United States
Hong KongRenewing your license
MLO licenses renew annually through NMLS, with 8 hours of continuing education completed first. Each state license renews separately with its own fee, and missing the window means reinstatement or reapplication.
Annual, and the parts that catch people are the sequence and the per-state nature of it.
The sequence
Continuing education first, then renewal. The 8 hours must be completed and reported before the renewal will process.
Leaving the education until the renewal window is the commonest reason a license lapses, because course completion has to reach NMLS before the deadline rather than on it.
Per state
Each license renews separately, with its own fee. Hold four and you renew four times.
Some states require their own continuing education hours on top of the federal 8, so track the obligation by state rather than as one number.
You cannot originate on it, and getting it back means reinstatement within a limited period or a fresh application afterwards. Reinstatement usually carries a higher fee and its own deadline.
The continuing education split
| Subject | Hours |
|---|---|
| Federal law and regulations | 3 |
| Ethics | 2 |
| Non-traditional mortgage lending | 2 |
| Electives | 1 |
Seven of the eight are fixed by regulation at 12 CFR 1008.107(b). And the same approved course cannot be taken in successive years.
What does not need renewing
Your test result and your unique identifier. The exam is passed once, and the identifier is yours for your career.
Common questions
How often does an MLO license renew?
Annually, through NMLS, with continuing education completed and reported first.
What continuing education is required?
8 hours: 3 federal law, 2 ethics, 2 non-traditional mortgage lending and 1 elective.
What happens if I miss the renewal window?
The license lapses and you cannot originate on it. Reinstatement is possible for a limited period, after which you reapply.
Do I renew each state separately?
Yes, with separate fees and possibly separate education requirements.
Does the exam need retaking at renewal?
No. The test is passed once and the result does not expire while you remain licensed.