The NMLS requires all licensed MLOs to take a minimum of 8 hours of NMLS approved continuing education each year, as well as any state-required electives, before you can make a renewal request. We offer continuing education in a variety of formats that you can take during your NMLS license renewal process.
Online Self-Study
Select Your States To Purchase Below
Arizona's 4-hour RI and Utah's 5-hour Post-Licensure
are not included in the selector.
CLICK HERE for the AZ Responsible Individual Course Product
CLICK HERE for the UT 5-Hour Post Licensure Course Product
Select Your State-Specific Electives To Purchase Below
Only state-specific CE hours will be added using this selector.
Only states with additional state-specific CE hours will show.
Arizona's 4-hour RI and Utah's 5-hour Post-Licensure
are not included in the selector.
CLICK HERE for the AZ Responsible Individual Course Product
CLICK HERE for the UT 5-Hour Post Licensure Course Product
Please note: NMLS Continuing Education or Late Continuing Education courses are only valid in the year purchased, so make sure your record shows them if you’ve taken them within the same year of purchase during your NMLS reinstatement period.
To access your NMLS continuing education online, you’ll need to log in from a computer as mobile devices such as smartphones or tablets are not supported for NMLS approved courses.
State-Specific Mortgage CE Requirements
Be sure to look up the specific NMLS CE renewal requirements for your own state, since some states include slight variations on the general registration renewal requirements. In any given state, you will need at least 8 hours of NMLS-approved education when you've submitted your renewal request and all applicable renewal fees.
The state-specific requirements cover state laws, topics and rules that pertain to that state. For example, Utah, West Virginia, and New York require 1, 2, and 3 state-focused hours, respectively, as part of their NMLS CE requirements. You will also want to look up a respective state's fees for renewal and plan for these.
Such states either (a) use your 1 hour of undefined class time for this purpose or (b) require that you take more than 8 total hours of CE classes. The linked resource above (especially page 4) lists the information you’ll need as you prepare for NMLS renewal.
Here is a helpful table to see how many NMLS continuing education hours are required in your state (note: these are only states with agencies that require specific hours as part of their renewal requirements)
Just as doctors and lawyers have ongoing medical and legal training, loan officers need to continue taking education courses in order to renew their NMLS licenses. This ensures that mortgage loan originators (MLOs) have the knowledge needed to do their jobs correctly, year in and year out. Any mortgage loan originator who fails to do so by December 31st, their NMLS licenses become “inactive” and cannot be renewed until they are reactivated. In some states, they are even placed in a terminated/expired status..
If you're an MLO wondering when and where to take your next NMLS renewal mortgage CE course, check out our guide below. We'll explain everything you need to know about mortgage NMLS CE courses and renewal requirements.
NMLS Mortgage CE Course Requirements
Every state requires MLOs to complete 8 hours of NMLS-approved online classes before processing their annual renewal request application. To begin this coursework, you'll need to create an NMLS account, which will grant you an NMLS ID Number, which can be confirmed with your provider.
The SAFE Act requires MLOs with a state license to complete additional education requirements, including:
3 hours of federal law and regulations
2 hours of ethics
2 hours of training on lending standards for nontraditional mortgages
1 hour of undefined courses on mortgage origination
Many MLOs are unaware of the nuances when it comes to continuing education (CE) rules. Here are some lesser-known policies to be aware of when completing the required NMLS renewal courses:
CE can be completed any time up until the renewal date, meaning MLOs can start working on them as early as January 1st.
CE must be completed in the same year of licensure, unless federal PE was completed in the same year.
A late CE is required for an MLO returning to the industry.
Upcoming NMLS Continuing Education Deadlines
Each state has different education completion deadlines. Please double-check your state's renewal period and deadlines with the NMLS. Remember the NMLS SMART Deadline to complete your Continuing Education is on Friday, December 8th.
