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Mortgage loan originator
rankings by state.

Use the figures to narrow your reading, then check the state’s license level, pathway and qualifications. A low issuance fee does not establish the cheapest overall route to licensure.

Lowest license fee

Ranked only by the recorded license issuance fee. Application, exam, training and other costs are not included. This is not a ranking of total cost to qualify.

16 of 51 jurisdictions ranked. Equal values share a rank; the next rank skips tied places. Calculations use unrounded values. Source scope may differ between states.

Mortgage loan originator: lowest license fee, lowest first
1Iowa$50.00
Source and scope
Mortgage Loan Originators 535D $52 3 $50 31-Dec $50 1-Dec
Official source

Last verified Oct 25, 2026

1Kentucky$50.00
Source and scope
The registration fee is $50.
Official source

Last verified Oct 25, 2026

1South Carolina$50.00
Source and scope
The initial nonrefundable license fee is fifty dollars for a loan originator license, and fifty dollars, nonrefundable, for a renewal license.
Official source

Last verified Oct 25, 2026

1Vermont$50.00
Source and scope
For an application for a mortgage loan originator license under chapter 73 of this title, $50.00 as a license fee and $50.00 as an application and investigation fee.
Official source

Last verified Oct 25, 2026

5Alabama$75.00
Source and scope
Each application shall be filed with an initial license fee of seventy-five dollars ($75).
Official source

Last verified Oct 25, 2026

6Minnesota$90.00
Source and scope
for a mortgage loan originator license, $90
Official source

Last verified Oct 25, 2026

7New Hampshire$100.00
Source and scope
[Paragraph IV-a effective until October 1, 2027; see also paragraph IV-a set out below.] Each license application shall be accompanied by a nonrefundable license fee of $100.
Official source

Last verified Oct 25, 2026

8South Dakota$150.00
Source and scope
the original, non-refundable, registration fee for a mortgage loan originator is one hundred fifty dollars.
Official source

Last verified Oct 25, 2026

8Wyoming$150.00
Source and scope
The license fee is $150 and includes the NMLS processing fee.
Official source

Last verified Oct 25, 2026

10Mississippi$200.00
Source and scope
The initial license of a mortgage loan originator shall be accompanied by a fee of Two Hundred Dollars ($200.00)
Official source

Last verified Oct 25, 2026

10New Mexico$200.00
Source and scope
license fee: $200.00;
Official source

Last verified Oct 25, 2026

12Delaware$250.00
Source and scope
The applicant shall also pay a license fee of $250, which shall be payable annually thereafter
Official source

Last verified Oct 25, 2026

12New York$250.00
Source and scope
Mortgage Loan Originator Original License 599-d $250
Official source

Last verified Oct 25, 2026

14Connecticut$300.00
Source and scope
Each applicant for an initial license or renewal of a license as a mortgage loan originator or loan processor or underwriter shall pay to the system any required fees or charges and a license fee of three hundred dollars.
Official source

Last verified Oct 25, 2026

15Alaska$350.00
Source and scope
AK License/Registration Fee - $350 (Includes $50 Surety Fund Fee)
Official source

Last verified Oct 25, 2026

16Massachusetts$500.00
Source and scope
MA License Fee $500 per license
Official source

Last verified Oct 25, 2026

35 jurisdictions not ranked for this measure

Not verified yet, stale, or not a single comparable number. A missing rank does not mean no requirement. Use each state page’s official source to check.

Fewest required hours

Ranked only where the required-hours field is a single verified number. Conditional text and alternative pathways are excluded. Hours are not elapsed time to licensure.

45 of 51 jurisdictions ranked. Equal values share a rank; the next rank skips tied places. Calculations use unrounded values. Source scope may differ between states.

Mortgage loan originator: fewest required hours, lowest first
1Alabama20 hours
Source and scope
a person shall complete at least 20 hours of education approved in accordance with subsection (2)
Official source

Last verified Oct 25, 2026

1Alaska20 hours
Source and scope
applicants must complete a minimum of 20 hours
Official source

Last verified Oct 25, 2026

1Arizona20 hours
Source and scope
Satisfactorily completed a course of study, including at least twenty hours of education, for loan originators approved by the deputy director during the three-year period immediately preceding the time of application.
Official source

Last verified Oct 25, 2026

1Arkansas20 hours
Source and scope
a person applying to be licensed as a loan officer under the Act shall complete at least twenty hours of education
Official source

