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.
| 1 | Iowa | $50.00Source and scopeMortgage Loan Originators 535D $52 3 $50 31-Dec $50 1-DecOfficial source Last verified Oct 25, 2026 |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Kentucky | $50.00 |
| 1 | South Carolina | $50.00Source and scopeThe 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 |
| 1 | Vermont | $50.00Source and scopeFor 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 |
| 5 | Alabama | $75.00Source and scopeEach application shall be filed with an initial license fee of seventy-five dollars ($75).Official source Last verified Oct 25, 2026 |
| 6 | Minnesota | $90.00Source and scopefor a mortgage loan originator license, $90Official source Last verified Oct 25, 2026 |
| 7 | New Hampshire | $100.00Source 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 |
| 8 | South Dakota | $150.00Source and scopethe original, non-refundable, registration fee for a mortgage loan originator is one hundred fifty dollars.Official source Last verified Oct 25, 2026 |
| 8 | Wyoming | $150.00Source and scopeThe license fee is $150 and includes the NMLS processing fee.Official source Last verified Oct 25, 2026 |
| 10 | Mississippi | $200.00Source and scopeThe 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 |
| 10 | New Mexico | $200.00 |
| 12 | Delaware | $250.00Source and scopeThe applicant shall also pay a license fee of $250, which shall be payable annually thereafterOfficial source Last verified Oct 25, 2026 |
| 12 | New York | $250.00Source and scopeMortgage Loan Originator Original License 599-d $250Official source Last verified Oct 25, 2026 |
| 14 | Connecticut | $300.00Source and scopeEach 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 |
| 15 | Alaska | $350.00Source and scopeAK License/Registration Fee - $350 (Includes $50 Surety Fund Fee)Official source Last verified Oct 25, 2026 |
| 16 | Massachusetts | $500.00 |
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.
| 1 | Alabama | 20 hoursSource and scopea person shall complete at least 20 hours of education approved in accordance with subsection (2)Official source Last verified Oct 25, 2026 |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Alaska | 20 hoursSource and scopeapplicants must complete a minimum of 20 hoursOfficial source Last verified Oct 25, 2026 |
| 1 | Arizona | 20 hoursSource and scopeSatisfactorily 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 |
| 1 | Arkansas | 20 hoursSource and scopea person applying to be licensed as a loan officer under the Act shall complete at least twenty hours of educationOfficial source Last verified Oct 25, 2026 |
| 1 | California | 20 hoursSource and scopeSatisfy the 20 hours of pre-licensure education requirementOfficial source Last verified Oct 25, 2026 |
| 1 | Colorado | 20 hoursSource and scopeAt least twenty hours of education as administered and approved by the Nationwide Multistate Licensing System and Registry or its successorOfficial source Last verified Oct 25, 2026 |
| 1 | Delaware | 20 hoursSource and scopeNMLS must indicate the applicant has completed 20 hours of NMLS pre-licensure educationOfficial source Last verified Oct 25, 2026 |
| 1 | Florida | 20 hoursSource and scopeComplete a 20-hour prelicensing class approved by the registry.Official source Last verified Oct 25, 2026 |
| 1 | Georgia | 20 hoursSource and scope20 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 |
| 1 | Hawaii | 20 hoursSource and scopeAn applicant for licensure as a mortgage loan originator shall complete at least twenty hours of pre-licensing educationOfficial source Last verified Oct 25, 2026 |
| 1 | Idaho | 20 hoursSource and scopeTwenty (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 |
| 1 | Illinois | 20 hoursSource and scopeFor 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 |
| 1 | Indiana | 20 hoursSource and scopeComplete at least 20 hours of NMLS-approved PE.Official source Last verified Oct 25, 2026 |
| 1 | Iowa | 20 hoursSource and scopeAn applicant for licensure shall complete at least twenty hours of prelicensing educationOfficial source Last verified Oct 25, 2026 |
| 1 | Kansas | 20 hoursSource and scopeshall complete at least 20 hours of prelicensing professional education (PPE)Official source Last verified Oct 25, 2026 |
| 1 | Kentucky | 20 hoursSource and scopeComplete 20 hours of pre-licensing education.Official source Last verified Oct 25, 2026 |
| 1 | Louisiana | 20 hoursSource and scopea person shall complete at least twenty hours of education approved in accordance with this SectionOfficial source Last verified Oct 25, 2026 |
| 1 | Maine | 20 hours |
| 1 | Massachusetts | 20 hoursSource and scopeyou 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 |
| 1 | Michigan | 20 hoursSource and scopeMLOs who complete 20 hours of pre-licensure education in the year in which they receive licensure are not required to take continuing educationOfficial source Last verified Oct 25, 2026 |
