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

If you have not completed SAFE prelicensing education for another state, you complete at least twenty-two hours of prelicensing education that NMLS approves. At least four of those hours cover Washington law. The statute says classes can be in a classroom, online, or by other means NMLS approves.

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The rule, fact by fact

Course hours
At least twenty-two hours of prelicensing education that NMLS approvesAt least four of them cover Washington law, the rule says.
Verified. lawfilesext.leg.wa.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
Online accepted
Yes. The law allows a classroom, online or other means the NMLSR approvesThe statute applies this to prelicensing education in general.
Verified. lawfilesext.leg.wa.gov (opens state website) · checked Nov 13, 2026

How to get it done

  1. Step 1. Read the rule first. Washington’s rule on loan originator prelicensing education says you must complete at least twenty-two hours that NMLS approves.

  2. Step 2. Pick a course from the NMLS course provider list. The rule lists three hours of federal law, three of ethics, two on nontraditional mortgage lending and at least four on Washington law.

  3. Step 3. Take the hours in a classroom, online, or by other means NMLS approves. You have no continuing education to do in the year you complete the core twenty hours.

  4. Step 4. Pass the SAFE MLO Test. NMLS says an MLO seeking state licensure needs 75% or better.

Before you pay

Before you pay, check that the course counts toward the twenty-two hours and includes the four hours on Washington law.

Questions

Why do I see twenty hours in the statute and twenty-two in the rule?

The statute says at least twenty hours, with at least two on Washington law. The rule says at least twenty-two hours, with at least four on Washington law.

Does education I took for another state count?

The rule says you get credit for the SAFE required prelicensing education in every state once you finish the SAFE required education NMLS approves for any state. That sentence does not mention the Washington law hours.

What is on the test?

NMLS lists 120 questions, with 115 scored, and 190 minutes. The five unscored pre-test questions do not affect your pass or fail result.

What to do next

Start with the Washington rule on loan originator prelicensing education. Then pick a course from the NMLS list.

lawfilesext.leg.wa.gov

Sources we read