What license is issued to a mortgage loan originator?

A Mortgage Loan Originator (MLO) license is a state - issued license. With it, an MLO works on behalf of a lender to make residential mortgage loans secured.

The work of an MLO involves obtaining residential mortgage loan applications from consumers. These applications are then processed and terms negotiated on behalf of their employer - lender.

An aspiring MLO must complete mortgage loan originator license courses before getting a mortgage loan originator license. Licensed MLOs are employed by non-depository mortgage lenders, independent mortgage bankers, and mortgage brokers

Alabama issues a Mortgage Loan Originator License through the State Banking Department under the Alabama SAFE Mortgage Licensing Act (Code of Ala. Title 5, Chapter 26). The license is processed through the Nationwide Multistate Licensing System and Registry (NMLS), and each licensed MLO must register with and maintain a valid NMLS unique identifier. It covers any individual who, for compensation or gain, takes a residential mortgage application or offers to negotiate the terms of a residential mortgage loan.

Alaska issues the Mortgage Loan Originator License, an individual license under Alaska Statute 06.60 that the Division of Banking and Securities administers through NMLS. The license authorizes first and second mortgage brokering and lending, home equity lines of credit, reverse mortgage activities, high-cost home loans, third-party loan processing and underwriting, and mortgage loan modifications. The division does not issue paper licenses; your NMLS record serves as proof of licensure.

The Arizona Department of Insurance and Financial Institutions (DIFI) issues the loan originator license, processed through the Nationwide Multistate Licensing System and Registry (NMLS) as license type 835. Arizona issues only an electronic license. If you complete all requirements but are not yet sponsored by a mortgage company, the license may be issued in "Approved-Inactive" status, and you may not conduct loan origination business until sponsorship is obtained.

Arkansas issues a Mortgage Loan Officer License (NMLS license type 833) to individuals, granted by the Securities Commissioner under the Fair Mortgage Lending Act. The license is held through an employer that is a licensed mortgage broker or mortgage banker. The Arkansas Securities Department does not issue paper licenses for this type, so your NMLS record serves as the credential.

California issues two credentials, depending on the employer. The Department of Financial Protection and Innovation (DFPI) issues a mortgage loan originator license to individuals working for lenders and brokers licensed under the California Financing Law or the Residential Mortgage Lending Act. The Department of Real Estate (DRE) issues an MLO endorsement attached to an existing real estate license. Both are filed through the Nationwide Multistate Licensing System (NMLS).

Colorado issues a Mortgage Loan Originator License, administered by the Colorado Division of Real Estate through the Board of Mortgage Loan Originators under C.R.S. 12-10-701 et seq. The license runs on an annual calendar cycle and expires December 31 each year. Colorado also issues a paper license for the individual mortgage loan originator credential.

The Connecticut Department of Banking issues a Mortgage Loan Originator License to individuals who, for compensation, take residential mortgage loan applications or offer or negotiate loan terms. The license is filed through NMLS (the Nationwide Multistate Licensing System), which assigns each originator a permanent unique identifier. Connecticut also issues a separate license for loan processors and underwriters.

Delaware issues an individual mortgage loan originator (MLO) license through the Office of the State Bank Commissioner under the Delaware SAFE Act (Chapter 24, Title 5). The license covers individuals only; companies such as lenders and mortgage loan brokers are licensed separately under other chapters of Title 5. Each licensed MLO must also register with the Nationwide Multistate Licensing System (NMLS) and maintain a unique NMLS identifier.

The District of Columbia Department of Insurance, Securities and Banking (DISB) does not issue paper or electronic license certificates for this license type; approval in NMLS serves as the official record. The DC mortgage loan originator license term begins the day the application is approved and expires December 31 of that year, unless the initial license date falls between November 1 and December 31, in which case the term runs through December 31 of the following year. Anyone can verify a license through NMLS Consumer Access at nmlsconsumeraccess.org.

The Florida Office of Financial Regulation issues a loan originator license to individuals under Chapter 494, Florida Statutes. The license authorizes you to solicit mortgage loans, accept applications, and negotiate loan terms, but you must be employed by or contract with a licensed mortgage broker or mortgage lender, and an employer must sponsor the license before you can originate. The license renews annually by December 31.