| 1 | Minnesota | 20 hoursSource and scopea person shall complete at least 20 hours of educationOfficial source Last verified Oct 25, 2026 |
| 1 | Mississippi | 20 hoursSource and scopea person shall complete at least twenty (20) hours of educationOfficial source Last verified Oct 25, 2026 |
| 1 | Missouri | 20 hoursSource and scopeMortgage loan originators shall satisfy a prelicensing education requirement through approved education courses of at least twenty hoursOfficial source Last verified Oct 25, 2026 |
| 1 | New Hampshire | 20 hoursSource and scopeHas completed at least 20 hours of education approved in accordance with subparagraph (c)Official source Last verified Oct 25, 2026 |
| 1 | New Jersey | 20 hoursSource and scopeCompletion of 20 hours of NMLS approved pre-licensure education, including 4 hours of New Jersey specific educationOfficial source Last verified Oct 25, 2026 |
| 1 | New Mexico | 20 hoursSource and scopetake 20 hours of mortgage education, which will include 3 hours of New Mexico specific classes;Official source Last verified Oct 25, 2026 |
| 1 | New York | 20 hoursSource and scopea person shall complete at least twenty hours of education approved in accordance with subdivision two of this sectionOfficial source Last verified Oct 25, 2026 |
| 1 | North Dakota | 20 hoursSource and scopea person shall complete at least twenty hours of education approved in accordance with subsection 2Official source Last verified Oct 25, 2026 |
| 1 | Oklahoma | 20 hoursSource and scopeIn order to meet the pre-licensing education requirement an individual shall complete at least twenty (20) hours of education approved in accordance with SAFE ActOfficial source Last verified Oct 25, 2026 |
| 1 | Oregon | 20 hoursSource and scopeComplete 20 hours of pre-licensure education, including four hours of Oregon-specific educationOfficial source Last verified Oct 25, 2026 |
| 1 | Pennsylvania | 20 hoursSource and scopemust 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 |
| 1 | Rhode Island | 20 hoursSource 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 |
| 1 | South Carolina | 20 hoursSource and scopehave 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 |
| 1 | South Dakota | 20 hoursSource and scopean 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 |
| 1 | Tennessee | 20 hoursSource and scopean individual shall complete at least twenty (20) hours of education approved in accordance with subsection (b)Official source Last verified Oct 25, 2026 |
| 1 | Vermont | 20 hoursSource and scopea person shall complete at least 20 hours of education approved in accordance with subsection (b) of this sectionOfficial source Last verified Oct 25, 2026 |
| 1 | Virginia | 20 hoursSource and scopean 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 |
| 1 | Wisconsin | 20 hoursSource and scopeprior to the division’s issuance of the license, shall complete at least 20 hours of educationOfficial source Last verified Oct 25, 2026 |
| 1 | Wyoming | 20 hoursSource and scopeProvide certification that 20 hours of pre-licensure education courses has been completed.Official source Last verified Oct 25, 2026 |
| 40 | Nebraska | 22 hoursSource and scopecomplete twenty (20) hours of pre-license education (22 hours after July 1, 2013)Official source Last verified Oct 25, 2026 |
| 40 | Washington | 22 hoursSource and scopeMLO applicants must complete 22 hours of NMLS approved pre-licensing education, including 4 hours in Washington Law.Official source Last verified Oct 25, 2026 |
| 42 | North Carolina | 24 hoursSource and scopeat least 24 hours of pre-licensing education in a classroom or classroom equivalent setting and approved by NMLSOfficial source Last verified Oct 25, 2026 |
| 42 | Ohio | 24 hoursSource and scopethe applicant has successfully completed at least twenty-four hours of pre-licensing instructionOfficial source Last verified Oct 25, 2026 |
| 42 | West Virginia | 24 hoursSource and scopeTo meet the prelicensing education requirement, a person must complete at least 24 hours of education approved in accordance with subsection (b) of this sectionOfficial source Last verified Oct 25, 2026 |
| 45 | Nevada | 30 hoursSource and scopeAny 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 sources51 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.
- Alabama
- Alaska
- Arizona
- Arkansas
- California
- Colorado
- Connecticut
- Delaware
- District of Columbia
- Florida
- Georgia
- Hawaii
- Idaho
- Illinois
- Indiana
- Iowa
- Kansas
- Kentucky
- Louisiana
- Maine
- Maryland
- Massachusetts
- Michigan
- Minnesota
- Mississippi
- Missouri
- Montana
- Nebraska
- Nevada
- New Hampshire
- New Jersey
- New Mexico
- New York
- North Carolina
- North Dakota
- Ohio
- Oklahoma
- Oregon
- Pennsylvania
- Rhode Island
- South Carolina
- South Dakota
- Tennessee
- Texas
- Utah
- Vermont
- Virginia
- Washington
- West Virginia
- Wisconsin
- Wyoming
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.
