How to get Illinois Mortgage Loan Originator Prelicensing Education PE and IL Continuing Education CE Requirements Met
1. Get your NMLS Number
If you have not done so already, it takes 1 -2 minutes to get your NMLS number. https://www.statemortgageregistry.com/Public/Login.aspx Click "Request an account" Click "Individual" We try to make all of these things easier, what questions may we answer? Use the chat feature on the bottom right corner of every web page to get answers now!
2. Get and complete your IL 20 Hour Prelicense Education PE Course Bundle
3. Pass the NMLS National Component Exam with Uniform State Test using our included test preparation program and add other states by getting and completing state PE courses
4. Apply for your Illinois MLO License
Questions about qualifications or any part of the process? Use the chat feature on the bottom right or click here and get answers fast!
Illinois Prelicensing Education Requirements
IL requires a NMLS approved 20 hour comprehsnive course. This education must include 3 hours of Federal law, 3 hours ethics, 2 hours traditional mortgage lending, plus 12 hours of undefined education (referred to as electives). Number of hours is 3/3/2/12 = 20 Illinois does not have a requirement for instruction on state-specific law. Click here to get your Illinois SAFE 20 Hour MLO Course Online with Test Preparation Program included.
Illinois Continuing Education Requirements
Every state-licensed MLO (in any approved status) is required to complete at least 8 hours of NMLS approved education annually beginning the year they are licensed (unless PE was completed in the same year). Annual CE education must include 3 hours of Federal law, 2 hours of ethics (which shall include fraud, consumer protection, and fair lending issues), and 2 hours of non-traditional mortgage lending, plus one additional hour of undefined education (referred to as an elective). Number of hours is 3/2/2/1 = 8 MLO’s are advised not to retake pre-licensure education (PE) unless directed to by a State Regulator. PE education does not count towards meeting annual CE requirements. Get your IL MLO 8 Hour CE Course Here
Am I required to take Continuing Education this year?
If I completed SAFE Act PE in for the first time in a prior year and licensed this year or prior years, am I required to completed CE to renew YES
If I completed my original SAFE Act PE in 2025 and I was approved for an initial license this year am I required to complete CE this year NO
Illinois MLO CE Deadline
The deadline to complete CE is December 31. However, MLOs in Illinois are prohibited from submitting an application to renew their license if they have not completed CE. Since it may take as long as seven (7) days for a course provider to report a course completion into NMLS, MLOs are strongly encouraged not to wait until the last minute to try to complete CE or they may be prevented from submitting for renewal on time.
Illinois Mortgage Regulator Contact Information
Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation Bureau of Residential Finance
Agency Contact Information
Contact Mortgage Banking Regulation licensing staff by phone at (844)-768-1713 or send your questions via
email to FPR.LOANORIGINATOR@Illinois.gov for additional assistance.
Link to Illinois forms page https://idfpr.illinois.gov/banks/resfin/Forms/rfformsb.asp
Illinois mortgage statutes laws Residential Mortgage License Act (205 ILCS 635 1-1) http://www.ilga.gov/legislation/ilcs/ilcs3.asp?ActID=1196&ChapAct=205%26nbsp%3BILCS%26nbsp%3B635%2F&ChapterID=20&ChapterName=FINANCIAL+REGULATION&ActName=Residential+Mortgage+License+Act+of+1987%2E
Illinois Mortgage Rules Rules - Residential Mortgage License Act of 1987 (38-1050) http://www.ilga.gov/commission/jcar/admincode/038/03801050sections.html
How much does a IL MLO license cost? $281.25 itemized as follows
NMLS Initial Processing Fee: $30
IL License/Registration Fee: $200
Credit Report: $15
FBI Criminal Background Check: $36.25
Illinois MLO NMLS Checklist https://nationwidelicensingsystem.org/slr/PublishedStateDocuments/IL-MLO-New-Application-Checklist.pdf
IL Temporary Military Mortgage Loan Originator License https://nationwidelicensingsystem.org/slr/PublishedStateDocuments/IL-Temp-Military-MLO-Individual-New-App-Checklist.pdf
Who has to be licensed in IL as an MLO or Processor?
For the purpose of obtaining a Mortgage Loan Originator license in Illinois, pursuant to the Illinois Residential Mortgage License Act of 1987 [205 ILCS 635\7-1]. An applicant needs to be sponsored by an Illinois Residential Mortgage Licensee (“Licensee”). A sponsorship request must be submitted by the Licensee before an application request will be approved. If the applicant is not currently employed by a Licensee, the license will be issued as “Approved-Inactive” until sponsorship by a Licensee is acquired. You are not authorized to conduct business in an “Approved-Inactive” status.
Note to Service Members: For the purpose of obtaining a Mortgage Loan Originator license in Illinois, please refer to the Illinois Temporary Military Mortgage Loan Originator License New Application Checklist.
Illinois MLO License Notes
Failure to comply with all the requirements WITHIN 90 DAYS OF THE INITIAL DATE OF YOUR Individual Form (MU4) FILING WITH THE DEPARTMENT MAY RESULT IN YOUR APPLICATION BEING DEEMED WITHDRAWN. If an application is withdrawn and an applicant subsequently wants to become an MLO in Illinois, the applicant will be required to resubmit an application through the NMLS and pay the initial license request fees.