Look up a mortgage loan originator
Every state-licensed MLO in the country is searchable in one place, free, without an account.
NMLS Consumer Access is the free public lookup for mortgage loan originators, created under the SAFE Act of 2008. Search by NMLS ID or by name to see an originator’s identification details, employment history, licence and registration status, current employer, and whether they are authorised to do business in a given state.
Search NMLS Consumer AccessOpens nmlsconsumeraccess.org. Operated under the Nationwide Multistate Licensing System & Registry.
What the lookup will not tell you
The four limits below are the difference between a lookup that answers your question and one that misleads you. Each is stated by NMLS itself.
Pending applications are invisible
Only licenses in a reportable status appear. An approved licence shows; an application still under review does not. A blank result is not proof that someone is unlicensed.
Discipline mostly starts at 2012
State regulators post regulatory actions to NMLS, and those are public here. But NMLS notes most agencies added only actions from 2012 onward, so older history may exist only at the state.
Federal registrants self-report
For MLOs at federally chartered or insured institutions, disclosures reflect what the individual attested to in their most recent federal filing. NMLS says that has not necessarily been verified.
Yesterday, not live
Changes made in NMLS appear on Consumer Access the following business day. It is a published cadence rather than a guess, but it is not real time.
When to go to the state regulator
Go to the state when you need the complete disciplinary record, when a search returns nothing and you need to know why, or when the answer will be used in a hiring or lending decision. These are the agencies that license MLOs in each state.
Frequently asked questions
Is NMLS Consumer Access free?
Yes. CSBS describes it as a free site that anyone can use 24/7 to check whether a mortgage company or loan originator is in good standing. There is no account, subscription, or fee for a consumer lookup.
What can I search for on NMLS Consumer Access?
You can look up a mortgage loan originator and their employing company by NMLS ID, and see identification information, employment history, license and registration status, and current employer. There is also a general search box that accepts a name or partial information rather than requiring the ID.
How current is NMLS Consumer Access data?
NMLS states that publicly available information entered or changed in NMLS by a licensee or a regulator is automatically available on NMLS Consumer Access the following business day. That is a stated cadence, not an estimate, but it means a change made today will not appear today.
Why does an MLO show no record on NMLS Consumer Access?
NMLS Consumer Access shows only licenses in a reportable status. A license approved by a regulator is reportable and appears; an application still pending review is not reportable and does not appear. An empty result therefore does not prove someone is unlicensed — it can mean their application has not been approved yet. Contact the state regulator to confirm.
Does NMLS Consumer Access show every disciplinary action?
No. State regulators may post regulatory actions to NMLS records and those are public in Consumer Access, but NMLS notes that while some agencies added older actions, the majority are adding only actions from 2012 onward. For a complete disciplinary history, go to the state regulator directly.
Is the disciplinary information on federally registered MLOs verified?
Not necessarily. For MLOs employed by federally chartered or insured institutions, the disclosures shown reflect what the individual reported and attested to in their most recent federal registration filing. NMLS states this information has not necessarily been verified by NMLS or federal regulators.
Does NMLS Consumer Access show a date of birth or SSN?
No. NMLS states that no personal identifying information about individuals, such as social security number or date of birth, is made available on NMLS Consumer Access.
Becoming an MLO instead?
This page is for checking someone else’s credential. If you are getting licensed yourself, start with the requirements.