What is the SAFE MLO test?
The SAFE MLO Test is the federally mandated exam that every mortgage loan originator must pass to obtain a state license. It consists of 120 multiple-choice questions (115 scored, 5 unscored) taken in 190 minutes at a Prometric test center, and the fee is $110. The passing score is 75%, and the test covers five content areas: federal mortgage-related laws, uniform state content, general mortgage knowledge, loan origination activities, and ethics.
The SAFE MLO test is the written licensing exam that the Nationwide Multistate Licensing System and Registry (NMLS) developed to qualify mortgage loan originators under the Secure and Fair Enforcement for Mortgage Licensing Act. Alabama requires a passing score of at least 75%, and the test costs $110. It covers federal mortgage law and ethics, loan originator activities, and general mortgage knowledge.
Sources: NMLS: Processing Fees.
The SAFE MLO test is the national licensing exam for mortgage loan originators, created under the federal Secure and Fair Enforcement for Mortgage Licensing Act. Alaska requires a passing result on the National Test Component with Uniform State Content under AS 06.60.040, and Alaska adds no separate state exam. The test fee is $110.
Sources: Alaska DBS: Mortgage Loan Originator New Application Checklist (Rev. 05/2025).
The SAFE MLO test is the national licensing exam required for mortgage loan originators, developed or accepted under NMLS standards and given under the supervision of the state department or its designee. It contains 120 questions (115 scored) with 190 minutes to complete, and a score of at least 75% is required to pass. You may take it three consecutive times with at least 30 days between attempts; after three consecutive failures you must wait six months before trying again.
Sources: NMLS MLO Testing Handbook — SAFE MLO Test Specifications; NMLS: FAQs on S.2155 Temporary Authority to Operate.
The SAFE MLO test is the licensing exam administered through the Nationwide Multistate Licensing System (NMLS). It consists of 120 multiple-choice items, 115 scored and 5 unscored, covering federal mortgage law, uniform state content, general mortgage knowledge, origination activities, and ethics. Arkansas requires a 75% score to pass, and the test costs $110.
Sources: NMLS: Processing Fees (Reference Guide).
The SAFE MLO Test is the national licensing exam required by the Secure and Fair Enforcement for Mortgage Licensing Act. California accepts the National Test with Uniform State Content: 120 multiple-choice items, 115 of them scored, with a passing score of 75 percent or higher. It costs $110 and is administered at Prometric testing centers, not DRE exam sites. A failed attempt triggers a 30-day wait before retaking; after a third failure, the wait is 180 days.
Sources: California DRE: MLO License Endorsement Information; NMLS: Processing Fees.
The SAFE MLO test is the national licensing examination for loan originators. Colorado accepts the National Component with Uniform State Content, so one exam covers both the national and state requirements and Colorado adds no separate state exam. A score of 75% or better is required to pass, and the test fee is $110. You may retake the exam up to 3 consecutive times, each at least 30 days after the previous attempt; after failing 3 consecutive attempts you must wait at least 6 months before testing again.
Sources: NMLS: Processing Fees; Colorado Real Estate Manual 2026 Ch. 9: MLO rules, regulations and position statements (4 CCR 725-3).
The SAFE MLO test is the national licensing exam required under the federal SAFE Act before an individual can be licensed as a mortgage loan originator. Connecticut requires a passing score of at least 75% correct answers, and the National Test Component costs $110 through NMLS. You may retake the test three consecutive times with at least 30 days between attempts, and after failing three consecutive tests you must wait at least 6 months before testing again.
Sources: NMLS: Processing Fees; Conn. Gen. Stat. Ch. 668 Part I (36a-485 to 36a-498h): mortgage lenders, brokers and loan originators.
The SAFE MLO Test is the written national test every mortgage loan originator must pass before a state will issue a license. In Delaware, the passing score is at least 75%. An applicant may retake the test 3 consecutive times, with each retake at least 30 days after the preceding test, and must wait at least 6 months after failing 3 consecutive tests before testing again. Delaware requires new applicants to pass the SAFE MLO National Test Component with Uniform State Content.
