How long does it take to get an Nmls license in California?

Company Licenses Description Requirements Checklist
Debt Collection License The following persons are required to obtain a license to engage in the business of debt collection in California pursuant to the Debt Collection Licensing Act (California Financial Code section 100000, et seq.): • Any person who, in the ordinary course of business, regularly, on the person’s own behalf or on behalf of others, engages in debt collection. • Any person who composes and sells, or offers to compose and sell, forms, letters and other collection media used or intended to be used for debt collection. • Any person who engages in the business of a debt buyer. A debt buyer is any person or entity who regularly engages in the business of purchasing charged-off consumer debt for collection purposes, whether it collects the debt itself, hires a third party for collection, or hires an attorney-at-law for collection litigation (California Civil Code section 1788.50.) NOTE: For affiliates seeking to be licensed under a single license, each affiliate must complete and file a Company Form (MU1) through NMLS. The application fee is a single $350 fee for the Form MU1 filings. CA-DFPI will invoice the applicant for the $350 application fee after the application is filed through NMLS. CA-DFPI will issue a single license listing the names of the affiliates. An affiliate may be licensed under only one CA-DFPI debt collection license.
  • New Application
  • Amendment
  • Surrender
Exempt Company Registration This registration is available for a company that seeks to sponsor a state-licensed mortgage loan originator but who is not on NMLS and does not otherwise have a way to sponsor the mortgage loan originator in California through NMLS. This registration is discretionary. Consult the California Department of Financial Protection and Innovation (DFPI) before applying for this registration.
  • New Application
  • Amendment
  • Surrender
Financing Law (CFL) License This license is required for any company engaging in the business of making or brokering consumer or commercial loans, whether secured by real or personal property, or unsecured. A license may be issued as a lender, a broker, or both. A CFL broker license only authorizes a company to act as a broker in connection with loans made by a CFL lender. Licensees under the Residential Mortgage Lending Act and the Real Estate Law (Department of Real Estate licensees) are exempt from the CFL when engaged in activity under the authority of those licenses.
  • Transition To NMLS
  • New Application
  • Amendment
  • Surrender
Money Transmitter License The Money Transmitter Division of the California Department of Financial Protection and Innovation (DFPI) licenses and regulates money transmitters, which includes issuers of payment instruments (money orders) and travelers’ checks and non-bank issuers of stored value. The California money transmission laws are found in the California Financial Code, Division 1.2, commencing with section 2000.
  • New Application
  • Amendment
  • Surrender
Property Assessed Clean Energy (PACE) Program Administrator License This license is required for any person administering a PACE program on behalf of, and with the written consent of, a public agency (California Financial Code sections 22018 and 22100.5).
  • New Application
  • Amendment
  • Surrender
Residential Mortgage Lending Act (CRMLA) license This license is required for any company or person who makes or services residential mortgage loans in California. A CRMLA license is an alternative to the licenses under the California Finance Lenders Law or the California Real Estate Law. A licensed CRMLA lender is authorized to provide brokerage services to its borrowers.
  • New Application
  • Amendment
  • Surrender
Student Loan Servicing License Pursuant to the “Student Loan Servicing Act” (California Financial Code Division 12.5, section 28100, et seq.), all persons engaged in the business of servicing student loans in California must be licensed, unless expressly excluded from coverage.
  • New Application
  • Amendment
  • Surrender
Branch Licenses Description Requirements Checklist
Debt Collection Branch Registration The following persons are required to obtain a license to engage in the business of debt collection in California pursuant to the Debt Collection Licensing Act (California Financial Code section 100000, et seq.): • Any person who, in the ordinary course of business, regularly, on the person’s own behalf or on behalf of others, engages in debt collection. • Any person who composes and sells, or offers to compose and sell, forms, letters and other collection media used or intended to be used for debt collection. • Any person who engages in the business of a debt buyer. A debt buyer is any person or entity who regularly engages in the business of purchasing charged-off consumer debt for collection purposes, whether it collects the debt itself, hires a third party for collection, or hires an attorney-at-law for collection litigation (California Civil Code section 1788.50.)
  • New Application
  • Amendment
  • Surrender
Financing Law (CFL) License (Branch) This license is required for all locations, other than the main office identified on the CFL license, that conducts business with California borrowers.
  • Transition To NMLS
  • New Application
  • Amendment
  • Surrender
Property Assessed Clean Energy (PACE) Program Administrator Branch License This license is required for a PACE Program Administrator seeking to engage in business at a new location. A branch license application must be submitted to the Commissioner at least 10 days before engaging in business at a new location (California Financial Code section 22102). A company may only apply for this branch license if it currently holds a PACE Program Administrator license or has already submitted a new company application for a PACE Program Administrator license.
  • New Application
  • Amendment
  • Surrender
Residential Mortgage Lending Act (CRMLA) license (Branch) Each branch location desiring to conduct business under this license authority must be separately authorized and will require a filing of Form MU3 through the NMLS. All locations in California must be authorized.
  • New Application
  • Amendment
  • Surrender
Student Loan Servicing Branch License Pursuant to the “Student Loan Servicing Act” (California Financial Code Division 12.5, section 28100, et seq.), all persons engaged in the business of servicing student loans in California must be licensed, unless expressly excluded from coverage.
  • New Application
  • Amendment
  • Surrender
Individual Licenses Description Requirements Checklist
Mortgage Loan Originator License Any person who originates residential mortgage loans must apply for and receive a mortgage loan originator license by July 31, 2010.
  • New Application
  • Amendment
  • Surrender

How do I get my Nmls license in California?

How-To Licensing Guide.
Apply for your NMLS account and ID number..
Complete your NMLS Pre-License Education..
Pass the NMLS Mortgage licensing exam..
Apply for your CA MLO license..
Complete background checks and pay all fees..
Associate your NMLS account with your employer..

How much does it cost to get a Nmls license in California?

Applicants will apply through the NMLS licensing portal. The NMLS application fee is $30, and you'll also need to pay $300 for the California portion of the licensing fee. Additionally, a credit report must be submitted at the time of application for a fee of $15.

Is the Nmls test difficult?

The NMLS test difficulty can be described as challenging, even for those who prepare, and this is on purpose. Due to the financial responsibilities of mortgage loan officers, the exam serves to ensure MLOs are prepared for these duties and are held to high industry standards.

How do I become a loan officer in California 2022?

Step 1Apply for your NMLS account and ID number. Step 2Complete your NMLS Pre-License Education. Step 3Pass the NMLS Mortgage licensing exam. Step 4Apply for your CA MLO license.