Mortgage Loan Originator / South Dakota
2026 data South Dakota board official source

South Dakota Mortgage Loan Originator License Requirements

Compiled from official public sources by the publisher.

Official regulator records behind the requirements, fees, and renewal cycle for this license.

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Helps borrowers obtain home loans. Requires SAFE MLO Test.

What the South Dakota data shows for Mortgage Loan Originators

South Dakota 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 South Dakota's licensing regime, which classifies the training track as "NMLS Pre-License Education (20 hours federal requirement)".

Budget $88 to get started, plus $68 at each renewal on a 1-year cycle. The license also carries an ongoing 8-hour continuing-education requirement per 1-year cycle that adds to the true cost of staying licensed.

On reciprocity, mortgage loan originators should know: SAFE Act: federal license recognized across states via NMLS.

Licensing Ease Score

B-
Licensing Ease Score
68/100
Mortgage Loan Originator · South Dakota

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 C+
$88
One-time application/license fee
Renewal Burden D
$68/yr
$68 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 South Dakota

Education / Training Hours
NMLS Pre-License Education (20 hours federal requirement)
20 hours
Exam Requirement
SAFE Mortgage Loan Originator Test
Required
Initial License Fee
$88
Renewal Fee
$68
Renewal Cycle
Every 1 year
Continuing Education
8 hrs/cycle
Criminal History Check
Required
Minimum Age
18 years

Compare & Explore

Compare all states for Mortgage Loan Originator All South Dakota licenses
Data sources: NCSL Occupational Licensing Database, Institute for Justice, state licensing boards. Verify current requirements with South Dakota licensing authorities before making career decisions.

Frequently Asked Questions

What license do I need for Mortgage Loan Originator in South Dakota? ▼
South Dakota requires 20 education/training hours, passing an exam (SAFE Mortgage Loan Originator Test), and an initial fee of $88. A criminal background check is also required.
How do I get certified as a Mortgage Loan Originator in South Dakota? ▼
To become a licensed mortgage loan originator in South Dakota, you must meet the state's requirements including 20 hours of education. You must also pass the required examination. Contact the South Dakota licensing board to verify current requirements.
Can I transfer my Mortgage Loan Originator license to South Dakota from another state? ▼
Here's how reciprocity typically plays out for mortgage loan originators: SAFE Act: federal license recognized across states via NMLS. Many occupations are additionally covered by interstate licensing compacts that ease cross-state moves. Check with the South Dakota licensing board for how this applies to you.
Does South Dakota require a background check for Mortgage Loan Originator licensing? ▼
Background screening is part of the mortgage loan originator licensing process in South Dakota. The state licensing board determines which offenses disqualify an applicant and how appeals are handled.
What are the continuing education requirements for Mortgage Loan Originator in South Dakota? ▼
Licensed mortgage loan originators in South Dakota must complete 8 hours of continuing education every 1 year. The renewal fee is $68.

Related Guides

What to do with this mortgage loan originator license

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

  • See how South Dakota'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 South Dakota's overall licensing burden compares to other states, not just this one profession. South Dakota overview

Requirements shown are compiled from NCSL and Institute for Justice research; verify current rules with the South Dakota 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.

Read our methodology - how this data is sourced, computed, and verified.