What exam is required to become a mortgage loan originator?

Every state-licensed mortgage loan originator must pass the SAFE Mortgage Loan Originator Test with a score of at least 75%. The national test, developed by the Nationwide Multistate Licensing System and Registry (NMLS), has 120 multiple-choice questions (115 scored), lasts 190 minutes, and costs $110. It is administered at Prometric test centers in the United States, Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands.

Alabama requires the SAFE MLO test, a written exam developed by NMLS, with a passing score of at least 75%. The state accepts the National Test Component with Uniform State Content, which covers federal mortgage law and ethics, loan originator activities, and general mortgage knowledge, and costs $110.

Alaska requires a passing result on the National Test Component with Uniform State Content, per AS 06.60.040. Alaska does not require a separate state test, so this one national exam is the only test for an Alaska Mortgage Loan Originator license. The test fee is $110.

Arizona requires the SAFE Mortgage Loan Originator Test, an exam developed by NMLS. The national test includes 120 questions (115 scored) with 190 minutes of testing time, and you need a score of 75% to pass. The exam fee is $110. You may take the test three consecutive times with at least 30 days between attempts; after three consecutive failures you must wait at least six months before trying again.

Arkansas requires the SAFE MLO National Test with Uniform State Content, the single national exam administered through the Nationwide Multistate Licensing System (NMLS) testing program. It consists of 120 multiple-choice items, 115 scored and 5 unscored, and costs $110. Arkansas adds no separate state test; the state-law material is tested inside the Uniform State Content portion of the national exam.

California requires applicants to pass the SAFE MLO National Test with Uniform State Content. The test has 120 multiple-choice items (115 scored), a passing score of 75%, and costs $110 per attempt. It is administered at Prometric testing centers, and you schedule it through the Nationwide Multistate Licensing System (NMLS) after paying the testing fee.

Colorado requires the National SAFE MLO Test Component with Uniform State Content, and the state adds no separate Colorado exam. A passing score of 75% is required. You may retake the exam 3 consecutive times, with each attempt at least 30 days after the previous one; after failing 3 consecutive attempts, you must wait at least 6 months before retesting.

Connecticut requires the SAFE MLO Test. You must satisfy one of three testing conditions: passing scores on both the National and Connecticut State components, passing scores on the National and Stand-alone UST components, or a passing score on the National Test Component with Uniform State Content. The passing score is at least 75% correct answers.

Delaware requires the SAFE MLO National Test Component with Uniform State Content, with a minimum passing score of 75%. You may retake the test 3 consecutive times, with each retake at least 30 days after the preceding test. After failing 3 consecutive tests, you must wait at least 6 months before testing again. Delaware adds no state-specific test component.

To become a mortgage loan originator in DC, you must pass the SAFE MLO Test, the national licensing exam that covers federal law, ethics, and non-traditional mortgage lending. NMLS requires a score of 75% or better to pass. You take the test as part of your DC MLO license application, which you file through the Nationwide Multistate Licensing System (NMLS).

You must pass the SAFE MLO test, which has a national component and a Hawaii state component, with a score of at least 75%. NMLS develops the test, and approved providers Prometric and Pearson VUE administer it; in Hawaii, testing centers are located only on Oahu. The national component costs $110, and scheduling is done through the NMLS website.

Idaho requires the SAFE MLO National Test with Uniform State Test content, taken through NMLS. The test has 120 multiple-choice items, of which 115 are scored and 5 are unscored, spread across five content areas including Federal Mortgage Related Laws (24%), Ethics (18%), and Uniform State Content (11%). The passing score is 75%, and Idaho requires no separate state-specific exam.

Illinois requires the national SAFE MLO Test with Uniform State Content, which costs $110 through NMLS. Illinois adds no separate state-specific exam component; the national test with Uniform State Content satisfies the state's testing requirement. You must pass the test before the Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation (IDFPR) will issue the license.

You must pass the SAFE Mortgage Loan Originator Test, which Indiana accepts in three forms: the National component plus the Indiana State component, the National component plus Stand-alone Uniform State Content, or the National Test Component with Uniform State Content. The passing score is 75%, and the National component costs $110. You may retake the test 30 days after a failure; after 3 consecutive failures you must wait at least 6 months.

Iowa requires the SAFE MLO test, administered through NMLS, with a passing score of 75% or higher. Iowa accepts the national test with Uniform State Content, so no separate Iowa state exam is required; the state also accepts a national component plus a stand-alone UST. If you fail, you may retake the test 3 consecutive times with at least 30 days between attempts, and after 3 consecutive failures you must wait at least 6 months before retesting.

