How to Get a Mortgage loan originator License in Pennsylvania (2026)
Quick answer
Mortgage originators take mortgage loan applications or offer or negotiate mortgage loan terms for compensation or gain.
Required hours
20 hours
Exam
Pass a qualified written test approved and administered through NMLSR.
Continuing education
8 hours
Last verified Oct 25, 2026
How do I get this license?
Check the licensing authority
Board
Pennsylvania Department of Banking and Securities
Last verified Oct 25, 2026 — source and quotation
The Pennsylvania Department of Banking & Securities licenses 28,450 non-bank
Official sourceOfficial agency page
Last verified Oct 25, 2026 — source and quotation
The Pennsylvania Department of Banking & Securities licenses 28,450 non-bank
Official sourceCheck your qualifications
Required hours
20 hours
Last verified Oct 25, 2026 — source and quotation
must complete at least 20 hours of prelicensing education and pass a qualified written test in order to obtain a license under the MLA.
Official sourceEducation
The 20 hours include 3 hours of Pennsylvania law and regulations.
Last verified Oct 25, 2026 — source and quotation
The 20 hours of prelicensing education include 3 hours of federal law and regulations, 3 hours of ethics, 2 hours of lending standards for nontraditional (other than 30-year fixed rate) mortgage loans, 3 hours of Pennsylvania law and regulations and 9 hours of elective courses related to the mortgage industry.
Official sourceExam
Pass a qualified written test approved and administered through NMLSR.
Last verified Oct 25, 2026 — source and quotation
All education and testing will be approved and administered by the NMLSR, including Pennsylvania-specific education and testing. A mortgage originator applicant, and at least one partner or ultimate equitable owner of 10% or more of a mortgage lender, mortgage loan correspondent or mortgage broker applicant must complete at least 20 hours of prelicensing education and pass a qualified written test in order to obtain a license under the MLA.
Official sourcePrepare your application
Apply with the agency
Last verified Oct 25, 2026 — source and quotation
The department requires all mortgage business applicants and licensees to use NMLS to apply for and manage their mortgage license.
Official sourceConfirm 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
Mortgage originators take mortgage loan applications or offer or negotiate mortgage loan terms for compensation or gain.
Last verified Oct 25, 2026 — source and quotation
Mortgage originators are individuals who take mortgage loan applications or offer or negotiate terms of mortgage loans for compensation or gain.Official source
When do I renew, and is CE required?
Continuing education hours
8 hours
Last verified Oct 25, 2026 — source and quotation
In order to renew a license, a mortgage originator licensee, and one individual from each licensed office of a mortgage broker, mortgage lender or mortgage loan correspondent that is not a mortgage originator, unless all of the nonclerical staff of a particular licensed office are licensed as mortgage originators, must complete 8 hours of continuing education, including 3 hours of federal law and regulations, 2 hours of ethics, 2 hours of lending standards for nontraditional (other than 30-year fixed rate) mortgage loans, and 1 hour of Pennsylvania law and regulations.Official source
Continuing education topics
3 hours federal law and regulations; 2 hours ethics; 2 hours nontraditional mortgage lending standards; 1 hour Pennsylvania law and regulations
Last verified Oct 25, 2026 — source and quotation
In order to renew a license, a mortgage originator licensee, and one individual from each licensed office of a mortgage broker, mortgage lender or mortgage loan correspondent that is not a mortgage originator, unless all of the nonclerical staff of a particular licensed office are licensed as mortgage originators, must complete 8 hours of continuing education, including 3 hours of federal law and regulations, 2 hours of ethics, 2 hours of lending standards for nontraditional (other than 30-year fixed rate) mortgage loans, and 1 hour of Pennsylvania law and regulations.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?
Bonds and insurance
Bond
Mortgage lenders, loan correspondents and brokers must maintain surety-bond coverage for their mortgage originators.
Last verified Oct 25, 2026 — source and quotation
mortgage lender, mortgage loan correspondent and mortgage broker applicants and licensees are required to establish and maintain surety bond coverage for their mortgage originatorsOfficial source
Confirm the charges and conditions for your application with the official agency.
Which official sources support this guide?
Official sources and verification (10)
Last verified Oct 25, 2026. Each quotation supports the corresponding published value.
