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State Cert Guide

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What do I need for a South Carolina mortgage loan originator license?

In South Carolina, an applicant for a loan originator license must complete at least twenty hours of prelicensing education. Three of those hours must cover South Carolina laws and regulations. The same law also requires the National Test Component with Uniform State Content.

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The rule, fact by fact

Course hours
At least twenty hours of prelicensing education, three on South Carolina lawThe statute states this as a minimum.
Verified. www.scstatehouse.gov (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
Who needs it
A person may not employ an unlicensed loan originator. Exempt persons are not subjectThe rule covers employing, paying or appointing a loan originator as an agent.
Same source and date as above

How to get it done

  1. Step 1. Check whether you need the license. A person may not employ, pay, or appoint as its agent a loan originator who is not licensed, and an exempt person is not subject to that rule.

  2. Step 2. Pick a course approved through the Nationwide Mortgage Licensing System and Registry, called the registry on this page. The statute requires that approval before credit can be awarded. Applicants who complete education or testing approved through the registry fulfill the requirements of this State.

  3. Step 3. Take at least twenty hours of prelicensing education. At least three hours must cover South Carolina laws and regulations.

  4. Step 4. Complete the National Test Component with Uniform State Content, then work for a licensed mortgage lender. The license is not effective while the person is not employed by one.

Before you pay

Before you pay, check that the course is approved through the registry, because credit is awarded only for approved courses.

Questions

What must the twenty hours include?

At least three of the hours must cover South Carolina laws and regulations. NMLS lists the rest as 3 hours of federal law, 3 of ethics, 2 of non-traditional mortgage lending, and 9 of electives, for 20 in total. It says a South Carolina comprehensive course or a state-specific elective can cover the state hours.

What if I work for a mortgage broker instead of a lender?

The broker chapter asks a loan originator for the same twenty hours, three of them on South Carolina law, plus the National Test Component. That license is not effective while the person is not employed by a licensed mortgage broker.

Who is exempt from the license?

The statute lists many exempt persons. Among them is a person who offers or negotiates terms of a mortgage loan with or on behalf of an immediate family member.

What does renewal take?

As a condition of renewal, a licensee must complete at least eight hours of continuing professional education annually, including at least one hour on South Carolina laws and regulations.

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 South Carolina Code chapter on mortgage lenders. Then pick a course approved through the registry.

www.scstatehouse.gov

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