RE Guide
IN

Indiana MLO License

Mortgage Loan Originator requirements for Indiana

20 hrs
Pre-License Hours
$291
Total Fees
4-8 wks
Timeline
8 hrs
CE Annually

NMLS Required: All Indiana MLO applications must be submitted through the Nationwide Multistate Licensing System (NMLS).

1

Pre-Licensing Education

Complete 20 hours of NMLS-approved pre-licensing education. including 2 hours of Indiana-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
  • • 10 hours electives
  • • 2 hours Indiana-specific content

SOS license requires +2 hrs state-specific PE

2

SAFE MLO Exam

National Component

115 scored questions + 5 unscored (3 hours)

State Component

National component only - no state-specific test required

Passing Score

75% on national component

Exam Fee

$110

Retake Policy: 30-day wait after 1st/2nd failure; 180-day wait after 3rd failure

3

Background & Credit Check

Criminal Background

FBI criminal background check via fingerprinting

Credit Report

Required

Background Check Cost

$36

Credit Report Cost

$15

Credit report pulled by NMLS. DFI may consider bankruptcies (10 years), judgments, tax liens, foreclosures (3 years), and delinquent accounts.

4

Company Sponsorship

Must be a W-2 employee of a DFI-licensed mortgage lender or exempt company

Independent contractors (1099) are not eligible for sponsorship. Sponsor's surety bond must cover sponsored MLOs.

Fee Breakdown

NMLS Processing Fee $30
State License Fee $100
Examination Fee $110
Background Check $36
Credit Report $15
Total Fees $291

Does not include pre-licensing education costs ($200-$400). Sponsoring company may cover some fees.

Annual Renewal

Renewal Period

November 1 - December 31 annually

Renewal Fee

$100

CE Required

8 hours annually

Online Renewal

Yes (via NMLS)

8 hours annually: 3 hrs federal law, 2 hrs ethics, 2 hrs nontraditional lending, 1 hr elective. Must be NMLS-approved.

Indiana Department of Financial Institutions

Apply via NMLS

All MLO applications are submitted through the NMLS portal.

Go to NMLS

Helpful Tools

Last verified: 2026-01-12

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