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Criminal Background Check (CBC)
Any person looking to acquire their mortgage loan originator license (MLO) will need a criminal background check performed through the Nationwide Mortgage Licensing System & Registry (NMLS.)
Cost Involved:
Live Scan (electronic) $36.25 CBC Processing Fee
OR
Paper Card Capture* $36.25 CBC Processing Fee
$10.00 Card Packet Fee
$46.25 Total
*The NMLS states paper card capture cost more due to manual processing of fingerprints.
Steps for Completing Criminal Background Check:
Step 1: Pay for a Criminal Background Check
Do you have an NMLS account yet? If not you will need to set this up at www.nationwidelicensingsystem.org If you already have one sign in and follow the steps below.
- Click on the “Composite view” tab
- Then select “View Individual” in the sub menu
- Once here, select “view criminal background check request” on the left menu bar
Here you will need to pay for the background check, once this is done you will be able to schedule your appointment for fingerprinting.
Step 2: Schedule a Fingerprinting
You will need to setup an account with fieldprint before you can schedule an appointment. At the time of scheduling an appointment, you must have valid, unexpired, government-issued photo identification. Once setup with an account the MLO will be able to:
- Check their appointments status
- Re-schedule their appointment
- View and print their receipt
If you have problems or questions with the system they have a customer service line that can be reached at 877-614-4361.
Step 3: Viewing CBC Results
Fingerprints are automatically processed by the FBI and sent to the NMLS within 48 hours of submission. Results can be seen in your NMLS account.
Will a felony conviction that is 11 years old cause you to be denied?
To become a loan officer you cannot have any felonies within the last seven years. However, if your felony was related to financial services for example, theft, bribery, money laundering, etc. you will be unable to obtain your MLO license.
What if your currently on probation for felony assault . Are you able to apply for a license?
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 about undesignated felony
You would need to reach out to the licensing department for the State you wish to get licensed in because every State handles things differently.
What if its expunged?
You would need to reach out to your States licensing department to get that answer since each State differs.
What about tax liens and bankruptcy? Can these be explain and approved?
Since each State has different criteria for being approved we recommend reaching out to the State you would like to be licensed in to discuss your options.
Would a recent misdemeanor M1 theft that was dismissed and expunged prevent you from being a Loan Officer?
Each State governs within their own laws, which means the NMLS has no control over this process. We recommend you reach out to the State you would like to be licensed in to discuss your options.
So what exactly is the purpose of the NMLS…what do they actually do for the States?
The NMLS was formed to handle all the licensing for MLO’s and brokers across the country.
What if you we’re fired from a job due to lying on an application? Does something like that keep you from getting a license?
No that would not stop you from obtaining your MLO license.
What misdeamenors would keep you from obtaining your license?
As of right now we are unaware of any misdemeanors that would keep you from obtain your MLO license. We recommend reaching out to your State Licensing Department to see if they can provide additional information to you.
Can you get your NMLS number if you got a felony over 16 years ago?
To become a loan officer you cannot have any felonies within the last seven years. However, if your felony was related to financial services for example, theft, bribery, money laundering, etc. you will be unable to obtain your MLO license.
If you had a felony but it was expunged will that be an issue?
What State are you looking to get licensed in?
Florida
What if you have just completed a deferred adjudication for a felony and the case has been dismissed but was not over 7 years ago?
You would need to reach out to the State you are looking to get licensed with. Please let us know what State and we will send you their contact information?
What if you have an active case but not convicted yet
Since each State has different requirements we recommend reaching our to your State licensing agency with your questions they will be able to assist.
What if you are currently a lending officer and you got a felony DUI while you are already licensed? Will they renew my license? That is my biggest concern. Thank you.
Since each State has different requirements we recommend reaching our to your State licensing agency with your questions they will be able to assist.
I have a felony conviction that was in 1998. No felony conviction since then it was for a battery. Am I able to apply to become a loan officer in the state of Georgia
Since every State handles backgrounds differently you will need to reach out to them directly 770-986-1633 or dbfmort@dbf.state.ga.us
I am not sure what consituttes a ” felony ” , in my case i was charged with recieving stolen property ( a VCR in 1984 , credit card fraud ( I got in spat with an ex she let me use her card for a vacation , I purchased the airline tickets with her card , she later denied it , I did not fight it and plead guilty . and finally in 1990 I had a charge for counterfitting ( I had $240 in fake 20 dollar biils . So all this is going back 34 years . since then I have led an exemplary life , got married , 20 years now have 2 kids , and even worked for major banks and lenders between 1994 and 2008 when licemsing was not required . I was able to get a RE licesne in NJ and now want a mortgage license in PA . I have passed the test . Do I have a shot ? , should I get a lawyer to try to expunge some of these offenses being that they are so old ?
Since every State handles backgrounds differently you will need to reach out to them directly 717-787-3717 or ra-asklicensing@pa.gov
Can you send me the contact information for the state of Kentucky?
Here you go Emily.McDonald@ky.gov or 502-782-9037
CAN YOU SEND ME THE CONTACT INFORMATION FOR THE STATE OF TX?
You can find the information here.
Hello, is it true that if you have had a defaulted Federal student loan that the Gov can deny you from getting an MLO licence?
Not that we are aware of but you can follow up with the NMLS directly to make sure 1-855-665-7123.
is it 7yrs from the date of sentencing? is there any stipulation on release from jail? say you were sentenced and convicted of felony over 7yrs ago but were released from jail 6yrs ago? does this disqualify you in Arizona?
You would need to contact the licensing dept. for the State you are getting licensed for since every State is different.