Step 1 - Is my state participating in the NMLS?
Check the map on the State Licensing Requirements Page and review announcements posted on News and Alerts to find out which states have joined, or are about to join, NMLS.
If your state has not yet joined you can still get a head start by requesting an account and completing your record in NMLS. You will not be charged until your jurisdiction participates and you submit a filing to the state agency.
Step 2 - Request an Account
To gain access to the Nationwide Mortgage Licensing System (NMLS) for the first time, a company must submit a form requesting an account. The Company Account Request Form can be accessed at the link below and takes only a few minutes to complete. Once the form has been submitted it will be reviewed for accuracy. If validated, an account will be set up for the company and User IDs and passwords will be issued to the account administrator(s) identified.
Company Account Request Form
Step 3 - Getting Prepared
The following resources will help you prepare to use the NMLS:
Workflow and Quick Guides - Recommended workflow guides for various licensing scenarios along with Quick Guides that cover “how to” for key tasks.
Navigation Guides - Detailed “How To” instructions with screenshots that you can download and print.
MU Forms - Download sample forms to help you gather the necessary information.
Tutorials - Take interactive tutorials covering major topics and tasks.
Step 4 - What does my state require?
Review the jurisdiction-specific requirements for the state in which you are using the NMLS to apply for a license or transitioning an existing license. You can print out a checklist of jurisdiction-specific requirements by going to the State Licensing Requirements Page. If your Jurisdiction is not yet participating, you can enter your record by skipping the License/Registration screen in NMLS and returning to it once your Jurisdiction has joined.
Step 5 - Login & Complete Your Record
Once your company's account administrator(s) receives his or her User ID and password, click on the "Log into NMLS" button above. From there, follow the instructions outlined in the Tutorials and Navigation Guides to complete your record and submit it to your state regulator. If your state has not yet joined NMLS, you can skip the License/Registration screen and create your record and save until your jurisdiction joins NMLS.
Step 6 - Submit & Pay
When you are ready to submit a filing to a state regulator, you will need to run the Completeness Check. Once the Completeness Check is finished, you can submit the filing and pay the licensing fees. Acceptable payment methods are Visa, MasterCard and bank ACH payment (Automated Clearing House). See the ACH Guide for information you may need to provide to your bank if they require pre-authorization of payments.