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What do I need for an Arkansas mortgage loan originator license?

To apply for an Arkansas loan officer license, you need at least 20 hours of education that the NMLS&R approves. You also need passing scores on a national test and a state test. The rule says a passing score is at least 75 percent. The rule says the classes can be online.

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The rule, fact by fact

Course hours
At least twenty hours of approved educationIt must include three hours of federal law, three of ethics and two of nontraditional lending.
Verified. securities.arkansas.gov (opens state website) · checked Nov 13, 2026
Cost
$110 for the SAFE MLO Test, as NMLS lists it. This is not the course priceThat is the test fee NMLS lists. We haven't confirmed a course price from a source.
NMLS Resource Center · SAFE MLO Test overview (opens website) · checked Nov 13, 2026
Online accepted
Yes. The rule allows a classroom, online, or other means the NMLS&R approvesThe rule says the NMLS&R decides which other means count.
Same source and date as above
Test parts
A national test from the NMLS&R and a state test from the Securities CommissionerBoth tests must be given by a test provider the NMLS&R approves.
Same source and date as above
Passing score
A passing score is at least seventy-five percent (75%)The rule sets that cutoff for a qualified written test.
Same source and date as above

How to get it done

  1. Step 1. Check that you meet the starting conditions. The Arkansas rule says a loan officer applicant must be an employee, have completed the prelicensing education, and have passed the written test before submitting the application.

  2. Step 2. Pick a course from the NMLS course provider list. The rule says the NMLS&R, which is the Nationwide Mortgage Licensing System and Registry, reviews and approves the course and its provider. Plan for 20 hours: 3 on federal law, 3 on ethics, 2 on non-traditional mortgage lending and 12 electives. NMLS says Arkansas has no requirement for instruction on state-specific law.

  3. Step 3. Take the course online or in a classroom. The rule says prelicensing education may be offered in a classroom, online, or by any other means the NMLS&R approves.

  4. Step 4. Pass the national test from the NMLS&R and the state test from the Securities Commissioner. The rule says you need at least 75 percent correct answers to pass. NMLS lists the fee for its National Test as $110.

Courses

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Before you pay

Before you pay, check that the course is on the NMLS course provider list and covers the 20 hours.

Questions

How many times can I retake the tests?

You can retake the national or state part three consecutive times, with each test at least thirty days after the one before. After failing three consecutive tests, you wait at least six months before taking the test again.

What if my license lapses?

A licensed loan officer who fails to keep a valid license for two years or longer retakes the national and state parts of the test. If you kept a valid license in another jurisdiction for those two years, you take only the state part. If you held an Arkansas license before, you also prove you completed all the required education, including the continuing education rule: at least eight hours each calendar year as a licensed loan officer.

Can I take the course as a webinar?

NMLS says all prelicensing education categories can be delivered in the classroom or classroom equivalent (webinar) format.

What is on the National Test?

NMLS lists 120 questions, 115 of them scored, and a time limit of 190 minutes. The five unscored pre-test questions do not change your pass or fail result.

What to do next

Start with the Arkansas rule on loan officer education. Then pick a course from the NMLS list.

securities.arkansas.gov

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