The MU1R is the institution filing used in the NMLS Federal Registry to establish a federally chartered or insured institution as a valid employer of mortgage loan originators (MLOs) and to meet federal registration requirements.

Federally regulated institutions must keep their MU1R filings up to date in NMLS to ensure compliance and accurate records.

Federal institutions renew their registration annually in NMLS and then request renewal/reactivation for employed MLOs. This topic explains what renewal/reactivation is, when it occurs, fees, and how institutions and MLOs complete the process.

Institutions must register their Mortgage Loan Originators (MLOs) in NMLS by creating or uploading records, completing MU4R filings, confirming employment, and paying required fees. This section describes the institution’s responsibilities in that process.

Institutions are responsible for keeping Mortgage Loan Originator (MLO) employment and registration records accurate and up to date in NMLS.

The Mergers and Acquisitions (M&A) functionality in NMLS allows institutions to transfer the employment records of Mortgage Loan Originators (MLOs) that move as a result of a merger, acquisition, or corporate reorganization.

Institutions can generate reports in NMLS to view criminal background check (CBC) status, MLO registration and employment information, and detailed MU4R data.

The NMLS Federal Registry is the system of record federally chartered or insured institutions and their mortgage loan originators (MLOs) must use to meet the registration requirement.

​To fulfill the requirements of the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau’s (CFPB’s) Regulation G, the NMLS Federal Registry collects information regarding disciplinary actions covered by the disclosure questions that individual mortgage loan originators (MLOs) are required to complete, and update as necessary, as part of the SAFE Mortgage Licensing Act of 2008 federal registration process.

As a federally registered MLO, you renew your registration annually in NMLS during the November 1–December 31 renewal period. Your employing institution initiates the request, and you must log in and attest to your record to complete renewal. If you do not renew by December 31, your status becomes Inactive – Failed to Renew and can be reactivated later.

NMLS is designed to replace each state’s existing licensing application forms and manual processes.

Provides a high-level overview of the steps for obtaining a state license or registration through NMLS.

Learn what steps to take before applying for a state license in NMLS, including creating an account and gathering the required information and documents for your MU forms.

This section explains what the Company Form (MU1) is and how to apply for a state license or registration for your company in NMLS.

Explains the ongoing responsibilities for maintaining your company license in NMLS, including filing amendments when changes occur and meeting periodic reporting requirements.

Overview of recurring financial and activity reporting obligations for licensed companies in NMLS, including annual financial statements, call reports, and Uniform Authorized Agent Reporting (UAAR).

Learn how to manage Mortgage Loan Originators (MLOs) in NMLS, including steps for establishing relationships and sponsorships, overseeing education and SAFE test enrollments, submitting MU4 filings, monitoring MLO activity, and handling license renewals.

Learn the basic concept of company license and registration renewals in NMLS and navigate to related renewal topics.

Understand the purpose, implications, and regulatory considerations of surrendering a company license or registration in NMLS.

Generate standard reports in NMLS to oversee your company’s activity and sponsored mortgage loan originators (MLOs).

Many state laws or regulations require financial services licensees to obtain a surety bond as a condition of licensure.

The MLO Testing Handbook is a comprehensive guide for the SAFE MLO Test. Use this handbook to find test specifications, enrollment procedures, scheduling, rescheduling and cancelling appointments, testing accommodations, preparing for the test, test day procedures, retaking and waiting period for failed attempts, and test expiration​.​ Select a topic below to find out more.

Find answers to common questions about the SAFE MLO Test, online proctored test delivery, and test expiration.

Many MLO licensing agencies have unique state specific education requirements. Find the pre-licensing education (PE) and continuing education (CE) requirements for each state agency, including state specific education hours, PE expiration, CE deadlines, and other unique requirements.

Satisfy MLO education requirements by registering and completing NMLS approved courses with an NMLS approved course provider to satisfy MLO education requirements. Find a list of NMLS approved course providers, understand your education record in NMLS, and satisfy the CE requirement from a prior year using the Late CE Course Catalog.

Find answers to the most common education related questions.