Last verified Oct 25, 2026

1California20 hours
Source and scope
Satisfy the 20 hours of pre-licensure education requirement
Official source

Last verified Oct 25, 2026

1Colorado20 hours
Source and scope
At least twenty hours of education as administered and approved by the Nationwide Multistate Licensing System and Registry or its successor
Official source

Last verified Oct 25, 2026

1Delaware20 hours
Source and scope
NMLS must indicate the applicant has completed 20 hours of NMLS pre-licensure education
Official source

Last verified Oct 25, 2026

1Florida20 hours
Source and scope
Complete a 20-hour prelicensing class approved by the registry.
Official source

Last verified Oct 25, 2026

1Georgia20 hours
Source and scope
20 hours of pre-licensure education (PE) is required in order to be eligible for a Georgia MLO license.
Official source

Last verified Oct 25, 2026

1Hawaii20 hours
Source and scope
An applicant for licensure as a mortgage loan originator shall complete at least twenty hours of pre-licensing education
Official source

Last verified Oct 25, 2026

1Idaho20 hours
Source and scope
Twenty (20) hours of pre-license education (PE) is required of any applicant to be eligible for a state Mortgage Loan Originator License.
Official source

Last verified Oct 25, 2026

1Illinois20 hours
Source and scope
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

1Indiana20 hours
Source and scope
Complete at least 20 hours of NMLS-approved PE.
Official source

Last verified Oct 25, 2026

1Iowa20 hours
Source and scope
An applicant for licensure shall complete at least twenty hours of prelicensing education
Official source

Last verified Oct 25, 2026

1Kansas20 hours
Source and scope
shall complete at least 20 hours of prelicensing professional education (PPE)
Official source

Last verified Oct 25, 2026

1Kentucky20 hours
Source and scope
Complete 20 hours of pre-licensing education.
Official source

Last verified Oct 25, 2026

1Louisiana20 hours
Source and scope
a person shall complete at least twenty hours of education approved in accordance with this Section
Official source

Last verified Oct 25, 2026

1Maine20 hours
Source and scope
at least 20 hours of education
Official source

Last verified Oct 25, 2026

1Massachusetts20 hours
Source and scope
you must complete 20 hours of NMLS approved pre-license education courses, which must include 3 hours of Massachusetts content.
Official source

Last verified Oct 25, 2026

1Michigan20 hours
Source and scope
MLOs who complete 20 hours of pre-licensure education in the year in which they receive licensure are not required to take continuing education
Official source

Last verified Oct 25, 2026

1Minnesota20 hours
Source and scope
a person shall complete at least 20 hours of education
Official source

Last verified Oct 25, 2026

1Mississippi20 hours
Source and scope
a person shall complete at least twenty (20) hours of education
Official source

Last verified Oct 25, 2026

1Missouri20 hours
Source and scope
Mortgage loan originators shall satisfy a prelicensing education requirement through approved education courses of at least twenty hours
Official source

Last verified Oct 25, 2026

1New Hampshire20 hours
Source and scope
Has completed at least 20 hours of education approved in accordance with subparagraph (c)
Official source

Last verified Oct 25, 2026

1New Jersey20 hours
Source and scope
Completion of 20 hours of NMLS approved pre-licensure education, including 4 hours of New Jersey specific education
Official source

Last verified Oct 25, 2026

1New Mexico20 hours
Source and scope
take 20 hours of mortgage education, which will include 3 hours of New Mexico specific classes;
Official source

Last verified Oct 25, 2026

1New York20 hours
Source and scope
a person shall complete at least twenty hours of education approved in accordance with subdivision two of this section
Official source

Last verified Oct 25, 2026

1North Dakota20 hours
Source and scope
a person shall complete at least twenty hours of education approved in accordance with subsection 2
Official source

Last verified Oct 25, 2026

1Oklahoma20 hours
Source and scope
In order to meet the pre-licensing education requirement an individual shall complete at least twenty (20) hours of education approved in accordance with SAFE Act
Official source

Last verified Oct 25, 2026

1Oregon20 hours
Source and scope
Complete 20 hours of pre-licensure education, including four hours of Oregon-specific education
Official source

Last verified Oct 25, 2026

1Pennsylvania20 hours
Source and scope
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

1Rhode Island20 hours
Source and scope
(a) In order to meet the pre-licensing education requirement referred to in this chapter, a person shall complete at least twenty (20) hours of education approved in accordance with subsection (b), which shall include at least: (1) Three (3) hours of Federal law and regulations; (2) Three (3) hours of ethics, which shall include instruction on fraud, consumer protection, and fair-lending issues; (3) Two (2) hours of training related to lending standards for the nontraditional mortgage product marketplace; and (4) Three (3) hours of Rhode Island law and regulations.
Official source

