How Much Does It Cost to Get Your Mortgage License in Texas? A Full Fee Breakdown

Important note on fees. The dollar amounts listed in this guide reflect the most recently published fee schedules from the Texas SML and NMLS at the time of writing. Texas SML licensing fees are subject to change at the start of each fiscal year (September 1), and NMLS fees may also be adjusted periodically. Always verify current fees directly with the Texas Department of Savings and Mortgage LendingLicensing Mortgage Origination and the NMLS Resource CenterSlr Common Sitepages Default.aspx Mortgage.nationwidelicensingsystem.org before submitting your application.

One of the most common questions people ask when considering a mortgage career in Texas is simply "how much will it cost me to get licensed?" It is a fair question, and until now there has not been a single page on Aceable's site that adds up every dollar. This guide changes that. Below you will find every fee involved in the Texas MLO licensing process, broken down step by step so you can budget accurately and avoid surprises.

The Complete Texas MLO License Fee Table

Here is a summary of every fee you can expect to pay when getting your Texas mortgage license through the SML path, which is the most common route for new MLOs.

Fee Category	Estimated Cost (TX-SML Path)	Notes
NMLS account creation	Free	Creating your NMLS account and receiving your unique NMLS ID number costs nothing
Pre-licensing education (23 hours for SML)	Varies by provider	Includes the 20-hour SAFE comprehensive course plus a 3-hour Texas-specific module. Costs vary depending on the education provider and package selected.
NMLS SAFE MLO exam	$110	Paid through NMLS. Covers the national exam with uniform state content. Non-refundable.
NMLS initial processing fee	$30	One-time fee for your initial NMLS filing
Texas SML application fee	$125	Includes the base application fee. Paid through NMLS. Non-refundable.
Texas SML Recovery Fund fee	$20	Required with every new SML application. Non-refundable.
FBI criminal background check	$36.25	Initiated through NMLS. Includes fingerprinting through Fieldprint.
Credit report	$15	Authorized and paid through NMLS as part of your application
Surety bond (covered by employer)	Typically covered by your sponsoring employer	Individual MLOs are usually covered under their employer's bond. Confirm with your employer before applying.

If you add up the non-education fees for the SML path, you are looking at approximately $336.25 in application, exam, and processing costs. When you add education costs (which vary by provider), most candidates can expect a total investment in the range of $700 to $1,000 to get fully licensed.

Understanding the Texas Dual Agency System

Texas is unique because it has two separate agencies that issue MLO licenses. Understanding which agency applies to you is the first decision you need to make, because it affects both your education requirements and your fees.

The Texas Department of Savings and Mortgage Lending (SML) licenses MLOs who work for mortgage companies, mortgage bankers, and related entities licensed or registered under Texas Finance Code Chapter 156 or 157. This is the most common path for new MLOs in Texas.

The Texas Office of Consumer Credit Commissioner (OCCC) licenses MLOs who originate certain types of loans including secondary mortgage loans, home equity loans, and manufactured housing. If your employer is licensed through the OCCC, you will apply through that agency instead.

Factor	Texas SML	Texas OCCC
Pre-licensing education	23 hours (20 national + 3 Texas-specific)	20 hours (national SAFE curriculum only)
State application fee	$125 + $20 Recovery Fund	$325
Most common employer types	Mortgage companies, mortgage bankers, most residential lenders	Home equity lenders, manufactured housing lenders, secondary mortgage lenders
Exam requirement	National SAFE MLO exam ($110)	National and Texas state components

If you are unsure which agency to apply with, the simplest approach is to ask your prospective employer. They will know which agency their company is licensed under, and that determines which path you follow. Aceable Mortgage's Texas licensing guidePre License How Do I Become A Licensed Mortgage Loan Originator In Texas Resources covers the dual agency system in detail.

Breaking Down Each Fee

Pre-Licensing Education

Texas SML applicants must complete 23 hours of NMLS-approved education, which includes 20 hours of national SAFE curriculum covering federal law (3 hours), ethics (3 hours), non-traditional mortgage lending (2 hours), and electives (12 hours), plus a 3-hour Texas-specific module covering state laws and practices. For a complete walkthrough of the Texas licensing processPre License How To Get Your Mortgage License In Texas Resources, see our dedicated guide.

Texas OCCC applicants need 20 hours of national SAFE curriculum. No additional state-specific education is required through this path.

