7.0 Test Day

This chapter details what to expect during the SAFE MLO Test Administration, including check-in procedures, security and codes of conduct, and test navigation.

7.1 What to Bring

All candidates must bring one form of a current (non-expired) government-issued identification that includes the candidate’s photo and signature. Acceptable forms of candidate identification include but are not limited to:

  • Government-Issued Driver’s License
  • Passport
  • Military ID
  • Police ID
  • Firearm Owner’s Registration ID
  • Alien Registration Card (green card, permanent resident visa)
Important: The name on the candidate’s ID must match his/her name as it appears on his/her NMLS account.

At check-in, the Test Center Administrator (TCA) will verify that the identification presented matches the name in the test appointment system. Therefore, it is imperative that candidates who have changed their names provide the TCA with certified written documentation of the change (e.g. a marriage license, divorce decree, or other official form of documentation). No faxes or photocopies will be accepted.

Candidates who do not present the required items will be denied admission to the test and considered absent, resulting in closure of their enrollment window and loss of their test enrollment fee.

7.2 Test Procedures

At a testing center:
  • Candidates should report to the test center thirty minutes prior to their scheduled appointment and check in with the Test Center Administrator (TCA).
  • Upon arrival at Prometric test centers, candidates are photographed and scanned with a metal detector wand prior to each entry into a test room.
  • After the check-in process is complete, the TCA will provide a wipe board and a basic calculator. Personal calculators will not be permitted. In the event that the test center does not have a calculator available, candidates have the right to reschedule the appointment at Prometric’s expense. The wipe board and calculator must be returned to the TCA before exiting the test center.
For an online test appointment (only available to those who qualify for Testing Accommodations):
  • There are a number of technical and procedural requirements candidates need to be able to meet or be aware of before they can sit for an online-proctored test appointment. Please carefully review the information provided in Online Proctored Testing.

7.3 Candidate Test Security and Confidentiality Agreement (Candidate Agreement)

The Candidate Test Security and Confidentiality Agreement, also known as the Candidate Agreement, contains important terms and conditions governing your access to the SAFE Mortgage Loan Originator Test (“SAFE MLO Test”). This agreement constitutes a binding contract between you and the State Regulatory Registry, LLC (“SRR”), which owns and operates NMLS. Please read it carefully.

SRR takes the security and integrity of the SAFE MLO Test very seriously. As described in more detail in this Agreement, SAFE MLO Test questions and content are highly confidential and are not to be shared, discussed, or reproduced in any way. Any test taker who is suspected of engaging in conduct that jeopardizes the security and validity of the SAFE MLO Test may have his or her score invalidated, may be denied future access to the test, and may face civil or criminal liability. In addition, state mortgage regulatory agencies may take action against your application or license. At its discretion, NMLS may publicize the sanction of any test misconduct on the NMLS Resource Center or other forum. It is therefore very important that you read and understand the terms of this Candidate Agreement.

7.3 NMLS Rules of Conduct

The NMLS Rules of Conduct, which are listed in 3. You must also comply with the Test Taker’s Rules of Conduct (ROC) at the test site. of the Candidate Agreement, will be presented to candidates prior to the start of the test. The rules of conduct relate to the candidate’s behavior at the test center. Those taking an online proctored test will be required to agree to and abide by the Rules of Conduct for Test Takers and Prometric's Security Guidelines provided in the ProProctor User Guide.

7.4 Navigational Tutorial

Candidates are required to complete a navigational tutorial prior to beginning a test. Candidates may repeat the tutorial as needed until they are comfortable with the general navigation used during testing. Any time spent in the navigation tutorial does not reduce the overall test time. The Test Center Administrator (TCA) may answer questions of a general nature, but candidates should be aware that the TCAs are not familiar with the content of the test or with the states’ licensing requirements.

Candidates may begin the test once they are familiar with the navigational options. The test begins the moment a candidate accesses the first test question. Candidates may choose to exit the test at any time, but the test will end automatically after the allotted time has expired. Candidates will be given an unofficial score report, before leaving the center. A sample of an Unofficial Score Report is presented in Appendix C: Sample Score Report.

Note: The test result will become official once it is posted to NMLS.