Do You Need to Pick One State, or Can You Get Licensed in Multiple States as a MLO?

One of the best things about mortgage licensing is that you are not locked into a single market. The Nationwide Multistate Licensing System (NMLS)Mortgage.nationwidelicensingsystem.org was designed so MLOs can hold licenses across multiple states through one centralized platform.

But multi-state licensing is not as simple as checking extra boxes. Each state has its own requirements, fees, and regulatory nuances.

What Transfers Nationally vs. What Does Not

Requirement	Applies Nationally?	Notes
20-Hour Pre-Licensing Education	Yes	Satisfies the federal baseline in every state (per the SAFE ActCompliance Resources Mortgage Resources Secure Fair Enforcement Mortgage Licensing Act Compliance)
SAFE MLO Exam	Yes	Pass once, accepted everywhere. Only needs to be passed once per NMLS policyKnowledge Products Nmls Pubs TestingHbk Education Mlo_testing Mlo_test_faq Mlo_testing_hbk_FAQ.html Mortgage.nationwidelicensingsystem.org.
FBI Background Check	Yes	On file with NMLS; may need updates for some states
State-Specific Pre-Licensing Hours	No	Some states require 1–4 additional hours on state mortgage laws
State Licensing Fees	No	Each state has its own fee schedule
Surety Bond	No	Required in many states; amount varies
State-Specific CE Hours	No	Some states require 1–3 additional CE hours annually beyond the federal 8-hour minimum

How to Add a State License

Adding a new state license happens within your existing NMLS account. The process generally involves:

1. Complete any state-specific education requirements
2. Submit the MU4 application form for the new state through NMLS
3. Pay the applicable state licensing fees and any required surety bond
4. Authorize additional background checks if required by that state
5. Have your sponsoring employer submit a sponsorship request in the new state

That last point is important: your employer must also be licensed in any state where you plan to originate loans. Understanding your education requirementsPre License Understanding Pre Licensing And Continuing Education Requirements For Mortgage Careers Resources across states is straightforward through the NMLS licensing checklistsKnowledge Products Nmls Stateresourcecenter SitePages Checklist Compiler.aspx Mortgage.nationwidelicensingsystem.org.

Processing for additional states is typically faster than your initial license because your national education, exam, and FBI background check are already on file. The overall licensing timelinePre License How Long Does It Take To Become A Mortgage Loan Originator Resources for add-on states is usually measured in weeks, not months.

Continuing Education for Multiple States

The federal baseline is eight hours of NMLS-approved CE annually:

• 3 hours of federal law
• 2 hours of ethics
• 2 hours of non-traditional lending
• 1 hour of elective content

This eight-hour requirement satisfies many states simultaneously. States requiring additional CE hours beyond the federal minimum add to your annual obligation. NMLS tracks your progress across all licenses in one dashboard, making it manageable.

When Multi-State Licensing Makes Sense

Expanding your licensing footprint is a strategic decision. It genuinely benefits your career when:

• Your employer operates nationally: Being licensed in every state they serve maximizes your ability to handle leads regardless of borrower location
• You live near a state border: Licenses in adjacent states expand your market significantly
• You work remotely: Multi-state licensing removes geographic limits from your business. Many companies that support remote originationPre License What Working From Home Actually Looks Like For Mlos Resources prefer MLOs who can work across state lines.

If you are brand new, there is real value in starting with one state, building skills and pipeline, then expanding strategically once you have a production track record.

Costs to Consider

Each state license carries its own fees. Common costs include:

• NMLS processing fee per state
• State licensing fee
• Surety bond (required in many states; amounts vary)
• Additional background check or credit report fees in some states
• Annual renewal fees per state

Many experienced MLOs maintain licenses only in states where they actively originate — and drop licenses in states that do not generate meaningful business.

Start in One State, Scale Strategically

Your mortgage license is portable by design. The NMLS infrastructure supports multi-state licensing because the industry recognizes that borrowers and MLOs do not always stay within a single state's borders. Choosing the right education providerPre License How To Choose The Right Mortgage Pre Licensing Course For Your Learning Style Resources sets the foundation. Aceable Mortgage's pre-licensing courses are approved for all states and give you the national education requirement in one comprehensive program. Get started with your licensePre License How Do I Get Licensed As A Mortgage Loan Originator Resources and set the stage for a career without geographic limits.