2.0 Test Enrollment Procedures (NMLS)

This chapter details how individuals can register and pay for the SAFE MLO Test.

2.1 Overview of Testing Process

To take an MLO test, an individual must:

  1. Have or create an account in NMLS.

    All individuals seeking an MLO license are required to have or create an account in NMLS prior to enrolling for a test. Click Request an Individual NMLS Account for instructions on how to create an account in NMLS.

  2. Create and pay for a test enrollment window for the SAFE MLO test in NMLS.

    A test enrollment window may be paid for by the individual directly or by any company with access to the individual's NMLS record. For more information on how to create a test enrollment window, click Individual Test Enrollments or Company Test Enrollments for Individual.

  3. Accept the Candidate Test Security and Confidentiality Agreement (Candidate Agreement).

    All test candidates are required to accept the Candidate Agreement prior to scheduling each SAFE MLO Test. If the Candidate Agreement is not accepted, the candidate will not be able to schedule or take any test. To view the Candidate Agreement, please click Candidate Agreement

  4. Schedule an appointment with Prometric.

    A test center appointment can be scheduled online or by telephone. Tests are administered at nearly three hundred locations in the United States, Puerto Rico, and the US. Virgin Islands operated by Prometric.

  5. Arrive at the test center.

    Individuals should arrive or log in thirty (30) minutes prior to the scheduled appointment with a current (non-expired) government-issued identification that includes the candidate’s photo and signature.

    Note: While the SAFE Act does not require MLOs to complete their pre-licensure education prior to scheduling and taking a test, pre-licensure education classes can be helpful. Access the NMLS Approved Course Provider List for more information regarding approved course providers and classes.

2.2 Create an NMLS User Account

An MLO must have or establish an individual NMLS user account before a test enrollment window can be created. Click Request an Individual NMLS Account for step-by-step instructions on creating an individual account in NMLS.

The email address provided when creating the NMLS user account is used by NMLS to send test enrollment and test result notifications to the individual.

2.3 Test Enrollment**

Prior to scheduling an appointment to take the SAFE MLO National test, a test enrollment window must be created and paid for in NMLS. Test enrollments windows can be created by an individual MLO directly or by any company with access to the MLO’s NMLS record.

The Test Enrollment functions can be found under the MLO Testing & Education tab in NMLS. Click NMLS Login Page to access the login page for NMLS.

Company users have two options to assist with test enrollment for their MLOs. Individuals can click Individual Test Enrollments to access instructions to complete the test enrollment process.

Companies can select multiple MLOs for test enrollment. Prior to submission of test enrollment requests, the requester is required to pay all associated test fees through NMLS. Company users can click Company Test Enrollments for Individual for the Company test enrollment process. Candidates will also be required to accept the Candidate Agreement prior to scheduling their test with Prometric.

2.4 Candidate Agreement

All test candidates are required to accept the Candidate Agreement prior to scheduling any SAFE MLO Test. If the Candidate Agreement is not accepted, the candidate will not be able to schedule or take any test. To view the Candidate Agreement, please click Candidate Agreement.

2.5 Test Fees

Payments are NOT accepted at the test center. Test fees must be paid in NMLS when creating a test enrollment window. The current test fee is $110.

Test enrollment fees are non-refundable and non-transferable. If a test enrollment window is closed for any reason prior to the candidate taking the related test, a new test enrollment window must be created and paid for prior to the candidate scheduling and taking the test.

Note: Test enrollment fees are non-refundable and non-transferable.

2.6 Test Enrollment Windows

Once a test enrollment request and payment have been submitted and processed by NMLS, a 180-day test enrollment window is opened. During this 180-day period, the test candidate is required to accept the Candidate Agreement, schedule and take the test. Failure to accept the Candidate Agreement and/or take the test within 180-days will result in the test enrollment window closing.

In most circumstances, the enrollment window will open with a start-date on the date the test was paid for in NMLS. However, in certain instances, the start-date of the enrollment window may be a future date. See 10.0 Retaking a Failed Test/ Waiting Period for information on the waiting period.

2.7 Contact Information

For questions concerning NMLS and tests being administered, please contact the NMLS Call Center at 1-855-NMLS-123 (1-855-665-7123) .

For information on the SAFE Mortgage Licensing Act, visit the NMLS Resource Center.