Kansas requires the National Test Component with Uniform State Content, and you must score 75% or higher to pass. Every Kansas mortgage loan originator takes this test, which covers national SAFE Act content plus uniform state material, so there is no separate Kansas-only exam.

Kentucky requires the SAFE MLO Test, the national licensing exam that includes Uniform State Content. The Kentucky Department of Financial Institutions does not require a separate state test component beyond the Uniform State Content, so you take the single national exam with the uniform state questions included. You must pass the test before your registration can be issued.

Louisiana requires the SAFE MLO test, which the state accepts three ways: passing the National and Louisiana State components, passing the National and Stand-alone Uniform State Test (UST) components, or passing the National component with UST content. The exam is developed by the Nationwide Multistate Licensing System (NMLS) and administered by an NMLS-approved test provider. The passing score is at least 75% correct answers, with a 30-day wait between attempts and a 6-month wait after failing three consecutive tests.

Maine requires the SAFE MLO test, accepting the National Test Component with Uniform State Content, so no separate Maine-only exam exists. The passing score is 75% correct answers. 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 National Test with Uniform State Content, also called the SAFE MLO Test, with a score of at least 75%. You pay the $110 test enrollment through your NMLS account, then schedule the exam at a Prometric test center online or by calling 1-877-671-6657.

Minnesota requires the National Test Component with Uniform State Content (UST) developed by the Nationwide Multistate Licensing System (NMLS) and administered by an NMLS-approved test provider. The minimum passing score is 75%. Since August 1, 2018, Minnesota has no separate state test component. You may retake the test three consecutive times, with each retake at least 30 days after the last attempt; after three failures, you must wait at least six months before testing again.

Mississippi requires the SAFE Mortgage Loan Originator Test - National Component with Uniform State Content. The test has 120 multiple-choice questions (115 scored) across five content areas, and you must score at least 75% to pass. The national component costs $110, and you may retake the test 3 consecutive times with at least 30 days between attempts; after 3 consecutive failures you must wait 6 months before retesting.

Missouri requires the SAFE MLO Test, specifically the National Test Component with Uniform State Content. There is no separate Missouri exam. You need at least 75% to pass, you may retake the test twice with at least 30 days between attempts, and a longer waiting period applies after three consecutive failures. The National Component costs $110.

Montana requires the National SAFE MLO Test Component with Uniform State Content, adopted effective July 1, 2013, so no separate Montana state test component is needed. You must score at least 75% to pass. You may retake the test up to three consecutive times with at least 30 days between attempts; after three consecutive failures, you must wait at least 6 months. Prometric administers the test, and you can schedule at 1-877-671-6657.

The required exam is the SAFE MLO test, the NMLS-developed written test covering ethics, federal law, state law, and fraud, consumer protection, nontraditional products, and fair lending. A score of at least 75% is required to pass. Nebraska discontinued its separate state test component on July 1, 2013; candidates now take the national test with the Uniform State Test component in its place.

New Hampshire requires the SAFE MLO test, which you can satisfy in one of three ways: passing the National Test Component with Uniform State Content, passing both the National and New Hampshire State components, or passing both the National and Stand-alone Uniform State Test components. A score of 75% or better passes the national test, which costs $110. The test covers ethics, federal and state law, fraud, consumer protection, nontraditional mortgages, and fair lending.

New Mexico requires the SAFE MLO test. You can satisfy the testing requirement in one of three ways: pass the National and New Mexico state components, pass the National and Stand-alone Uniform State Test components, or pass the National component with Uniform State Content. The minimum passing score is 75%.

New York requires Mortgage Loan Originator applicants to pass the SAFE Mortgage Loan Originator Test, given through the Nationwide Multistate Licensing System (NMLS). The Department of Financial Services accepts the National Component with Uniform State Content. Applicants are prohibited from engaging in mortgage loan origination activities until DFS authorizes them.

You must pass the national SAFE Mortgage Loan Originator Test with Uniform State Content, and you must have passed it within the 5 years immediately preceding your application. If you fail, you may retake the test up to three consecutive times, with each retake at least 30 days after the preceding attempt. After three consecutive failures, you must wait at least 6 months before retaking.

North Dakota requires the SAFE Mortgage Loan Originator Test, with a passing score of at least 75%. You can meet the testing requirement by passing the National Test Component with Uniform State Content, or by passing both the National and North Dakota State components. The national component costs $110, and you may retake the test three consecutive times, each at least 30 days after the preceding attempt.

