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State Cert Guide

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

To get a Georgia mortgage loan originator license, you take 20 hours of classes. Georgia adds no state-specific hours. Then you pass the SAFE MLO Test, where NMLS says the Act requires 75% or better. The Georgia Department of Banking and Finance lists the requirements. NMLS says prelicensure courses can be taken online with an instructor.

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The rule, fact by fact

Course hours
20 hours of pre-licensure educationIt is what the Department says you need to be eligible for a Georgia license.
Verified. Georgia Department of Banking and Finance · MLO education and testing (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
Valid for
Expires after three consecutive years without a valid MLO license or federal registrationThe Department attaches this rule to pre-licensure education.
Same source and date as above
Agency
Department of Banking and FinanceIts MLO page lists the hours and the test.
Same source and date as above
Passing score
State licensure needs the SAFE MLO Test with a score of 75% or betterNMLS says the Act requires this of all MLOs seeking state licensure.
Same source and date as above

How to get it done

  1. Step 1. Check which testing and education requirements apply to you. Georgia says anyone seeking to get or keep an MLO license must complete the relevant ones.

  2. Step 2. Pick a course from the NMLS course provider list. It has 20 hours. NMLS lists 3 hours of federal law, 3 of ethics, 2 of non-traditional mortgage lending and 12 of electives. Georgia asks for no state-specific hours.

  3. Step 3. NMLS reserves the online instructor-led format for prelicensure education, so you can take these classes online with an instructor.

  4. Step 4. Pass the SAFE MLO Test. NMLS says the Act requires a score of 75% or better. NMLS lists the fee as $110.

  5. Step 5. Apply while your classes still count. They expire after three consecutive years without a valid MLO license or federal registration.

Courses

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Before you pay

NMLS lists the courses it approves. Before you pay, check that the course is NMLS-approved and has 20 hours. Georgia asks for no state-specific hours. Ask whether the online class has an instructor or is self-study. NMLS requires online self-study for state-specific courses of ten hours or less.

Questions

What is on the test, and what score do I need?

The SAFE MLO Test has 120 questions, and 115 of them are scored. You get 190 minutes in a 225-minute appointment. NMLS lists the fee as $110. NMLS says you need 75% or better.

How long does my test result last?

Test results expire after five consecutive years without a valid MLO license or federal registration.

Where do I find course and test providers?

The Department says provider information and guides on testing and education are on the NMLS Resource Center, under Professional Standards.

What to do next

Start with the Department's MLO education and testing page. Then pick an NMLS-approved course.

dbf.georgia.gov

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