Education costs vary by provider, format, and whether you choose packages that include exam preparation materials. Investing in quality exam prepPre License Is The Nmls Exam Hard What To Know Before You Start Studying Resources alongside your pre-licensing education is one of the smartest decisions you can make, since failing the exam means paying the $110 exam fee again and waiting at least 30 days to retest.

The NMLS SAFE MLO Exam

The national exam costs $110 and is administered by Prometric at testing centers across Texas. The exam consists of 120 questions (with 5 unscored pretest questions mixed in) and you have 190 minutes to complete it. A minimum score of 75% is required to pass.

If you do not pass on your first attempt, you must wait 30 days before retesting. After three consecutive failures, a 180-day waiting period applies. Each retake costs another $110, which is why thorough preparation is worth the investment upfront.

NMLS Processing and Application Fees

When you file your initial MU4 (individual application) through NMLS, you will pay a $30 NMLS processing fee. This is a standard fee that applies regardless of which state you are applying in.

Your Texas state application fee is paid at the same time through NMLS. For SML applicants, the current fee is $125 plus a $20 Recovery Fund fee. For OCCC applicants, the application fee is $325. All fees paid through NMLS are non-refundable.

Background Check and Credit Report

All Texas MLO applicants must authorize a federal criminal background check ($36.25) and a credit report ($15) through NMLS. The background check requires you to submit fingerprints through Fieldprint, which you will schedule after initiating the process in your NMLS account.

The SAFE ActCompliance Resources Mortgage Resources Secure And Fair Enforcement For Mortgage Licensing Act Compliance mandates these checks as a consumer protection measure. Certain criminal convictions (particularly felonies involving fraud, breach of trust, money laundering, or counterfeiting) result in automatic disqualification from licensure. A poor credit history does not automatically disqualify you but may be reviewed by the state agency as part of your application.

Surety Bond

Texas requires mortgage companies to maintain surety bonds, but individual MLOs are typically covered under their employer's bond. You should confirm this with your prospective employer before applying. If you are covered under your employer's bond, this will not be an out-of-pocket cost for you as an individual applicant.

Ongoing Costs After You Are Licensed

Getting licensed is not the end of your financial investment in your mortgage career. There are annual costs to maintain your license that you should factor into your long-term planning.

Annual Cost	Estimated Amount (TX-SML)	Notes
License renewal (SML)	$90	Due annually. Failure to renew on time results in a reinstatement fee of 150% of the base license fee.
NMLS renewal processing fee	$30	Paid through NMLS annually at renewal
Continuing education (8 hours)	Varies by provider	Required annually. Must include 3 hours federal law, 2 hours ethics, 2 hours non-traditional lending, and 1 hour elective.

Understanding your continuing education requirementsPre License Understanding Pre Licensing And Continuing Education Requirements For Mortgage Careers Resources early helps you budget for these ongoing costs and avoid the expensive reinstatement fees that come with missing your renewal deadline.

How to Budget for Your Texas MLO License

The total investment to get licensed as an MLO in Texas is modest compared to the earning potential the career offers. According to the Bureau of Labor StatisticsBusiness And Financial Loan Officers.htm Ooh, loan officers earned a median annual wage of $74,180 nationally, with top performers earning well into six figures through commission-based compensation.

Here is a practical approach to budgeting for your license. Set aside your education costs first, since this is typically the largest single expense. Then budget for the fixed fees (exam, application, background check, credit report, NMLS processing) which total approximately $336.25 for the SML path. Build in a small buffer for unexpected costs like exam retakes or additional documentation requests.

Many aspiring MLOs complete their licensing while still working another job, treating the education and fee costs as an investment in a career transition. Whether you are a career changer evaluating the opportunityPre License Should I Become A Mortgage Loan Originator Resources or someone who already has a job offer waiting, Texas's straightforward licensing process means most organized candidates can go from starting education to holding a license in approximately six to eight weeks.

Start Your Texas Mortgage Career

Now that you know exactly what it costs, the next step is getting started. Aceable Mortgage's NMLS-approved pre-licensing courses meet the Texas SML education requirement, including the 3-hour Texas-specific module. Our courses are taught by active lending professionals and include comprehensive exam preparation to help you pass the SAFE exam on your first attempt.

The investment in your MLO license is one of the smartest career moves you can make. Texas's massive housing market, growing population, and strong economy create consistent demand for licensed mortgage professionals who are ready to serve homebuyers across the state. Get started with Aceable MortgagePre License and make your investment count.