| 1 | Nevada | $50.00 / year$50.00 ÷ 1 yearsRenewal fee sourceApplication 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 sourceA mortgage loan originator must renew their license every calendar year.Official source Last verified Oct 25, 2026 |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | North Dakota | $50.00 / year$50.00 ÷ 1 yearsRenewal fee sourceNorth 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 sourceAll 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 |
| 3 | South Dakota | $75.00 / year$75.00 ÷ 1 yearsRenewal fee sourcethe annual renewal fee for a mortgage loan originator is seventy-five dollars.Official source Last verified Oct 25, 2026 Renewal period sourcethe annual renewal fee for a mortgage loan originator is seventy-five dollars.Official source Last verified Oct 25, 2026 |
| 4 | Montana | $100.00 / year$100.00 ÷ 1 yearsRenewal fee sourceMortgage Loan Originators Renewal Fee: $100Official source Last verified Oct 25, 2026 Renewal period sourceAll 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 |
| 4 | New Hampshire | $100.00 / year$100.00 ÷ 1 yearsRenewal 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 sourcePay the annual originator license renewal fee of $100.Official source Last verified Oct 25, 2026 |
| 4 | Vermont | $100.00 / year$100.00 ÷ 1 yearsRenewal fee sourceThe 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 sourceOn or before December 1 of each year, every licensee shall renew its license or registration for the next succeeding calendar yearOfficial source Last verified Oct 25, 2026 |
| 7 | Nebraska | $125.00 / year$125.00 ÷ 1 yearsRenewal fee sourceFor 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 sourceMortgage 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 |
| 7 | North Carolina | $125.00 / year$125.00 ÷ 1 yearsRenewal fee sourceAnnual Renewal Period (November 1 – December 31): … Mortgage Loan Originator $ 125Official source Last verified Oct 25, 2026 Renewal period sourceAnnual Renewal Period (November 1 – December 31):Official source Last verified Oct 25, 2026 |
| 9 | New Mexico | $200.00 / year$200.00 ÷ 1 years |
| 9 | Ohio | $200.00 / year$200.00 ÷ 1 yearsRenewal fee sourceThe 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 sourceThe license issued under division (A) of this section may be renewed annually on or before the thirty-first day of DecemberOfficial source Last verified Oct 25, 2026 |
| 11 | Wisconsin | $250.00 / year$250.00 ÷ 1 yearsRenewal fee sourceLoan Originator License Renewal $250 (see note 1)Official source Last verified Oct 25, 2026 Renewal period sourceAll licenses expire on December 31 of each year.Official source Last verified Oct 25, 2026 |
| 12 | Rhode Island | $400.00 / year$400.00 ÷ 1 yearsRenewal fee sourceEach mortgage-loan originator license, the sum of four hundred dollars ($400)Official source Last verified Oct 25, 2026 Renewal period sourceEach 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.
- Alabama
- Alaska
- Arizona
- Arkansas
- California
- Colorado
- Connecticut
- Delaware
- District of Columbia
- Florida
- Georgia
- Hawaii
- Idaho
- Illinois
- Indiana
- Iowa
- Kansas
- Kentucky
- Louisiana
- Maine
- Maryland
- Massachusetts
- Michigan
- Minnesota
- Mississippi
- Missouri
- New Jersey
- New York
- Oklahoma
- Oregon
- Pennsylvania
- South Carolina
- Tennessee
- Texas
- Utah
- Virginia
- Washington
- West Virginia
- Wyoming
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.
- https://idob.iowa.gov/media/101/download?inline=
- https://kfi.ky.gov/newstatic_info.aspx?static_id=238
- https://www.scstatehouse.gov/code/t40c058.php
- https://legislature.vermont.gov/statutes/section/08/072/02102
- https://banking.alabama.gov/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/AL_Secure_Fair_Enf_Mortgage_Lic_Act.pdf
- https://www.revisor.mn.gov/statutes/cite/58A.045
- https://gc.nh.gov/rsa/html/XXXV/397-A/397-A-5.htm
- https://sdlegislature.gov/api/Rules/20:07:19.html?all=true
- https://wyomingbankingdivision.wyo.gov/mortgage-lending/mortgage-loan-originators
- https://dbcf.ms.gov/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/Mississippi-S.A.F.E.-Mortgage-Act.Current-Through-2021-Regular-Legislative-Session.pdf
- https://www.srca.nm.gov/parts/title12/12.019.0002.html
- https://delcode.delaware.gov/title5/c024/index.html
- https://www.dfs.ny.gov/apps_and_licensing/application_fee_schedule
- https://www.cga.ct.gov/current/pub/chap_668.htm
- https://www.commerce.alaska.gov/web/Portals/3/pub/Mortgage%20Loan%20Originator%20Application%20Checklist%20Rev%20-%2020250505.pdf?ver=EgYj3bTGupTNhqaT3WT_gQ%3D%3D
- https://www.mass.gov/how-to/apply-for-a-mortgage-loan-originator-license
- https://www.azleg.gov/ars/6/00991-03.htm
- https://securities.arkansas.gov/wp-content/uploads/2022/06/FINAL-2014-Mortgage-Rules-Effective-2-9-2014.pdf
- https://www.dre.ca.gov/licensees/mlolicense.html
- https://olls.info/crs/crs2025-title-12.htm
- https://banking.delaware.gov/faqs/mortgage-loan-originator-licensing-help/
- https://m.flsenate.gov/Statutes/494.00312
- https://dbf.georgia.gov/mb-brokers-lenders-and-originators/mlo-education-testing
- https://data.capitol.hawaii.gov/hrscurrent/Vol10_Ch0436-0474/HRS0454F/HRS_0454F-0006.htm
Not legal or tax advice. Confirm with the official agency before filing.