Indiana Mortgage License Renewal: Requirements and Continuing Education

Your Indiana mortgage license must be renewed annually to remain active. Meeting renewal requirements on time ensures you can continue originating loans without interruption. Understanding the renewal process, continuing education requirements, and key deadlines helps you maintain your license and stay compliant.

Indiana Mortgage License Renewal Timeline

Indiana requires annual license renewal with a December 31 deadline. You should start your renewal process by early December to ensure everything processes on time. The renewal period technically runs through the calendar year, but most MLOs complete their requirements in November and December.

If you submit your renewal by December 31, your license stays in Approved status while the Indiana DFI reviews your renewal. However, waiting until the last minute risks problems if your continuing education hasn't been reported to NMLS or if there are issues with your application. Late renewal carries significant penalties. Indiana has a reinstatement period from January 1 through the end of February. If you don't submit your renewal by the last day of February, your license automatically expires and you must file a completely new application to obtain a new license.

Continuing Education Requirements

Indiana follows federal continuing education requirements without adding state-specific hours. You must complete 8 hours of NMLS-approved continuing education annually.

Federal Requirement: Your 8 hours must include these specific topics:

• 3 hours of Federal law and regulations

• 2 hours of Ethics, including fraud, consumer protection, and fair lending

• 2 hours of Non-traditional mortgage products

• 1 hour of elective content

All courses must be NMLS-approved and reported to NMLS by your course provider. Indiana doesn't require any additional state-specific continuing education topics beyond these federal requirements. This makes Indiana one of the simpler states for CE compliance.

When CE Is Required: You're exempt from continuing education in your first year if you completed your pre-licensing education and obtained your license in the same calendar year. Starting in your second year of licensure, you must complete 8 hours of CE annually by December 31. The SAFE Act prohibits taking the same NMLS course two years in a row, so choose different courses each year. Most CE providers, including Aceable Mortgage, create new courses annually to ensure compliance with this requirement.

How to Complete Continuing Education

Completing your continuing education is straightforward with NMLS-approved providers:

Choose an NMLS-Approved Provider: Select a course provider approved by NMLS. You can verify providers through the NMLS Resource Center. Look for providers with current course offerings that meet all federal topic requirements in a comprehensive 8-hour package.

Online vs. In-Person Options: Most Indiana MLOs complete continuing education online for convenience and flexibility. Online courses allow you to work at your own pace and fit education around your schedule. Some providers also offer live webinar formats if you prefer instructor interaction. In-person classes are less common but available from some providers.

Aceable Mortgage CE Courses: Aceable Mortgage offers comprehensive 8-hour continuing education courses that meet all federal requirements in one convenient package. Our courses are engaging, efficient, and designed specifically for busy mortgage professionals. You can complete your CE entirely online at your own pace.

Completion and Reporting: After completing your course, your provider must report your completion to NMLS within 7 business days. This reporting is automatic, but you should verify that your CE appears in your NMLS account before submitting your renewal. Allow at least 7 to 10 days between course completion and your renewal submission to ensure everything processes correctly.

The Renewal Process

Renewing your Indiana mortgage license involves several steps through NMLS:

Log Into NMLS: Access your NMLS account and navigate to the renewal section. The renewal window typically opens in early fall, allowing plenty of time to complete the process before the December 31 deadline.

Attest to CE Completion: You'll confirm that you've completed all required continuing education hours. Your CE should already be recorded in NMLS by your course provider. Verify that your 8 hours appear correctly before proceeding with your renewal.

Update Personal Information: Review and update all personal information including your address, contact information, and employment details. Ensure everything is current and accurate. Outdated information can delay renewal processing.

Pay Renewal Fee: Submit your renewal fee through NMLS. The Indiana DFI charges a $100 renewal fee for mortgage loan originators. You'll also pay an NMLS processing fee. All fees are paid electronically through the NMLS system.

Complete Indiana-Specific Steps: The Indiana DFI doesn't require additional documentation or steps beyond the standard NMLS renewal process. Simply ensure all disclosure questions are answered accurately and any license items are resolved before submitting.

Submit for Review: Once everything is complete, submit your renewal for Indiana DFI review. If submitted by December 31, your license remains active while the renewal processes. The DFI typically reviews renewals within 1 to 2 weeks during normal volume periods.

Renewal Fees

Budget for these costs when planning your annual renewal:

• NMLS processing fee: $35 per year

• Indiana DFI renewal fee: $100 per year

• Total renewal fees: $135 per year

These fees don't include the cost of continuing education courses, which typically range from $50 to $150 depending on your provider. Many mortgage companies reimburse CE costs for their loan officers, so check with your employer about their policy.

What Happens If You Miss Renewal?

Missing the renewal deadline has serious consequences:

Late Fees: Indiana doesn't charge additional late fees during the reinstatement period, but your license status changes if you don't renew by December 31.

License Expiration: If you don't submit renewal by December 31, your license won't remain in Approved-Active status. You cannot originate new loans until your renewal processes and approves.

Reinstatement Process: Indiana offers a reinstatement period from January 1 through the end of February. During this time, you can still submit your renewal even though the deadline passed. If you complete CE after January 1, you must take "Late CE" courses, which are specifically designated for retroactive credit. Regular CE courses taken after January 1 won't count for the previous year.

Extended Lapse: If you don't renew by the last day of February, your license automatically expires. At that point, you must submit a completely new license application with all original requirements, including education, examination, and background checks. This process takes 8 to 12 weeks and prevents you from originating loans during that entire period.

Renewal Checklist

Use this checklist to ensure you complete everything on time:

• Complete 8 hours of NMLS-approved continuing education by mid-December

• Verify CE appears in your NMLS account (allow 7 to 10 days after completion)

• Log into NMLS and start renewal process

• Review and update all personal information

• Answer all disclosure questions accurately

• Resolve any outstanding license items

• Pay renewal fees ($135 total)

• Submit renewal to Indiana DFI by December 31

• Verify employer sponsorship is current and active

• Confirm license remains in Approved status after submission

Following this checklist and completing your renewal by early December eliminates stress and ensures your license stays active without interruption. Don't wait until the last week of December when processing times may be longer and technical issues could prevent timely submission.

Your Indiana mortgage license represents your professional credential and your ability to earn income. Protecting it through timely renewal and continuing education compliance should be a priority every year. Start your renewal process early, complete your CE well before the deadline, and maintain the active license status you've worked hard to achieve.