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

To get a Florida mortgage loan originator license, you take a 20-hour prelicensing class. NMLS lists 2 of those hours on Florida law. Then you pass a written test. The application adds, among other items, fingerprints and a credit report. You must be at least 18 and have a high school diploma or its equivalent.

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The rule, fact by fact

Course hours
A 20-hour prelicensing class that the registry has approvedCheck the NMLS course provider list before you enroll.
Verified. Florida Statutes · Section 494.00312, loan originator license (opens state website) · checked Nov 13, 2026
Cost
$110 for the SAFE MLO Test, as NMLS lists it. This is not the course priceWe haven't confirmed a course price from a source.
NMLS Resource Center · SAFE MLO Test overview (opens website) · checked Nov 13, 2026
Agency
Office of Financial RegulationIts loan originator page is linked at the end of this page.
Verified. Florida Office of Financial Regulation · Loan originator (opens state website) · checked Nov 13, 2026
Florida law hours
Two of the hours must cover Florida lawThat's how NMLS lists Florida's rule. A Florida comprehensive course or a state-specific elective can meet it.
NMLS Resource Center · Florida pre-licensure education (opens website) · checked Nov 13, 2026
Minimum age
At least 18 years old with a high school diploma or its equivalentFlorida law says you need both before you can apply.
Same source and date as above

How to get it done

  1. Step 1. Check whether your work needs the license, and whether you meet the age rule. Florida requires the license for an individual who, directly or indirectly, solicits or offers to solicit a mortgage loan, accepts or offers to accept an application for a mortgage loan, negotiates or offers to negotiate the terms or conditions of a new or existing mortgage loan on behalf of a borrower or lender, or negotiates or offers to negotiate the sale of an existing mortgage loan to a non-institutional investor, for compensation or gain. The term does not include an employee of a mortgage broker or mortgage lender whose duties are limited to physically handling a completed application form or transmitting it to a lender. You must be at least 18 and have a high school diploma or its equivalent.

  2. Step 2. Pick a class from the NMLS course provider list. It has 20 hours. NMLS lists 2 of them on Florida law, which a Florida comprehensive course or a state-specific elective can meet.

  3. Step 3. Pass the written test. It is the SAFE MLO Test. NMLS says the SAFE Mortgage Licensing Act requires 75% or better. NMLS lists the fee as $110.

  4. Step 4. File your application through NMLS and pay the $195 nonrefundable application fee, plus a $20 nonrefundable fee if the statute requires it. Among other items, the application needs fingerprints for state and federal criminal history checks and your authorization for a credit report. You pay the costs of both.

Before you pay

NMLS lists the courses it approves. Before you pay, check that the class is NMLS-approved and ask whether it carries the 2 Florida hours NMLS lists.

Questions

How long is the written test?

NMLS lists 120 questions, 115 of them scored, and 190 minutes for the test.

What topics must the 20 hours cover?

NMLS lists 3 hours of federal law, 3 of ethics, 2 of non-traditional mortgage lending, 10 of electives and 2 of Florida law.

Where do I change or renew my license?

Florida says all mortgage license applications, amendments and renewal filings must be filed through NMLS.

What to do next

Start with the Office of Financial Regulation's loan originator page. Then pick an NMLS-approved class and check its Florida hours.

flofr.gov

Sources we read