Where is Mortgage Loan Originator a licensed occupation?

51 states require a license for Mortgage Loan Originator practitioners. Same-lane licenses to open next: Certified Public Accountant (CPA); Debt Collector; Insurance Agent.

How much training before a Mortgage Loan Originator license?

On average, states require approximately 20 hours of education or training, with requirements ranging from 20 to 20 hours. For contrast in the same category, open Certified Public Accountant (CPA) next.

How expensive is Mortgage Loan Originator licensing to start?

The average initial licensing fee is $361, ranging from $30 to $740 across states. Fee shape for Insurance Agent is a useful same-lane check.

Does Mortgage Loan Originator transfer without a full retest?

License reciprocity varies by state. Many states participate in interstate compacts that allow license portability. Check the reciprocity information in the state-by-state details for your specific situation. Compact coverage can differ for Certified Public Accountant (CPA) even when the boards look similar.

Is a written or practical exam required for Mortgage Loan Originator?

51 out of 51 states require passing an examination to obtain a mortgage loan originator license. Exam requirements, names, and formats vary by state, check the state-by-state table above for specifics.

Will a Mortgage Loan Originator application include a background check?

51 out of 51 states require a criminal background check as part of the mortgage loan originator licensing process. Background check requirements and disqualifying offenses vary by jurisdiction.

Professions / Finance

Occupational licensing · Finance · 51 state boards

Mortgage Loan Originator Licensing Requirements by State

Mortgage Loan Originator licensing rules differ by state. According to the National Conference of State Legislatures (NCSL) compilation and responsible state boards (current as of May 15, 2026), this registry compares education hours, initial and renewal fees, exams, background checks and reciprocity notes across 51 boards. Use the table to compare differences, then verify the current rule with the responsible board before applying.

Mortgage Loan Originator across 51 state boards. Nearest coverage peers (51-state band): Certified Public Accountant (CPA), Debt Collector, Insurance Agent.

By PlainCredential ·Compiled from official state licensing boards

States regulated: 51
Avg initial fee: $361
Require an exam: 100%
Avg education hours: 20

View saved licenses

Board Pathway Strip

Mortgage Loan Originator: 51 boards · ~20 avg pre-licensure hrs · exam on 100% · background check on 100% · avg first fee $361. Same-lane boards: Certified Public Accountant (CPA), Debt Collector, Insurance Agent.

Pre-licensure hour neighbourhood for Mortgage Loan Originator

Mortgage Loan Originator vs. every tracked profession

Average confirmed pre-licensure education hours, board-sourced state requirements

20 42nd of 47 higher than 5 of 47 professions

professions with confirmed education-hour requirements, bucketed by value

Each bar is a band; taller bars hold more professions. The dashed line + filled bar mark this entry. Hover or tap any bar for its full count and share, and where it sits relative to this entry.

Source PlainCredential NCSL and state-board corpus · 2026

Helps borrowers obtain home loans. Requires SAFE MLO Test.

Mortgage Loan Originator initial fees swing $30 (NH) to $740 (CA), a $710 spread across 51 boards ; Certified Public Accountant (CPA) often lands on a different fee band.

Board thresholds for Mortgage Loan Originator drift board-to-board; the same pattern shows up on Certified Public Accountant (CPA) and Debt Collector in finance. Methodology notes live on our methods page.

Mortgage Loan Originator states

Below median

Mortgage Loan Originator edu hrs

20 hrs

Bottom quartile, lowest

Mortgage Loan Originator first fee

$361

Top 10% highest

Mortgage Loan Originator renewal

$246

Top 10% highest

Board gates for Mortgage Loan Originator: exam on 51/51 (100%), background check on 51/51 (100%) , CE on 51/51 (avg 8 hrs/cycle) . Stack that against Certified Public Accountant (CPA) / Debt Collector before calling this license soft or hard.

Training-hour peers beyond finance

Coverage band

Hour load

Chauffeur / Limousine Driver · 18 avg hrs
Pest Control Applicator · 18 avg hrs
Process Server · 26 avg hrs
Food Handler / Food Safety Certification · 3 avg hrs

Cheapest vs priciest jurisdiction for Mortgage Loan Originator

A $710 fee spread for the same credential

Initial licensing fees in New Hampshire ($ 30) and California ($ 740) bracket the field, a 24.7× spread for identical practice rights.

New Hampshire

$30 initial licensing fee

Renewal cycle: 1 year

California

$740 initial licensing fee

Renewal cycle: 1 year

Mortgage Loan Originator boards vs Certified Public Accountant (CPA) / Debt Collector - state table

