If you’re interested in becoming a mortgage loan officer in Florida, there is a clear path to follow to get your Florida MLO license and begin your career in the residential mortgage industry. The term mortgage loan originator (MLO), licensed mortgage loan officer are frequently used interchangeably and both reflect the important job of helping home buyers find and secure the right home loan for them.
To be a successful loan officer in Florida you’ll need both a comprehensive understanding of the mortgage industry, financial regulations as well as good interpersonal and communication skills. You’ll need to learn the national and Florida state-level guidelines and pass an exam to show your mortgage knowledge and expertise.
Becoming a licensed loan officer can be a rewarding career path that allows you to help homebuyers achieve their dreams of homeownership. As a loan officer you’ll guide borrowers through the mortgage process, advise them on loan options and assist them with getting approved for financing.
However, obtaining a loan officer license does involve meeting certain requirements set at both the federal and state levels. This includes completing mortgage education, passing an exam, undergoing a background check, and more.
In this comprehensive guide, we’ll walk through the key steps required for getting your loan officer license so you can start your career in the mortgage industry.
Overview of Loan Officer Licensing
The Secure and Fair Enforcement for Mortgage Licensing Act of 2008 (SAFE Act) established requirements for loan originator licensing and registration nationwide. It set minimum standards for states to follow.
While the SAFE Act created national standards, each state implements and enforces their own specific rules for mortgage licensing. This means the process can vary slightly depending on which state you want to get licensed in.
In general though, these are the main steps you’ll need to take:
- Complete pre-licensing education
- Pass the SAFE Mortgage Loan Originator exam
- Submit a license application
- Undergo background checks
- Get sponsored by a mortgage company
We’ll now break these down in more detail.
Step 1: Complete Pre-Licensing Education
The first major requirement is to complete pre-licensing education. This involves taking mortgage education courses covering topics like ethics regulations, loan products the origination process, and more.
National Requirements
At the federal level, the Nationwide Multistate Licensing System (NMLS) requires at least 20 hours of pre-licensing education. These 20 hours must include:
- 3 hours of federal law and regulations
- 3 hours of ethics covering fraud, consumer protection, and fair lending
- 2 hours of non-traditional mortgage lending
- 12 hours of undefined electives
Some states like Florida and California require 1-2 additional hours covering their specific state laws.
You can take pre-licensing courses online through an NMLS-approved provider. OnCourse Learning and Mortgage Educators are two reputable sources.
State Requirements
In addition to the national standards, individual states may have their own course requirements. For example, some states specify that a portion of courses must be taken in-person rather than online.
So you’ll want to check your state’s pre-licensing rules through the NMLS website. States may also require additional course topics beyond the national minimum.
Step 2: Pass the SAFE Mortgage Loan Originator Exam
After completing pre-licensing education, the next step is passing the SAFE Mortgage Loan Originator exam. This test consists of 125 multiple choice questions covering general mortgage knowledge.
You’ll have 190 minutes to complete the exam. To pass, you must achieve a score of at least 75%.
The exam costs $110 payable to the NMLS. You can schedule it online through an approved test provider.
Once you pass, your results will be submitted to the NMLS. If you fail on the first try, you must wait at least 30 days before retaking the exam.
Step 3: Submit Your License Application
With education and the exam passed, you’re ready to submit a license application in the state(s) you want to be licensed in. This is done through the NMLS portal.
As part of the application, you’ll need to:
- Complete the Individual (MU4) form
- Submit fingerprints for a background check
- Pay license fees
NMLS charges a $30 fee to process the application. States also charge various fees for license processing and background checks, which range from $100 – $500+ depending on the state.
Step 4: Undergo Background Checks
Thorough background checks are part of the loan officer licensing process. Your application triggers a check through the FBI criminal database.
You’ll also need to schedule an appointment to get fingerprinted. The fingerprints are submitted to the FBI to verify your identity and check for any criminal history.
Most states charge around $36.25 – $50 for fingerprinting services. Having a clean background is key for license approval.
Step 5: Get Sponsored by a Company
The final requirement is to get sponsored by a licensed mortgage company in the state. This company essentially endorses your license application.
Common types of sponsoring entities include banks, credit unions, mortgage lenders, and mortgage brokers. Independent loan officers will need to align with one of these companies.
The company submits their license credentials to NMLS for approval. Once approved, your license application will be fully cleared.
Maintaining Your Loan Officer License
Even once approved, there are ongoing requirements to legally maintain your loan officer license:
- Complete at least 8 hours of NMLS-approved continuing education each year
- Pay renewal fees to the NMLS and your state every year
- Update your MU4 form with any relevant changes
Failure to meet these standards could result in license suspension or revocation.
Bottom Line
Becoming a licensed mortgage loan officer involves dedication and meeting legal requirements. But it opens the door to a rewarding career guiding homebuyers through one of the biggest purchases of their lives.
By following the steps outlined here, you’ll be on track to obtain your loan officer license and begin making your mark in the mortgage industry.
Step 2: Receive your personal NMLS ID number
Once you’ve registered with the NMLS, you’ll receive an individual NMLS ID number to use throughout your career as a licensed loan officer. The same NMLS ID is used for your license in Florida and any other states you might consider getting licensed in like Georgia, Alabama or North Carolina.
Step 7: Complete a background check and get fingerprinted
Next, you must complete a criminal background check and get fingerprinted. The background check can be initiated through your NMLS portal. You can also make your appointment to have your fingerprints taken through the NMLS portal. The current cost of both the background check and the fingerprinting is $36.25.