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How do I prepare and enroll to take the National Test? |
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A. The MLO Testing Handbook, which is available on the Testing Page of the NMLS Resource Center, has specific information on how to enroll. When studying for the test, be sure to also review the Content Outline. |
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What is the cost associated with taking the National Test? |
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A. The fee associated with taking the test is posted on the Testing Page. |
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Do I need to take a course prior to taking the test? |
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A. No, you are not required to take a pre-licensure course prior to taking any the test. Regardless of whether you choose to complete a preparation course prior to taking the test, you are still required to complete at least 20 hours of pre-licensure education. Click here for the list of state-specific education requirements. |
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Do I need to pass the National Test more than once if I would like to be licensed in more than one state? |
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A. No, the National Test needs only to be passed once. Passing the National Test meets the state-specific test requirements for state agencies. |
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For how long will my exam be valid? |
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A. Section 1505(d) of the S.A.F.E. Mortgage Licensing Act states, "...[a] state licensed loan originator who fails to maintain a valid license for a period of 5 years or longer shall retake the test, not taking into account any time during which such individual is a registered loan originator." Therefore, if mortgage loan originators leave the mortgage industry, or pass any component of the S.A.F.E. MLO Test but don't obtain a license or active federal registration, for a period of five consecutive years, their previously passed test results will expire and they will be required to retest to obtain licensure. For more information, please refer to the Test Expiration Policy document and FAQ on the NMLS Resource Center. |
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If I work for a Commercial Bank do I need to take the National Test? |
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A. If you work for an insured depository regulated by OCC, OTS, FDIC, FRB and NCUA or the Farm Credit Administration you are not required to take the National Test. As a registrant you are eligible to take the National Test. |
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If I am a state-licensed MLO who wants to be licensed in one state but live in another, will I be able to take the state test at a local testing location? For example, if I want to be licensed in Arizona but live in Maryland, will I be able to take the Arizona test locally? |
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A. Yes. The test is available at all test centers. |
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What is the length of the test? |
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A. The length of time associated with the test is posted on the Testing Page. |
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If I have several mortgage loan originators who need to take the same test, can I schedule group testing appointments? |
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A. Yes, if five or more MLOs need to take the test, a company representative can use the bulk reservation tools to schedule a group testing appointment. Please visit the Prometric website for more information. |
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I've selected and paid for an enrollment window, but the enrollment period does not start right away. Why? |
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A. Typically, the enrollment window begins with the current date. However, if a candidate has recently failed the test, the new enrollment window will start on the first date after the required waiting period. See the Testing Page for specifics on how to view a test enrollment window. |
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What if I need to cancel or reschedule my testing appointment? |
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A. Test enrollment fees are non-refundable and non-transferable. You may cancel or reschedule a reservation by contacting the Prometric call center or online. You must cancel or reschedule your test no later than 12 p.m. local time (at the location where the exam is being taken) two business days prior to your scheduled appointment. Failure to follow the cancellation/reschedule policy or failure to show up for a scheduled test will result in the test enrollment window being closed, and loss of the enrollment fee. A candidate must request and pay for a new enrollment window prior to scheduling a new test appointment. |
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What should I bring with me to the test center? |
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A. You must bring one form of a current (non-expired) government-issued identification that includes your photograph and signature. Your name on your government issued ID needs to match exactly as it appears in your NMLS account. |
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Can I bring a calculator and/or scratch paper into the test center? |
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A. The testing center will provide a basic four-function calculator and white board that will function as scratch paper. |
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Are we allowed to take restroom breaks during the test? |
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A. Yes, restroom breaks are permitted. However, the test clock will not stop while you are taking a break, and as a result, your test time will be shortened. Individuals are not, however, allowed to go anywhere other than the restroom on breaks. Candidates are not allowed to access their lockers while on break. For a full set of rules, see Rules of Conduct. |
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What am I allowed to bring into the test center? |
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A. No personal items are permitted to be brought into the test center. This includes but is not limited to: cell phones, pagers, purses, wallets, coats, hats, etc. All of these items must be locked in a secure locker upon arrival. Also, no food or drink is permitted in the test center. |
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How will the tests be scored? |
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A. The test will be scored electronically. In most cases, once a candidate has finished taking the test, the candidate's score and test result (pass/fail designation) will appear on the screen. Before departing the test center, a printed score report will be presented to the candidate by the test center administrator. Approximately 72 hours after the test is completed, NMLS will post the official score and results to the Testing Information section under the Composite View of the NMLS record. |
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What score do I need to get to pass the test? |
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A. By law, all candidates seeking state-licensure, or currently holding a state license, are required to pass the SAFE MLO National Test with a score not less than 75%. |
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Why are there un-scored questions on the test? |
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A. The ten pre-test (un-scored) questions appearing on the test do not affect the candidate’s score or the pass/fail result. These pre-test questions are being pilot tested for future use. Once these pre-test questions are adequately tested, these questions will be considered for use as scored test questions on future NMLS tests. The pre-test questions appear on the test in random order. The candidate will not know which questions are pre-test and which questions are scored. |
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What is the National Test pass rate? |
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A. The pass rate for the National Test is published and frequently updated on the NMLS Resource Center. See Test Performance Information. |
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I have a disability and need a special accommodation for the test. What do I need to do? |
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A. In compliance with the provisions of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), reasonable testing accommodations with modifications and aids will be provided to candidates who satisfy the special accommodation criteria. Please visit our Special Accommodations Page for more information. |
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What does it mean that my test has an Legislative Updates? |
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A. Legislative changes may occur throughout the test administration cycle. Candidates are responsible for keeping abreast of changes made to the applicable statutes, regulations, and rules regardless of whether they appear on the outline or the test. |