Frequently Asked Questions

The FAQ is organized by the following categories:

Testing | Education | Background Check | Credit Report

Testing

Q.	How do I prepare and enroll to take either the National Component or Unique State Component of the SAFE MLO Test?
	A. The MLO Testing Handbook, which is available on the Testing Page of the NMLS Resource Center, has specific information on how to enroll for both the National Component and the Unique State Component of the test. When studying for the test, be sure to also review the Content Outlines and Reference Lists.
Q.	What is the cost associated with taking either the National Component or the Unique State Component of the test?
	A. The fees associated with taking each component of the test are posted on the Testing Page.
Q.	Do I need to take a course prior to taking one of the tests?
	A. No, you are not required to take a pre-licensure course prior to taking either the National Component or the Unique State Component of the test. However, most candidates do take a course to help them prepare to take and pass the test. Regardless of whether you choose to complete a preparation course prior to taking a specific test component, you are still required to complete the 20 hours of pre-licensure education.
Q.	Do I need to pass more than one Unique State Component if I am licensed or wish to be licensed in more than one state?
	A. Yes, state-licensed mortgage loan originators are required to take the Unique State Component for each state in which they are or seek to become licensed. Many agencies require a passing score on the State component prior to submitting their application for licensure.
Q.	Do I need to pass the National Component of the test more than once if I would like to be licensed in more than one state?
	A. No, the National Component of the test need only be passed once, unless an individual is unlicensed for a period of five years or more. Additionally, once a candidate has passed any test component, the candidate cannot retake that particular test component.
Q.	If I work for a Commercial Bank do I need to take the SAFE MLO Test?
	A. If you work for an insured depository regulated by OCC, OTS, FDIC, FRB and NCUA or the Farm Credit Administration you are not required to take the SAFE MLO Test. As a registrant you still can and may want to take the SAFE MLO Test.
Q.	If I am a state licensed MLO who wants to be licensed in one state but lives in another, will I be able to take the state test at a local testing location? For example, if I want to be licensed in Arizona but live in Maryland, will I be able to take the Arizona test locally?
	A. Yes, an individual in Maryland will be able to register for and visit a local test center to take the Arizona State Component of the SAFE test. The National and all State Test Components will be available at all test centers. For more information about the enrollment process, please refer to the MLO Testing Handbook.
Q.	What is the length of the test?
	A. The National Component of the S.A.F.E. Mortgage Loan Originator Test consists of a total of 100 test questions: 90 are scored and 10 are not scored. The test time will be 150 minutes with an additional 30 minutes for completing a tutorial and an optional candidate survey. Each State-Specific Component of the SAFE MLO Test consists of 45 to 55 scored test questions and an additional 10 test questions are not scored. The exact number of scored test questions for each state test is listed in the state's test content outline. The test time will be 90 minutes with an additional 30 minutes for completing a tutorial and an optional candidate survey.
Q.	If I have several mortgage loan originators who need to take the same test, can I schedule group testing appointments?
	A. Yes, if five or more MLOs need to take the same test component, a company representative can use the bulk reservation tools to schedule a group testing appointment. Please visit the Pearson VUE or Prometric Websites for more information.
Q.	I've selected and paid for an enrollment window, but the enrollment period does not start right away. Why does my enrollment window only open several days or weeks into the future?
	A. Typically the enrollment window begins with the current date. However, if the selected test is available for scheduling, but is not yet being administered, the enrollment window start date will be the first date the test is offered. Also, if a candidate has recently failed the specified test, the new enrollment window will start on the first date after the required waiting period. See the Testing Page for specifics on how view a test enrollment window.
Q.	What if I need to cancel or reschedule my testing appointment?
	A. Test enrollment fees are non-refundable and non-transferable. You may cancel or reschedule a reservation by contacting either the Pearson VUE or Prometric call center, depending on which testing center you have selected. You must cancel or reschedule your test no later than 12 p.m. local time (at the location where the exam is being taken) two business days prior to your scheduled appointment.
Q.	What should I bring with me to the test center?
	A. You must bring one form of a current (non-expired) government-issued identification that includes your photograph and signature.
Q.	Can I bring a calculator and/or scratch paper into the test center?
	A. The testing center will provide a basic calculator and white board that will function as scratch paper.
Q.	Are we allowed to take restroom breaks during the test?
	A. Yes, restroom breaks are permitted. However, the test clock will not stop while you are taking a break, and as a result, your test time will be shortened. Individuals are not, however, allowed to go anywhere other than the restroom on breaks. Candidates are not allowed to access their lockers while on break. For a full set of rules, see Rules of Conduct.
Q.	What am I allowed to bring into the test center?
	A. No personal items are permitted to be brought into the test center. This includes but is not limited to: cell phones, pagers, purses, wallets, coats, hats, etc. All of these items must be locked in a secure locker upon arrival. Also, no food or drink is permitted in the test center.
Q.	How will the tests be scored?
	A. All of the tests will be scored electronically. Once a candidate has finished taking a test component, the candidate's score (percentage correct) and test result (pass/fail designation) will appear on the screen. Before departing the test center, a printed score report will be presented to the candidate by the test center administrator. Approximately 48 hours after the test is completed, NMLS will post the official score and results to the Testing Information section under the Composite View of the NMLS record.
Q.	What score do I need to get to pass the test?
	A. By law, all MLOs seeking state-licensure, or currently holding a state license, are required to pass both the national and state components of the SAFE MLO Test with a score not less than 75% on each component. (6/26/09)
Q.	Why are there un-scored questions on the test?
	A. The ten pre-test (un-scored) questions appearing on the National Component and each State Specific Component are pre-determined and do not affect the candidate's score or the pass/fail result in any way. These pre-test questions are being pilot tested for future use, as part of the quality control procedure. Once these pre-test questions are tested on a sufficiently large sample of candidates, these questions will be reviewed to determine if they meet appropriate test standards to be considered for use as scored test questions on future tests.
Q.	What is the SAFE MLO Test pass rate?
	A. The pass rate for the SAFE MLO Test (National Component and Aggregate State Components) is published and frequently updated on the NMLS Resource Center. See Test Performance Information.
Q.	I have a disability and need a special accommodation for the test. What do I need to do?
	A. In compliance with the provisions of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), reasonable testing accommodations with modifications and aids will be provided to candidates with documented disabilities. Please visit our Special Accommodations Page for more information.
Q.	What does it mean that my test has an “effective date?”
	A. If the test you intend to take contains an “effective date” it means that the test question content is based on legislation, rules and regulations which were current as of the posted effective date. In instances where legislation changes after the effective date, test content will not reflect those changes. Until a test component carries an effective date, candidates and course providers should assume that the test content reflects current statutes, regulations, and rules.
Q.	Will all tests eventually have “effective dates”?
	A. The “Effective Dating” practice will be applied to selected test components and then gradually applied to all test components over time. While “effective dating” is a new process for the SAFE MLO Test, it is a common practice on high stakes tests.

