RE Guide
MD

Maryland MLO License

Mortgage Loan Originator requirements for Maryland

24 hrs
Pre-License Hours
$416
Total Fees
4-8 wks
Timeline
8 hrs
CE Annually

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

1

Pre-Licensing Education

Complete 24 hours of NMLS-approved pre-licensing education. including 5 hours of Maryland-specific content. This exceeds the federal minimum of 20 hours.

Required Courses (24 hours total):

  • • 3 hours federal law and regulations
  • • 3 hours ethics (fraud, consumer protection, fair lending)
  • • 2 hours nontraditional mortgage products
  • • 11 hours electives
  • • 5 hours Maryland-specific content

Most state-specific PE in region

2

SAFE MLO Exam

National Component

115 scored questions + 5 unscored (3 hours)

State Component

Uniform State Test (UST) component

Passing Score

75% on both national and UST components

Exam Fee

$110

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

3

Background & Credit Check

Criminal Background

Federal FBI criminal background check via fingerprinting (no state check required)

Credit Report

Required

Background Check Cost

$36

Credit Report Cost

$15

Credit report pulled by NMLS. Must demonstrate financial responsibility.

4

Company Sponsorship

Must be employed by a licensed or exempt mortgage lender

If not employed, license is issued as 'Approved-Inactive' until sponsorship is obtained. Cannot originate loans in inactive status.

Fee Breakdown

NMLS Processing Fee $30
State License Fee $225
Examination Fee $110
Background Check $36
Credit Report $15
Total Fees $416

Does not include pre-licensing education costs ($300-$500 due to state-specific requirement).

Annual Renewal

Renewal Period

November 1 - December 31 annually

Renewal Fee

$225

CE Required

8 hours annually

Online Renewal

Yes (via NMLS)

8 hours annually: 2 hrs ethics, 2 hrs nontraditional lending, 1 hr Maryland-specific, 3 hrs electives. Must be NMLS-approved.

Maryland Office of Financial Regulation

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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