Your guide to working as a licensed Mortgage Loan Officer in Florida

By Ciprian Morariu Published: September 10, 2024

Your guide to working as a licensed Mortgage Loan Officer in Florida

Mortgage and finance industry in the U.S. is growing at a rapid pace and the rising demand for residential real estate is contributing to the growth.

One of the fastest-growing job profiles in the mortgage and lending industry is of a mortgage loan officer. 

According to surveys and industry reports, the job of a mortgage loan officer has emerged as the second most popular career path in the industry. 

Loan officers play a pivotal role in the industry by helping borrowers secure financing for purchasing a home. 

They are highly employable in financial institutions, banks, credit unions, and private mortgage companies. 

Since the demand for residential real estate continues to grow in Florida, working as a mortgage loan officer can be a rewarding and exciting career path. 

Did you know that mortgage loan officers in Florida can make as much as $150K annually, as per data reported by Indeed? 

Plus, there are abundant commission opportunities and a host of perks that make this a highly rewarding and satisfying career path. 

However, to reap the benefits of this profession, you must first meet the qualifying requirements and obtain a mortgage loan officer (MLO) license in Florida. 

Getting a license is mandatory for all applicants who want to work with clients and help them secure mortgage loans. 

If you are curious to learn more about the job role, its benefits, and requirements, we have put together this guide which covers the key aspects of how to become a mortgage loan officer in Florida

This article will give you all the important details about starting a career as a MLO in Florida. 

From completing the education to getting your license and acquiring the essential skills, you will learn about the key steps involved in the journey towards starting your MLO career. 

Who is a Mortgage Loan Officer

Wondering what exactly is a mortgage? 

Whenever it comes to buying a home, most homebuyers prefer obtaining a mortgage which in simple words is a loan to make a purchase of a new home or refinance an existing one. 

A mortgage is an agreement between lenders and borrowers where the lender is granted the legal right to claim ownership of a property if the borrower is unable to repay the loan as per the agreed terms and conditions. 

Thus, mortgage loan officers are financial experts and licensed professionals who help borrowers secure mortgage loans for their needs. 

You can think of a mortgage loan officer as a bridge between borrowers and lenders. 

Borrowers are individuals seeking financing for their mortgage and lenders are financial institutions and companies offering loans.

A mortgage loan officer (MLO) is the intermediary responsible for connecting borrowers with lenders and helping individuals choose the most feasible mortgage loan product or plan. 

Loan officers are employed by financial institutions such as banks, credit companies, and mortgage loan organizations. 

They are paid on a fixed salary basis but may also receive commissions in the case of exemplary performance. 

To sum it up, mortgage loan officers are professionals who oversee the various aspects of a loan process - from the initiation of the loan to the closing and disbursal of funds. 

MLOs help their clients navigate through the complex, step-by-step process of securing financing and assist them in making well-informed financial decisions to meet their needs. 

Career Outlook for Mortgage Loan Officers in Florida

Did you know that Florida’s real estate landscape is currently the second most popular market for homebuyers and real estate investors?

According to industry reports, the real estate market in Florida witnessed a staggering 36%

year-on-year growth in the total number of homes for sale. 

Additionally, the average selling price for homes increased by around 7% as compared to last year. 

These trends indicate the rising demand for housing in Florida as the Peach State continues to be counted amongst the hottest real estate markets in the country. 

Thanks to the high influx of buyers and migrants, there is a steady demand for securing mortgage financing. 

As the demand for loans picks momentum, the need for skilled mortgage officers will also continue to increase.

Thus, the role of mortgage loan officers will continue to be pivotal in the industry as more people line up to secure funding for their home purchase or refinancing needs. 

Now could be a good time to enter Florida’s market and start a career as a licensed mortgage loan officer. 

The Bureau of Labor Statistics in the U.S. has also indicated that the job outlook for loan officers in the country is poised to grow by 3 percent i..e around 30,000 new jobs are to be created in the ongoing decade. 

Plus, given the potential to earn a six-figure income and help people achieve their homeownership dreams, a career as a MLO in Florida can be incredibly fulfilling and financially rewarding. 

However, to achieve this professional goal, you must prepare yourself to earn a mortgage loan originator license in Florida

Let’s move on to the next sections to learn more about the job duties and responsibilities of a loan officer so you can envision what will be expected from you at work. 

Understanding the job role and responsibilities of a Florida Loan Officer

As an aspiring loan officer, it helps to have a clear understanding of what your job profile entails and what a day in your life will look like. 

