Loan Officers and Counselors

Certification or Licensing

Mortgage loan officers must have a mortgage loan originator license from the Nationwide Multistate Licensing System and Registry (NMLS). Applicants must undergo a criminal background check, agree to a credit report analysis from the NMLS, complete 20 hours of NMLS-approved education, and pass an examination. Visit https://mortgage.nationwidelicensingsystem.org for more information.  

Certification is one way to show your commitment to the field, improve your skills, and increase your possibilities for advancement. The Mortgage Bankers Association (MBA) offers the certified mortgage banker (CMB) designation, which has the following areas of expertise: residential or commercial. Those who earn both the residential and commercial designations may apply for the master CMB designation. A fast-track executive CMB designation is available to experienced professionals who can substitute real-world experience for aspects of the residential and commercial CMB programs. The association also offers the following specialist designations: commercial certified mortgage servicer, residential certified mortgage servicer, certified residential underwriter, accredited mortgage professional, and chartered realty investor. Thee MBA also offer two specialty certificate programs that allow participants to earn the residential certified mortgage servicer specialist and the certified residential underwriter credentials. The National Association of Credit Management offers the following certification designations: certified credit and risk analyst, credit business associate, credit business fellow, certified credit executive, certified international credit professional, and international certified credit executive.

Other Requirements

To become licensed, mortgage loan officers must undergo a criminal background check.