Georgia issues an individual Mortgage Loan Originator License through the Georgia Department of Banking and Finance, and applications are made through the Nationwide Multistate Licensing System (NMLS). You need this license to take residential mortgage loan applications or offer or negotiate loan terms for compensation.

Hawaii issues a mortgage loan originator license under Chapter 454F, administered by the Division of Financial Institutions through NMLS. Each licensee receives a permanent, unique NMLS identifier. A sole proprietor running a mortgage broker business obtains a distinct Sole Proprietor Mortgage Loan Originator License plus a mortgage loan originator company license for the business.

The Idaho Department of Finance issues a Mortgage Loan Originator License to individuals, administered through the Nationwide Multistate Licensing System and Registry (NMLS). The department does not issue paper licenses for this license type; the NMLS record serves as proof of licensure. If you finish all requirements but lack employer sponsorship, the license is issued as Approved-Inactive, and you may not conduct mortgage business until a sponsorship is approved.

Illinois issues the Mortgage Loan Originator License under the Residential Mortgage License Act of 1987. The Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation administers the license through NMLS. The license is electronic only; the state does not issue paper licenses, and the public record of issued licenses is maintained in NMLS.

Indiana issues the Mortgage Loan Originator License, processed through NMLS, and neither regulator issues a paper license. Which one issues it depends on your employer: the Department of Financial Institutions licenses MLOs sponsored by DFI-licensed mortgage lenders, while the Secretary of State licenses MLOs sponsored by loan brokers. If you finish all requirements before finding a sponsor, the license is issued in Approved-Inactive status until sponsorship is acquired.

The Iowa Division of Banking issues the mortgage loan originator license under Iowa Code chapter 535D, the Iowa Secure and Fair Enforcement for Mortgage Licensing Act. Each licensee receives a unique identifier from the Nationwide Multistate Licensing System (NMLS) and must show that identifier on loan applications, solicitations, and advertisements. The division does not issue paper licenses for this license type.

The Office of the State Bank Commissioner issues a registration as a loan originator under the Kansas Mortgage Business Act, which is commonly called the Mortgage Loan Originator license. It carries a valid unique identifier issued by NMLS, and you may only conduct mortgage business on behalf of one Kansas-licensed mortgage company at a time.

Kentucky issues an individual Loan Originator License through the Department of Financial Institutions, processed on the Nationwide Multistate Licensing System & Registry (NMLS). Kentucky statutes treat it as a registration, and the state does not issue paper licenses for this license type.

Louisiana issues a Mortgage Loan Originator License (NMLS license type 893) through the Louisiana Office of Financial Institutions (OFI). The license carries a unique identifier, as required under the state's S.A.F.E. Residential Mortgage Lending Act. Each license expires on December 31 of the year it was issued unless renewed, so you must maintain it annually.

Maine issues a Mortgage Loan Originator License to any individual who, for compensation, takes a residential mortgage loan application or offers or negotiates loan terms. The Maine Bureau of Consumer Credit Protection (BCCP) issues the license through the Nationwide Multistate Licensing System and Registry (NMLS), and it does not issue a paper license for this license type.

Maryland issues a Mortgage Loan Originator license to individuals who, for compensation, take loan applications or offer or negotiate mortgage loan terms. The state also issues a separate Affiliated Insurance Producer-Mortgage Loan Originator (AIP-MLO) license for insurance producers who originate loans only on behalf of one Commissioner-approved financial institution. Both licenses run through the Nationwide Mortgage Licensing System and Registry (NMLS) and the Maryland Office of Financial Regulation.

The Massachusetts Division of Banks issues the Massachusetts Mortgage Loan Originator License to any natural person who, for compensation or gain, takes a residential mortgage loan application or offers or negotiates the terms of a residential mortgage. The Division does not issue paper licenses for this license type; the official record lives in NMLS.

Michigan issues the Mortgage Loan Originator License, granted by the Department of Insurance and Financial Services (DIFS) under the Mortgage Loan Originator Licensing Act of 2009. Any individual who, for compensation or gain, takes a residential mortgage loan application or offers or negotiates its terms must hold this license, unless the person is an employee of a depository financial institution. DIFS does not issue paper licenses for this license type; licensees verify their status through NMLS records.

