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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.
C. State-specific Requirements Outside NMLS
Applicants and licensees may be required by a state to submit additional items outside the system.

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:
  - 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.

C. State-specific Requirements Outside NMLS

Applicants and licensees may be required by a state to submit additional items outside the system.

The state licensing requirements will provide instructions that will:

detail any information not contained on the NMLS record that must be submitted by license applicants and licensees; and
explain how certain questions on the licensee’s or applicant’s NMLS record should be answered to meet jurisdiction-specific requirements.

Licensees and applicants can access state licensing requirements by visiting the Licensing Checklists, Requirements, and Fees page on the NMLS Resource Center. Materials submitted outside NMLS are generally expected to be received by the state regulator within 5 days of submission of a filing in NMLS.

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.