Pennsylvania Department of Banking and Securities
Pennsylvania Department of Banking and Securities
The Pennsylvania Department of Banking & Securities licenses 28,450 non-bankOfficial source
Last verified Oct 25, 2026
https://www.pa.gov/agencies/dobs/non-bank-licensees
The Pennsylvania Department of Banking & Securities licenses 28,450 non-bankOfficial source
Last verified Oct 25, 2026
https://www.pa.gov/agencies/dobs/non-bank-licensees
The department requires all mortgage business applicants and licensees to use NMLS to apply for and manage their mortgage license.Official source
Last verified Oct 25, 2026
20 hours
20
must complete at least 20 hours of prelicensing education and pass a qualified written test in order to obtain a license under the MLA.Official source
Last verified Oct 25, 2026
The 20 hours include 3 hours of Pennsylvania law and regulations.
The 20 hours include 3 hours of Pennsylvania law and regulations.
The 20 hours of prelicensing education include 3 hours of federal law and regulations, 3 hours of ethics, 2 hours of lending standards for nontraditional (other than 30-year fixed rate) mortgage loans, 3 hours of Pennsylvania law and regulations and 9 hours of elective courses related to the mortgage industry.Official source
Last verified Oct 25, 2026
Pass a qualified written test approved and administered through NMLSR.
Pass a qualified written test approved and administered through NMLSR.
All education and testing will be approved and administered by the NMLSR, including Pennsylvania-specific education and testing. A mortgage originator applicant, and at least one partner or ultimate equitable owner of 10% or more of a mortgage lender, mortgage loan correspondent or mortgage broker applicant must complete at least 20 hours of prelicensing education and pass a qualified written test in order to obtain a license under the MLA.Official source
Last verified Oct 25, 2026
Mortgage lenders, loan correspondents and brokers must maintain surety-bond coverage for their mortgage originators.
Mortgage lenders, loan correspondents and brokers must maintain surety-bond coverage for their mortgage originators.
mortgage lender, mortgage loan correspondent and mortgage broker applicants and licensees are required to establish and maintain surety bond coverage for their mortgage originatorsOfficial source
Last verified Oct 25, 2026
8 hours
8
In order to renew a license, a mortgage originator licensee, and one individual from each licensed office of a mortgage broker, mortgage lender or mortgage loan correspondent that is not a mortgage originator, unless all of the nonclerical staff of a particular licensed office are licensed as mortgage originators, must complete 8 hours of continuing education, including 3 hours of federal law and regulations, 2 hours of ethics, 2 hours of lending standards for nontraditional (other than 30-year fixed rate) mortgage loans, and 1 hour of Pennsylvania law and regulations.Official source
Last verified Oct 25, 2026
3 hours federal law and regulations; 2 hours ethics; 2 hours nontraditional mortgage lending standards; 1 hour Pennsylvania law and regulations
3 hours federal law and regulations; 2 hours ethics; 2 hours nontraditional mortgage lending standards; 1 hour Pennsylvania law and regulations
In order to renew a license, a mortgage originator licensee, and one individual from each licensed office of a mortgage broker, mortgage lender or mortgage loan correspondent that is not a mortgage originator, unless all of the nonclerical staff of a particular licensed office are licensed as mortgage originators, must complete 8 hours of continuing education, including 3 hours of federal law and regulations, 2 hours of ethics, 2 hours of lending standards for nontraditional (other than 30-year fixed rate) mortgage loans, and 1 hour of Pennsylvania law and regulations.Official source
Last verified Oct 25, 2026
Mortgage originators take mortgage loan applications or offer or negotiate mortgage loan terms for compensation or gain.
Mortgage originators take mortgage loan applications or offer or negotiate mortgage loan terms for compensation or gain.
Mortgage originators are individuals who take mortgage loan applications or offer or negotiate terms of mortgage loans for compensation or gain.Official source
Last verified Oct 25, 2026
Not yet verified: license fee, renewal — see the official agency.
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Mortgage loan originator in neighboring states
Neighboring states use Census adjacency data, including water and point boundaries.
Related licenses in Pennsylvania
Last verified Oct 25, 2026.
Official sources (2)
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