MLO License Cost by State: Complete 2026 Fee Breakdown
The cost of becoming a licensed Mortgage Loan Originator includes several categories: NMLS processing fees, state licensing fees, pre-licensing education, the SAFE Act exam, background check and credit report, and in many states, a surety bond. Total initial fees (government and NMLS fees) range from $0 to $0 across the 51 states we track, with an average of $0.
This guide breaks down every cost category so you can budget accurately. Government and NMLS fee data comes from our verified state databases. Education and bond costs are estimated ranges.
Cost Categories Breakdown
NMLS & State Fees
Fixed fees paid to NMLS and state regulators.
- NMLS initial processing: $100
- State license fee: varies by state
- FBI background check: ~$36.25
- Credit report: ~$15
- Total: $0 to $0
Education & Exam Costs
Paid to education providers and Prometric (exam vendor).
- Pre-licensing education: $200-$500
- SAFE Act exam (national): $110
- Exam retake: $110 per attempt
- Study materials: $30-$100
Surety Bond
Required by 49 of 51 states. Protects consumers against MLO misconduct.
- Bond amount: $10,000-$150,000+
- Annual premium: 1-10% of bond amount
- Premium based on your credit score
- Typical cost: $50-$500+/year
Employer-Covered Costs
Many sponsoring employers cover some or all costs:
- Pre-licensing education (common)
- Exam fees (common)
- NMLS and state fees (sometimes)
- Surety bond (varies)
State Fees: Complete Table
The table below shows verified total initial fees (NMLS + state) for all 51 states, sorted from lowest to highest. Click any state for the full breakdown.
| Rank | State | Initial Fees | Total Hours | Surety Bond |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Alabama | N/A | 20 | $25,000 |
| 2 | Alaska | N/A | 20 | $75,000 |
| 3 | Arizona | N/A | 20 | $200,000 (employer bond) or $100 recovery fund |
| 4 | Arkansas | N/A | 20 | $100,000 |
| 5 | California | N/A | 20 | $25,000 |
| 6 | Colorado | N/A | 20 | $25,000 |
| 7 | Connecticut | N/A | 21 | $50,000 |
| 8 | Delaware | N/A | 20 | $25,000 |
| 9 | District of Columbia | N/A | 20 | $25,000 |
| 10 | Florida | N/A | 20 | Not required |
| 11 | Georgia | N/A | 20 | $150,000 |
| 12 | Hawaii | N/A | 20 | $50,000 |
| 13 | Idaho | N/A | 20 | Not required |
| 14 | Illinois | N/A | 20 | $25,000 |
| 15 | Indiana | N/A | 20 | $25,000 |
| 16 | Iowa | N/A | 20 | $50,000 |
| 17 | Kansas | N/A | 20 | $50,000 |
| 18 | Kentucky | N/A | 20 | $15,000-$20,000 |
| 19 | Louisiana | N/A | 20 | $50,000 |
| 20 | Maine | N/A | 20 | $25,000 |
| 21 | Maryland | N/A | 20 | $50,000-$150,000 |
| 22 | Massachusetts | N/A | 20 | $25,000 |
| 23 | Michigan | N/A | 20 | $25,000 |
| 24 | Minnesota | N/A | 20 | $25,000 |
| 25 | Mississippi | N/A | 20 | $25,000 |
| 26 | Missouri | N/A | 20 | $25,000 |
| 27 | Montana | N/A | 20 | $25,000 |
| 28 | Nebraska | N/A | 22 | $25,000 |
| 29 | Nevada | N/A | 30 | $50,000-$75,000 |
| 30 | New Hampshire | N/A | 20 | $25,000 |
| 31 | New Jersey | N/A | 20 | $100,000 |
| 32 | New Mexico | N/A | 20 | $25,000 |
| 33 | New York | N/A | 20 | $10,000-$100,000 |
| 34 | North Carolina | N/A | 24 | $75,000 |
| 35 | North Dakota | N/A | 20 | $25,000 |
| 36 | Ohio | N/A | 24 | $50,000 |
| 37 | Oklahoma | N/A | 20 | $25,000 |
| 38 | Oregon | N/A | 20 | $25,000 |
| 39 | Pennsylvania | N/A | 20 | $50,000 |
| 40 | Rhode Island | N/A | 20 | $25,000 |
| 41 | South Carolina | N/A | 20 | $25,000 |
| 42 | South Dakota | N/A | 20 | $25,000 |
| 43 | Tennessee | N/A | 20 | $100,000 |
| 44 | Texas | N/A | 23 | $50,000 |
| 45 | Utah | N/A | 35 | $25,000 |
| 46 | Vermont | N/A | 20 | $25,000 |
| 47 | Virginia | N/A | 20 | $25,000 |
| 48 | Washington | N/A | 22 | $120,000 |
| 49 | West Virginia | N/A | 24 | $25,000 |
| 50 | Wisconsin | N/A | 20 | $120,000 |
| 51 | Wyoming | N/A | 20 | $25,000 |
Note: Initial fees include NMLS processing, state license application, background check, and credit report fees. Education, exam, and surety bond costs are additional.
