RE Guide
SC

South Carolina MLO License

Mortgage Loan Originator requirements for South Carolina

23 hrs
Pre-License Hours
$246
Total Fees
4-8 wks
Timeline
8 hrs
CE Annually

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

1

Pre-Licensing Education

Complete 23 hours of NMLS-approved pre-licensing education. including 3 hours of South Carolina-specific content. This exceeds the federal minimum of 20 hours.

Required Courses (23 hours total):

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

Split jurisdiction between two agencies

2

SAFE MLO Exam

National Component

115 scored questions + 5 unscored (3 hours 10 minutes)

State Component

No separate state exam 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. Must demonstrate financial responsibility.

4

Company Sponsorship

Must be sponsored by a South Carolina-licensed mortgage company

Your sponsor must file a request through NMLS to add you to their license.

Fee Breakdown

NMLS Processing Fee $35
State License Fee $50
Examination Fee $110
Background Check $36
Credit Report $15
Total Fees $246

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

$50

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 South Carolina state-specific. Cannot take the same CE course two years in a row.

South Carolina Office of the Commissioner of Consumer Finance

Apply via NMLS

All MLO applications are submitted through the NMLS portal.

Go to NMLS

Helpful Tools

Last verified: 2026-01-12

View official source