You will need both! New LOs must take 1 Federal 20 Hour PE course, and an additional State Specific Pre-Licensure course for each state you wish to be licensed in.
Example: To be licensed in California, you will need to take the Federal PE Course (20 Hour), as well as
California's State Specific PE Course (2 hours) which can be purchased separately below!
All states require the federal portion, which totals 20 hours, with many states requiring education specific to the state. The states that have that requirement are listed on the graphic.
Yes, if you completed 20-hour PE recently (most states allow five years, sometimes more).
Yes, unless you also completed 20-hour federal PE this year to gain your license.
If you are a new MLO that has not taken 20-hour PE before, yes. Otherwise, unless you took an extended break from the industry without renewing, or it has been several years since you took the 20-hour course, you only need to take the states you want to add. If you are unsure, follow this link or call the NMLS at (855) 665-7123.
Check out this guide on becoming a Mortgage Loan Officer to get the full run down!
In 2016, the NMLS Policy Committee approved a policy that addresses situations in which an individual either 1) completes the federal PE requirement and does not acquire a license within a reasonable amount of time, or 2) acquires a license, but then leaves the industry and returns after a long period and is required to become current on education. The policy reads as follows: “An individual who completed 20 hours pre-licensure education pursuant to 12 U.S.C. 5104(c) must retake 20 hours of pre-licensure education in order to be eligible for state mortgage loan originator licensure if he or she: (3) fails to acquire a valid state license or federal registration as a mortgage loan originator within three years from the date of federal compliance with 12 U.S.C. 5104(c); or (4) fails to acquire a valid state license or federal registration as a mortgage loan originator within three years from the last date of licensure or registration as a mortgage loan originator.”
We make each state's PE course available as soon it's approved by the NMLS.
Yes. Effective June 24, 2013, NMLS tracks compliance for both federal and state PE and CE requirements. Education records will reflect state PE and CE compliance status for past years.
Yes, if the agency has set the license setting to require PE compliance at the time of application, NMLS will validate that the MLO is compliant with BOTH federal and state agency requirements prior to submission. NMLS will also require completion of pending CE requirements for the last year the MLO held the license if the MLO is applying for a previously held license.
Yes, if the agency has set the license setting to require CE compliance at renewal, NMLS will validate that the MLO is compliant with BOTH federal and state annual CE requirements.
Per the uniform CE policy, CE is required in the same year as licensure unless federal PE was also completed that year.
Late CE is required if you miss the renewal window ending on December 31.
Yes, if an MLO is already licensed with federal PE compliance in a previous year and completes state-specific PE for another license, the MLO is required to complete CE for that agency for that year.