Washington MLO courses, 100% online

Loan officer employment is projected to grow 1% from 2025 to 2035, slower than the average across occupations, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. The field still generates about 17,100 openings per year, mostly from replacement needs rather than new demand. Loan officers held about 283,000 jobs in 2025, and about 80% worked in credit intermediation, at commercial banks, savings institutions, and mortgage companies.

Yes. Washington's 22 hours of pre-licensing education, including the 4 hours of Washington law, can be completed online or in a classroom with an NMLS-approved provider, and costs vary by provider. You cannot submit the license application until the hours are completed and posted to your NMLS record.

Yes. The Washington Department of Financial Institutions manages all Mortgage Broker licenses through NMLS, so the company application is filed online. Before filing, the company must appoint a designated broker who has passed the Washington Designated Broker Test, obtain a $20,000 electronic surety bond through NMLS, and pay the $1,001 application fee.

Yes. The Washington Department of Financial Institutions (DFI) states that pre-licensing education courses are available both online and in classroom from NMLS-approved providers. You must complete 22 hours, including 4 hours of Washington law, and the provider must report your completion to your NMLS record before you can apply for the license.

No. In Washington, a mortgage loan originator (MLO) license is required for individuals who originate loans for licensed mortgage brokers and consumer loan companies, and anyone who holds themselves out to the public as able to perform loan origination activities is treated the same way. An inactive license does not permit loan origination, and a license cannot be transferred, loaned, or shared with anyone else.

Yes. Washington's Department of Financial Institutions (DFI) manages all Consumer Loan Company licenses through NMLS, and applications are filed online through the system. A new applicant pays a $1,162.21 main office licensing fee and must have a $30,000 electronic surety bond issued through NMLS before filing. Each control person must authorize a credit report and criminal background check, and the company must sponsor mortgage loan originators if it brokers or lends residential mortgages.

It depends on how the underwriter works. Washington requires a mortgage loan originator (MLO) license for independent contractor loan processors and underwriters, and for the direct day-to-day supervisor over Washington MLOs working for a licensed Consumer Loan Company. Underwriters at federally insured depository institutions generally register with NMLS as federal registrants rather than holding a state license.

In some cases, yes. Washington requires an MLO license for an individual who works as an independent contractor loan processor or underwriter, or as the direct day-to-day supervisor over Washington MLOs working for a licensed Consumer Loan Company. The Department of Financial Institutions' NMLS checklist identifies these roles among those that must hold the Mortgage Loan Originator license.

It depends on how you work. In Washington, independent contractor loan processors and underwriters must hold a Mortgage Loan Originator license, and the license is also required for independent contractor processors representing licensed or exempt mortgage brokers and consumer loan companies. Obtaining it requires 22 hours of pre-licensing education, passing the SAFE test, and filing an application through NMLS.

It depends on how you work. In Washington, a mortgage loan originator (MLO) license is required for individuals who work as an independent contractor loan processor or underwriter representing a licensed or exempt mortgage broker or consumer loan company. The license is also required for the direct day-to-day supervisor over Washington MLOs at a licensed consumer loan company.