Mortgage Loan Originator / Texas
2026 data Texas board official source

Texas Mortgage Loan Originator License Requirements

Compiled from official public sources by the publisher.

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

PlainCredential home → About this data

Helps borrowers obtain home loans. Requires SAFE MLO Test.

What the Texas data shows for Mortgage Loan Originators

To practice as a mortgage loan originator in Texas, the state licensing board requires 20 documented education or training hours, a passing score on SAFE Mortgage Loan Originator Test. A criminal history background check is also part of the application. Applicants must be at least 18 years old. The regulation sits under Texas's professional licensing framework, which classifies the training track as "NMLS Pre-License Education (20 hours federal requirement)".

The initial price tag is $409, and renewal costs $278 every 1 years. Maintaining the license requires 8 hours of continuing education per 1-year cycle, an ongoing cost applicants often underestimate when budgeting the career.

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

Licensing Ease Score

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

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
$409
One-time application/license fee
Renewal Burden F
$278/yr
$278 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 Texas

Education / Training Hours
NMLS Pre-License Education (20 hours federal requirement)
20 hours
Exam Requirement
SAFE Mortgage Loan Originator Test
Required
Initial License Fee
$409
Renewal Fee
$278
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 Texas licenses
Data sources: NCSL Occupational Licensing Database, Institute for Justice, state licensing boards. Verify current requirements with Texas licensing authorities before making career decisions.

Frequently Asked Questions

What license do I need for Mortgage Loan Originator in Texas? ▼
In Texas, the license path calls for 20 education/training hours, a passing score on SAFE Mortgage Loan Originator Test, and a $409 initial fee. A criminal background check is required as well.
How do I get certified as a Mortgage Loan Originator in Texas? ▼
To become a licensed mortgage loan originator in Texas, you must meet the state's requirements including 20 hours of education. You must also pass the required examination. Contact the Texas licensing board to verify current requirements.
Can I transfer my Mortgage Loan Originator license to Texas from another state? ▼
For mortgage loan originators, the reciprocity landscape looks like this: SAFE Act: federal license recognized across states via NMLS. Many professions are also covered by interstate licensing compacts that facilitate portability between states. Contact the Texas licensing board to confirm how it applies to your specific credential.
Does Texas require a background check for Mortgage Loan Originator licensing? ▼
Texas does require a background check before issuing a mortgage loan originator license. What counts as disqualifying, and how it's reviewed, is up to the state licensing board.
What are the continuing education requirements for Mortgage Loan Originator in Texas? ▼
Licensed mortgage loan originators in Texas must complete 8 hours of continuing education every 1 year. The renewal fee is $278.

Related Guides

What to do with this mortgage loan originator license

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

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

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