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State Cert Guide

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

To get a Pennsylvania mortgage originator license, an applicant completes at least 20 hours of approved education and passes a written test on it. Three of the hours must cover Pennsylvania law. The statute lets programs be offered in a classroom, online, or by other means NMLS approves, or as the department decides.

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The rule, fact by fact

Course hours
At least 20 hours of approved education, three of them on Pennsylvania lawThe split by topic is in the questions below.
Verified. www.legis.state.pa.us (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
Online accepted
Yes. A classroom, online, or any other means NMLS approves, or the department decidesThe statute says this about prelicensing programs in general.
Same source and date as above

How to get it done

  1. Step 1. Confirm the rule. The statute says applicants complete the prelicensing education and pass a written test on it to obtain a license.

  2. Step 2. Pick a course from the NMLS course provider list. The statute has NMLS, or the department, review and approve prelicensing programs and their providers. Plan for at least 20 hours, three of them on Pennsylvania law.

  3. Step 3. Take the course. The statute says programs may be offered in a classroom, online, or by any other means NMLS approves, or as the department decides.

  4. Step 4. Pass the written test. The statute says NMLS develops it, and a passing score is not less than 75% correct answers.

Before you pay

Before you pay, check that NMLS or the department has approved both the course and its provider, and that it includes the three Pennsylvania law hours.

Questions

How do the 20 hours split?

NMLS lists 3 hours of federal law, 3 of ethics, 2 of non-traditional mortgage lending, 9 of electives and 3 of Pennsylvania law.

I took a course for another state. Does it count?

Yes, with one exception. Programs NMLS approves, or the department decides, and that you completed for another State license application count as credit. The three Pennsylvania law hours do not transfer.

Does Pennsylvania give its own test too?

It may. The statute says the department may also require applicants to pass a test on Pennsylvania-specific law, given by a test provider the department approves.

How many times can I take the test?

The statute lets you take it three consecutive times, each at least 30 days after the last. After failing three, you wait at least six months before testing again.

What if my license lapsed?

A formerly licensed originator who has been unlicensed for five continuous years or longer retakes the test. Time as a registered mortgage loan originator does not count toward the five years.

What to do next

Start with the Pennsylvania law on prelicensing education. Then pick a course from the NMLS list.

www.legis.state.pa.us

Sources we read