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

Quick answer

Under the Mortgage Broker Practices Act, a person engaging in mortgage brokerage or loan origination must obtain and maintain a license unless specifically exempt.

Required hours

22 hours

View official source

Exam

Pass the National Test with Uniform State Test, or satisfy one of the agency's accepted combinations of earlier test results.

View official source

Renewal

Mortgage Loan Originator Dec 15 $160* plus credit report and CBC fee NMLS

View official source

Continuing education

9 hours

View official source

Last verified Oct 25, 2026

How do I get this license?

  1. Check the licensing authority

    Board

    Washington Department of Financial Institutions

    Last verified Oct 25, 2026 — source and quotation
    The Department of Financial Institutions (DFI) is committed to efficient and predictable licensing processing times.
    Official source

    Official agency page

    Open the official agency page

    Last verified Oct 25, 2026 — source and quotation
    The Department of Financial Institutions (DFI) is committed to efficient and predictable licensing processing times.
    Official source
  2. Check your qualifications

    Required hours

    22 hours

    Last verified Oct 25, 2026 — source and quotation
    MLO applicants must complete 22 hours of NMLS approved pre-licensing education, including 4 hours in Washington Law.
    Official source

    Education

    A high-school diploma or GED is required, with alternatives under WAC 208-660-350(1) or WAC 208-620-710. Prelicensing education includes 4 hours Washington law.

    Last verified Oct 25, 2026 — source and quotation
    MLO applications must have a high school diploma or equivalent (GED) in order to apply. See WAC 208-660-350(1) or WAC 208-620-710 for alternative to the diploma. MLO applicants must complete 22 hours of NMLS approved pre-licensing education, including 4 hours in Washington Law.
    Official source

    Exam

    Pass the National Test with Uniform State Test, or satisfy one of the agency's accepted combinations of earlier test results.

    Last verified Oct 25, 2026 — source and quotation
    As a result, MLO applicants can meet testing requirements in one of the following three ways: Pass both the National Test and Washington State Test* Pass both the National Test* and Stand-alone Uniform State Test Pass the National Test with Uniform State Test * The National Test and Washington State Test were retired effective March 31, 2013, but passing results are still valid for new applicants.
    Official source
  3. Prepare your application

    Apply with the agency

    Open the official agency page

    Last verified Oct 25, 2026 — source and quotation
    Set up an account with NMLS All applications for a MLO license must be made through this computer system.
    Official source
  4. Confirm 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

Under the Mortgage Broker Practices Act, a person engaging in mortgage brokerage or loan origination must obtain and maintain a license unless specifically exempt.

Last verified Oct 25, 2026 — source and quotation
A person, unless specifically exempted from this chapter under RCW 19.146.020 , may not engage in the business of a mortgage broker or loan originator without first obtaining and maintaining a license under this chapter.
Official source

Agency guidance

An active MLO license requires an employer sponsorship request; an inactive license is available without a sponsor.

Last verified Oct 25, 2026 — source and quotation
If you want an active MLO license, you must grant your employer access so they can submit a sponsorship request. Granting Access Quick Guide . You can get an inactive license if you do not have a sponsor.
Official source

Agency guidance

New applications require fingerprinting and a credit report through NMLS.

Last verified Oct 25, 2026 — source and quotation
All new applications require fingerprinting through NMLS. Fingerprint Information . Credit Report All new applications require a credit report through NMLS.
Official source

Agency guidance

Mortgage Loan Originator Dec 15 $160* plus credit report and CBC fee NMLS

Last verified Oct 25, 2026 — source and quotation
Mortgage Loan Originator Dec 15 $160* plus credit report and CBC fee NMLS
Official source

Agency guidance

Licensees whose NMLS prelicensing education completion year is the current year do not need CE to renew.

Last verified Oct 25, 2026 — source and quotation
While the majority of MLO licensees must take Continuing Education to renew, those who have a Pre-Licensing Education completion year (on their NMLS record) of the current year do not have to take Continuing Education to renew.
Official source

When do I renew, and is CE required?

Renewal

Mortgage Loan Originator Dec 15 $160* plus credit report and CBC fee NMLS

Last verified Oct 25, 2026 — source and quotation
2027 License Renewals - Start Preparing Now … Mortgage Loan Originator Dec 15 $160* plus credit report and CBC fee NMLS … *Renewal submitted by deadline. Late renewals are subject to late fees.
Official source

Continuing education hours

9 hours

Last verified Oct 25, 2026 — source and quotation
MLO licensees are required to complete 9 hours of Continuing Education.
Official source

Continuing education topics

3 hours federal law, 2 hours ethics, 2 hours nontraditional lending, 1 hour Washington law and 1 elective hour.

Last verified Oct 25, 2026 — source and quotation
The 9 hours must cover 3 hours in Federal law and regulations, 2 hours in ethics, 2 hours in lending standards for nontraditional mortgage products, 1 hour in Washington law and the final 1 hour is an elective.
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?

Application fee

$155

Last verified Oct 25, 2026 — source and quotation
The application fee is $155 including the $30 NMLS System Fee.
Official source

Renewal fee

$160

Last verified Oct 25, 2026 — source and quotation
Mortgage Loan Originator Dec 15 $160* plus credit report and CBC fee NMLS
Official source

Confirm the charges and conditions for your application with the official agency.

What are the common questions?

How often do I renew a mortgage loan originator license in Washington?

Mortgage Loan Originator Dec 15 $160* plus credit report and CBC fee NMLS

Source and quotation
2027 License Renewals - Start Preparing Now … Mortgage Loan Originator Dec 15 $160* plus credit report and CBC fee NMLS … *Renewal submitted by deadline. Late renewals are subject to late fees.
Official source

Last verified Oct 25, 2026

Which official sources support this guide?