Key Fee Statistics
51
States Tracked
$0
Avg. Initial Fees
Most Affordable States
These states have the lowest total initial fees for MLO licensing:
Most Expensive States
These states have the highest total initial fees for MLO licensing:
Fixed Costs (Same in Every State)
Some costs are the same regardless of which state you get licensed in:
| Item | Cost | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| NMLS initial processing | $100 | One-time fee to NMLS |
| SAFE Act exam | $110 | National component; per attempt |
| FBI background check | ~$36 | Fingerprinting + FBI processing |
| Credit report | ~$15 | Pulled by NMLS |
| Pre-licensing education | $200-$500 | Varies by provider and state hours |
Tips for Reducing Your Costs
- Ask your employer to cover costs. Many mortgage companies cover pre-licensing education, exam fees, and sometimes even NMLS fees for new hires. This is a common recruiting incentive.
- Shop education providers. NMLS-approved course prices vary significantly. Compare several providers and look for bundled packages that include exam prep.
- Pass the exam on the first try. At $110 per attempt with a 30-day wait between retakes, failing costs both money and time.
- Maintain good credit. Your credit score affects your surety bond premium. Better credit means lower annual bond costs.
- Multi-state licensing: If you plan to originate in multiple states, budget for additional state fees for each license.
Ongoing Annual Costs
- NMLS annual renewal: $100 processing fee plus state-specific renewal fees
- Continuing education: 8+ hours annually, costing $100-$300 from approved providers
- Surety bond renewal: Annual premium continues as long as you hold the license
- Credit report update: ~$15 annually as part of the renewal process
Next Steps
Find your state in the table above and click through to see the detailed cost breakdown. Also explore our other MLO licensing guides:
Sources
Fee data is sourced from the NMLS, official state regulatory agencies, and exam providers.
- Individual state regulatory agency websites (cited on each state page).
- Nationwide Multistate Licensing System (NMLS) -- processing fees and exam costs.
Data was last verified in February 2026. Fees can change as states and NMLS update their schedules. Always confirm current fees with NMLS and your state's regulatory agency before applying.
Mortgage Loan Originator Licensing — Quick Reference by State
Median salary, government licensing fees, and estimated timeline. Click any state for full details.
| State | Median Salary | License Fees | Timeline | Guide |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| California | $79,580 | — | 6 wk | View → |
| Texas | $63,770 | — | 6 wk | View → |
| Florida | $71,340 | — | 6 wk | View → |
| New York | $98,940 | — | 6 wk | View → |
| Pennsylvania | $61,470 | — | 6 wk | View → |
| Illinois | $75,960 | — | 6 wk | View → |
| Ohio | $69,220 | — | 6 wk | View → |
| Georgia | $72,250 | — | 6 wk | View → |
| North Carolina | $75,820 | — | 6 wk | View → |
| Michigan | $72,680 | — | 6 wk | View → |
Salary: BLS OEWS May 2024. Fees & timelines: state licensing boards.
MLO Exam Prep Books
Study guides for the NMLS SAFE Mortgage Loan Originator exam.
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