How to get Washington Mortgage Loan Originator Prelicensing Education PE and WA Continuing Education CE Requirements
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 WA 22 Hour Prelicense Education PE Course Bundle including the best MLO test prep program available.
3. Pass the NMLS Nation 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 Washington MLO License through the NMLS, the licensing system will prompt you at this point for your next steps after opening your WA Mortgage Loan Originator application.
Questions about qualifications on any part of the process? Use the chat feature on the bottom right of this webpage or click here and get answers fast!
Washington MLO Pre-Licensure Education Requirements
New state-licensed MLOs are required to complete 20 hours of NMLS-approved education. This education must include 3 hours of Federal law, 3 hours of ethics (which shall include fraud, consumer protection, and fair lending issues), 2 hours of non-traditional mortgage lending, 10 hours of undefined education (referred to as electives) + 4 hours of WA law. Number of hours is 3/3/2/10/+ 4hrs of WA law = 22 Washington has a requirement for 4 hours of instruction on state-specific law which may be satisfied by either taking a WA comprehensive course or a state-specific elective course.Click Here to Start with 20 Hour Comprehensive Course, Pass the Exam, Then complete WA MLO 4 Hour Law Course
How do you get a WA MLO License if already licensed in another state? Complete a 4 hour WA law MLO online course, click here to get the course details.
Continuing Education Requirements
Begin with 8 Hour SAFE Comprehensive CE Course, do 1 Hour WA Law Later Every state-licensed MLO (in any approved status) is required to complete at least 9 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,1 hour of elective, plus 1 hour of WA-specific education. Number of hours is 3/2/2/1 + 1hr of WA law =9 MLOs are advised that to comply with the SAFE Act’s “successive years” rule, they may not take the same CE course two years in a row. 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.
If I completed 8 hours of MLO CE for another state, how do I complete CE for Washington? Complete a 1 hour WA MLO CE course, our course is loaded with vide and audio, click here for course information.
| Am I required to take Continuing Education this year? | |||
| If I completed SAFE Act PE in 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, or 2015, 2016, 207, 2018, 2019,2020,2021,2022,2023 | and I was licensed in 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, or 2016,2017,2018,2019,2020,2021,2022,2023 | am I required to complete CE in 2023 | YES |
| If I completed SAFE Act PE in 2023 | and I was approved for an initial license in 2023 | am I required to complete CE in 2023 | NO |
Deadline
The deadline to complete CE is December 15, 2023. However, MLOs in Washington 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.
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Washington Mortgage Regulator Contact Information
Agency Contact Information Contact DFI licensing staff at (360) 902-8703 options 2,3, 1 or MortgageLicensing@dfi.wa.gov
Physical Address
150 Israel Rd SW
Tumwater WA 98501
Mailing Address
PO Box 41200
Olympia WA 98504-1200
How much does a WA MLO license cost?
The Washington Mortgage Loan Originator License total costs are $206.25 as itemized below
NMLS Initial Processing Fee: $30
WA License Fee: $125
Credit Report: $15
FBI Criminal Background Check: $36.25
WA DFI Mortgage Loan Originator website page: https://dfi.wa.gov/loan-originators
WA DFI Mortgage Broker website page https://dfi.wa.gov/mortgage-brokers
Washington MLO NMLS Checklist what are the WA MLO Licensing Requirements?
Who has to be licensed in WA as an MLO WA Processor?
Who Is Required To Have a Washington WA MLO License?
Any individual, unless exempt from licensing, who for direct or indirect compensation or gain, or in the expectation of direct or indirect compensation or gain (i) takes a residential mortgage loan application, (ii) offers or negotiates terms of a residential mortgage loan, or (iii) performs residential mortgage loan modification services. A mortgage loan originator also includes an individual who holds themselves out to the public as able to perform any of these activities. Additionally, an individual who is an independent contractor loan processor or underwriter.