Last verified Oct 25, 2026

1South Carolina20 hours
Source and scope
have satisfactorily completed prelicensing education of at least twenty hours, which shall include at least three hours on South Carolina laws and regulations, and the National Test Component with Uniform State Content approved pursuant to 12 U.S.C. 5101, et seq.;
Official source

Last verified Oct 25, 2026

1South Dakota20 hours
Source and scope
an individual shall complete at least twenty hours of education approved according to the standards established in 12 U.S.C. 5104 (c) as of January 1, 2009.
Official source

Last verified Oct 25, 2026

1Tennessee20 hours
Source and scope
an individual shall complete at least twenty (20) hours of education approved in accordance with subsection (b)
Official source

Last verified Oct 25, 2026

1Vermont20 hours
Source and scope
a person shall complete at least 20 hours of education approved in accordance with subsection (b) of this section
Official source

Last verified Oct 25, 2026

1Virginia20 hours
Source and scope
an applicant shall complete at least 20 hours of pre-licensing education courses, approved in accordance with subsection B, which shall include at least (i) three hours of federal law and regulations; (ii) three hours of ethics, which shall include instruction about fraud, consumer protection, and fair lending issues; and (iii) two hours of training related to lending standards for the nontraditional mortgage product marketplace.
Official source

Last verified Oct 25, 2026

1Wisconsin20 hours
Source and scope
prior to the division’s issuance of the license, shall complete at least 20 hours of education
Official source

Last verified Oct 25, 2026

1Wyoming20 hours
Source and scope
Provide certification that 20 hours of pre-licensure education courses has been completed.
Official source

Last verified Oct 25, 2026

40Nebraska22 hours
Source and scope
complete twenty (20) hours of pre-license education (22 hours after July 1, 2013)
Official source

Last verified Oct 25, 2026

40Washington22 hours
Source and scope
MLO applicants must complete 22 hours of NMLS approved pre-licensing education, including 4 hours in Washington Law.
Official source

Last verified Oct 25, 2026

42North Carolina24 hours
Source and scope
at least 24 hours of pre-licensing education in a classroom or classroom equivalent setting and approved by NMLS
Official source

Last verified Oct 25, 2026

42Ohio24 hours
Source and scope
the applicant has successfully completed at least twenty-four hours of pre-licensing instruction
Official source

Last verified Oct 25, 2026

42West Virginia24 hours
Source and scope
To meet the prelicensing education requirement, a person must complete at least 24 hours of education approved in accordance with subsection (b) of this section
Official source

Last verified Oct 25, 2026

45Nevada30 hours
Source and scope
Any applicant for an initial license as a mortgage company or loan originator must complete at least 30 hours of pre-licensure education (PE) in approved courses from the subjects set forth in NAC 645B.363.
Official source

Last verified Oct 25, 2026

6 jurisdictions not ranked for this measure

Not verified yet, stale, or not a single comparable number. A missing rank does not mean no requirement. Use each state page’s official source to check.

Fastest time to get licensed

Requires a verified total time-to-license figure in days for the cited pathway. Training hours, experience requirements and agency processing estimates cannot establish that total.

Not verified yet

The current records do not establish total time to get licensed. No fastest state is named.

Read the verified state requirements and official sources
51 jurisdictions not ranked for this measure

Not verified yet, stale, or not a single comparable number. A missing rank does not mean no requirement. Use each state page’s official source to check.

Renewal cost per year

Calculated as the verified renewal fee divided by its verified renewal period in years. This is an annualized fee, not an annual bill; CE and other costs are not included. An initial fee or initial license term is never substituted.

12 of 51 jurisdictions ranked. Equal values share a rank; the next rank skips tied places. Calculations use unrounded values. Source scope may differ between states.

