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Mortgage Loan Originator
MLO licensing operates on a dual structure: the federal SAFE Act sets a 20-hour baseline, while each state adds its own pre-licensing hours, surety bond requirements, and fees. All applications go through the NMLS.
51
Total States
27
States With Additional Hours
20–35
Training Hours Range
43
States Requiring Bond
Mortgage loan originator licensing is governed by federal law with state-specific additions. Every MLO must meet the SAFE Act baseline and satisfy their state's requirements through the NMLS.
The Secure and Fair Enforcement for Mortgage Licensing Act of 2008 established a federal baseline for all MLOs. Every state must require at least 20 hours of pre-licensing education covering federal law, ethics, lending standards, and non-traditional mortgage products.
The SAFE MLO Test has a national component (120 questions) and a state-specific component. Both are administered through the NMLS via Prometric testing centers. Candidates must pass each component with a minimum score of 75%.
The Nationwide Multistate Licensing System (NMLS) processes all MLO applications, renewals, and state transitions. It facilitates multi-state licensing, maintains public records, and serves as the central hub for regulatory oversight.
Side-by-side fees, hours, exams, and timelines across all 50 states. Sort by cost, hours, or any column.
Compare All StatesFind out if your license transfers to another state and what extra steps are needed.
Check ReciprocityLook up a license on the official state board — fast links to every state's verification portal.
Need your 20 hours of NMLS SAFE pre-licensing?
The CE Shop is an NMLS-approved provider offering the full 20-hour SAFE MLO course plus state-specific hours online — all in one place.
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Study Materials & Exam Prep — NMLS SAFE MLO Test
Prepare for your NMLS SAFE MLO Test with Mometrix study guides, flashcards, online courses, and practice tests.
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Click any state to see full requirements, costs, and step-by-step instructions →
| State | Total Hours | State Add'l | Bond Req. | Total Fees | CE Hours | Renewal | Bond Amount | Verified |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alabama(AL) | 20 | — | Yes | $271.25 | 8 | Annual (December 31) | $25,000 | April 2026 |
| Alaska(AK) | 20 | — | Yes | $546.25 | 8 | Annual (December 31) | $75,000 | April 2026 |
| Arizona(AZ) | 24 | +4 | Yes | $696.25 | 9 | Annual (December 31) | $200,000 (employer bond) or $100 recovery fund | April 2026 |
| Arkansas(AR) | 20 | — | Yes | $246.25 | 8 | Annual (December 31) | $100,000 | April 2026 |
| California(CA) | 22 | +2 | Yes | $496.25 | 9 | Annual (December 31) | $25,000 | April 2026 |
| Colorado(CO) | 22 | +2 | Yes | $244.25 | 8 | Annual — licenses expire December 31 each year; renewal window is November 1 to December 31 | $25,000 | April 2026 |
| Connecticut(CT) | 21 | +1 | Yes | $496.25 | 9 | Annual (December 31) | $50,000 | April 2026 |
| Delaware(DE) | 20 | — | Yes | $696.25 | 8 | Annual (December 31) | $25,000 | April 2026 |
| District of Columbia(DC) | 23 | +3 | Yes | $496.25 | 9 | Annual (December 31) | $25,000 | April 2026 |
| Florida(FL) | 20 | — | No | $435.25 | 9 | Annual (December 31) | — | April 2026 |
| Georgia(GA) | 20 | — | No | $296.25 | 9 | Annual; renewal window per NMLS standard (December 31 deadline) | — | April 2026 |
| Hawaii(HI) | 23 | +3 | Yes | $796.25 | 9 | Annual (December 31) | $50,000 | April 2026 |
| Idaho(ID) | 22 | +2 | No | $526.25 | 9 | Annual (December 31) | — | April 2026 |
| Illinois(IL) | 20 | — | Yes | $396.25 | 8 | Annual (December 31) | $25,000 | April 2026 |
| Indiana(IN) | 22 | +2 | Yes | $246.25 | 8 | Annual renewal; December 31 deadline is standard for NMLS-managed licenses | $25,000 | April 2026 |
