Loan Originator Test, developed by the NMLS and administered by an NMLS-approved test provider, with a passing score of at least 75% correct answers. Louisiana accepts the National Test Component with Uniform State Test (UST) content to satisfy the state component. After a failed attempt you must wait at least 30 days to retake, and after three consecutive failures you must wait at least 6 months before testing again.

Maine accepts the SAFE MLO test, specifically the National Test Component with Uniform State Content, so no separate Maine-only exam is required. The passing score is at least 75%. You may retake the test 3 consecutive times with at least 30 days between attempts, and after a third consecutive failure you must wait at least 6 months before testing again.

Maryland requires the SAFE MLO test, a qualified written test developed by the Nationwide Mortgage Licensing System and Registry (NMLS) and administered by an NMLS-approved provider, with a passing score of at least 75%. You may take the test 3 times, with each retake at least 30 days after the previous attempt; after failing 3 times you must wait 6 months before testing again. Maryland uses the Uniform State Test as its state component, so there is no separate Maryland exam.

To become a licensed mortgage loan officer in Massachusetts, you must pass the SAFE MLO Test, the national component with Uniform State Content, with a score of at least 75%. You pay for the test enrollment through your NMLS account, then schedule at a Prometric Test Center online or by phone. If you fail, you may retake the exam three consecutive times, each at least 30 days apart; after a third consecutive failure you must wait at least six months before retesting.

Minnesota requires the SAFE MLO National Test Component with Uniform State Content (UST), with a passing score of 75%. Since August 1, 2018, there is no separate Minnesota state test component. You may retake the test three consecutive times, with each retake at least 30 days after the previous attempt, and after three consecutive failures you must wait 6 months before testing again. The test fee is $110.

Missouri requires the national SAFE MLO Test, National Component with Uniform State Content; there is no separate Missouri state exam. The passing score is at least 75% correct answers. The test is administered by Prometric, and an applicant who fails may retake it twice with at least 30 days between attempts. A longer waiting period applies after three consecutive failures.

Montana requires the National SAFE MLO Test with Uniform State Content, which the state adopted effective July 1, 2013, so no separate Montana state test component exists. You need a score of at least 75% to pass. If you fail, you may retake the test three consecutive times, each at least 30 days after the previous attempt, and a third consecutive failure triggers a 6-month wait. Prometric administers the exam, and Montana's scheduling line is 1-877-671-6657.

Nebraska requires the SAFE mortgage loan originator test, developed through the Nationwide Multistate Licensing System (NMLS). You must pass the National Test Component with Uniform State Content, because Nebraska discontinued its separate state test on July 1, 2013. A score of at least 75% is required to pass.

New applicants must pass the SAFE MLO test. New Hampshire accepts passing results on the National Test Component with Uniform State Content, on both the National and New Hampshire State components, or on the National and Stand-alone Uniform State Test components. The National component costs $110, and you must score 75% or better to pass.

You must pass the SAFE Mortgage Loan Originator Test. New Jersey accepts a passing score on the National Test Component with Uniform State Content (UST), or passing scores on both the National and New Jersey State components, or both the National and Stand-alone UST components. The National component costs $110 and requires a 75% score to pass.

New Mexico requires the SAFE Test, which pairs a National Component with a state component. You can satisfy the state portion by passing the New Mexico State Component or the Stand-alone Uniform State Test, and passing the National Test Component with Uniform State Content also satisfies New Mexico's state test requirement. The minimum passing score is 75%.

New York mortgage loan officer applicants must pass the SAFE Mortgage Loan Originator Test, the test DFS requires before it will issue a license under Article 12-E of the Banking Law. The required version is the National Component with Uniform State Content, which you complete before applying for the license through NMLS.

North Carolina requires mortgage loan originator applicants to pass the SAFE test with Uniform State Content, required under N.C.G.S. § 53-244.080. The test must have been passed within the five years immediately preceding the application date. An applicant may retake the test three consecutive times, with each retake at least 30 days after the preceding one; after three consecutive failures, the applicant must wait at least six months before retaking.

North Dakota requires the SAFE Mortgage Loan Originator Test, whose national component costs $110 and needs a score of at least 75% to pass. The state accepts passing results on the National Test Component with Uniform State Content, or on both the National and North Dakota state components, or on both the National and Stand-alone Uniform State Test components. You may retake the test three consecutive times, each at least 30 days apart, and must wait at least 6 months after a third consecutive failure.

