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Nationwide Multi-Licensing System & Registry (NMLS) NMLS Approved Education—Policies and Notices (January 1, 2026)
  • Functional Specifications for All NMLS Approved Courses (version 17)
  • Approved and Not Approved Topics: PE and CE
  • Education Policies
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  2. Functional Specifications for All NMLS Approved Courses (version 17)

    This document is effective January 1, 2026. All courses submitted for approval on or after January 1, 2026 must be in compliance with these requirements unless other dates are specified.

  3. Section 3: Specific Requirements for Classroom Equivalent (Webinar) Courses

    Prior to reviewing the requirements for the specific course format, please ensure that all requirements are met as listed in education/funcSpec/maps/topics/nmlsFS_genReqs.html.

  • Functional Specifications for All NMLS Approved Courses (version 17)

    This document is effective January 1, 2026. All courses submitted for approval on or after January 1, 2026 must be in compliance with these requirements unless other dates are specified.

    • Executive Overview

      This document outlines specific design and technical requirements associated with having a course approved by NMLS.

    • Section 1: General Requirements for All Course Formats

      The following section is applicable to ALL course formats, classroom course, classroom equivalent course (webinar), Online Instructor-led (OIL), and Online Self-Study (OSS).

    • Section 2: Specific Requirements for Classroom Courses

      Prior to reviewing the requirements for the specific course format, please ensure that all requirements are met as listed in education/funcSpec/maps/topics/nmlsFS_genReqs.html.

    • Section 3: Specific Requirements for Classroom Equivalent (Webinar) Courses

      Prior to reviewing the requirements for the specific course format, please ensure that all requirements are met as listed in education/funcSpec/maps/topics/nmlsFS_genReqs.html.

      • 3.1 Course Requirements

        Classroom equivalent courses are generally intended to be delivered to meet the following two scenarios:

      • 3.2 Course Delivery Personnel: Roles and Responsibilities

        Because of the potential high number of students taking this course format, and the venue in which the course format is typically offered, classroom equivalent courses typically require the support of a greater number of people. In most situations, the following roles and responsibilities apply:

      • 3.3 Class Size and Physical Environment

        There is no fixed floor or ceiling limit on the number of students that a course provider using the classroom equivalent format can teach. However, course providers need to take into consideration the following:

      • 3.4 Requirement for Student Authentication

        Course providers are required to employ a means to verify that a student is in attendance by one of the following means:

      • 3.5 Validation of Attendance

        The course provider is required to verify that the student has attended the entire course offering to receive course credit. If the course provider cannot verify full attendance, the student must re-take the entire course.

      • 3.6 Interaction Requirements

        To ensure course interaction, at least two of the following activities must be incorporated throughout the course:

      • 3.7 Technical Requirements

      • 3.8 Requirement for Issuance and Enforcement of Rules of Conduct for Students

        Prior to the start of every NMLS approved course offering, every student must agree to the Rules of Conduct for Students (ROCS) V4. The Rules of Conduct, which are made available to course providers by NMLS, are required to be displayed and agreed to by students under the following conditions:

    • Section 4: Specific Requirements for Online Instructor-Led (OIL) Courses

      The online instructor led format is reserved for prelicensure education with the exception of prelicensure state-specific courses that are ten (10) hours or less which must be offered in the online self-study (OSS) format.

    • Section 5: Specific Requirements for Online Self-Study (OSS) Courses

      The online self-study format is reserved for CE courses and PE state-specific courses that are ten (10) hours or less in length.

Section 3: Specific Requirements for Classroom Equivalent (Webinar) Courses

Prior to reviewing the requirements for the specific course format, please ensure that all requirements are met as listed in Section 1: General Requirements for All Course Formats.

  • 3.1 Course Requirements
    Classroom equivalent courses are generally intended to be delivered to meet the following two scenarios:
  • 3.2 Course Delivery Personnel: Roles and Responsibilities
    Because of the potential high number of students taking this course format, and the venue in which the course format is typically offered, classroom equivalent courses typically require the support of a greater number of people. In most situations, the following roles and responsibilities apply:
  • 3.3 Class Size and Physical Environment
    There is no fixed floor or ceiling limit on the number of students that a course provider using the classroom equivalent format can teach. However, course providers need to take into consideration the following:
  • 3.4 Requirement for Student Authentication
    Course providers are required to employ a means to verify that a student is in attendance by one of the following means:
  • 3.5 Validation of Attendance
    The course provider is required to verify that the student has attended the entire course offering to receive course credit. If the course provider cannot verify full attendance, the student must re-take the entire course.
  • 3.6 Interaction Requirements
    To ensure course interaction, at least two of the following activities must be incorporated throughout the course:
  • 3.7 Technical Requirements
  • 3.8 Requirement for Issuance and Enforcement of Rules of Conduct for Students
    Prior to the start of every NMLS approved course offering, every student must agree to the Rules of Conduct for Students (ROCS) V4. The Rules of Conduct, which are made available to course providers by NMLS, are required to be displayed and agreed to by students under the following conditions:

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