Continuing Education Requirements

Maintaining your mortgage loan originator license requires more than just paying renewal fees. You must complete annual continuing education (CE) to stay current with industry regulations and best practices. This section covers everything you need to know about CE requirements, deadlines, and what happens if you fall short.

Annual CE Requirements

Licensed MLOs must complete 8 hours of NMLS-approved continuing education each calendar year. This requirement applies every year you hold an active license.

CE Curriculum Breakdown

What Qualifies as NMLS-Approved CE

• Courses must be offered by NMLS-approved education providers
• Providers must report completion to NMLS within the required timeframe
• Courses must cover the required content categories
• Online and in-person courses are both acceptable
• Courses must include a completion assessment or final exam

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The December 31st Deadline

The continuing education deadline is December 31st of each calendar year — this is a hard deadline with no exceptions.

Timeline Example

Key Points About the Deadline

1. No grace period — The deadline is December 31st, period
2. Time zone matters — NMLS uses Eastern Time
3. Processing time — Allow time for your course provider to report completion to NMLS
4. Don't wait — Complete CE early to avoid last-minute technical issues

Best Practice: Complete your CE by early December to allow for any processing delays.

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Course Eligibility Rules

NMLS has specific rules about which courses count toward your CE requirement.

Courses That Count

• NMLS-approved CE courses from approved providers
• Courses completed in the current calendar year
• Courses different from those taken in the prior year
• Courses different from your pre-licensing education

Courses That Don't Count

The "Same Course" Rule

You cannot receive CE credit for the same course in consecutive years. For example:

• 2025: Take "Federal Law Updates 2025" — counts toward 2025 CE
• 2026: Take "Federal Law Updates 2025" again — does NOT count
• 2026: Take "Federal Law Updates 2026" — counts toward 2026 CE

Tip: Course providers typically release new versions of courses each year to address this rule.

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How CE is Tracked in NMLS

NMLS maintains a centralized record of your continuing education completion.

CE Tracking Features

Checking Your CE Status

1. Log into your NMLS account
2. Navigate to the Education section
3. Select "Continuing Education"
4. View status for current and prior years
5. Download completion certificates as needed

Reporting Delays

• Course providers have limited time to report completions to NMLS
• Allow 48-72 hours for completion to appear in your NMLS record
• If completion doesn't appear, contact your course provider first

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State-Specific CE Requirements

While the SAFE Act establishes minimum requirements, some states require additional CE:

States with Additional Requirements

Important: Always verify your state's specific requirements. The 8-hour NMLS minimum may not satisfy all state requirements.

Multi-State MLOs

If you hold licenses in multiple states:

• Complete the highest number of required hours
• Ensure all state-specific requirements are met
• One course can satisfy requirements in multiple states if it covers required content

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Consequences of Non-Compliance

Failure to complete CE by December 31st has serious consequences.

Immediate Consequences

Reinstatement Process

To reinstate a lapsed license due to CE non-compliance:

1. Complete outstanding CE — All required hours for the missed year(s)
2. Complete current year CE — If applicable
3. Pay reinstatement fees — State-specific fees apply
4. Submit reinstatement application — Through NMLS
5. Await state approval — Processing time varies

Additional Penalties

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CE Best Practices

Follow these practices to maintain compliance and avoid issues:

Planning Your CE

1. Create a CE calendar at the start of each year
2. Spread courses throughout the year rather than cramming
3. Complete by early December to allow for processing
4. Track your progress in NMLS regularly

Selecting Courses

1. Verify NMLS approval before enrolling
2. Check category fulfillment — ensure required hours in each category
3. Consider relevance — choose courses that benefit your practice
4. Avoid duplicate courses from prior years

Documenting CE

1. Keep completion certificates even though NMLS tracks them
2. Screenshot your NMLS CE status after completion
3. Retain records for at least 3 years

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CE for License Renewals

CE completion is tied to license renewal in important ways:

Renewal Requirements

CE and Renewal Timeline

• November 1: Annual renewal period opens in NMLS
• December 31: CE must be complete AND renewal submitted
• January 1: Licenses without completed renewal and CE are lapsed

Important: You must BOTH complete CE AND submit your renewal with payment by December 31st.

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Key Takeaways

• 8 hours of CE must be completed annually by December 31st
• CE includes 3 hours federal law, 2 hours ethics, 2 hours nontraditional, 1 hour elective
• Only NMLS-approved courses count toward CE requirements
• Cannot repeat the same course in consecutive years
• No grace period — license lapses January 1st if CE is incomplete
• Reinstatement requires completing missed CE, paying fees, and state approval
• Complete early — aim for early December to allow for processing