Illinois Mortgage Loan Originator (MLO) pre-licensing courses
(Complete RealEstateU's 20-Hour SAFE Comprehensive: Mortgage Fundamentals Course)
Choose your perfect study plan
License Course
This is the package you need to get your MLO license in Illinois
$149
4×$37.25
- 20 Hour SAFE Comprehensive: Mortgage Fundamentals + e-Textbook
Most popular
License + Test Prep
Add our study guide and e-textbook and reduce your exam study time by up to 90%.
$219$228
4×$54.75
- 20 Hour SAFE Comprehensive: Mortgage Fundamentals + e-Textbook
- RealEstateU National MLO Test Prep
Career Accelerator
Pass the test the first time and jumpstart your MLO career with insider knowledge from a master of mortgage loan origination.
$299$327
4×$74.75
- 20 Hour SAFE Comprehensive: Mortgage Fundamentals + e-Textbook
- RealEstateU National MLO Test Prep
- How to Succeed As An MLO
14 days
to complete your course
$0 hidden fees
credit banking fee included
100% online
instructor-led + self-study
72-hour refund
enroll risk-free
Licensed in four steps
The price you see is the price you pay
Other schools add an NMLS credit banking fee at checkout. Ours is already included — compare total prices, not advertised ones.
NMLS ID
The first step to obtaining your MLO license is creating an NMLS account to get your NMLS ID.
Obtain your NMLS ID if you don't have one:
- if you apply through your employer then you can find more information in the NMLS getting-started instructions
- if you will apply as an individual then you can find more information in the NMLS individual account setup guide (PDF)
You will need your NMLS ID when you go through your National and State Modules.
Email us at support@realestateu.com if you have any questions.
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Commonly Asked Questions on Getting Licensed in Illinois
Several Illinois MLO license requirements must be met before obtaining a license. Complete 20 hours of NMLS approved pre-licensing coursework (the 20 Hour SAFE Comprehensive course). Sit for the National Mortgage Loan Originator test and pass the exam. Pay the required license fees through the Nationwide Multistate Licensing Service (NMLS). Attach the application with details of residency and employment history. Complete fingerprinting to clear criminal background checks by the state and federal agencies. Submit a credit report that proves you can take financial responsibility. Be covered under an employer’s lending bond or obtain an individual surety bond. The Illinois Department of Financial & Professional Regulation issues an MLO license in Illinois after these conditions are met.See the answer for every state
Several factors determine the time it takes to get an MLO license in Illinois. It takes about two weeks to obtain a unique identification number from NMLS. This period includes time taken for documentation and background checks. The pre-license coursework is 20 hours and this will take 14 days to complete, even if you study at your preferred pace. Schedule and pass the SAFE ACT MLO test. Go through the checklist of requirements for new applications located here! Next, the Illinois DFPR will review your application and the time for it depends on the number of pending new applications. Typically, the time taken at this stage is thirty to sixty days. Hence, get an MLO license in Illinois in 2 to 4 months after all the variables given above are considered.See the answer for every state
The Illinois DFPR charges a license application fee of $200. Additional fees of $36.25 are for an FBI criminal background check, an NMLS processing fee of $35, and a $15 credit report charge. There is also the cost of completing an MLO license course in Illinois. The 20-hour MLO pre-licensing course is offered by RealEstateU for $199. After completing the NMLS MLO pre-licensing course, you must pay $110 to take the National MLO SAFE test. The total Illinois MLO license cost works out to $595.25.See the answer for every state
The Illinois MLO license education requirement only includes the National 20-hour SAFE Comprehensive course. Check out the RealEstateU MLO license course in Illinois by scrolling up to the course packages on this page.See the answer for every state
If you act as a mortgage loan originator for pay or other compensation on behalf of a non-depository lender offering residential mortgage loans secured by real estate located in the state of Illinois, you are required to obtain a Illinois Mortgage Loan Originator (MLO) license. Acting as a mortgage loan originator means taking residential mortgage loan applications and/or negotiating the terms of residential mortgage loans. Independent Contractor mortgage loan processors and mortgage loan underwriters are also required to obtain this license.See the answer for every state
An MLO license is a Mortgage Loan Originator license. The license is issued by the Illinois Department of Financial & Professional Regulation. It authorizes a compensated individual to take residential mortgage loan applications and negotiate the terms of residential mortgage loans secured by properties located within the state of Illinois.See the answer for every state
Generally, Mortgage Loan Originators work in Illinois on commission. This might be a straight commission, some sort of draw against future commissions arrangement, or perhaps as salary plus commission. Illinois MLO employers who hire entry level mortgage loan originators understand that training and building a “pipeline” of business takes some time, so they may pay an initial salary.See the answer for every state