Pennsylvania MLO License
Mortgage Loan Originator requirements for Pennsylvania
NMLS Required: All Pennsylvania 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 Pennsylvania-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 Pennsylvania-specific content
Education must be completed through an NMLS-approved provider.
SAFE MLO Exam
National Component
115 scored questions + 10 unscored (3 hours 10 minutes)
State Component
Pennsylvania UST: 25 questions (1 hour)
Passing Score
75% on both national and state components
Exam Fee
$110
Retake Policy: 30-day wait after 1st/2nd failure; 180-day wait after 3rd failure
Background & Credit Check
Criminal Background
FBI and Pennsylvania State Police criminal background check via fingerprinting
Credit Report
Required
Background Check Cost
$58
Credit Report Cost
$15
Credit report pulled by NMLS. Must demonstrate financial responsibility.
Company Sponsorship
Must be sponsored by a Pennsylvania-licensed mortgage company
Associate your NMLS account with an employer to activate your license.
Fee Breakdown
| NMLS Processing Fee | $30 |
| State License Fee | $200 |
| Examination Fee | $110 |
| Background Check | $58 |
| Credit Report | $15 |
| Total Fees | $413 |
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
$200
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 Pennsylvania-specific. Must be NMLS-approved. Cannot take the same CE course two years in a row.
Pennsylvania Department of Banking and Securities
- Official Website
- (717) 787-2665
Helpful Tools
Last verified: 2026-01-12