Mortgage loan originator: renewal cost per year, lowest first
1Nevada$50.00 / year$50.00 ÷ 1 years
Renewal fee source
Application Fee | First Annual Licensing Fee | Annual Renewal Licensing Fee Mortgage Loan Originator License | $75.00** | N/A | $50.00**
Official source

Last verified Oct 25, 2026

Renewal period source
A mortgage loan originator must renew their license every calendar year.
Official source

Last verified Oct 25, 2026

1North Dakota$50.00 / year$50.00 ÷ 1 years
Renewal fee source
North Dakota license fees include a $25 initial application fee and a $50 annual license fee, which is required at each subsequent renewal.
Official source

Last verified Oct 25, 2026

Renewal period source
All licenses issued by the Department are annual in nature and need to be renewed for each calendar year.
Official source

Last verified Oct 25, 2026

3South Dakota$75.00 / year$75.00 ÷ 1 years
Renewal fee source
the annual renewal fee for a mortgage loan originator is seventy-five dollars.
Official source

Last verified Oct 25, 2026

Renewal period source
the annual renewal fee for a mortgage loan originator is seventy-five dollars.
Official source

Last verified Oct 25, 2026

4Montana$100.00 / year$100.00 ÷ 1 years
Renewal fee source
Mortgage Loan Originators Renewal Fee: $100
Official source

Last verified Oct 25, 2026

Renewal period source
All Montana licenses must be renewed annually between November 1st and December 31st through the Nationwide Multistate Licensing System (NMLS).
Official source

Last verified Oct 25, 2026

4New Hampshire$100.00 / year$100.00 ÷ 1 years
Renewal fee source
[Paragraph IV-d(a)(3) effective until October 1, 2027; see also paragraph IV-d(a)(3) set out below.] (3) Pay the annual originator license renewal fee of $100.
Official source

Last verified Oct 25, 2026

Renewal period source
Pay the annual originator license renewal fee of $100.
Official source

Last verified Oct 25, 2026

4Vermont$100.00 / year$100.00 ÷ 1 years
Renewal fee source
The annual license or registration renewal fee shall be: … For a mortgage loan originator license under chapter 73 of this title, $100.00.
Official source

Last verified Oct 25, 2026

Renewal period source
On or before December 1 of each year, every licensee shall renew its license or registration for the next succeeding calendar year
Official source

Last verified Oct 25, 2026

7Nebraska$125.00 / year$125.00 ÷ 1 years
Renewal fee source
For the annual renewal of a mortgage loan originator license, the fee shall be one hundred twenty-five dollars, plus the cost of the criminal history background check required by the director and any processing fee allowed under subsection (2) of section 45-748.
Official source

Last verified Oct 25, 2026

Renewal period source
Mortgage loan originator licenses may be renewed annually by submitting to the director a request for renewal and any supplemental material as required by the director.
Official source

Last verified Oct 25, 2026

7North Carolina$125.00 / year$125.00 ÷ 1 years
Renewal fee source
Annual Renewal Period (November 1 – December 31): … Mortgage Loan Originator $ 125
Official source

Last verified Oct 25, 2026

Renewal period source
Annual Renewal Period (November 1 – December 31):
Official source

Last verified Oct 25, 2026

9New Mexico$200.00 / year$200.00 ÷ 1 years
Renewal fee source
annual renewal license fee: $200.00;
Official source

Last verified Oct 25, 2026

Renewal period source
annual renewal license fee: $200.00;
Official source

Last verified Oct 25, 2026

9Ohio$200.00 / year$200.00 ÷ 1 years
Renewal fee source
The renewal application is accompanied by a nonrefundable renewal fee of two hundred dollars and any fee required by the nationwide mortgage licensing system and registry.
Official source

Last verified Oct 25, 2026

Renewal period source
The license issued under division (A) of this section may be renewed annually on or before the thirty-first day of December
Official source

Last verified Oct 25, 2026

11Wisconsin$250.00 / year$250.00 ÷ 1 years
Renewal fee source
Loan Originator License Renewal ​$250 (see note 1)
Official source

Last verified Oct 25, 2026

Renewal period source
All licenses expire on December 31 of each year.
Official source

Last verified Oct 25, 2026

12Rhode Island$400.00 / year$400.00 ÷ 1 years
Renewal fee source
Each mortgage-loan originator license, the sum of four hundred dollars ($400)
Official source

Last verified Oct 25, 2026

Renewal period source
Each licensee shall pay an annual license fee as follows: … Each mortgage-loan originator license, the sum of four hundred dollars ($400)
Official source

Last verified Oct 25, 2026

39 jurisdictions not ranked for this measure

Not verified yet, stale, or not a single comparable number. A missing rank does not mean no requirement. Use each state page’s official source to check.

Read before you choose a route

Last verified Oct 25, 2026.

Official sources (64)

Showing 24 source links. Individual facts keep their citations on the linked data pages. Download all facts and official sources.

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