Mortgage loan officers (MLOs) are expected to juggle multiple duties and tasks at work and the major ones can be categorized as: 

1. Client interactions: Loan officers are primarily responsible for responding to queries from prospective and existing clients. 

As a loan officer, you will be replying to texts, emails, and phone calls while setting up meetings and interviews with prospective clients. 

Client interactions are a major part of your job profile and you are required to communicate about the various aspects of choosing a mortgage plan including the interest rate, loan terms, repayment options, and key milestones. 

Loan officers are expected to be good at verbal and written communication as they are required to be in touch with clients before, during, and after getting a loan. 

2. Administrative tasks: Loan officers are responsible for completing a variety of administrative duties as part of their job profile. 

This includes collecting financial documents such as income stubs, tax returns, credit reports, and proof of assets. 

Along with collecting the documents, loan officers also assist clients in completing the forms and submitting the paperwork required for completing a loan application. 

It is the duty of a loan officer to ensure all the required fields are completed and assist clients in filling out the application to avoid rejection or delays in the processing of loans. 

Plus, loan officers also liaison and collaborate with underwriters, brokers, and appraisers to facilitate the loan application till the closing stage. 

3. Compliance: The mortgage lending and finance industry is heavily regulated and has a pre-established code of conduct and guidelines for loan officers. 

As a mortgage loan officer in Florida, it is your duty to protect consumers from any lapse of judgment and to ensure consumer rights are withheld.

Additionally, you must also ensure the loan application and the documentation are compliant with the state and federal laws as well as the industry rules. 

Ensuring regulatory compliance and adhering to lending regulations is a must. 

Note that your day-to-day job responsibilities will depend on your employer. 

In addition to the above, mortgage loan officers are also expected to attend networking events and engage in marketing and promotional activities. 

You are also expected to continuously expand your knowledge, polish your skills, and maintain the standards of performance and diligence. 

Next, let us give you a detailed overview of the steps involved in getting an MLO license in Florida so you can prepare yourself for the journey ahead. 

Steps for getting a Florida MLO license

Like most states, Florida requires all applicants to fulfill the pre-established set of licensing guidelines and requirements established by the NMLS (Nationwide Multistate Licensing System) under the SAFE (Secure and Fair Enforcement) Act of 2008.

As per the NMLS requirements for getting a Florida mortgage license, you must complete mandatory pre-licensing education, clear the SAFE MLO licensing exam, and clear the background verification. 

Let’s start with the basic eligibility requirements in order to qualify for applying for a MLO license. 

Firstly, all applicants must meet the statutory qualifying requirements which are as follows. 

  • You must be at least 18 years of age or older
  • You must be a legal resident of the United States
  • You must have a high school diploma or GED equivalent
  • You must have a bachelor's degree in finance, accounting, or business administration

In Florida, you are required to complete 20 hours of SAFE pre-licensing education from a state from a NMLS-approved education provider. 

The pre-licensing education must cover mandatory courses which are listed below: 

  • Federal Law (3 hours)
  • Ethics, Fraud, and Consumer Rights Protection (3 hours)
  • Non-Traditional Mortgage Lending (2 hours)
  • General Electives (10 hours)

In addition to the above, Florida also requires applicants to complete an additional 2 hours of course credits to learn about state-specific laws and regulations for loan officers. 

You can complete the pre-licensing education by joining an in-person, real estate classroom or by enrolling in an online MLO course in Florida

Many students prefer learning in a virtual, online classroom as it is more flexible and time-saving. Plus, online courses are generally more affordable than joining a physical classroom. 

After you have completed the mandatory education and acquired the knowledge of how the mortgage lending industry works, it’s time to take the SAFE MLO licensing exam in FL. 

As per the SAFE MLO licensing guidelines, all applicants must take and pass the MLO licensing exam to obtain their license. 

The SAFE MLO test consists of 115 multiple-choice questions covering both state as well as national-specific portions. 

To clear the exam, you need to score at least 75 percent or above in the test. 

Note that it will cost you $110 to take the SAFE Mortgage Loan Officer test in Florida. 

Once you have passed the test and completed the mandatory background verification requirements, you can submit your MLO licensing application online on the NMLS website. 

Note that you are required to submit the latest credit report along with your application. 

It will cost you $30 to apply for the MLO license and an additional $195 to get it processed. 

Lastly, you must find employer sponsorship to start working as a licensed loan officer in Florida. 

Once you find a sponsoring employer, you can submit the details on the NMLS website.