Sources: 5 Del. C. Ch. 24: Mortgage Loan Originators (Delaware SAFE Act).
The SAFE MLO test is the national mortgage loan originator exam created by NMLS under the SAFE Act. Every state-licensed MLO, including DC licensees, must pass it, and the minimum passing score is 75%. Certain qualified applicants can originate loans under Temporary Authority to Operate before passing it while the state reviews their application.
Sources: NMLS: District of Columbia State-Specific Education Requirements (PE and CE) for MLOs; D.C. Code § 26-1103: License Requirements.
The SAFE MLO test is the national licensing exam that every state-licensed mortgage loan originator must pass under the S.A.F.E. Mortgage Licensing Act of 2008. The test is developed by NMLS, and the minimum passing score is 75%. Prometric administers it at its test centers, and the test fee is $110. Florida accepts the national test with the Uniform State Test (UST) content, so there is no separate Florida exam.
Sources: NMLS: Processing Fees.
The SAFE Mortgage Loan Originator Test is the national licensing exam Georgia requires for an MLO license. You must pass the National Component with Uniform State Content with a score of 75 or higher, and no separate Georgia state test is required. The test costs $110, and a passing result expires after five consecutive years without a valid MLO license or federal registration.
Sources: NMLS: Processing Fees.
The SAFE MLO test is the written exam developed by the NMLS under the federal SAFE Act. It covers ethics, federal law, and state law, and requires a score of at least 75% to pass. Hawaii applicants must pass both the national and state components. You may take the test three consecutive times, with each retest at least 30 days after the last one, and then must wait at least 6 months before trying again.
Sources: Hawaii DFI: MLO FAQ (licensing and sponsorship) — comprehensive FAQ page; CFPB Regulation H, 12 CFR 1008.105: Minimum loan originator license requirements.
The SAFE MLO Test is the national licensing exam required of mortgage loan originators. It consists of 120 multiple-choice items, 115 scored and 5 unscored, distributed across five content areas: Federal Mortgage Related Laws 24%, Mortgage Loan Origination Activities 27%, General Mortgage Knowledge 20%, Ethics 18%, and Uniform State Content 11%. The Uniform State Content covers the SAFE Act and state licensing topics, so Idaho requires no separate state test.
Sources: NMLS: Idaho state-specific PE and CE requirements for MLOs; Idaho DOF Guidance Statement 2020-01-CFB: financial responsibility/fitness of MLOs and key individuals.
The SAFE MLO Test is the national licensing exam required under the Secure and Fair Enforcement for Mortgage Licensing Act (SAFE Act) for state-licensed mortgage loan originators. It costs $110. Illinois accepts the national test with Uniform State Content and does not require a separate state-specific exam.
Sources: NMLS: Processing Fees (official fee schedule).
The SAFE MLO test is the standardized written test required for state mortgage loan originator licensure, developed for the Nationwide Multistate Licensing System (NMLS) and administered by an NMLS-approved test provider. Indiana accepts passing results on 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. The passing score is 75%; after a failed attempt you can retake after 30 days, and after 3 consecutive fails you must wait 6 months.
Sources: Indiana DFI: MLO FAQ (updated 08/26/2025).
The SAFE MLO test is the national licensing examination for mortgage loan originators, administered through the Nationwide Multistate Licensing System (NMLS). Iowa requires a passing score of 75% or higher and accepts the National Test Component with Uniform State Content, so no separate Iowa state exam is needed. After 3 consecutive failures, you must wait at least 6 months before retesting. The National Component fee is $110.
Sources: Iowa Code Chapter 535D: Mortgage Licensing Act (Iowa SAFE Act); NMLS: Processing Fees (Reference Guide).