Official sources and verification (16)

Last verified Oct 25, 2026. Each quotation supports the corresponding published value.

Board

Washington Department of Financial Institutions

Washington Department of Financial Institutions

The Department of Financial Institutions (DFI) is committed to efficient and predictable licensing processing times.
Official source

Last verified Oct 25, 2026

Official agency page

Open the official agency page

https://dfi.wa.gov/loan-originators/mortgage-loan-originators-licensing

The Department of Financial Institutions (DFI) is committed to efficient and predictable licensing processing times.
Official source

Last verified Oct 25, 2026

Apply with the agency

Open the official agency page

https://dfi.wa.gov/loan-originators/mortgage-loan-originators-licensing

Set up an account with NMLS All applications for a MLO license must be made through this computer system.
Official source

Last verified Oct 25, 2026

Qualifications / Required hours

22 hours

22

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

Qualifications / Education

A high-school diploma or GED is required, with alternatives under WAC 208-660-350(1) or WAC 208-620-710. Prelicensing education includes 4 hours Washington law.

A high-school diploma or GED is required, with alternatives under WAC 208-660-350(1) or WAC 208-620-710. Prelicensing education includes 4 hours Washington law.

MLO applications must have a high school diploma or equivalent (GED) in order to apply. See WAC 208-660-350(1) or WAC 208-620-710 for alternative to the diploma. 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

Qualifications / Exam

Pass the National Test with Uniform State Test, or satisfy one of the agency's accepted combinations of earlier test results.

Pass the National Test with Uniform State Test, or satisfy one of the agency's accepted combinations of earlier test results.

As a result, MLO applicants can meet testing requirements in one of the following three ways: Pass both the National Test and Washington State Test* Pass both the National Test* and Stand-alone Uniform State Test Pass the National Test with Uniform State Test * The National Test and Washington State Test were retired effective March 31, 2013, but passing results are still valid for new applicants.
Official source

Last verified Oct 25, 2026

Fees / Application

$155

155

The application fee is $155 including the $30 NMLS System Fee.
Official source

Last verified Oct 25, 2026

Fees / Renewal

$160

160

Mortgage Loan Originator Dec 15 $160* plus credit report and CBC fee NMLS
Official source

Last verified Oct 25, 2026

Renewal

Mortgage Loan Originator Dec 15 $160* plus credit report and CBC fee NMLS

Mortgage Loan Originator Dec 15 $160* plus credit report and CBC fee NMLS Applies to: MLO renewal for the 2027 license year; late fees apply after the published deadline

2027 License Renewals - Start Preparing Now … Mortgage Loan Originator Dec 15 $160* plus credit report and CBC fee NMLS … *Renewal submitted by deadline. Late renewals are subject to late fees.
Official source

Last verified Oct 25, 2026

Continuing education hours

9 hours

9

MLO licensees are required to complete 9 hours of Continuing Education.
Official source

Last verified Oct 25, 2026

Continuing education topics

3 hours federal law, 2 hours ethics, 2 hours nontraditional lending, 1 hour Washington law and 1 elective hour.

3 hours federal law, 2 hours ethics, 2 hours nontraditional lending, 1 hour Washington law and 1 elective hour.

The 9 hours must cover 3 hours in Federal law and regulations, 2 hours in ethics, 2 hours in lending standards for nontraditional mortgage products, 1 hour in Washington law and the final 1 hour is an elective.
Official source

Last verified Oct 25, 2026

Agency guidance

Under the Mortgage Broker Practices Act, a person engaging in mortgage brokerage or loan origination must obtain and maintain a license unless specifically exempt.

Under the Mortgage Broker Practices Act, a person engaging in mortgage brokerage or loan origination must obtain and maintain a license unless specifically exempt.

A person, unless specifically exempted from this chapter under RCW 19.146.020 , may not engage in the business of a mortgage broker or loan originator without first obtaining and maintaining a license under this chapter.
Official source

Last verified Oct 25, 2026

Agency guidance

An active MLO license requires an employer sponsorship request; an inactive license is available without a sponsor.

An active MLO license requires an employer sponsorship request; an inactive license is available without a sponsor.

If you want an active MLO license, you must grant your employer access so they can submit a sponsorship request. Granting Access Quick Guide . You can get an inactive license if you do not have a sponsor.
Official source

Last verified Oct 25, 2026

Agency guidance

New applications require fingerprinting and a credit report through NMLS.

New applications require fingerprinting and a credit report through NMLS.

All new applications require fingerprinting through NMLS. Fingerprint Information . Credit Report All new applications require a credit report through NMLS.
Official source

Last verified Oct 25, 2026

Agency guidance

Mortgage Loan Originator Dec 15 $160* plus credit report and CBC fee NMLS

The posted 2027 renewal amount excludes credit-report and criminal-background-check fees.

Mortgage Loan Originator Dec 15 $160* plus credit report and CBC fee NMLS
Official source

Last verified Oct 25, 2026

Agency guidance

Licensees whose NMLS prelicensing education completion year is the current year do not need CE to renew.

Licensees whose NMLS prelicensing education completion year is the current year do not need CE to renew.

While the majority of MLO licensees must take Continuing Education to renew, those who have a Pre-Licensing Education completion year (on their NMLS record) of the current year do not have to take Continuing Education to renew.
Official source

Last verified Oct 25, 2026

Not yet verified: license fee — see the official agency.

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Mortgage loan originator in neighboring states

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Last verified Oct 25, 2026.

Official sources (5)

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