Mortgage Loan Originator / Pennsylvania
2026 data Pennsylvania board official source

Pennsylvania Mortgage Loan Originator License Requirements

State-board requirements, fees, and renewal cycle drawn from official regulator records.

Helps borrowers obtain home loans. Requires SAFE MLO Test.

What the Pennsylvania data shows for Mortgage Loan Originators

Pennsylvania sets the entry bar for mortgage loan originators at 20 training hours and a passing score on SAFE Mortgage Loan Originator Test. A background check is a standard part of the process, and applicants must be 18 or older. The credential is administered under Pennsylvania's licensing regime, which classifies the training track as "NMLS Pre-License Education (20 hours federal requirement)".

The initial price tag is $439, and renewal costs $297 every 1 years. The license also carries an ongoing 8-hour continuing-education requirement per 1-year cycle that adds to the true cost of staying licensed.

For mortgage loan originators, the reciprocity picture is: SAFE Act: federal license recognized across states via NMLS.

Licensing Ease Score

D
Licensing Ease Score
49/100
Mortgage Loan Originator · Pennsylvania

A higher score means this specific license is LESS burdensome to obtain and maintain here than the national requirement corpus, based on education hours, fees, continuing education, and experience requirements, not an overall judgment of the profession or the state.

Education & Training B
20 hours
Documented education/training hours required
Initial Fee F
$439
One-time application/license fee
Renewal Burden F
$297/yr
$297 every 1 year
Continuing Education C+
8.0 hrs/yr
8 hours every 1 year
Experience Required A+
None required
Supervised work experience required before licensure

Licensing Requirements in Pennsylvania

Education / Training Hours
NMLS Pre-License Education (20 hours federal requirement)
20 hours
Exam Requirement
SAFE Mortgage Loan Originator Test
Required
Initial License Fee
$439
Renewal Fee
$297
Renewal Cycle
Every 1 year
Continuing Education
8 hrs/cycle
Criminal History Check
Required
Minimum Age
18 years
Data sources: NCSL Occupational Licensing Database, Institute for Justice, state licensing boards. Verify current requirements with Pennsylvania licensing authorities before making career decisions.

Frequently Asked Questions

What license do I need for Mortgage Loan Originator in Pennsylvania?
In Pennsylvania, the license path calls for 20 education/training hours, a passing score on SAFE Mortgage Loan Originator Test, and a $439 initial fee. A criminal background check is required as well.
How do I get certified as a Mortgage Loan Originator in Pennsylvania?
Pennsylvania licenses mortgage loan originators who complete its requirements (20 education hours) and a passing exam. Verify the latest details with the Pennsylvania licensing board.
Can I transfer my Mortgage Loan Originator license to Pennsylvania from another state?
Reciprocity for mortgage loan originators nationally works like this: SAFE Act: federal license recognized across states via NMLS. Beyond that baseline, interstate compacts exist for many professions and may smooth a transfer into Pennsylvania. Verify the specifics with the Pennsylvania licensing board.
Does Pennsylvania require a background check for Mortgage Loan Originator licensing?
A criminal background check is mandatory for mortgage loan originator licensing in Pennsylvania. The state licensing board sets the disqualifying-offense criteria and review process.
What are the continuing education requirements for Mortgage Loan Originator in Pennsylvania?
Pennsylvania ties continued mortgage loan originator licensure to 8 continuing-education hours, due every 1 year, alongside a $297 renewal fee.

What to do with this mortgage loan originator license

Mortgage Loan Originator in Pennsylvania, with a documented reciprocity path, is one requirement row in a mortgage loan originator-wide, 50-state comparison.

  • See how Pennsylvania's mortgage loan originator requirements compare to every other state before relocating. Mortgage Loan Originator in every state
  • Confirm whether your out-of-state mortgage loan originator license transfers under an interstate compact before starting a new application. Reciprocity guide
  • See how Pennsylvania's overall licensing burden compares to other states, not just this one profession. Pennsylvania overview

Requirements shown are compiled from NCSL and Institute for Justice research; verify current rules with the Pennsylvania licensing board before making career decisions.

Source: NCSL Occupational Licensing Database, Institute for Justice License to Work (3rd Ed.), state licensing board websites

According to the National Conference of State Legislatures and the Institute for Justice, the PlainCredential comparison corpus (current as of May 15, 2026) maps 4,947 state licensing requirement records; see the methodology.