The Mortgage Testing and Education Board (MTEB) has approved Rules of Conduct which cover test takers, education students, and Standards of Conduct which cover course providers. It has also approved Administrative Action Procedures which prescribe how possible violations and investigations will be managed.

This document is effective January 1, 2026. All courses submitted for approval on or after January 1, 2026 must be in compliance with these requirements unless other dates are specified.

The purpose of this policy is to identify the pre-licensure (PE) and continuing education (CE) topics NMLS has determined will satisfy the education requirements of the SAFE Act.

NMLS enables individuals to select and pay for the National and State Components of the SAFE Mortgage Loan Originator Test.

Provides a high-level overview of the steps for obtaining a state license or registration through NMLS.

The Individual Form (MU2) must accompany the Company or Branch Form. Each individual identified as a Control Person, Qualifying Individual, or a Branch Manager for the applicant, must complete the Individual Form (MU2).

The Individual License Form (MU4) is the Individual Mortgage License / Registration & Consent form.

The Economic Growth, Regulatory Relief, and Consumer Protection Act, 12 U.S.C. 5101 et seq., (S. 2155) was signed into law on May 24, 2018, and became effective November 24, 2019. This amendment to the 2008 SAFE Act permits eligible MLOs to originate loans while completing state specific requirements such as testing and education.

Outlines ongoing responsibilities for keeping a license or registration in good standing.

Understand the process of surrendering an individual state license in NMLS.

Renewal is the annual process of verifying, updating, and affirming your license information in NMLS to maintain your active status for the next calendar year.

Electronic Surety Bonds are managed in NMLS so that surety bond requirements and records can be tracked and maintained by authorized surety companies and surety bond producers as part of the System of Record for state licensing.

This section provides a high-level orientation to how surety bond producers manage NMLS access for their organization, including account creation, user roles, and ongoing role administration.

Surety bond producers use NMLS to manage associations with surety companies. These associations define the producer’s authority to create and execute Electronic Surety Bonds (ESBs) on behalf of the surety company and maintain representative relationships required for bond execution.

Surety bond producers access Electronic Surety Bond (ESB) functions and related reporting through key areas of the NMLS interface, including the Home tab, Dashboard, Tasks tab, and Composite View.

Surety bond producers use NMLS to create, manage, and maintain Electronic Surety Bonds (ESBs) in coordination with surety companies and licensees. This section describes the producer’s responsibilities and available tools for managing bonds electronically within NMLS.

Introduces the error and warning messages that may occur during electronic surety bond (ESB) activities in NMLS and describes where to find related resolutions.

Introduces reporting and notification tools that allow Surety Bond Producers to monitor electronic surety bond (ESB) activity, reconcile data with internal systems, and stay informed about NMLS events.

How to use the Surety Bond Management screen in NMLS as a surety bond company to create bonds for licensees.

The purpose of this document is to categorize, classify and describe the terminology that is referenced throughout the Electronic Surety Bond Tracking in NMLS.

A brief summary of each type of notification you may receive as a Surety Company, Surety Bond Producer, or Principal.

Electronic Surety Bonds are managed in NMLS so that surety bond requirements and records can be tracked and maintained by authorized surety companies and surety bond producers as part of the System of Record for state licensing.

This section provides a high-level orientation to how surety companies manage NMLS access for their organization, including account creation, user roles, and ongoing role administration.

Surety companies use NMLS to manage associations with surety bond producers. These associations define execution authority and representative relationships that allow producers to create and execute Electronic Surety Bonds (ESBs) on behalf of the surety company.

Surety companies access Electronic Surety Bond (ESB) functions and related reporting through key areas of the NMLS interface, including the Home tab, Dashboard, Tasks tab, and Composite View.

Surety companies use NMLS to create, execute, manage, and maintain Electronic Surety Bonds (ESBs) throughout their lifecycle. This section describes the actions and responsibilities involved in managing bonds electronically within NMLS.

Introduces the error and warning messages that may occur during electronic surety bond (ESB) activities in NMLS and describes where to find related resolutions.

Introduces reporting and notification tools that allow Surety Companies to monitor electronic surety bond (ESB) activity, reconcile data with internal systems, and stay informed about NMLS events.