Education

Q.	Who are the NMLS approved education providers?
	A. A list of NMLS approved course providers is posted on the Education Page.
Q.	When do I need to complete my 20 hours of pre-licensure education?
	A. Many state agencies require 20 or more hours of NMLS approved pre-licensure education to be completed prior to submitting an application for a license. Additionally, several agencies require a certain number of hours of state-specific education be completed. Individuals are encouraged to review the State-Specific Education Chart prior to submitting an application to ensure all requirements have been met.
Q.	Do I have to take my pre-licensure or continuing education all at once?
	A. No, you may take multiple courses over a period of time to reach the 20 hour PE or 8 hour CE requirements. However, continuing education only counts for the year in which it is taken so do not plan to take a course in December and then another January since the course taken in January will not count towards meeting the previous year’s continuing education requirement.
Q.	Can I take the same continuing education course two years in a row?
	A. No, the SAFE Act specifically prohibits the taking of the same course in successive years.
Q.	If I work for a Commercial Bank do I need to take the SAFE-required education courses?
	A. If you work for an insured depository regulated by OCC, OTS, FDIC, FRB and NCUA or the Farm Credit Administration you are not required to take the SAFE-required pre or continuing education courses. You still can and may want to take the relevant PE and CE courses to keep your knowledge of industry and regulatory information up-to-date in the event that you change employment and work for a state-licensed lender or broker.
Q.	How do I find and register for NMLS approved education courses?
	A. Individuals should consult the NMLS Master Course Catalog to search for courses by zip code, date, subject, or course type. The catalog can be found on the Education Page.

