California Mortgage Loan Originator (MLO) CE Requirements (2026)

California Mortgage Loan Originator (MLO) CE at a glance

Total CE hours: 8 hours
Cycle length: Every 1 year
Cycle anchor: Renews annually (calendar year)

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Mandatory topics

Federal Law and Regulations
3 hours
Ethics
Includes fraud, consumer protection, and fair lending
2 hours
Non-Traditional Mortgage Lending
2 hours
Elective
CA-DFPI licensees must take 1 hour of California mortgage license law; CA-DRE licensees may take any elective (no state-specific requirement)
1 hour

Notes

CA licenses split across DFPI and DRE. Both require 8 total hours. DFPI requires 1-hour elective be CA-specific law; DRE does not. Total hours and cycle identical. Renewal deadline Dec 31.

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Sources

Last reviewed: 2026-04-18

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