Utah MLO License
Mortgage Loan Originator requirements for Utah
NMLS Required: All Utah MLO applications must be submitted through the Nationwide Multistate Licensing System (NMLS).
Pre-Licensing Education
Complete 20 hours of NMLS-approved pre-licensing education (federal SAFE Act minimum).
Required Courses (20 hours total):
- • 3 hours federal law and regulations
- • 3 hours ethics (fraud, consumer protection, fair lending)
- • 2 hours nontraditional mortgage products
- • 12 hours electives
Dual agency - DRE has highest PE (35 hrs)
SAFE MLO Exam
National Component
115 scored questions + 5 unscored (3 hours 10 minutes)
State Component
Uniform State Test (UST) component required
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
Background & Credit Check
Criminal Background
FBI criminal background check via Fieldprint 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 Utah-licensed mortgage company
Associate your NMLS account with an employer after application approval.
Fee Breakdown
| NMLS Processing Fee | $30 |
| State License Fee | $152 |
| Examination Fee | $110 |
| Background Check | $36 |
| Credit Report | $15 |
| Total Fees | $343 |
Does not include pre-licensing education costs (higher than most states due to 35-hour requirement). Sponsoring company may cover some fees.
Annual Renewal
Renewal Period
November 1 - December 31 annually (CE deadline December 15)
Renewal Fee
$152
CE Required
8 hours annually
Online Renewal
Yes (via NMLS)
9 hours annually: 8 hrs NMLS general education + 1 hr Utah state-specific elective. First-time renewals also require a one-time 5-hour post-license course.
Utah Division of Real Estate
- Official Website
- (801) 530-6747
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Last verified: 2026-01-12