The purpose of this document is to categorize, classify and describe the terminology that is referenced throughout the Electronic Surety Bond Tracking in NMLS.

How to use the Surety Bond Management screen in NMLS as a surety bond company to create bonds for licensees.

NMLS enables company account administrators and designated company users to file financial statements (FS) in a single PDF document (8MB file size limit) through the system. Companies are often required to file a financial statement prior to submitting a license application, on an annual basis, or at other designated times during the year.

NMLS accommodates both the Mortgage and Money Services Call Reports.

The following information and attached form are intended for State Regulatory Agencies Only to review and complete as part of their initial commitment to adopting the State Examination System.

Enrolling a state agency to use the State Examination System.

Creating and managing user accounts, tracking user activity and workload, and managing the agency profile.

Setting up a company to use the State Examination System.

Create, remove, and administer users for your company, including third-party uers.

Certain state agencies have begun conducting examinations through a new supervision platform known as the State Examination System (SES).

SES training is delivered through FLEX, CSBS’ learning management system. The following training is good for all users of SES including new hires and seasoned users who need a refresher.

This program teaches users how to use the Supervisory Activity functionality in the State Examination System (SES), an online tool that facilitates supervisory processes between state agencies and companies.​

This program teaches users how to use the Complaints functionality in the State Examination System (SES), an online tool that facilitates supervisory processes between state agencies and companies.

Training resources for company users are available in the maps/SES/chapter/getStart/topics/c_companyQS.html.

State Examination System Policy Guide

Software releases of the State Examination System. The releases are labeled by state, commonwealth, and territory names.

Terms of use for the State Examination System, for agency and company users.

An Investigation and an Examination are types of Supervisory Activity. This topic lists the key ways that investigations differ from examinations.

Details about Areas for Review

More information about complaints.

How to use the SA Analytics tool for SES.

Email notifications and handling, technical requirements, etc.

Terms and phrases used in the State Examination System and their definitions.

Supervisory activities are used for examining and investigating companies.

Recording and resolving consumer complaints against companies.

Business Activities are generic, non-legal definitions of a financial services activity that reasonably describes an activity permitted by a state, and therefore the definitions may not be comparable with state statutory definitions. No activity can be covered by more than one definition.

The purpose of this document is to categorize, classify and describe the terminology that is referenced throughout the Electronic Surety Bond Tracking in NMLS.

Payments submitted through NMLS can be made using Visa®, Mastercard®, or ACH (Automated Clearing House).

The Nationwide Multistate Licensing System ("NMLS" or the "System") is the system of record for non-depository, financial services licensing or registration in participating state agencies, including the District of Columbia and U.S. Territories of Puerto Rico, the U.S. Virgin Islands, and Guam.

Descriptions and examples of the different types of documentation available for upload to NMLS.

Document requirements are determined by the specific license requirements outlined in the Agency Guidance section of your MU4 filing. There are no standard documents required for every application; required uploads vary depending on your agency’s licensing guidance.

NMLS is committed to making our sites accessible to all users, including those with disabilities in accordance with Section 508 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, as amended. NMLS makes an effort to publish only material that is fully accessible.

Notice of Collection under the Privacy Act of 1974, 5 U.S.C. § 552a As Amended (Privacy Act Notice). The information that you provide to the Nationwide Multistate Licensing System (NMLS) will be used to register and manage accounts for mortgage loan originators.

This privacy act statement is located on the back of the FD-258 fingerprint card.

When searching for a fingerprinting location, the results returned by the search use the address you provide and display either (1) Live Scan locations only or (2) Live Scan and Paper Card locations. As illustrated below, fingerprint capture via Live Scan costs less, can be scheduled more quickly, requires less action by the MLO, and results in fewer illegible prints than the Paper Card method.

NMLS sets browser cookies to remember your login context (state or federal). If you choose the incorrect option when logging in and land on the state log in page instead of the federal log in page (or vice versa) you can manually delete your web browser cookies to reset your log in settings options.

NMLS allows individual MLOs to toggle between the “State” context for state licensing purposes and the “Federal” context for federal registration purposes. Follow the steps below to ensure you are logged in to the correct context of NMLS.