Background Check

Q.	When will the Criminal Background Check (CBC) feature be available in NMLS?
	A. CBC functionality was made available in NMLS on January 25, 2010.
Q.	What do I have to do to obtain a Criminal Background Check through NMLS and/or where do I get started?
	A. If you are a MLO (MU4) then visit the Criminal Background Check Page to read the "Submitting a CBC Request Quick Guide". If you are a control person (MU2) and not a loan originator (MU4) you currently are not eligible to complete the criminal background check process through NMLS. Refer to the jurisdiction’s Requirements Checklist to see if they will require you to submit a FBI and/or state background check outside NMLS.
Q.	I have already submitted fingerprints to my regulator(s), do I have to have a Criminal Background Check completed through NMLS?
	A. All loan originators must submit fingerprints directly to NMLS using the NMLS authorized fingerprint vendor. The submission of prints to NMLS is for SAFE Act compliance of a national Criminal Background Check. Please review the MLO SAFE Compliance Requirement Chart for any state specific requirements.
Q.	Can I obtain a copy of my criminal background check?
	No. Criminal Background Check results are viewable to state regulators and depositories employing federally registered MLOs only. If you wish to obtain your own criminal background check, you may do so by visiting the FBI website at: http://www.fbi.gov/about-us/cjis/background-checks/background_checks.

Credit Report

Q.	Am I required to authorize a credit report through NMLS?
	A. Every state-licensed mortgage loan originator is required to complete the credit report authorization process through NMLS, even if credit information was previously received by their state regulator. Control Persons (MU2) for state-licensed companies may be required to complete a credit report through NMLS to satisfy state specific requirements. Federally registered MLOs are not required to authorize a credit report.
Q.	Does NMLS require a minimum credit score to obtain a license?
	A. Only state regulators have access to review credit information, including credit scores, on licensees. Every jurisdiction maintains their own standard for licensure.
Q.	What is the state looking for in my credit report and will my license be revoked if my credit isn’t good?
	A. The SAFE Act requires that mortgage loan originator applicants have, “demonstrated financial responsibility, character, and general fitness such as to command the confidence of the community and to warrant a determination that applicants will operate honestly, fairly, and effectively”. Each state regulator will independently review the credit information of MLOs licensed in their jurisdiction. There is no automated standard or minimum score that will be enforced inside NMLS. The SAFE Act leaves it to the discretion of each state regulator to develop their own processes and standards for reviewing credit information and determining the financial responsibility of their licensees.
Q.	What type of credit report gets pulled?
	A. The NMLS credit report is Single Bureau TransUnion Credit Report with Vantage Score
Q.	When the NMLS pulls my credit, will it lower my credit score?
	A. When the credit report is obtained, it will be done through a “soft pull” process which has no effect on the applicants credit score.
Q.	How long is my credit report good for?
	A. The same credit report can be used to satisfy the credit report requirement for both existing licenses and any additional licenses (through Transition Request or New Application) for up to 30 days.
Q.	What does TransUnion consider as foreign address?
	A. Any addresses outside of the United States including the Virgin Island and Puerto Rico are all considered as foreign addresses by TransUnion. Individual with foreign address will see a system default address in place of the current residential address during the IDV process.
Q.	Can I obtain a copy of my credit report?
	State regulators are not permitted to provide a copy of a credit report to individuals directly. You can obtain a copy of your credit report at annualcreditreport.com.