Hawaii MLO License
Mortgage Loan Originator requirements for Hawaii
NMLS Required: All Hawaii MLO applications must be submitted through the Nationwide Multistate Licensing System (NMLS).
Pre-Licensing Education
Complete 20 hours of NMLS-approved pre-licensing education. including 3 hours of Hawaii-specific content.
Required Courses (20 hours total):
- • 3 hours federal law and regulations
- • 3 hours ethics (fraud, consumer protection, fair lending)
- • 2 hours nontraditional mortgage products
- • 9 hours electives
- • 3 hours Hawaii-specific content
No bond - Recovery Fund instead
SAFE MLO Exam
National Component
115 scored questions + 5 unscored (3 hours 10 minutes)
State Component
Hawaii requires passing both national and state components of the written test
Passing Score
75% on both national and state components
Exam Fee
$110
Retake Policy: 30-day wait after failure; 180-day wait after 3rd failure
Background & Credit Check
Criminal Background
FBI criminal background check via fingerprinting
Credit Report
Required
Background Check Cost
$36
Credit Report Cost
$15
Must demonstrate financial responsibility. Cannot have current outstanding judgments (except medical expenses), tax liens, or government liens.
Company Sponsorship
Must be sponsored by a Hawaii-licensed mortgage loan originator company (MLOC)
Every individual MLO must be linked to or sponsored by a company. Sole proprietors must obtain both individual MLO and MLOC licenses.
Fee Breakdown
| NMLS Processing Fee | $30 |
| State License Fee | $835 |
| Examination Fee | $110 |
| Background Check | $36 |
| Credit Report | $15 |
| Total Fees | $1,026 |
Does not include pre-licensing education costs ($200-$500). Hawaii has one of the highest state application fees.
Annual Renewal
Renewal Period
November 1 - December 31 annually
Renewal Fee
$835
CE Required
8 hours annually
Online Renewal
Yes (via NMLS)
8 hours annually. Must be NMLS-approved. Cannot take the same CE course two consecutive years due to successive years rule.
Hawaii Division of Financial Institutions
- Official Website
- (808) 586-2820
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Last verified: 2026-01-12