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200+ Free TN MLO Practice Questions

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Under Tennessee law, what happens when a deed of trust is satisfied?

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2026 Statistics

Key Facts: TN MLO Exam

75%

Passing Score

NMLS

55 Q

State Exam Questions

NMLS UST

20 hrs

Pre-License Education

TN Dept of Financial Institutions

$25,000

Surety Bond

Tennessee

The Tennessee MLO state exam covers state-specific mortgage laws administered by the TN Department of Financial Institutions. Combined with the national NMLS SAFE exam, candidates must pass both components to originate mortgages in Tennessee. Tennessee is a non-judicial foreclosure state that primarily uses deeds of trust with a power-of-sale clause. The state requires a $25,000 surety bond and compliance with the Tennessee Residential Lending, Brokerage, and Servicing Act.

Sample TN MLO Practice Questions

Try these sample questions to test your TN MLO exam readiness. Each question includes a detailed explanation. Start the interactive quiz above for the full 200+ question experience with AI tutoring.

1How many hours of NMLS-approved pre-license education are required for an MLO license in Tennessee?
A.10 hours
B.15 hours
C.20 hours
D.30 hours
Explanation: Tennessee requires 20 hours of NMLS-approved pre-license education under the SAFE Act. This includes 3 hours of federal law, 3 hours of ethics, and 2 hours of non-traditional mortgage lending.
2Which agency is the primary regulator of mortgage loan originators in Tennessee?
A.TN Real Estate Commission
B.TN Department of Financial Institutions
C.TN Department of Commerce
D.TN Banking Commission
Explanation: The Tennessee Department of Financial Institutions (TDFI) is the primary regulatory agency overseeing mortgage loan originators in the state. It administers mortgage lending laws and handles MLO licensing through the NMLS system.
3What type of foreclosure is primarily used in Tennessee?
A.Judicial foreclosure
B.Non-judicial foreclosure using deeds of trust
C.Strict foreclosure
D.Administrative foreclosure
Explanation: Tennessee primarily uses non-judicial foreclosure through deeds of trust with a power-of-sale clause. The trustee named in the deed of trust conducts the sale without court involvement, making the process generally faster than judicial foreclosure.
4What is the minimum surety bond required for MLO licensees in Tennessee?
A.$10,000
B.$25,000
C.$50,000
D.$100,000
Explanation: Tennessee requires a minimum surety bond of $25,000 for MLO licensees. This bond protects consumers against losses resulting from the MLO's failure to comply with state mortgage lending laws and regulations.
5What is the primary state law governing mortgage lending in Tennessee?
A.TN Real Estate Broker License Act
B.Tennessee Residential Lending, Brokerage, and Servicing Act
C.TN Consumer Credit Protection Act
D.TN Uniform Commercial Code
Explanation: The Tennessee Residential Lending, Brokerage, and Servicing Act is the primary state law governing mortgage lending activities. It establishes licensing requirements, prohibited practices, and consumer protections for mortgage origination in Tennessee.
6What passing score is required on the Tennessee MLO state exam?
A.65%
B.70%
C.75%
D.80%
Explanation: A passing score of 75% is required on the Tennessee MLO state exam. Candidates must answer approximately 41 out of 55 questions correctly to pass the state component administered through NMLS at Prometric centers.
7In a Tennessee deed of trust foreclosure, who conducts the foreclosure sale?
A.The county clerk
B.The trustee named in the deed of trust
C.The borrower's attorney
D.The state court judge
Explanation: In Tennessee's non-judicial foreclosure process, the trustee named in the deed of trust conducts the foreclosure sale. The trustee acts as a neutral party with the authority to sell the property under the power-of-sale clause when the borrower defaults.
8How many continuing education hours does Tennessee require annually for MLO license renewal?
A.4 hours
B.8 hours
C.12 hours
D.16 hours
Explanation: Tennessee requires 8 hours of NMLS-approved continuing education annually for MLO license renewal. This includes 3 hours of federal law, 2 hours of ethics, and 2 hours of non-traditional mortgage lending.
9What notice must a trustee provide before conducting a non-judicial foreclosure sale in Tennessee?
A.No notice is required
B.Notice must be published in a newspaper and sent to the borrower at least 20 days before the sale
C.Only verbal notice to the borrower
D.Notice is only required if the borrower requests it
Explanation: In Tennessee, the trustee must publish notice of the foreclosure sale in a newspaper of general circulation in the county at least 20 days before the sale date. Notice must also be sent to the borrower by registered or certified mail. This ensures all parties are informed of the pending sale.
10What enforcement authority does the TN Department of Financial Institutions have over MLOs?
A.No enforcement authority
B.Authority to examine, investigate, issue orders, impose penalties, and revoke licenses
C.Only the power to issue warnings
D.Authority limited to annual inspections
Explanation: The TN Department of Financial Institutions has comprehensive enforcement authority including the power to examine MLO records, investigate complaints, issue cease and desist orders, impose civil penalties, and suspend or revoke licenses for violations of state mortgage laws.

About the TN MLO Exam

The Tennessee MLO state exam tests knowledge of Tennessee-specific mortgage laws, licensing requirements, and consumer protection regulations. This exam is taken alongside the national NMLS SAFE exam component.

Questions

55 scored questions

Time Limit

1 hour 30 minutes

Passing Score

75%

Exam Fee

$110 (TN Department of Financial Institutions)

TN MLO Exam Content Outline

25%

TN Licensing Requirements

State-specific education, renewal, and licensing requirements

25%

TN Mortgage Law

State mortgage statutes, usury laws, and lending regulations

20%

Consumer Protection

State disclosure requirements, borrower rights, fair lending

15%

Regulatory Authority

TN Dept of Financial Institutions oversight, enforcement, and compliance

15%

Foreclosure Procedures

Tennessee-specific foreclosure process, timelines, and remedies

How to Pass the TN MLO Exam

What You Need to Know

  • Passing score: 75%
  • