How to Look Up Your NMLS License Status in 3 Easy Steps

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Quick Answer

Visit NMLS Consumer Access at www.nmlsconsumeraccess.org
Search using your NMLS ID, name, or state license number
Review your status: "Approved" means active, other statuses may require action

Why You Should Check Your NMLS Status Regularly

Your NMLS license status determines whether you can legally originate loans. If your status changes and you don't catch it, you could originate loans without authorization, putting your career and your employer at risk.

Common reasons to check your status:

Before starting at a new employer, confirm your sponsorship transferred correctly
After completing CE courses — verify your credits were reported to NMLS
During renewal season (November–December) — make sure nothing is flagged before the December 31 deadline
If your employer changes NMLS status — sometimes company-level changes affect individual MLOs
Anytime a client or compliance officer asks, you should always be able to confirm your authorization

According to the Consumer Financial Protection BureauIs There Any Way I Can Check To See If The Company Or Person I Contact Is Permitted To Make Or Broker Mortgage Loans En 133 Ask Cfpb, NMLS Consumer Access is a free service that allows anyone to verify whether a mortgage professional is authorized to conduct business in their state.

The 3 Easy Steps to Check Your License Status

Step 1: Navigate to NMLS Consumer Access

Start by visiting the official NMLS Consumer Access website. This free, public-facing portal allows anyone to look up licensing information for mortgage professionals.

Important: Always use the official NMLS Consumer Access site (www.nmlsconsumeraccess.org) to ensure you're viewing accurate, up-to-date information directly from the source.

What You'll See: The homepage features a search bar where you can enter various identifiers to find your profile.

Step 2: Search for Your Profile

You have multiple search options to find your licensing information:

Option A: Search by NMLS ID (Fastest Method)

Enter your unique NMLS ID number
This provides the most direct results
Your NMLS ID remains constant even if you change employers

Option B: Search by Name

Enter your full legal name as it appears on your license
Add your city and state to narrow results
Use quotation marks for exact name matching if needed

Option C: Search by State License Number

Enter your state-specific license number
Note: License numbers vary by state (e.g., BK-3872, ML 52094, or 007634)
A portion containing at least two characters can be entered

Pro Tip: For best results, use multiple search criteria. For example, "John Smith New York" or "John Smith 10006" will yield more accurate results than just "John Smith."

Step 3: Review Your License Information

Once you've located your profile, carefully review all displayed information:

License Status Section Check each state where you hold a license for:

Approved: You're authorized to originate loans
Approved - Inactive: License exists but you cannot originate loans
Approved - Conditional: Additional requirements needed
Approved - Deficient: Missing items must be addressed
Expired: Renewal required immediately

Is your status showing "Deficient" because of missing CE? This is one of the most common issues MLOs face, especially late in the renewal year. If you need to complete your continuing education quickly, Aceable Mortgage's online CE courses are NMLS-approved and report your credits within 7 days of completion. Build your CE bundle →Continuing Education Navigation Link

Additional Information to Verify:

Sponsorship details (current employer)
License expiration dates
Authorized states
Any disciplinary actions
Contact information accuracy

Your first 30 days as an MLOPre License Your First 30 Days As An Mlo What To Expect After Youre Licensed Resources often include navigating NMLS logins and state-specific compliance requirements—making it crucial to understand these status indicators from day one.

Don't wait until December

Start Your CEContinuing Education Navigation Link

Understanding Different License Statuses

Not all "Approved" statuses are created equal. Here's what each means for your ability to work:

Active Statuses

"Approved"

Full authorization to originate loans
All requirements met
No restrictions on activities

"Approved - Conditional"

Temporary approval with conditions
May originate loans but must complete specified requirements
Common for new MLOs completing state-specific items

Inactive Statuses

"Approved - Inactive"

License exists but not currently authorized to originate
Often occurs between employers or during leaves of absence
Requires sponsor activation to resume originating

"Approved - Deficient"

Missing required items (often CE credits or fees)
Cannot originate until deficiencies are resolved
Check your continuing educationContinuing Education Navigation LinkContinuing Education Navigation Link requirements immediately

Problem Statuses

"Expired"

License has lapsed due to non-renewal
Immediate action required
May face reinstatement requirements depending on lapse duration

"Terminated" or "Surrendered"

License no longer valid
Reapplication may be required
Consult state requirements for reactivation

Common Issues and How to Resolve Them

Issue 1: CE Credits Not Showing

Even experienced professionals make errors in the CE reporting processResources Continuing Education Understanding Ce Reporting What Happens After You Finish Your Courses Mortgage.aceable.com. If your continuing education isn't reflected:

Verify completion certificates from your provider
Check that credits were reported within 7 calendar days
Contact your education provider for confirmation
Submit documentation to NMLS if needed

Worried about CE reporting delays? Aceable Mortgage reports all course completions to NMLS within 7 days, and you'll get a confirmation email as soon as your credits are submitted. Check available CE courses →Continuing Education Navigation LinkContinuing Education Navigation Link

Note: Most states require 8 hours of NMLS-approved CE annually, but some require more:

New York: 11 hours total
New Jersey: 12 hours total
Oregon: 10 hours total
Check your state's specific requirements

Issue 2: Wrong Employer Listed

If your sponsorship information is outdated:

Confirm your new employer submitted the sponsorship request
Check for pending items in your NMLS account
Complete any required attestations
Contact your company's NMLS administrator

Issue 3: State License Shows Inactive

For state-specific issues:

Verify state-specific requirements are met (including any additional CE hours)
Check for unpaid fees or missing documents
Review state-specific CE requirements (some states require 9-12 hours total)
Contact the state regulator if needed

Best Practices for License Management

Set Regular Check Reminders

Successful MLOs understand that compliance is an ongoing commitmentPre License Starting Your Journey As A Mortgage Loan Originator Resources. Create calendar reminders to:

Check status monthly during your first year
Verify quarterly once established
Confirm immediately after any changes (employer, CE completion, renewals)

Document Everything

Maintain digital copies of:

License certificates
CE completion confirmations
Fee payment receipts
Correspondence with regulators
Status change notifications

The Bottom Line

Checking your NMLS license status isn't just a compliance task; it's a career protection measure. These three simple steps take minutes but can save you from costly interruptions to your business.

Whether you're just starting your journey as an MLOResources Pre License Breaking Into The Mortgage Industry Mortgage.aceable.com or you're a seasoned professional, make status checks part of your routine. Your license is your livelihood; treat it with the attention it deserves.

Frequently Asked Questions About NMLS Lookup

How do I look up an NMLS number by name?

Go to nmlsconsumeraccess.org and enter the person's full name in the search bar. For more accurate results, add their city, state, or zip code.
Searching "John Smith New York" or "John Smith 10006" will narrow results much faster than just "John Smith."
Once results appear, click the individual's name to see their NMLS ID number, license status, sponsoring employer, and authorized states. This NMLS lookup by name is completely free and doesn't require an account.

How do I look up a mortgage loan officer's NMLS number?

Visit NMLS Consumer Access and search by the loan officer's name, NMLS ID, or state license number.

Every mortgage loan originator in the U.S. is required to register with NMLS under the SAFE Act, so their record should appear in the system.

If you're a consumer trying to verify your loan officer is licensed, look for "Approved" under the state where they're doing business with you, and confirm their sponsoring employer matches the company they claim to work for.

Is the NMLS lookup free?

Yes. NMLS Consumer Access is a 100% free, public service with no account, login, or fees. You can search for any mortgage loan originator or lending company by name, NMLS ID number, or state license number. The service is maintained by the Conference of State Bank Supervisors (CSBS) and is available to consumers, employers, regulators, and MLOs checking their own records.

What's the NMLS phone number?

The NMLS Call Center can be reached at (855) 665-7123. They're available to help with account issues, licensing questions, and technical support for the NMLS system.

For general questions about mortgage licensing requirements or continuing education, you can also visit the NMLS Resource CenterMortgage.nationwidelicensingsystem.org online.

What happens if my mortgage license expires?

If you miss the December 31 renewal deadline, your license goes inactive on January 1, and you cannot originate loans.

Most states allow reinstatement through the end of February if you complete all outstanding requirements (including CE) and pay any late fees.

But if you miss the February deadline, most states require you to retake your full 20-hour pre-licensing educationPre License and reapply from scratch, which can take weeks and cost hundreds of dollars in course fees, exam fees, and application fees on top of what you've already spent.

How long does it take for CE credits to show on my NMLS profile?

Education providers have up to 7 calendar days to report your CE completion to NMLS. After that, NMLS Consumer Access updates nightly on business days only.

So if you finish a course on a Friday, your credits may not appear in Consumer Access until the following week, or up to 10 business days in the worst case. If you're completing CE close to the December 31 renewal deadline, finish by early December to leave time for reporting.

Aceable Mortgage's CE coursesContinuing Education report completions to NMLS within 7 days, and you'll receive a confirmation email when your credits are submitted.