The SAFE MLO test is the national licensing exam that every state-licensed mortgage loan originator must pass. Kansas requires the National Test Component with Uniform State Content and a score of 75% or higher. The exam has 120 multiple-choice questions. If you fail, you must wait 30 days to retake it; after two failed retakes, the waiting period is six months.
Sources: K.S.A. 9-2205: License or registration renewal; fees, late fees.
The SAFE MLO Test is the national licensing exam created under the Secure and Fair Enforcement for Mortgage Licensing Act of 2008 (SAFE Act). Kentucky requires the national test component with Uniform State Content and adds no separate state test. You must pass this exam before the Department of Financial Institutions (DFI) will register you as a mortgage loan originator.
Sources: KRS 286.8-255: Registration with department required for mortgage loan originator; renewals; CE; background checks; minimum standards; KRS 286.8-260: Continuing professional education required for persons registered under subtitle.
The SAFE Mortgage Loan Originator (MLO) test is the licensing exam every originator must pass before Louisiana will issue an individual license. The exam is developed by the Nationwide Multistate Licensing System (NMLS) and administered by an NMLS-approved test provider, and it covers ethics, federal and Louisiana law, fraud, consumer protection, and non-traditional mortgage lending. To pass, you must answer at least 75% of the questions correctly.
Sources: La. R.S. 6:1086: Licensure requirement; La. R.S. 6:1088: Application for licensure; surety bond.
The SAFE MLO test is the national licensing exam required for mortgage loan originators under the Secure and Fair Enforcement for Mortgage Licensing Act. You must score at least 75 percent to pass, and Maine accepts a passing result on the National Test Component with Uniform State Content, so no separate Maine-only exam is required. The test covers the material in the 20 hours of prelicensing education, including federal law, ethics, and nontraditional mortgage lending.
Sources: 12 U.S.C. §5104: State license and registration application and issuance (federal SAFE Act); 9-A M.R.S. §13-106: Prelicensing education for mortgage loan originators.
The SAFE MLO test is the written licensing exam that the Nationwide Mortgage Licensing System and Registry (NMLS) develops and an NMLS-approved test provider administers. Maryland requires a score of at least 75% to pass, the same as the national standard, and uses the Uniform State Test as its state component, so applicants do not take a separate Maryland exam. You may take the test 3 times, with at least 30 days between attempts; after a third failure you must wait 6 months before retesting.
Sources: Md. Code Fin. Inst. §11-606.1: MLO written test.
The SAFE MLO test is the licensing exam required by the Secure and Fair Enforcement for Mortgage Licensing Act of 2008 (SAFE Act) for all state-licensed mortgage loan originators. The national component, which includes Uniform State Content, costs $110 and requires a score of at least 75% to pass. You may retake it three consecutive times with at least 30 days between attempts; after three failures you must wait at least 6 months before retesting.
Sources: NMLS — Fee Schedule for the SAFE MLO Test Administration and Education Services (corroborated by NMLS Processing Fees page and 2024 NMLS Processing Fee Review); 209 CMR 41.00: The Licensing of Mortgage Loan Originators (full text, Final Amendments effective 1/10/20).
The SAFE MLO test is the national licensing exam created under the Secure and Fair Enforcement for Mortgage Licensing (SAFE) Act, and you must score 75% or better to pass. For Michigan, the Department of Insurance and Financial Services accepts passing results on the National and Michigan State components, the National and Stand-alone Uniform State Test components, or the National Test Component with Uniform State Content.
Sources: Michigan DIFS: Mortgage Loan Originator licensing page; Michigan DIFS: Schedule of Fees — Mortgage Loan Originator (2026).
The SAFE MLO test is the written licensing exam developed by the Nationwide Multistate Licensing System and Registry (NMLS). Minnesota requires the National Test Component with Uniform State Content, so there is no separate Minnesota state exam. The minimum passing score is 75% correct answers, and the test fee is $110.