51 states

State	Edu. Hours	Exam	Init. Fee	Renewal	Cycle	CE Hrs	Same-board peer
Alabama	20	Yes	$254	$176	1 yr	8	Also Food Handler / Food Safety Certification · Home Inspector
Alaska	20	Yes	$137	$100	1 yr	8	Also Fire Sprinkler Installer · Home Health Aide
Arizona	20	Yes	$629	$421	1 yr	8	Also Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) · Mobile Home Installer
Arkansas	20	Yes	$205	$144	1 yr	8	Also Home Health Aide · Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW)
California	20	Yes	$740	$494	1 yr	8	Also Notary Public · Pesticide Applicator (Commercial)
Colorado	20	Yes	$643	$430	1 yr	8	Also Private Investigator · Real Estate Broker
Connecticut	20	Yes	$516	$348	1 yr	8	Also Radiologic Technologist · School Bus Driver
Delaware	20	Yes	$429	$290	1 yr	8	Also Real Estate Broker · School Librarian / Media Specialist
District of Columbia	20	Yes	$443	$299	1 yr	8	Also Radiologic Technologist · School Bus Driver
Florida	20	Yes	$478	$322	1 yr	8	Also Dental Assistant · Emergency Medical Technician (EMT)
Georgia	20	Yes	$361	$246	1 yr	8	Also Elevator Installer · General Contractor
Hawaii	20	Yes	$598	$401	1 yr	8	Also Medical Lab Technician · Painter (Contractor)
Idaho	20	Yes	$127	$94	1 yr	8	Also Pharmacy Technician · Professional Engineer (PE)
Illinois	20	Yes	$692	$462	1 yr	8	Also Professional Geologist · Respiratory Therapist
Indiana	20	Yes	$341	$233	1 yr	8	Also Radiologic Technologist · School Bus Driver
Iowa	20	Yes	$166	$119	1 yr	8	Also Pest Control Applicator · Plumber
Kansas	20	Yes	$156	$113	1 yr	8	Also Commercial Truck Driver (CDL) · Electrician
Kentucky	20	Yes	$225	$157	1 yr	8	Also Dietetic Technician · Farrier / Horseshoer
Louisiana	20	Yes	$555	$373	1 yr	8	Also Childcare Center Director · Dietetic Technician
Maine	20	Yes	$49	$43	1 yr	8	Also Hearing Aid Specialist · Landscape Architect
Maryland	20	Yes	$507	$341	1 yr	8	Also Hair Braider · Land Surveyor
Massachusetts	20	Yes	$487	$329	1 yr	8	Also Funeral Director / Embalmer · HVAC Technician
Michigan	20	Yes	$371	$252	1 yr	8	Also Insurance Agent · Locksmith
Minnesota	20	Yes	$283	$195	1 yr	8	Also Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) · Mobile Home Installer
Mississippi	20	Yes	$244	$170	1 yr	8	Also Medical Assistant · Optometrist
Missouri	20	Yes	$273	$189	1 yr	8	Also Licensed Professional Counselor · Nail Technician
Montana	20	Yes	$575	$386	1 yr	8	Also Medical Lab Technician · Painter (Contractor)
Nebraska	20	Yes	$147	$106	1 yr	8	Also Nail Technician · Pest Control Applicator
Nevada	20	Yes	$670	$448	1 yr	8	Also Professional Engineer (PE) · Registered Nurse
New Hampshire	20	Yes	$30	$30	1 yr	8	Also Optician (Dispensing) · Pharmacy Technician
New Jersey	20	Yes	$497	$335	1 yr	8	Also Painter (Contractor) · Physical Therapist
New Mexico	20	Yes	$585	$392	1 yr	8	Also Pesticide Applicator (Commercial) · Private Investigator
New York	20	Yes	$454	$307	1 yr	8	Also Radiologic Technologist · School Bus Driver
North Carolina	20	Yes	$351	$240	1 yr	8	Also Medical Lab Technician · Painter (Contractor)
North Dakota	20	Yes	$108	$81	1 yr	8	Also Mobile Home Installer · Paramedic
Ohio	20	Yes	$400	$271	1 yr	8	Also Radiologic Technologist · School Bus Driver
Oklahoma	20	Yes	$176	$125	1 yr	8	Also Registered Dietitian / Nutritionist · Secondary School Teacher
Oregon	20	Yes	$707	$472	1 yr	8	Also Secondary School Teacher · Tattoo Artist
Pennsylvania	20	Yes	$439	$297	1 yr	8	Also Secondary School Teacher · Tattoo Artist
Rhode Island	20	Yes	$565	$379	1 yr	8	Also Farrier / Horseshoer · Hearing Aid Specialist
South Carolina	20	Yes	$186	$132	1 yr	8	Also Insurance Agent · Locksmith
South Dakota	20	Yes	$88	$68	1 yr	8	Also Interior Designer · Marriage and Family Therapist
Tennessee	20	Yes	$302	$208	1 yr	8	Also Private Investigator · Real Estate Broker
Texas	20	Yes	$409	$278	1 yr	8	Also Respiratory Therapist · Septic System Installer
Utah	20	Yes	$234	$163	1 yr	8	Also Tax Preparer · Animal Breeder
Vermont	20	Yes	$59	$49	1 yr	8	Also Certified Nurse-Midwife · Debt Collector
Virginia	20	Yes	$322	$221	1 yr	8	Also Surgical Technologist · Water Well Driller
Washington	20	Yes	$614	$411	1 yr	8	Also Body Piercer · Cosmetologist
West Virginia	20	Yes	$234	$163	1 yr	8	Also Food Handler / Food Safety Certification · Home Inspector
Wisconsin	20	Yes	$264	$182	1 yr	8	Also Court Reporter / Stenographer · Elementary School Teacher
Wyoming	20	Yes	$69	$55	1 yr	8	Also Glazier · Interior Designer

What to do with this

Mortgage Loan Originator is regulated in 51 states -- here's how to use that before you act.

Mortgage Loan Originator ranks #42 of 47 professions by average pre-licensure education hours -- see how it compares to similar roles. Browse all professions
#53 of 97 professions by number of states requiring a license -- see which states are strictest overall. State burden rankings
Initial fees for Mortgage Loan Originator range from $30 (NH) to $740 (CA) -- check whether your license transfers before assuming you'd need to pay again. Reciprocity guide

Requirements are compiled from NCSL and Institute for Justice research and verified against state board sites where possible; always confirm current rules with the licensing board before relying on any single row.

Data sources

Every figure on PlainCredential is rendered directly from NCSL and state occupational- licensing board data, no number is typed in by an editor. Mortgage Loan Originator requirements from NCSL and state board schedules: 51 rows, no hand-typed figures. See our editorial standards & corrections policy, the methodology behind these numbers, or report a data error.