Ohio accepts three passing-test combinations for licensure: the National and Ohio state components of the SAFE test, the National and Stand-alone UST components, or the National Test Component with Uniform State Content. The national test requires a score of 75% or better. The National Test Component fee is $110.

To become a mortgage loan originator in Oklahoma, you must pass the SAFE MLO Test, which Oklahoma requires through its National component plus a state option. You can satisfy testing by passing the National and Oklahoma State components, the National and Stand-alone Uniform State Content components, or the National Test Component with Uniform State Content alone. The Oklahoma Department of Consumer Credit (OK DOCC) then issues the license once you complete all application steps.

Pennsylvania loan originators must pass the SAFE mortgage loan originator test, whose national component costs $110 through NMLS. The state accepts three passing pathways: the National component with Uniform State Content, the National and Pennsylvania state components, or the National and stand-alone Uniform State Test components. A score of at least 75% correct answers is required, with a 30-day wait between each of the first three attempts and at least six months after three consecutive failures.

Rhode Island requires a passing score on the National component of the SAFE MLO Test plus a state component. The state accepts three options: the National and Rhode Island State components together, the National and Stand-alone Uniform State Test (UST) components, or the National Test Component with Uniform State Content. Your NMLS record must show the state testing requirement is satisfied before the license can be approved.

South Carolina requires a passing score on the SAFE MLO Test before you can apply for a loan originator license. The Board of Financial Institutions, Consumer Finance Division (BFI), requires the National Test Component with Uniform State Content. The Department of Consumer Affairs (DCA) also accepts passing results on both the National and South Carolina State components of the SAFE Test, or on both National Stand-alone Uniform State Test (UST) components.

A South Dakota mortgage loan originator applicant must pass a written test that meets the test requirement set by rule under SDCL 54-14-31, after completing the required pre-licensing education. The director of the Division of Banking may not issue the license unless both the test and education requirements are satisfied.

Tennessee requires the SAFE MLO test. The Tennessee Department of Financial Institutions accepts passing results on the National component plus the Tennessee State component, the National plus the Stand-alone Uniform State Test, or the National Test Component with Uniform State Content. The passing score is 75% or higher, and the national component costs $110.

You must pass the SAFE MLO National Test Component with Uniform State Content, which costs $110 to enroll for through NMLS. The test covers federal law, ethics, non-traditional mortgage lending, and the uniform state content adopted under the SAFE Act. Applicants for an Office of Consumer Credit Commissioner license may also satisfy the requirement with passing scores on both the National and Texas State components of the SAFE test.

Vermont requires the SAFE mortgage loan originator test with a passing score of at least 75%. The state accepts the National Test Component with Uniform State Content, the National component plus the Vermont State component, or the National plus a stand-alone Uniform State Test component. You may take the test 3 consecutive times, each at least 30 days after the previous attempt; after failing 3 consecutive tests you must wait at least 6 months before retesting.

To become a mortgage loan originator in Virginia, you must pass the SAFE MLO exam through NMLS. Virginia accepts the National Test Component with Uniform State Content, so you do not take a separate Virginia-only exam. Passing results on older test combinations, the National plus Virginia State components or the National plus Stand-alone Uniform State Test, also qualify.

West Virginia uses the national SAFE MLO test developed by the Nationwide Mortgage Licensing System and Registry (NMLS) rather than a separate state-authored exam. The test covers ethics, federal and state law and regulation, fraud, consumer protection, fair lending, and the nontraditional mortgage marketplace. You pass with a score of at least 75%, and you may retake it three consecutive times with each attempt at least 30 days apart before a six-month wait applies.

Wisconsin requires the SAFE test, a single national exam with Uniform State Content; there is no separate Wisconsin state test component. You must score at least 75% to pass. Test enrollment and the $110 fee are handled through NMLS, with scheduling through Prometric, an NMLS-approved test provider.

To become a licensed mortgage loan originator in Wyoming, you must pass the SAFE MLO National Test Component with Uniform State Content, which covers national standards and uniform state law topics. A score of at least 75% is required to pass. No separate Wyoming state test component is required.