New License Applications

Modified on Tue, 3 Jan, 2023 at 1:55 PM

This article will help you acquire the necessary steps to acquire a new license within NMLS. In order to acquire a new license, you will need to submit a new MU4 and complete all checklists for the state license you are applying for.

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Checklist for NMLS Licenses
Pre-Licensure Requirements
MU4 Application
Temporary Authority to Operate

Checklist for NMLS Licenses

NMLS provides checklists for Mortgage Loan Originators (MLO) to help them get licensed in the appropriate state(s) they are looking for.

Go to NMLS State Licensing
Select the state you want to get licensed in.
Scroll to the bottom, you will find Individual Licenses. On the right you will see New Application, click to open the link.
Follow the checklist and make sure you meet all requirements when applying for your license.

Pre-Licensure Requirements

In most license checklists, there will be a prerequisite before you can apply for the license in NMLS. The main two requirements are Pre-Licensure Education* and Testing.

All states will require Pre-Licensure Education. The hours needed for pre-licensure is dependent on which state you're looking to get licensed. You can take your education through Mortgage Educators, see the article: Acquiring a New License - Pre-Licensure Education for reference.
Testing will be scheduled in NMLS. You will have the option to schedule either a Test Center or an Online Test. Your test will be for the SAFE Mortgage Loan Originator Test- National Component with Uniform State Content. To schedule your test, login to your NMLS and find the tab MLO Testing & Education and go to Schedule Appointments on the far-left columns. Click the Schedule - Test Center or Schedule - Online Test and complete the process.

MU4 Application

To submit an application in NMLS, follow the steps below. For additional assistance see Individual (MU4) Filing on how to file an individual filing.

To submit a filing on NMLS, login to you account and go to the Filing tab found on the top right.
Go to your Individual (MU4) filing and start a new filing.
Under License/Registration Information, click Add on the bottom and select the state you want to get licensed in and follow the prompts in NMLS.
You will also need to complete all sections on the far-left columns. Some personal information may be required to fill out. (See Below for reference).
Once all information has been filled out and the checklist for state licenses have been completed and uploaded under Document Uploads, you will need to Attest and Submit the filing.
Once your filing has been attested, you will receive license items from the state agency you registered with. At this time, you will also need to submit a ticket for Sponsorship Request.
1. License items can be found under the Composite View tab, go to Individual, then on the left go to State License/Registration List to find the license items.
2. License Items are used to communicate between the state agency and the licensee regarding updates that the state will need to approve/maintain their license.
Once you are fully approved, you are ready to originate within the state!

Temporary Authority to Operate

If you are already registered with NMLS and have an active license or had an active federal license within the last 6 month, you will be granted Temporary Authority to Operate.

Temporary Authority to Operate is an automatic status that the state will grant you to operate under your new license. Once Temporary Authority is given to you, you will need to complete all license items required by the state within a given timeframe. During this time, you will be able to originate and close loans under your name. Once all License items are cleared with the state, your license status will be changed to an approved state. If you do not complete all license items within the time frame, your license will be revoked, and cannot originate or close under that license.

*Note: Pre-licensure Education is not needed when applying with Temporary Authority.