| Iowa(IA) | 20 | — | Yes | $246.25 | 8 | Annual (December 31) | $50,000 | April 2026 |
| Kansas(KS) | 20 | — | No | $296.25 | 8 | Annual (December 31) | — | April 2026 |
| Kentucky(KY) | 20 | — | Yes | $246.25 | 8 | Annual (December 31) | $15,000 (volume < $10M) / $20,000 (volume > $10M) | April 2026 |
| Louisiana(LA) | 20 | — | Yes | $396.25 | 8 | Annual (December 31) | $50,000 | April 2026 |
| Maine(ME) | 20 | — | Yes | $276.25 | 8 | Annual (December 31) | $25,000 | April 2026 |
| Maryland(MD) | 25 | +5 | Yes | $421.25 | 9 | Annual (December 31) | $50,000-$150,000 | April 2026 |
| Massachusetts(MA) | 23 | +3 | Yes | $811.25 | 9 | Annual (December 31) | $25,000 | April 2026 |
| Michigan(MI) | 22 | +2 | Yes | $421.25 | 8 | Annual (December 31) | $25,000 | April 2026 |
| Minnesota(MN) | 20 | — | Yes | $286.25 | 9 | Annual (December 31) | $25,000 | April 2026 |
| Mississippi(MS) | 24 | +4 | Yes | $397.25 | 8 | Annual (December 31) | $25,000 | April 2026 |
| Missouri(MO) | 20 | — | Yes | $246.25 | 8 | Annual (December 31) | $25,000 | April 2026 |
| Montana(MT) | 22 | +2 | Yes | $596.25 | 8 | Annual (December 31) | $25,000 | April 2026 |
| Nebraska(NE) | 22 | +2 | Yes | $346.25 | 8 | Annual (December 31) | $25,000 | April 2026 |
| Nevada(NV) | 30 | +10 | Yes | $271.25 | 8 | Annual (December 31) | $50,000-$75,000 | April 2026 |
| New Hampshire(NH) | 22 | +2 | Yes | $326.25 | 8 | Annual (December 31) | $25,000 | April 2026 |
| New Jersey(NJ) | 24 | +4 | Yes | $346.25 | 10 | Annual (December 31) | $100,000 | April 2026 |
| New Mexico(NM) | 23 | +3 | Yes | $596.25 | 9 | Annual (December 31) | $25,000 | April 2026 |
| New York(NY) | 23 | +3 | Yes | $457.25 | 11 | Annual (December 31) | $10,000-$100,000 | April 2026 |
| North Carolina(NC) | 24 | +4 | Yes | $321.25 | 9 | Annual (December 31) | $75,000 | April 2026 |
| North Dakota(ND) | 20 | — | Yes | $226.25 | 8 | Annual (December 31) | $25,000 | April 2026 |
| Ohio(OH) | 24 | +4 | No | $396.25 | 8 | Annual (December 31) | — | April 2026 |
| Oklahoma(OK) | 20 | — | Yes | $656.25 | 8 | Annual (December 31) | $25,000 | April 2026 |
| Oregon(OR) | 20 | — | No | $276.25 | 10 | Annual (December 31) | — | April 2026 |
| Pennsylvania(PA) | 20 | — | No | $418.25 | 9 | Annual (December 31) | — | April 2026 |
| Rhode Island(RI) | 20 | — | No | $796.25 | 9 | Annual (December 31) | — | April 2026 |
| South Carolina(SC) | 20 | — | Yes | $246.25 | 8 | Annual (December 31) | $25,000 | April 2026 |
| South Dakota(SD) | 20 | — | Yes | $346.25 | 8 | Annual (December 31) | $25,000 | April 2026 |
| Tennessee(TN) | 22 | +2 | Yes | $396.25 | 8 | Annual (December 31) | $100,000 | April 2026 |
| Texas(TX) | 23 | +3 | Yes | $341.25 | 8 | Annual (December 31) | $50,000 | April 2026 |
| Utah(UT) | 35 | +15 | Yes | $396.25 | 9 | Annual (December 31) | $25,000 | April 2026 |
| Vermont(VT) | 22 | +2 | Yes | $296.25 | 8 | Annual (December 31) | $25,000 | April 2026 |
| Virginia(VA) | 20 | — | Yes | $346.25 | 8 | Annual (December 31) | $25,000 | April 2026 |
| Washington(WA) | 24 | +4 | Yes | $321.25 | 9 | Annual (December 31) | $120,000 | April 2026 |
| West Virginia(WV) | 24 | +4 | Yes | $396.25 | 10 | Annual (December 31) | $25,000 | April 2026 |
| Wisconsin(WI) | 20 | — | Yes | $446.25 | 8 | Annual (December 31) | $120,000 | April 2026 |
| Wyoming(WY) | 20 | — | Yes | $316.25 | 8 | Annual (December 31) | $25,000 | April 2026 |
Browse NMLS federal + state CE requirements, renewal cycles, and mandatory topics by state.
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Study guides for the NMLS SAFE Mortgage Loan Originator exam.
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See the full comparison table above for all 51 states.
In-depth articles to help you get licensed
Moving to a new state?
See which states have reciprocity for Mortgage Loan Originator licenses and what's required to transfer.
Explore similar licensing requirements