Minnesota issues an individual Mortgage Loan Originator License through the Minnesota Department of Commerce under Chapter 58A of state law. The license is administered through the Nationwide Multistate Licensing System (NMLS), and the holder must register with NMLS and maintain a valid unique identifier. It is separate from the company-level Residential Mortgage Originator license that a broker or lender employer must hold under Chapter 58.

A mortgage loan originator in Mississippi holds a Mortgage Loan Originator License issued by the Department of Banking and Consumer Finance under the Mississippi S.A.F.E. Mortgage Act. The license is applied for and renewed through the Nationwide Multistate Licensing System (NMLS), and every licensed originator must maintain a valid NMLS unique identifier. The license must be renewed annually.

Missouri issues a mortgage loan originator license through the Division of Finance. It is the state license required to take residential mortgage loan applications or negotiate loan terms on Missouri dwellings, and each licensee must register with NMLS and maintain a unique identifier. No separate local license exists; the same state license covers you wherever you work in Missouri.

A Mortgage Loan Originator license, issued by the Montana Division of Banking and Financial Institutions through the NMLS. Montana does not issue paper licenses; licensing status is verified electronically through NMLS Consumer Access. If you finish all requirements before finding an employer, the license is issued in "Approved-Inactive" status, and you may not originate loans until a licensed company sponsors you.

Nebraska issues a Mortgage Loan Originator License through the Department of Banking and Finance, and it processes the license through NMLS. The state does not issue a paper license: your NMLS record shows an "Approved" status and the Department sends an email confirmation. Anyone can verify the license for free on NMLS Consumer Access by searching your name or NMLS number.

Nevada issues the Mortgage Loan Originator License, administered by the Nevada Division of Mortgage Lending through the Nationwide Multistate Licensing System (NMLS). Your NMLS number identifies you in the system. A licensed mortgage company must sponsor the license before you can originate loans, and it moves to Approved-Inactive status when sponsorship ends.

The New Hampshire Banking Department issues the Mortgage Loan Originator License to individuals who meet the state's requirements. The license is only in effect while the originator is associated with a particular licensed mortgage banker, broker, or servicer, and the department does not issue paper licenses.

New Jersey issues the Mortgage Loan Originator License, an individual license granted by the New Jersey Department of Banking and Insurance under the Residential Mortgage Lending Act. You apply by filing Form MU4 through the Nationwide Multistate Licensing System (NMLS). DOBI issues the paper license directly to your sponsoring employer.

New Mexico issues a single license type: the Mortgage Loan Originator License, administered by the Financial Institutions Division under the Mortgage Loan Originator Licensing Act (Section 58-21B NMSA 1978). The FID does not issue paper licenses; the license record is maintained in NMLS and verified through NMLS Consumer Access.

New York issues the Mortgage Loan Originator license under Article 12-E of the Banking Law, which implements the federal SAFE Act. The Department of Financial Services (DFS) is the issuing regulator, and the license is processed and tracked through NMLS. Any individual who, for compensation or gain, takes a residential mortgage loan application or offers or negotiates the terms of a residential mortgage loan must hold it.

North Carolina issues a Mortgage Loan Originator License, a stand-alone individual license with an annual term under Article 19B of Chapter 53 of the state statutes. The North Carolina Office of the Commissioner of Banks issues it through the Nationwide Multistate Licensing System and Registry (NMLS). If you are not employed by a mortgage company when you complete all requirements, the license is issued as Approved-Inactive, and you cannot originate loans until a company sponsors you.

North Dakota issues a Mortgage Loan Originator license through the Department of Financial Institutions. The license is annual and must be renewed for each calendar year. The state does not issue paper licenses; your status appears in NMLS, and your unique identifier must appear on loan applications, solicitations, and advertisements.

Ohio issues a single Mortgage Loan Originator License through the Ohio Division of Financial Institutions under the Ohio Residential Mortgage Lending Act (Ohio Revised Code Chapter 1322). The former separate loan originator licenses under the Mortgage Broker Act and the Mortgage Loan Act were consolidated by House Bill 199, effective March 23, 2018, so dual licensing of mortgage loan originators no longer exists in Ohio.

The Oklahoma Department of Consumer Credit (OK DOCC) issues the individual Mortgage Loan Originator license under the Oklahoma Secure and Fair Enforcement for Mortgage Licensing Act. OK DOCC does not issue paper licenses for this license type; your record in NMLS serves as the proof of licensure. The license is valid for one year, beginning January 1.

