MLO Continuing Education Requirements Explained
Mortgage loan originators must complete 8 hours of annual continuing education under federal SAFE Act requirements, with many states requiring additional state-specific hours. Failure to complete CE by December 31 results in license expiration, requiring reinstatement procedures.
Federal CE Requirements
Annual 8-Hour Requirement
The SAFE Act mandates:
| Topic | Required Hours |
|---|---|
| Federal law and regulations | 3 hours |
| Ethics (fraud, consumer protection, fair lending) | 2 hours |
| Nontraditional mortgage products | 2 hours |
| Elective | 1 hour |
| Total | 8 hours |
Content Covered
Federal law (3 hours):
- TILA/Regulation Z updates
- RESPA updates
- ECOA and fair lending
- HMDA requirements
- Recent regulatory changes
Ethics (2 hours):
- Fraud prevention
- Consumer protection
- Fair lending practices
- Professional conduct
Nontraditional products (2 hours):
- Non-QM mortgages
- Interest-only products
- ARM considerations
- High-risk products
Elective (1 hour):
- Your choice from approved topics
- Often state-specific content
- Product training
- Business skills
State-Specific CE
States with Additional Requirements
Many states require hours beyond the federal 8:
| State | Additional Hours | Total Required |
|---|---|---|
| California | 2 hours state-specific | 10 hours |
| Texas | 1 hour state-specific | 9 hours |
| New York | 3 hours state-specific | 11 hours |
| Florida | 2 hours state-specific | 10 hours |
| Georgia | 2 hours state-specific | 10 hours |
State-Specific Content
State hours typically cover:
- State mortgage laws
- State regulatory updates
- State-specific disclosures
- Licensing compliance
Multi-State MLOs
If licensed in multiple states:
- Complete federal 8 hours (counts everywhere)
- Complete each state’s additional hours
- Track requirements by state
- Complete by earliest deadline
Completion Timeline
Annual Deadline
| Deadline | What Happens |
|---|---|
| December 31 | CE completion deadline |
| January 1 | License expires without CE |
| January 1 - February 28 | Grace period in some states |
| After grace period | Reinstatement required |
Recommended Timeline
Q1-Q2:
- Start planning CE completion
- Identify courses needed
- Schedule around busy periods
Q3:
- Complete at least 50% of hours
- Verify hours recorded in NMLS
Q4 (before December 15):
- Complete remaining hours
- Verify all hours in NMLS
- Allow buffer for processing
Why Not Wait
Risks of last-minute completion:
- Course availability issues
- NMLS processing delays
- Unexpected work demands
- Family/personal conflicts
Approved Course Providers
Finding Approved Courses
Courses must be:
- NMLS-approved for the content type
- State-approved for state-specific content
- Completed through approved provider platform
Finding approved courses:
- Log into NMLS
- Navigate to Education > CE Course Search
- Filter by state and content type
- Review available courses
Major CE Providers
Common providers include:
- OnCourse Learning
- Allied Schools
- Mortgage Educators
- CE Academy
- Kaplan
Course Formats
| Format | Pros | Cons |
|---|---|---|
| Online self-paced | Flexible, convenient | Requires self-discipline |
| Online live | Interaction, structure | Fixed schedule |
| In-person | Networking, focus | Travel, time |
Tracking Your CE
NMLS Record
NMLS tracks your CE automatically when:
- You complete through approved provider
- Provider reports to NMLS
- Processing completes (24-72 hours)
Always verify hours appear in NMLS after completion.
Checking Your Status
- Log into NMLS
- Go to Composite View
- Check Education section
- Verify by state if multi-licensed
Troubleshooting Missing Hours
If hours don’t appear:
- Verify completion with provider
- Check NMLS processing time
- Contact provider if missing
- Keep completion certificates
CE vs. Pre-Licensing
Key Differences
| Aspect | Pre-Licensing | Continuing Education |
|---|---|---|
| When | Before first license | Annually after licensing |
| Hours | 20+ (varies by state) | 8+ (varies by state) |
| Topics | Comprehensive mortgage education | Updates and compliance |
| Exam | Required after | Not required |
No Exam for CE
CE completion doesn’t require testing. You must:
- Complete all required hours
- Meet content requirements
- Have provider report to NMLS
Consequences of Non-Completion
License Expiration
If CE not completed by December 31:
- License status changes to “Expired”
- Cannot originate mortgages
- Must complete reinstatement
Reinstatement Process
Varies by state but typically:
- Complete all outstanding CE
- Complete current year CE
- Pay reinstatement fees
- Submit reinstatement application
- Wait for approval
Impact on Career
| Consequence | Impact |
|---|---|
| Loss of income | Cannot close loans |
| Employer issues | May affect employment |
| Client impact | Pending loans affected |
| Professional reputation | Appears in NMLS record |
Cost Considerations
Typical CE Costs
| Expense | Cost Range |
|---|---|
| Federal 8 hours | $100-200 |
| State-specific hours | $50-150 per state |
| Live courses | Premium pricing |
| Annual total | $150-400+ |
Employer Coverage
Many employers:
- Pay for required CE
- Provide approved courses
- Require specific providers
- Set completion deadlines
Check your company’s CE policy.
Best Practices
Annual CE Strategy
- Plan early: Identify requirements in Q1
- Schedule strategically: Around busy season
- Complete early: Before December rush
- Verify completion: Check NMLS records
- Keep certificates: For backup documentation
Maximize Value
Go beyond compliance:
- Choose relevant electives
- Stay current on trends
- Network at live events
- Apply learnings to practice
Key Takeaways
- 8 federal hours required annually, many states add more
- December 31 is the deadline with no flexibility
- Complete early to avoid year-end rush
- Verify hours in NMLS after completion
- Non-completion results in license expiration
Check your state’s specific CE requirements through our state guides.