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How to Get a Mortgage loan originator License in Illinois (2026)

Quick answer

Individuals taking residential mortgage applications or offering or negotiating Illinois residential mortgage terms for compensation need an MLO license.

Required hours

20 hours

View official source

Renewal

The renewal period is between November 1 and December 31st of each year.

View official source

Continuing education

8 hours

View official source

Last verified Oct 25, 2026

How do I get this license?

  1. Check the licensing authority

    Board

    Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation

    Last verified Oct 25, 2026 — source and quotation
    Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation
    Official source

    Official agency page

    Open the official agency page

    Last verified Oct 25, 2026 — source and quotation
    Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation
    Official source
  2. Check your qualifications

    Required hours

    20 hours

    Last verified Oct 25, 2026 — source and quotation
    For their first year, licensees must complete 20 hours of Pre-License Education (PE) as a part of their application to be licensed with the Department.
    Official source
  3. Prepare your application

    Apply with the agency

    Open the official agency page

    Last verified Oct 25, 2026 — source and quotation
    Mortgage Loan Originator Application
    Official source
  4. Confirm your next step with the agency

    Review the official instructions for your situation before applying.

    Open the official agency page

What else should I know?

Agency guidance

Individuals taking residential mortgage applications or offering or negotiating Illinois residential mortgage terms for compensation need an MLO license.

Last verified Oct 25, 2026 — source and quotation
The mortgage loan originator license is required for an individual who, for compensation or gain or in the expectation of compensation or gain, takes a residential mortgage loan application, or offers or negotiates terms of an Illinois residential mortgage loan.
Official source

Agency guidance

Employment must be with a single Illinois residential mortgage licensee; qualifying owners also need individual licenses.

Last verified Oct 25, 2026 — source and quotation
Individuals must be employed by an Illinois residential mortgage licensee, may be employed by no more than one Illinois residential mortgage licensee at a time, and all individuals meeting the definition must be licensed including owners of entities with Illinois residential mortgage licenses.
Official source

Agency guidance

Renewal instructions: https://idfpr.illinois.gov/content/dam/soi/en/web/idfpr/faq/banking/mlo-renewals-faqs.pdf

Last verified Oct 25, 2026 — source and quotation
The renewal period is between November 1 and December 31st of each year.
Official source

When do I renew, and is CE required?

Renewal

The renewal period is between November 1 and December 31st of each year.

Last verified Oct 25, 2026 — source and quotation
The renewal period is between November 1 and December 31st of each year.
Official source

Continuing education hours

8 hours

Last verified Oct 25, 2026 — source and quotation
Every year after that, MLOs must complete at least 8 hours of CE through an approved NMLS provider.
Official source

Have a license or permit? Use the expiration date printed on it to set up your calendar and reminders.

What does it cost?

Renewal fee

$150

Last verified Oct 25, 2026 — source and quotation
The renewal fee is $150.00. Fees are non-refundable.
Official source

Confirm the charges and conditions for your application with the official agency.

What are the common questions?

How often do I renew a mortgage loan originator license in Illinois?

The renewal period is between November 1 and December 31st of each year.

Source and quotation
The renewal period is between November 1 and December 31st of each year.
Official source

Last verified Oct 25, 2026

Which official sources support this guide?

Official sources and verification (10)

Last verified Oct 25, 2026. Each quotation supports the corresponding published value.

Board

Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation

Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation

Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation
Official source

Last verified Oct 25, 2026

Official agency page

Open the official agency page

https://idfpr.illinois.gov/banks/resfin/mlo.html

Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation
Official source

Last verified Oct 25, 2026

Apply with the agency

Open the official agency page

https://idfpr.illinois.gov/banks/resfin/mlo.html

Mortgage Loan Originator Application
Official source

Last verified Oct 25, 2026

Qualifications / Required hours

20 hours

20

For their first year, licensees must complete 20 hours of Pre-License Education (PE) as a part of their application to be licensed with the Department.
Official source

Last verified Oct 25, 2026

Fees / Renewal

$150

150

The renewal fee is $150.00. Fees are non-refundable.
Official source

Last verified Oct 25, 2026

Renewal

The renewal period is between November 1 and December 31st of each year.

The renewal period is between November 1 and December 31st of each year. Applies to: Illinois MLO licenses

The renewal period is between November 1 and December 31st of each year.
Official source

Last verified Oct 25, 2026

Continuing education hours

8 hours

8

Every year after that, MLOs must complete at least 8 hours of CE through an approved NMLS provider.
Official source

Last verified Oct 25, 2026

Agency guidance

Individuals taking residential mortgage applications or offering or negotiating Illinois residential mortgage terms for compensation need an MLO license.

Individuals taking residential mortgage applications or offering or negotiating Illinois residential mortgage terms for compensation need an MLO license.

The mortgage loan originator license is required for an individual who, for compensation or gain or in the expectation of compensation or gain, takes a residential mortgage loan application, or offers or negotiates terms of an Illinois residential mortgage loan.
Official source

Last verified Oct 25, 2026

Agency guidance

Employment must be with a single Illinois residential mortgage licensee; qualifying owners also need individual licenses.

Employment must be with a single Illinois residential mortgage licensee; qualifying owners also need individual licenses.

Individuals must be employed by an Illinois residential mortgage licensee, may be employed by no more than one Illinois residential mortgage licensee at a time, and all individuals meeting the definition must be licensed including owners of entities with Illinois residential mortgage licenses.
Official source

Last verified Oct 25, 2026

Agency guidance

Renewal instructions: https://idfpr.illinois.gov/content/dam/soi/en/web/idfpr/faq/banking/mlo-renewals-faqs.pdf

Renewal instructions: https://idfpr.illinois.gov/content/dam/soi/en/web/idfpr/faq/banking/mlo-renewals-faqs.pdf

The renewal period is between November 1 and December 31st of each year.
Official source

Last verified Oct 25, 2026

Not yet verified: license fee, exam — see the official agency.

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What should I explore next?

Mortgage loan originator in neighboring states

Neighboring states use Census adjacency data, including water and point boundaries.

Related licenses in Illinois

What’s my next step?

Last verified Oct 25, 2026.

Official sources (2)

Not legal or tax advice. Confirm with the official agency before filing.