Sources: Nationwide Multistate Licensing System (NMLS) — Fee Schedule for the SAFE MLO Test Administration and Education Services / Processing Fees.
The SAFE Mortgage Loan Originator Test is the national licensing exam with Uniform State Content, which is the version Mississippi requires. It contains 120 multiple-choice items, 115 of them scored, across five content areas: Federal Mortgage Related Laws 24%, Uniform State Content 11%, General Mortgage Knowledge 20%, Mortgage Loan Origination Activities 27%, and Ethics 18%. A score of at least 75% is required to pass.
Sources: Mississippi SB 2508 (2025), as sent to Governor: S.A.F.E. Mortgage Act amendments (full text of 81-18-9, -11, -14, -15, etc.); Miss. Admin. Code Title 5 Part 2: DBCF Mortgage S.A.F.E. regulations, last amended 4/23/2026.
The SAFE MLO test is the national licensing exam every mortgage loan originator must pass. Missouri uses the National Test Component with Uniform State Content, so no separate Missouri state exam is required. The test measures knowledge of ethics, federal and state law, fraud, consumer protection, fair lending, and nontraditional mortgage products, and you must score at least 75% to pass.
Sources: RSMo 443.706: Licensure required, exemptions; RSMo 443.711: MLO application form, NMLS, fees.
The SAFE MLO test is the national mortgage licensing exam that every mortgage loan originator must pass before becoming licensed. Montana uses the National Test Component with Uniform State Content, adopted effective July 1, 2013, so no separate Montana state test component is required. Montana law requires a score of at least 75% to pass.
Sources: MCA 32-9-107: Prelicensing education requirements for mortgage loan originators; ARM 2.59.1752: State-specific prelicensing education.
The SAFE MLO test is the written test developed by the NMLS that every mortgage loan originator must pass. It covers ethics, federal law, state law, and fraud, consumer protection, nontraditional products, and fair lending. You must score at least 75% to pass. You may take the test three consecutive times with at least 30 days between sittings; after three failures, you must wait 6 months before trying again.
Sources: Nebraska NDBF: MLO license maintenance, renewal and surrender FAQ (2021); Nebraska NDBF: criteria for MLO applications.
The SAFE MLO test is the national licensing exam required under the Secure and Fair Enforcement for Mortgage Licensing Act for state-licensed mortgage loan originators, including Nevada applicants. Nevada requires a passing score of 75% or higher on the S.A.F.E. Nationwide Test Component with Uniform State Content and adds no separate state exam. The test has 120 multiple-choice items (115 scored) across five content areas, with Uniform State Content covering 11%, and costs $110.
Sources: NMLS: Processing Fees.
The SAFE MLO test is the national licensing exam required under the SAFE Act for mortgage loan originators, covering federal law and regulation, ethics, fraud, consumer protection, nontraditional mortgages, and fair lending. The national component costs $110, and you must score 75% or better to pass. New Hampshire accepts passing results on the National test plus the New Hampshire state component, the National test plus the stand-alone Uniform State Test, or the National test component with Uniform State Content.
Sources: NMLS: Processing Fees (Reference Guide).
The SAFE MLO Test is the national mortgage licensing test created under the Secure and Fair Enforcement for Mortgage Licensing Act of 2008. You must score 75% or better to pass, and the national test component costs $110. New Jersey accepts passing results on the National Test Component with Uniform State Content, so a separate New Jersey state test component is not required.
Sources: NMLS: Processing Fees.
The SAFE MLO test is the licensing exam every mortgage loan originator must pass under the SAFE Act, and the minimum passing score is 75%. You may take the test three consecutive times, with at least 30 days between attempts; after failing three times you must wait at least 6 months before retesting. New Mexico accepts the National component plus the state component, or the National component with Uniform State Content.
