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Introduction and Purpose
The goal of NMLS is to improve consumer finance, debt, fiduciary services, money services and mortgage industry supervision, heighten communication across states, increase consistency in licensing requirements, and automate processes to the greatest degree possible.
Chapter I—Getting Started on the System
NMLS is designed to replace each state’s existing licensing application forms and manual processes.
A. Getting Started
Getting started necessitates three steps:
Determine if a License is on NMLS
Each state agency determines which of their license authorities they wish to manage through NMLS. License authorities managed through NMLS include consumer finance, debt, fiduciary services, money services businesses, and mortgage.

Introduction and Purpose
The goal of NMLS is to improve consumer finance, debt, fiduciary services, money services and mortgage industry supervision, heighten communication across states, increase consistency in licensing requirements, and automate processes to the greatest degree possible.
- Chapter I—Getting Started on the System
  NMLS is designed to replace each state’s existing licensing application forms and manual processes.
  - Terminology Used in this Chapter
  - A. Getting Started
    Getting started necessitates three steps:
    - Determine if a License is on NMLS
      Each state agency determines which of their license authorities they wish to manage through NMLS. License authorities managed through NMLS include consumer finance, debt, fiduciary services, money services businesses, and mortgage.
    - Account Creation
      Companies and individuals who need to apply for a license in NMLS must first create an account.
    - Record Creation
      Once an account is created, companies and individuals must create their record in the System. Each distinct legal entity, branch, and natural person will have a single, unique record in the NMLS.
  - B. Licensee Responsibility for Their One Record in NMLS
    Each company and individual is responsible for their record in NMLS.
  - C. State-specific Requirements Outside NMLS
    Applicants and licensees may be required by a state to submit additional items outside the system.
  - D. Creation of New Company Record
    Each distinct company in NMLS will have a single record, regardless of licensing status or the number of jurisdictions in which they are licensed.
  - E. Amendments to a Company’s Structure That Will Require the Creation of a New NMLS Record
    Changes made to a company’s structure may necessitate a new company record. Whether a new record is required depends on how the change is treated pursuant to the state statutory provisions under which the company was formed and/or how the IRS treats the change.
  - F. Consumer Access and Publicly Available Information
    Some information from a licensee’s record is made publicly available through NMLS Consumer Access which is a separate system.

Determine if a License is on NMLS

Each state agency determines which of their license authorities they wish to manage through NMLS. License authorities managed through NMLS include consumer finance, debt, fiduciary services, money services businesses, and mortgage.

Business activities drive license types in the System. Business Activity Detail applies to NMLS and SES.

It is important to note that a state agency may not manage all of these license authorities on NMLS.

NMLS is designed to replace each state’s existing licensing application forms and manual processes and therefore it is intended to be the sole vehicle for applicants or licensees to apply for and manage these licenses.

Contact the NMLS Call Center with any questions: 1-855-665-7123
Monday - Friday from 9:00AM to 9:00PM ET
Available from all U.S. States and Territories.