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What do I need for a Delaware mortgage loan originator license?

If you work as a mortgage loan originator on a dwelling in Delaware and no exemption applies, you need a license from the Commissioner. To get it, you complete at least 20 hours of prelicensing education and pass a written test. The statute sets the pass mark at not less than 75 percent correct answers.

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The rule, fact by fact

Course hours
At least 20 hours of prelicensing educationThe statute sets minimum hours on three topics: federal law, ethics and nontraditional lending.
Verified. delcode.delaware.gov (opens state website) · checked Nov 13, 2026
Cost
$110 for the NMLS National Test. This is not the course priceNMLS lists the fee in its test specifications table.
NMLS Resource Center · SAFE MLO Test overview (opens website) · checked Nov 13, 2026
Online accepted
Yes. A classroom, online, or any other means the Registry approvesThe sentence covers prelicensing education only.
Same source and date as above
Passing score
A passing score is not less than 75 percent correct answersThe statute sets this for the qualified written test.
Same source and date as above
Valid for
A licensed originator without a valid license for 5 years or longer retakes the testTime spent as a registered mortgage loan originator is not counted.
Same source and date as above

How to get it done

  1. Step 1. Check whether you need the license. Unless an exemption applies, an individual may not act as a mortgage loan originator on a dwelling in Delaware without first getting a license from the Commissioner, who is the State Bank Commissioner, and keeping it annually. Among those exempt are an individual who offers or negotiates a residential mortgage loan with or for an immediate family member, and one who does so on a dwelling that served as their own residence.

  2. Step 2. Pick a course the Registry approves. The statute names it the Nationwide Mortgage Licensing System and Registry. Use the NMLS course provider list. The Registry approves the course provider too. NMLS says the 20 hours are 3 on federal law, 3 on ethics, 2 on non-traditional mortgage lending and 12 electives.

  3. Step 3. Take at least 20 hours. The statute says the hours include at least three on federal law and regulations, three on ethics and two on lending standards for the nontraditional mortgage product marketplace. Courses may be offered in a classroom, online, or by other means the Registry approves.

  4. Step 4. Pass the written test. Among other findings, the Commissioner needs a passed written test before issuing a license. The statute says you have passed only with not less than 75 percent correct answers.

Before you pay

Before you pay, check that the Registry has approved both the course and its provider.

Questions

Do courses I took for another state count?

Delaware accepts the prelicensing education requirements the Registry approved for any other state as credit toward its own prelicensing education requirements.

How many times can I retake the test?

You may retake a test 3 consecutive times, each at least 30 days after the one before. After failing 3 consecutive tests, you wait at least 6 months before taking the test again.

What fees does the application carry?

The statute sets a $250 investigation fee, which is not refundable, and a $250 license fee, payable annually after that.

What does the written test cover?

The statute says the test must adequately measure knowledge in appropriate subject areas, among them ethics, federal law and regulation on mortgage origination, and state law and regulation on mortgage origination.

How long is the test?

NMLS lists 120 questions, with 115 scored, and 190 minutes to finish. The five unscored pre-test questions have no effect on your pass or fail result.

What to do next

Start with the Delaware mortgage loan originator statute. Then pick a course the Registry approves.

delcode.delaware.gov

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