Sources: 12 U.S.C. § 5117 (as added by the Economic Growth, Regulatory Relief, and Consumer Protection Act, Pub. L. 115-174), corroborated by CFPB SAFE Act FAQs and NMLS Temporary Authority FAQs; CFPB Regulation H 1008.105: Minimum loan originator license requirements.
The SAFE MLO Test is the national licensing exam required to implement the SAFE Act. New York accepts the National Test Component with Uniform State Content, which covers federal law and New York requirements in one exam; the state also accepts the National component paired with either the New York State component or the stand-alone Uniform State Test. Applicants must pass one of these before the Department of Financial Services will issue a mortgage loan originator license.
Sources: N.Y. Banking Law § 590: Definitions; registration required; N.Y. Banking Law § 591-a: Application to register as a mortgage broker; fees.
The SAFE MLO test is the national licensing exam with Uniform State Content that North Carolina requires under N.C. Gen. Stat. § 53-244.080. You must pass it within the five years before you submit your application. If you fail, you may retake it three consecutive times, with each retake at least 30 days after the previous attempt; after three consecutive failures you must wait at least six months before testing again.
Sources: North Carolina Commissioner of Banks: MLO licensing requirements.
The SAFE MLO test is the national written test required for state mortgage loan originator licensure. In North Dakota you must score at least 75% to pass. You may retake the test three consecutive times, each at least 30 days after the preceding attempt, and after three consecutive failures you must wait at least 6 months before retesting. The national test component costs $110.
Sources: NDCC Chapter 13-10: Mortgage Loan Originators (North Dakota Century Code); NMLS: Processing Fees.
The SAFE MLO test is the national mortgage licensing exam that every state-licensed loan originator must pass with a score of 75% or better. Ohio accepts passing results on the National Test Component with Uniform State Content, which covers federal requirements and Ohio-specific content in one exam. The test costs $110.
Sources: NMLS Fee Schedule for the SAFE MLO Test Administration and Education Services / 2024 NMLS Processing Fee Review.
The SAFE MLO test is the national licensing exam developed by NMLS under the Secure and Fair Enforcement for Mortgage Licensing Act, and Oklahoma requires a passing result for the individual license. Oklahoma accepts the National Test Component with Uniform State Content, or the National component paired with the Oklahoma state test component. Per the NMLS fee schedule, the national component costs $110.
Sources: NMLS: Processing Fees.
The SAFE MLO test is the national licensing exam required to become a mortgage loan originator. Oregon accepts the National Test Component with Uniform State Content, which covers federal law plus Oregon-specific material, and NMLS charges $110 for it. If you fail, you must wait 30 days before retaking the test; after four failed attempts, you must wait six months.
Sources: Oregon DFR: Mortgage loan originator licensing FAQ.
The SAFE MLO test is the national licensing exam required for mortgage loan originators under the SAFE Act. Pennsylvania accepts the National Test Component with Uniform State Content, or the National component paired with the Pennsylvania State component. The national component costs $110, and Pennsylvania requires a score of at least 75% to pass.
Sources: NMLS: Processing Fees — additional context.
The SAFE MLO Test is the licensing exam required under the Secure and Fair Enforcement (SAFE) Act for state-licensed mortgage loan originators. Rhode Island accepts a passing score on the National component plus either the Rhode Island State component or the Stand-alone Uniform State Test component. The National component costs $110, and the multiple-choice exam covers federal mortgage laws, ethics, and general mortgage knowledge.
Sources: NMLS: Processing Fees.
The SAFE test is the written licensing exam that mortgage loan originators must pass before applying for a license. South Carolina accepts three ways to satisfy testing: a passing result on the National Test Component with Uniform State Content, passing both the National and South Carolina state components of the SAFE test, or passing both National stand-alone Uniform State Test components. A passing score is required before you can submit your license application.
Sources: NMLS: South Carolina (SC - BFI) state-specific PE and CE requirements for MLOs; NMLS: South Carolina (SC - DCA) state-specific PE and CE requirements for MLOs.