Does Washington have any special accomodations for MLO licensing for active duty military, veterans and spouses?
Active Duty Military Member, Veteran, and Spouse/Dependent(s) An individual that is a current military member, veteran, or spouse of a military member or veteran is eligible for an expedited application review. See Expedited Application instructions on page three for required documents.
Washington Mortgage Licensing Notes
Washington Designated Broker What are the WA Mortgage DB requirements?
View the WA Designated Broker Registration requirements click here: https://mortgage.nationwidelicensingsystem.org/slr/PublishedStateDocuments/WA-Designated-Broker-New-Application-Checklist.pdf
Designated Broker Test Individuals seeking to become a Designated Broker (DB) in Washington must pass the Washington Designated Broker Test administered by PearsonVue. If the individual also wishes to originate loans, in addition to being DB for a company, he/she must apply for the MLO license and meet those license requirements. See MLO Licensing for more information. Click here to get see information on our WA DB Test Preparation and Tutoring Program
What will be covered in the WA Designated Broker test? Study for the test based on the continuing education topics as described in WAC 208-660-600(3)(link is external) and as described in the Content Outline(link is external). The Department does not provide additional study materials beyond these resources nor does it approve education courses for the Designated Broker test.
How much does WA Designated Broker cost?
Total Designated Broker Registration Application costs: $30 including the NMLS processing fee. A $15 fee for a credit report will be added if one has not been authorized through NMLS in the past 30 days. You will also pay an additional $36.25 if you authorize a criminal background check at time of application. Fees collected through the NMLS ARE NOT REFUNDABLE.
How can I change or cancel a test date?
View PearsonVue’s Change/Cancel Policy in the Candidate Handbook(link is external).
How long after taking the test will I receive my results?
Before you leave the PearsonVue testing center, you should receive a test “pass” or “fail” certificate. Keep this certificate. A copy is required to be provided to the Department at the time of application.
How do I register to take the test?
Registration for the Designated Broker test can be done online or via the phone. Walk-in tests are not available. Follow the instruction in the Candidate Handbook(link is external) to register. PearsonVUE offers many testing center locations(link is external) around the country.
Mortgage Broker Practices Act FAQs Answers to frequently asked questions regarding the Mortgage Broker Practices Act RCW 19.146 (MBPA).
Terminology MBPA - Mortgage Broker Practices Act RCW 19.146CLA - Consumer Loan Act RCW 31.04
Who can broker reverse mortgages in Washington? License holders under both the CLA and MBPA can broker reverse mortgages.
What activities can a licensed mortgage broker engage in under the MBPA without triggering the license requirements of the CLA? Broker – assisting borrowers, or holding yourself out as able to assist borrowers, in obtaining a residential mortgage loan. Loans close in the name of the lender.
Table Fund – "Table-funding" means a settlement at which a mortgage loan is funded by a contemporaneous advance of loan funds and an assignment of the loan to the person advancing the funds. The mortgage broker originates the loan and closes the loan in its own name but the funds are provided at the settlement by a lender to whom the closed loan is assigned. The mortgage broker does not own the loan at the end of the settlement. See also WAC 208-660-006(link is external).
Am I exempt from the MBPA or CLA if I am approved by Fannie or Freddie?
No. Due to the changes brought about by SB 6471 (chapter 78, Laws of 2008), your approval by Fannie or Freddie does not exempt you from the licensing requirements of the MBPA or CLA for your brokering or lending activities. As a licensed mortgage broker you may act as a broker or table funder. As a licensee under the CLA, you may fund loans with interest rates of no more than 25 percent, you may broker loans to other lenders, and you may purchase loans on the secondary market.
How many years of experience required for WA Designated Broker?
Proof of Experience: Upload W2 or 1099 forms to demonstrate at least 2 years of experience in the residential mortgage loan industry within the past five years. See WAC 208-660-250(1)(e). The upload should be under the document type Verification of Experience of the Individual Form.