Certification Process for Loan Officers

Many states had testing or education requirements, even before the SAFE Act required them. These states are allowing loan officers to “certify” completion of these requirements rather than making them take a test again or sit through more hours of education.

The certification process just opened up on the Nationwide Mortgage Licensing System (NMLS) on May 1, 2010 and many states that are participating only allow a loan officer to certify through June 30, 2010 (but your state may be starting or ending on a later date). Currently, thirty-five (35) states are allowing certification of testing and/or education. Certification of testing pertains to the state component only; all loan officers need to pass the national component exam. You need to check this list to see if your state is permitting certification:

http://mortgage.nationwidelicensingsystem.org/profreq/Documents/Certification%20State%20List.pdf

Your state regulatory agency will decide if you are eligible to participate in the certification process. In order to use your eligibility to certify, you must have an MU4 record on the NMLS and either transitioned an existing license or applied for a new license. The NMLS will send you an email (using the email address that you have on your MU4 record), letting you know that your state has permitted you to certify and that a certification payment invoice has been posted to your MU4 record. The email will give you step-by-step instructions for paying the invoice. If you are eligible for certification for testing, the fee is $5 per test. If you are eligible for certification for education, the fee is $15. If you don’t pay the fees, you are not “certified” and must actually pass the state test and/or sit through the education hours.

There is a lot of confusion about the loan originator requirements, especially for those loan originators who are licensed in multiple states. Your state regulatory agencies have the answers. If you are my client, I will get you the answers to your questions.

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