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Michigan Loan Officer Standards & Requirements
The Secure and Fair Enforcement for Mortgage Licensing Act of 2008 (SAFE Act) established requirements for the licensing and registration of all Mortgage Loan Originators (MLOs.) Below you will find the profession requirements needed to become a state-licensed mortgage loan officer, please use the links for additional information on subject matter:
Criminal Background Check – Fingerprints will need to be submitted through NMLS for an FBI criminal background check.
Education – Please see Michigan Education Requirements below.
Testing – Required to pass National and State components of the SAFE MLO Test.
Credit Report – Applicants will have a credit report run through NMLS.
Michigan Pre-Licensure Education Requirements
Michigan requires all new state-licensed MLOs to complete 20 hours of NMLS approved education. Below shows a breakdown of hours needed for each section:
- 3 hours of Federal law and regulations
- 3 hours of ethics, which entails, instruction on fraud, consumer protection, and fair lending issues
- 2 hours of non-traditional mortgage lending
- 10 hours of undefined instruction (electives)
- 2 hours of Michigan specific education
Michigan requires 2 hours of instruction on state-specific law; either taking an MI comprehensive course or a state-specific elective course will satisfy this, new MLOs will also be tested on Michigan mortgage-lending law. To get started with your mandatory education requirements please refer to our NMLS approved course.
Continuing Education Requirements
All active state-licensed MLOs are required to complete at least 8 hours of NMLS approved education yearly. Below is a break down of sections that must be covered in continuing education:
- 3 hours of Federal law and regulations
- 2 hours of ethics, which entails, instruction on fraud, consumer protection, and fair lending issues
- 2 hours of non-traditional mortgage lending
- 1 hour of undefined instruction (elective)
Please note that MLOs are not able to take the same NMLS approved courses two years in a row, as the NMLS will not count that toward their continuing education requirements. Known as the SAFE Act’s “successive years” rule. Our NMLS approved continuing education makes sure every year we provide you a new course so you never run into this problem.
I want to get the state license for Michigan to become a loan officer. I would like to know the details and when can I start the course . do I have to complete the course in one go or can I complete in steps. what is the total fee.
Hi Roma,
Please check you email for our responses to your questions.
Hi do I need a company to sponsor me? I’m currently not working and would like to get my certification.
You will be able to acquire you license with out a sponsor but cannot perform loans until you are sponsored. So in other words, you can get the license but will not be able to use it until you have been sponsored.
I’m looking to obtain a Mortgage Loan Originator license in the State of Michigan. One of the application requirements (I say requirement because it’s listed on the application checklist prior to testing) is sponsorship. At this time I am not employed by any sponsors. I see someone has already asked whether you can obtain a license without sponsorship and the answer was “yes.” When completing the application, do I just leave the checkbox for sponsorship unchecked? By doing so, will they reject my application?
Yes you can leave it unchecked. They will not reject your application but do realize that you will not be able to perform loans until you have a sponsor. You will be able to obtain the license but not perform the job until you have sponsorship.
Do you know what the credit requirements are to obtain a license
This will vary by State, you will need reach out to the specific State agency directly.
Can I receive a Loan Originator License with a felony ? Prior to having to obtain a license I wrote loans from 2001 to 2009.
As long as your felony was not within the last seven years or related to financial services for example, theft, bribery, money laundering, etc. you should be able to acquire your license.
What is the credit score requirement for obtaining a loan officer license?
Since each State has different credit requirements we recommend reaching our to your State licensing agency with your questions they will be able to assist.