How to Get a Mortgage loan originator License in South Carolina (2026)

South Carolina State Board of Financial Institutions; Department of Consumer Affairs for mortgage-broker loan originators

South Carolina State Board of Financial Institutions; Department of Consumer Affairs for mortgage-broker loan originators

"Administrator" means the Administrator of the Department of Consumer Affairs (department) or the administrator's designees. … "Board" means the State Board of Financial Institutions as that term is used in Chapter 1, Title 34.

Last verified Oct 25, 2026

Open the official agency page

https://www.scstatehouse.gov/code/t37c022.php

"Administrator" means the Administrator of the Department of Consumer Affairs (department) or the administrator's designees. … "Board" means the State Board of Financial Institutions as that term is used in Chapter 1, Title 34.

Last verified Oct 25, 2026

Open the official agency page

https://consumerfinance.sc.gov/regulated-institutions/mortgage-lending

Any company, branch or individual wishing to apply for a license must do so through NMLS.

Last verified Oct 25, 2026

State Board of Financial Institutions lender pathway: at least 18 years.

State Board of Financial Institutions lender pathway: at least 18 years.

have attained the age of at least eighteen years

Last verified Oct 25, 2026

20 hours

20

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.;

Last verified Oct 25, 2026

At least 3 hours of the prelicensing course must cover South Carolina laws and regulations.

At least 3 hours of the prelicensing course must cover South Carolina laws and regulations.

complete satisfactorily a prelicensing educational course 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.;

Last verified Oct 25, 2026

Complete the National Test Component with Uniform State Content.

Complete the National Test Component with Uniform State Content.

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.;

Last verified Oct 25, 2026

$50

50

The initial nonrefundable license fee is fifty dollars for a loan originator license, and fifty dollars, nonrefundable, for a renewal license.

Last verified Oct 25, 2026

8 hours

8

As a condition of license renewal, a licensee must complete at least eight hours of continuing professional education annually, which shall include at least one hour on South Carolina laws and regulations

Last verified Oct 25, 2026

At least 1 hour South Carolina laws and regulations annually; courses and tests require NMLS approval.

At least 1 hour South Carolina laws and regulations annually; courses and tests require NMLS approval.

As a condition of license renewal, a licensee must complete at least eight hours of continuing professional education annually, which shall include at least one hour on South Carolina laws and regulations … All prelicensing education, continuing education, and written examinations must be approved through the Nationwide Mortgage Licensing System and Registry, pursuant to 12 U.S.C. 5101, et seq. before credit can be awarded.

Last verified Oct 25, 2026

Usually expires December thirty-first, with renewal November first through December thirty-first. The commissioner may set another date.

All licenses issued by the commissioner pursuant to this chapter expire annually on the thirty-first day of December or on another date that the commissioner may determine. The license is invalid after that date unless renewed. The renewal period for all licensees is from November first through December thirty-first annually or on another date the commissioner may determine. Applies to: Loan originators licensed through the State Board of Financial Institutions; commissioner may determine other dates

All licenses issued by the commissioner pursuant to this chapter expire annually on the thirty-first day of December or on another date that the commissioner may determine. The license is invalid after that date unless renewed. The renewal period for all licensees is from November first through December thirty-first annually or on another date the commissioner may determine.

Last verified Oct 25, 2026

NMLS-approved education and testing are recognized; South Carolina-specific education remains required.

NMLS-approved education and testing are recognized; South Carolina-specific education remains required.

Applicants and licensees that successfully complete education or testing approved through the Nationwide Mortgage Licensing System and Registry fulfill the requirements of this State.

Last verified Oct 25, 2026

The Board's lender pathway covers compensated employees of licensed mortgage lenders who solicit, negotiate, accept or offer to accept mortgage applications, or directly discuss rates, terms, disclosures and other loan aspects, subject to exemptions.

The Board's lender pathway covers compensated employees of licensed mortgage lenders who solicit, negotiate, accept or offer to accept mortgage applications, or directly discuss rates, terms, disclosures and other loan aspects, subject to exemptions.

"Loan originator" means a natural person who, in exchange for compensation or gain or in the expectation of compensation or gain as an employee of a licensed mortgage lender, solicits, negotiates, accepts, or offers to accept applications for mortgage loans, including electronic applications, or includes direct contact with, or informing mortgage loan applicants of, the rates, terms, disclosures, and other aspects of the mortgage loan.

Last verified Oct 25, 2026

For the mortgage-broker pathway under the Department of Consumer Affairs, the initial and renewal license fees are $50 each, plus credit-report and criminal-history costs.

For the mortgage-broker pathway under the Department of Consumer Affairs, the initial and renewal license fees are $50 each, plus credit-report and criminal-history costs.

The initial nonrefundable license fee is fifty dollars for a loan originator license, and fifty dollars, nonrefundable, for a renewal license. In addition, all licensees must pay the cost of obtaining credit reports and national criminal history record checks as the administrator may require.

Last verified Oct 25, 2026

For the Board's lender pathway, the initial filing fee is $50 plus credit-report and fingerprint-check costs; the statute caps the annual renewal fee at $50.

For the Board's lender pathway, the initial filing fee is $50 plus credit-report and fingerprint-check costs; the statute caps the annual renewal fee at $50.

Every applicant for initial licensure shall pay a filing fee of one thousand dollars for licensure as a mortgage lender or fifty dollars for licensure as a loan originator, in addition to the actual cost of obtaining credit reports and national fingerprint-based criminal history record checks. … for a licensed loan originator, an annual fee of no more than fifty dollars.

Last verified Oct 25, 2026

Mortgage-broker pathway licenses have a one-year term and expire December 31 unless the administrator specifies another date; renewal runs November 1 through December 31 unless other dates are specified.

Mortgage-broker pathway licenses have a one-year term and expire December 31 unless the administrator specifies another date; renewal runs November 1 through December 31 unless other dates are specified.

The term of each license is one year. Licenses issued pursuant to this chapter expire on December thirty-first annually or another date that the administrator may determine and must be renewed in accordance with the provisions of this section. … The renewal period for all licensees is from November first through December thirty-first annually or on any other dates that the administrator may determine.

Last verified Oct 25, 2026