The SAFE MLO test is the national mortgage licensing exam that Tennessee requires before it issues a Mortgage Loan Originator license. Tennessee 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. A passing score is 75%, the National Component costs $110, and after 3 consecutive failed attempts you must wait at least 6 months before retesting.
Sources: NMLS: Processing Fees; 12 U.S.C. § 5104: State license and registration application and issuance (SAFE Act).
The SAFE MLO test is the national licensing exam every mortgage loan originator must pass. Enrollment costs $110 through NMLS, and Texas accepts the National Test Component with Uniform State Content on both the SML and OCCC licensing paths. The OCCC adopted the Uniform State Test on October 1, 2013, replacing its separate state exam.
Sources: NMLS: Processing Fees (official NMLS Reference Guide).
The SAFE MLO test is the national licensing exam that state-licensed mortgage loan originators must pass before receiving a license. In Utah the exam consists of a national test with uniform state content, so one test covers both the federal material and the standard state content, and no separate Utah test component is required. NMLS charges $110 for the national test component.
Sources: NMLS: Processing Fees.
The SAFE MLO test is the qualified written test every Vermont mortgage loan originator applicant must pass. NMLS develops the test, and an NMLS-approved test provider administers it. The test covers ethics, federal and state law, fraud, consumer protection, fair lending, and nontraditional mortgage products, and you must answer at least 75% of the questions correctly to pass. You may take the test three consecutive times, with each retake at least 30 days after the previous one, and then must wait at least six months.
Sources: 8 V.S.A. 2204b: Testing of mortgage loan originators.
The SAFE MLO test is the national licensing exam required under the Secure and Fair Enforcement for Mortgage Licensing Act (SAFE Act). The passing score is 75%, and the test fee is $110. Virginia accepts the National Test Component with Uniform State Content, so no separate state exam is required. NMLS reported a 53% first-time pass rate as of December 31, 2024.
Sources: NMLS Schedule of Fees (Nationwide Multistate Licensing System).
The SAFE MLO Test is the national licensing exam required under the federal Secure and Fair Enforcement (SAFE) Act and administered through the Nationwide Multistate Licensing System (NMLS). Washington accepts three testing paths: 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. If you fail, you must wait 30 days before retaking, and after three consecutive failures you must wait at least six months.
Sources: Washington DFI: MLO Pre-Application Requirements (testing, education).
The SAFE MLO test is the qualifying written test West Virginia requires for a mortgage loan originator license. The Nationwide Mortgage Licensing System (NMLS) develops the test and approves the providers who administer it, and it covers ethics, federal and state law, fraud, consumer protection, the nontraditional mortgage marketplace, and fair lending. You must score at least 75% to pass, and you may retake the test three consecutive times at least 30 days apart, with a six-month wait after three consecutive failures.
Sources: W. Va. Code 31-17-7: License not transferable; expiration and renewal.
The SAFE MLO test is the national licensing exam every Wisconsin mortgage loan originator applicant must pass. Wisconsin adds no separate state test component: all state agencies, including Wisconsin, adopted the Uniform State Test, so applicants take the single SAFE MLO National Test with Uniform State Content. A passing score is at least 75%, and the test measures ethics and state and federal mortgage laws.
Sources: Wisconsin DFI: mortgage banking fees; Coverage gaps noted during research.
The SAFE MLO test is the written licensing exam created under the federal Secure and Fair Enforcement for Mortgage Licensing Act (SAFE Act) and administered through NMLS. Wyoming applicants must pass the National Test Component with Uniform State Content; no separate Wyoming state test component is required. You pass with a score of at least 75%, the test fee is $110, and you may retake it 3 consecutive times with each retake at least 30 days after the previous attempt, followed by a 6-month wait after failing 3 consecutive tests.
Sources: NMLS: Processing Fees; 12 U.S.C. 5104: State license and registration application and issuance (LII).