Official sources and verification (13)
Last verified Oct 25, 2026. Each quotation supports the corresponding published value.
BoardMaryland Office of Financial Regulation
Maryland Office of Financial Regulation
Office of Financial Regulation (OFR)
Official sourceLast verified Oct 25, 2026
Qualifications / Required hoursAt least 20 hours of SAFE pre-licensing education; Maryland-specific education requirements also apply.
At least 20 hours of SAFE pre-licensing education; Maryland-specific education requirements also apply.
requires at least 20 hours of NMLS approved pre-licensing education ("PE") to be completed prior to the issuance of an MLO license. This requirement only needs to be completed or certified once, regardless of the number of states in which an originator is licensed. Maryland PE requirements must be satisfied.
Official sourceLast verified Oct 25, 2026
Qualifications / EducationApplicants who completed 20 hours of SAFE education in another state must also satisfy 5 hours of Maryland-specific education.
Applicants who completed 20 hours of SAFE education in another state must also satisfy 5 hours of Maryland-specific education.
If you have taken 20 hours of SAFE PE in any state, it satisfies the SAFE PE requirement for all states. However, in addition to the SAFE requirements, you are required to complete 5 hours of Maryland specific education.
Official sourceLast verified Oct 25, 2026
Qualifications / ExamPass the national and state components of the SAFE MLO Test; Maryland uses the Uniform State Test for its state component.
Pass the national and state components of the SAFE MLO Test; Maryland uses the Uniform State Test for its state component.
The SAFE Act requires you to pass both the national and specific state components of the SAFE MLO Test. Maryland uses the Uniform State Test as its state component.
Official sourceLast verified Oct 25, 2026
Agency guidanceA mortgage loan originator takes loan applications or offers or negotiates mortgage terms for compensation or expected gain.
A mortgage loan originator takes loan applications or offers or negotiates mortgage terms for compensation or expected gain.
A Mortgage Loan Originator is an individual who for compensation or gain, or in the expectation of compensation or gain, takes a loan application or offers or negotiates the terms of a mortgage loan.
Official sourceLast verified Oct 25, 2026
Agency guidanceCE is not required for renewal when pre-licensing education was completed in the current calendar year.
CE is not required for renewal when pre-licensing education was completed in the current calendar year.
MLOs must complete at least eight hours of continuing education to renew their license, unless the MLO completed their pre-licensing education in the current calendar year.
Official sourceLast verified Oct 25, 2026
Agency guidanceA renewal filed after December 17 that remains unapproved on December 31 expires on December 31.
A renewal filed after December 17 that remains unapproved on December 31 expires on December 31.
If a license renewal application is submitted after December 17th, and our Office has not acted on the renewal by December 31st, then that license will expire on December 31st and the MLO must stop conducting business until the renewal is approved.
Official sourceLast verified Oct 25, 2026
Continuing education hours8 hours
8
Annually, prior to the renewal of the MLO or AIP-MLO license, you must take 8 hours CE.
Official sourceLast verified Oct 25, 2026
Continuing education topics3 hours federal law and regulations; 2 hours ethics, fraud, consumer protection and fair lending; 2 hours nontraditional mortgage lending standards; 1 hour Maryland mortgage law
3 hours federal law and regulations; 2 hours ethics, fraud, consumer protection and fair lending; 2 hours nontraditional mortgage lending standards; 1 hour Maryland mortgage law
Federal Law and Regulations: 3 Hours ... Ethics, Fraud, Consumer Protection and Fair Lending: 2 Hours ... Lending Standards for Nontraditional Mortgage Products: 2 Hours ... Instruction on Maryland Mortgage-Related Law: 1 Hours
Official sourceLast verified Oct 25, 2026
ReciprocitySAFE pre-licensing education taken in another state is accepted, but Maryland-specific education must also be completed.
SAFE pre-licensing education taken in another state is accepted, but Maryland-specific education must also be completed.
If you have taken 20 hours of SAFE PE in any state, it satisfies the SAFE PE requirement for all states. However, in addition to the SAFE requirements, you are required to complete 5 hours of Maryland specific education.
Official sourceLast verified Oct 25, 2026
RenewalThe annual renewal period begins November 1st and ends December 31st.
The annual renewal period begins November 1st and ends December 31st. Applies to: Maryland MLO annual license renewal
The annual renewal period begins November 1st and ends December 31st.
Official sourceLast verified Oct 25, 2026