United States
Hong KongWhat the NMLS exam costs
The test costs USD 110 per attempt. Getting licensed costs more: the mandatory 20-hour course, a background check, a credit report and a state application fee all sit on top, and most candidates spend somewhere between USD 400 and USD 800 in total.
USD 110. That is the test.
It is also the number people quote when they say what getting licensed costs, and it is not close. The exam is the cheapest compulsory item on the list.
The test fee
You pay USD 110 to NMLS to open an enrollment window. That window lasts 180 days, and inside it you book a slot with Prometric and sit the paper.
Fail, and the next attempt is another USD 110. There is no reduced retake rate.
Miss your appointment, or cancel later than two business days before it, and the enrollment window closes and the fee goes with it. You buy a new one before you can book again. The deadline is 11:59pm Eastern, two business days out.
What sits on top
The 20 hours of NMLS-approved pre-licensure education is the big one. It is a legal requirement for the license, it has to come from an approved provider, and it typically runs USD 199 to USD 399 depending on whether you take it self-paced or live.
Then the application itself. A criminal background check and a credit report are both part of it, both are charged, and the state license fee varies by state.
| Item | Typical cost | Repeats on a retake? |
|---|---|---|
| SAFE MLO test | USD 110 | Yes, every attempt |
| 20-hour pre-licensure course | USD 199 to 399 | No |
| Background check and credit report | Charged at application | No |
| State license fee | Varies by state | No |
| Prep material beyond the course | USD 50 to 200 | No |
The course figures are the market range we see, not a published rate. The test fee is NMLS's own.
So what is the real number
For most people, somewhere between USD 400 and USD 800 to get from nothing to a license in one state, assuming you pass first time.
That range is ours. It moves with your state's fees and with what you pay for the course.
Where the money actually goes wrong
Not on the headline items. It goes on retakes.
The first-time pass rate is 53%, so nearly half of candidates pay the USD 110 at least twice. Add the 30-day wait between attempts and a failed sitting costs you a month as well as the fee.
That is the case for spending a little on preparation and a lot on practice questions. A second attempt costs more than any prep package.
Common questions
How much does the NMLS exam cost?
USD 110 per attempt, paid to NMLS when you enroll. Every retake costs the same again.
Is the 20-hour course included in the exam fee?
No. The course is a separate legal requirement bought from an NMLS-approved provider, typically USD 199 to USD 399.
What does it cost to get an MLO license in total?
Usually USD 400 to USD 800 for one state if you pass first time, covering the test, the 20-hour course, the background check, the credit report and the state fee. That range is ours and moves with your state.
Do you pay again if you fail the NMLS exam?
Yes. Another USD 110 for each attempt, and you must wait 30 days before sitting again.
Can you lose the fee without sitting the exam?
Yes. Failing to show up, or canceling later than two business days before your appointment, closes the enrollment window and forfeits the fee.