Official sources and verification (10)
Last verified Oct 25, 2026. Each quotation supports the corresponding published value.
BoardIllinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation
Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation
Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation
Official sourceLast verified Oct 25, 2026
Qualifications / Required hours20 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 sourceLast verified Oct 25, 2026
Fees / Renewal$150
150
The renewal fee is $150.00. Fees are non-refundable.
Official sourceLast verified Oct 25, 2026
RenewalThe 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 sourceLast verified Oct 25, 2026
Continuing education hours8 hours
8
Every year after that, MLOs must complete at least 8 hours of CE through an approved NMLS provider.
Official sourceLast verified Oct 25, 2026
Agency guidanceIndividuals 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 sourceLast verified Oct 25, 2026
Agency guidanceEmployment 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 sourceLast verified Oct 25, 2026
Agency guidanceRenewal 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 sourceLast verified Oct 25, 2026