Become a Loan Officer in Florida
If you’re interested in becoming a mortgage loan officer in Florida, there is a clear path to follow to get your Florida MLO license and begin your career in the residential mortgage industry. The term mortgage loan originator (MLO), licensed mortgage loan officer are frequently used interchangeably and both reflect the important job of helping home buyers find and secure the right home loan for them.
To be a successful loan officer in Florida you’ll need both a comprehensive understanding of the mortgage industry, financial regulations as well as good interpersonal and communication skills. You’ll need to learn the national and Florida state-level guidelines and pass an exam to show your mortgage knowledge and expertise.
Let’s dive into our step-by-step guide of how to become a loan officer in Florida.
Step 1: Request your NMLS Account
Start your journey to become an MLO by requesting an NMLS account through the Nationwide Multistate Licensing System & Registry (NMLS), which is also commonly referred to as the Nationwide Mortgage Licensing System. If you already have an NMLS account, and are looking to add Florida to your mortgage license, skip to step #3.
Step 2: Receive your personal NMLS ID number
Once you’ve registered with the NMLS, you’ll receive an individual NMLS ID number to use throughout your career as a licensed loan officer. The same NMLS ID is used for your license in Florida and any other states you might consider getting licensed in like Georgia, Alabama or North Carolina.
Step 3: Review Florida’s state-specific mortgage licensing requirements
Check Florida’s state-specific licensing requirements through NMLS Resource Center, State Licensing website. Here you’ll find the additional steps required to obtain your MLO license in Florida. You will want to complete this step for any additional state you’d like to get licensed in.
Step 4: Complete national and Florida pre-licensing mortgage coursework
Complete the required 20 hours of pre-licensing coursework. Pre-licensing classes for becoming a mortgage loan officer cover a range of topics from mortgage industry fundamentals and financial regulations to ethics and professional conduct. In Florida, 2 additional hours of work must be completed that are dedicated to state-specific laws and regulations.
Pineyro Capital Group can recommend online pre-licensing courses in both English and Spanish. Message us HERE for more information!
Step 5: Prepare for the national mortgage SAFE exam
After you’ve completed your 20 hours pre license education and the additional 2 hours of Florida specific education, it’s time to study for your SAFE exam. First you’ll want to purchase your SAFE test prep materials and practice tests to begin studying and getting ready for the Secure and Fair Enforcement (SAFE) exam. This exam was instituted by Congress as part of the Secure and Fair Enforcement for Mortgage Licensing Act, known as the SAFE Act, of 2008.
Step 6: Pass the national SAFE exam
To obtain your MLO license, you’ll need to pass the NMLS’s SAFE Mortgage Loan Originator Test with a score of 75% or higher. This exam is meant to test your understanding of core concepts in mortgage lending. The SAFE exam is 190 minutes long, and costs $110.
Schedule your test at your convenience and when you feel prepared. If you don’t pass the exam on your first attempt, you’ll have to wait 30 days before retaking the SAFE exam.
Step 7: Complete a background check and get fingerprinted
Next, you must complete a criminal background check and get fingerprinted. The background check can be initiated through your NMLS portal. You can also make your appointment to have your fingerprints taken through the NMLS portal. The current cost of both the background check and the fingerprinting is $36.25.
Step 8: Submit your mortgage license application to NMLS
Once you’ve passed your test and completed your background checks, you’re ready to submit your Florida mortgage license application! To submit your application, head to your NMLS portal to: complete your Individual Form (MU4) and pay your NMLS fees. The cost to submit your mortgage officer license in Florida is: $30 NMLS application fee, a $195 state agency application fee and a $15 credit report fee.
Step 9: Get sponsored by a mortgage company
After finding and being hired by a mortgage originator, that’s either a mortgage broker like Pineyro Capital Group Inc. NMLS# 420112 or a mortgage lender like a credit union or bank, you can initiate the sponsorship process by submitting the company’s credentials to the NMLS for verification. As soon as NMLS gives final approval — congrats, you officially have your mortgage loan originator license in Florida!
Are you looking for mortgage sponsorship in Florida?
If you’ve completed the pre-licensing work and passed the SAFE exam to become an mlo in Florida, the next thing to consider is what mortgage company will to sponsor your license.
We’d love to sponsor you at Pineyro Capital Group Inc (NMLS# 420112)! As a family-owned business with over 20 years of experience in residential and commercial real estate loans, we’re committed to helping you succeed as a Mortgage Loan Originator (MLO).
When you join our team, you become part of the family. You’ll get access to a 24/7/365 portal to manage your files anytime, your own dedicated loan processor with limited monthly volume to ensure efficiency, and over 200 loan programs from 100+ lenders to offer your clients the best options.
We also provide white-label marketing materials, including customizable mortgage flyers and social media posts to grow your brand. Your job is to bring in the business, and we’ll handle the rest—making the process smooth and stress-free for you and your clients!