What law requires mortgage loan officers to include their NMLS number in their advertising and communications?
The SAFE Mortgage Licensing Act of 2008 requires it. Under the SAFE Act rules, a loan originator must provide the NMLS unique identifier upon request, before acting as a loan originator, and in any initial written communication to a consumer. The identifier permanently identifies the originator and gives the public access to employment history and disciplinary actions.
The federal SAFE Mortgage Licensing Act of 2008 requires loan originators to include their unique identifier from the Nationwide Multistate Licensing System & Registry (NMLS) on loan applications, business cards, websites, promotional materials, and mortgage documents. The identifier is permanent and stays with the originator throughout their career.
Sources: HRS 454F-22: Mortgage loan originator, MLOC, exempt sponsoring MLOC, nonprofit, and mortgage servicer company fees (DFI copy, amendments through 2014); HRS 454F-6: Pre-licensing and re-licensing; education of mortgage loan originators (DFI copy, amendments through 2014).
Section 41 of Michigan's Mortgage Loan Originator Licensing Act, MCL 493.171, requires the NMLSR unique identifier of anyone originating a residential mortgage loan to be clearly shown on all residential mortgage loan application forms, solicitations, and advertisements. The state interprets this to apply to individual originators, and advertisements include business cards, websites, and social media posts.
Sources: Michigan DIFS: Mortgage Loan Originator licensing page; Michigan DIFS: Schedule of Fees — Mortgage Loan Originator (2026).