Oregon issues an individual Mortgage Loan Originator License through NMLS, administered by the state Division of Financial Regulation. The state does not issue paper licenses for this license type. Without a sponsoring employer, the license is issued as inactive, and you may not originate loans until an accepted sponsorship makes it active.

The Pennsylvania Department of Banking and Securities issues an individual Mortgage Originator License, license type 1038 in NMLS. The license term runs no more than 14 months and is renewed annually. Pennsylvania does not issue paper licenses for this license type; licensees print their license information from NMLS Consumer Access.

The Rhode Island Department of Business Regulation (DBR) issues a Mortgage Loan Originator License to individuals who meet the SAFE Act requirements. If you are not employed by a mortgage company when you apply, the license is issued as Approved-Inactive, and you cannot originate loans until a company sponsors you.

South Carolina issues two individual loan originator licenses. The Board of Financial Institutions, Consumer Finance Division issues the Mortgage Loan Originator license for W-2 employees of licensed mortgage lenders or servicers. The Department of Consumer Affairs issues the Mortgage Broker Loan Originator license for broker employees, plus a restricted Qualified Loan Originator license for 1099 contract workers. All are filed through NMLS.

The state issues the Tennessee Mortgage Loan Originator License to individuals who take residential mortgage loan applications or offer or negotiate loan terms for compensation. The Tennessee Department of Financial Institutions does not issue paper licenses for this type; credentials are confirmed through NMLS. If you finish all requirements but have no sponsoring mortgage company, the license can be issued as Approved-Inactive, and you may not conduct business in that status.

Texas issues a Residential Mortgage Loan Originator (RMLO) license to individuals, through either the Texas Department of Savings and Mortgage Lending or the Office of Consumer Credit Commissioner, depending on the loan types originated. Neither agency issues paper licenses; the license record lives in NMLS. A new applicant without a sponsoring employer receives an "Approved-Inactive" license that does not allow originating.

Utah issues two mortgage loan originator licenses, and both are applied for through the Nationwide Multistate Licensing System (NMLS). The Utah Division of Real Estate license covers individuals who broker or originate closed-end residential first mortgages. The Utah Department of Financial Institutions (DFI) license covers individuals who service those loans or who originate or service other mortgage types, such as second mortgages.

Vermont issues an individual mortgage loan originator (MLO) license, processed through the Nationwide Mortgage Licensing System and Registry (NMLS). The license is SAFE-compliant, must be sponsored by one Vermont-licensed lender, mortgage broker, or loan servicer, and renews annually. The Vermont Department of Financial Regulation is the issuing agency.

Virginia issues an individual mortgage loan originator license through the State Corporation Commission's Bureau of Financial Institutions, filed on a form provided by the NMLS Registry. The license is delivered electronically as a PDF to the email address on your MU4 filing. It stays inactive by operation of law until the Bureau confirms surety bond coverage and updates your status in NMLS.

Washington issues a Mortgage Loan Originator License to individuals who originate loans for state-licensed mortgage brokers and consumer loan companies. The Washington State Department of Financial Institutions (DFI) issues the license, and all applications are filed online through the Nationwide Multistate Licensing System (NMLS). The license also covers independent contractor loan processors and underwriters and the direct day-to-day supervisor of Washington MLOs.

A West Virginia mortgage loan originator receives the Mortgage Loan Originator License (License Type 491), issued by the state Division of Financial Institutions to individuals who take residential loan applications or offer or negotiate loan terms for compensation. The license is not issued by NMLS. NMLS is the filing system and record database through which the application is submitted and the license is tracked.

The Wisconsin Department of Financial Institutions issues the Mortgage Loan Originator License, an individual license required of anyone who, for compensation or gain, takes a residential mortgage loan application or offers or negotiates loan terms. The license is maintained on NMLS, and Wisconsin issues no physical copies. It expires on December 31 each year.

The Wyoming Division of Banking issues an individual Mortgage Loan Originator License, processed through NMLS. The Division does not issue paper licenses for this license type; the NMLS record serves as proof. If you meet all requirements but lack company sponsorship, the license may be issued as Approved-Inactive, and you cannot originate loans until a sponsoring company requests sponsorship.