NMLS License Renewal - Online CE Courses

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, 2024 to be able to request their renewal on November 1st, 2024, or the course must be completed and ready to process by December 24, 2024 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 Tuesday, December 31st.

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

Don’t have your NMLS license yet?