Montana MLO License
Mortgage Loan Originator requirements for Montana
NMLS Required: All Montana MLO applications must be submitted through the Nationwide Multistate Licensing System (NMLS).
Pre-Licensing Education
Complete 22 hours of NMLS-approved pre-licensing education. including 2 hours of Montana-specific content. This exceeds the federal minimum of 20 hours.
Required Courses (22 hours total):
- • 3 hours federal law and regulations
- • 3 hours ethics (fraud, consumer protection, fair lending)
- • 2 hours nontraditional mortgage products
- • 12 hours electives
- • 2 hours Montana-specific content
Pre-licensure education is valid for 3 years from completion date or last day you held an MLO license.
SAFE MLO Exam
National Component
115 scored questions + 5 unscored (3 hours 10 minutes)
State Component
Montana adopted Uniform State Test (UST) content effective July 1, 2013. No separate state-specific test required.
Passing Score
75% on national test with UST component
Exam Fee
$110
Retake Policy: 30-day wait after failure
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. Must demonstrate financial responsibility.
Company Sponsorship
Must be sponsored by a Montana-licensed mortgage company or branch
Prior to receiving a license, applicants need to secure employment sponsorship from a licensed Montana mortgage company.
Fee Breakdown
| NMLS Processing Fee | $30 |
| State License Fee | $400 |
| Examination Fee | $110 |
| Background Check | $36 |
| Credit Report | $15 |
| Total Fees | $591 |
Does not include pre-licensing education costs ($200-$500). Montana has one of the higher state license fees.
Annual Renewal
Renewal Period
November 1 - December 31 annually
Renewal Fee
$400
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. No Montana-specific CE required. Must be NMLS-approved.
Montana Division of Banking and Financial Institutions
- Official Website
- (406) 841-2920
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Last verified: 2026-01-12