*NOTE: MLOs newly licensed by UT-DRE between November 1, 2022 - October 31, 2023, are required to complete a 5-hour post-licensure course before their first renewal. This 5-hour course is required and must be completed by October 24, 2023 to be able to request their renewal on November 1st, 2023, or the course must be completed and ready to process by December 24, 2023 to request an on-time renewal. This is in addition to the 9 hours of annual CE already required for MLOs (8hrs + 1hrs of UT-specific).
Continuing Education Course Access will end on Friday, December 29th.
No refunds will be granted to those with unfinished courses due to this deadline.
NMLS-Approved Late Continuing Education
If CE hour requirements change, the MLO must meet the new requirements after the effective date of the new requirement documentation.
If an MLO gets their license between November 1st and December 31st, they will not have to complete CE that year.
Late Continuing Education is required for all MLO's who once had an active license, who want to reactivate their license. Please note that requirements vary by state, so check the NMLS renewal checklists and fees listed.
We recommend calling the NMLS to see what may be required.
NMLS phone # 855-665-7123
Why MLOs Like Mortgage Educators Online CE Renewal Courses
Mortgage Educators has been approved with NMLS since 2010, teaching tens of thousands of students nationwide every year. As a leading CE provider, Mortgage Educators offers all CE courses for every state requirement, including late CE for any state. Our seasoned customer support team and CE licensing specialists will ensure you get the right education for your NMLS renewal needs.
Flexible and Valuable
Our industry-leading pricing means you get incredible value no matter which course you're taking. We offer a price match guarantee, making us the best option no matter what the competition may offer.
When you complete your NMLS CE with Mortgage Educators, you can choose the classroom format that works for you, whether it's in person, a live webinar, or an online self-study course with webinar recordings. All formats include engaging, relevant content and excellent customer support.
Well-Reviewed and Dependable
With strong MLO testimonials, high reviews on Reseller Ratings, and Google reviews, Mortgage Educators is the clear choice for your CE courses when you're ready to renew your license. When you have to complete CE courses every year, it's smart to stick with a provider you can rely on. Mortgage Educators stands out as the premier CE provider for our fresh content, high reviews, and expert team. You can even hire our president and mortgage industry expert, David Luna, to come to speak at your next event, giving you an entertaining and educational way to complete your CE requirements.
The Successive Years Rule has led some MLOs to believe the myth that they must take CE from a different provider every year, when really the rule simply states that they cannot take the same course two years in a row. Fortunately, Mortgage Educators writes a brand new course every year, meaning you'll always get the most relevant education, and you'll never have to worry about whether or not you're meeting the Successive Years Rule requirement.
What to Look for in an NMLS-Approved CE Provider
When choosing a CE provider, it's important to seek out a reputable NMLS-approved company that offers customer support and will give you the best education possible. Choosing an NMLS-approved provider will guarantee a higher standard of education, since these providers must undergo a rigid renewal process each year. We've provided information below for steps to take when choosing a NMLS CE provider:
Fresh Content
Choosing a CE provider with fresh content will ensure you meet the Successive Years Rule and never inadvertently take the same course two years in a row. If a provider offers multiple CE courses, there's no way of knowing when each one was created so their mortgage training may be out-of-date. It's much better to go with a provider that is constantly creating new content to meet new guidelines.
Multiple Formats
Everyone has their own preferred learning style. While some may flourish with in-person classes, others may want an online course that can be completed on-the-go. When selecting a CE provider, it’s best to choose one which offers multiple course formats and instruction styles so that you'll be able to learn in your preferred format, style, and schedule.
Reputation
Before choosing a CE provider, make sure you do your research to see what others are saying about them. Do they have good Google and Reseller Ratings reviews? Do they have positive comments on social media? The best CE providers will have a strong online reputation and a good sampling of customer testimonials.
Start Your NMLS License Renewal Courses Today
At Mortgage Educators, we're experts in licensing and education for MLOs. Contact our seasoned professional team to learn more about our CE courses, or to ask any questions you might have about our courses.