Oklahoma requires passing a qualified written test developed by NMLS under 59 O.S. § 2095.9 and administered by an NMLS-approved test provider. You can satisfy the requirement by passing the National and Oklahoma State components of the SAFE Test, the National and Stand-alone UST components, or the National Test Component with Uniform State Content. The national component fee is $110.

Oregon requires a passing score on the SAFE MLO National Test Component with Uniform State Content, which costs $110. The test covers federal law, ethics, lending standards for nontraditional mortgage products, and Uniform State Content that includes Oregon requirements. If you fail, you must wait 30 days before retaking the test, and after four failed attempts you must wait six months before testing again.

Rhode Island requires a passing score on the SAFE MLO Test. The state accepts a pass on both the National and Rhode Island State components, on both the National and Stand-alone UST components, or on the National Test Component with Uniform State Content. The National component costs $110, and the NMLS filing must show the state testing requirement is satisfied.

South Carolina requires a passing score on the SAFE mortgage loan originator test, which combines the National Test Component with Uniform State Content. State Board of Financial Institutions applicants must pass the Uniform State Test before applying. Department of Consumer Affairs applicants may instead satisfy testing by passing both the National and South Carolina state components of the SAFE Test, or both stand-alone Uniform State Test components.

South Dakota requires you to pass a written test that meets the standard set by rule under SDCL 54-14-31 before the Division of Banking may issue a mortgage loan originator license. You must also complete the pre-licensing education requirement set by rule, satisfy the surety bond requirement, and furnish fingerprints for an FBI criminal history check (SDCL 54-14-13.1).

Tennessee requires the SAFE MLO test, and the Tennessee Department of Financial Institutions (TDFI) accepts three passing combinations: the National and Tennessee State components, the National and Stand-alone Uniform State Test components, or the National Test Component with Uniform State Content. The national component costs $110, and the passing score is 75% or better.

You must pass the SAFE MLO National Test Component with Uniform State Content, with enrollment handled through NMLS for a $110 fee. For the OCCC license, the state also accepts passing scores on both the National and Texas State components of the SAFE test, or on the National and stand-alone Uniform State Test components. The OCCC adopted the Uniform State Test effective October 1, 2013, replacing its earlier separate national and state tests.

Utah requires the Nationwide Multistate Licensing System (NMLS) national exam, which includes the Uniform State Test (UST) component covering state content. The national test component costs $110. An applicant already validly licensed in another state does not retake the national test, but must still complete the Utah-specific prelicensing education before applying.

Vermont requires the national mortgage loan originator test developed under the Secure and Fair Enforcement Act (SAFE) and given by Nationwide Multistate Licensing System (NMLS) approved test providers. Vermont accepts the National component with the Vermont State component, or the National Test Component with Uniform State Content. You pass with at least 75% correct answers; you may take the test three consecutive times, each at least 30 days apart, and after three consecutive failures you must wait at least six months before retesting.

Virginia requires the national SAFE MLO test, and it accepts the National Test Component with Uniform State Content, so no separate Virginia-only exam is needed. Passing results on the legacy National plus Virginia State components, or the National plus Stand-alone UST components, also qualify. Prometric administers the exam through NMLS.

Washington requires a passing score on the national SAFE test component. You can satisfy testing in one of three ways: pass the National Test with the Uniform State Test ($110), pass the National Test plus the Stand-alone Uniform State Test ($33), or use a passing National and Washington State Test result from before those tests were retired on March 31, 2013. Your passing score must be posted to your NMLS record before you may apply.

West Virginia requires passage of the qualified written test developed by the Nationwide Mortgage Licensing System (NMLS) rather than a separate state-authored exam. The test covers ethics, federal and state law, fraud, consumer protection, fair lending, and nontraditional mortgage products, and you need at least 75% correct answers to pass. You may retake it three consecutive times, each at least 30 days apart, with a six-month wait after a third consecutive failure.

Wisconsin requires the SAFE Mortgage Loan Originator Test, the national test with Uniform State Content, and adds no separate state test component. You must score at least 75% to pass. The test measures knowledge of ethics and state and federal mortgage laws. You enroll and pay the $110 fee through NMLS, and Prometric administers the test.

Wyoming requires the SAFE MLO National Test Component with Uniform State Content; no separate Wyoming state test component exists. You must score at least 75 percent to pass, and the test fee is $110. If you fail, you may retake the test up to 3 consecutive times with each retake at least 30 days after the preceding attempt; after a third consecutive failure, a 6-month wait applies.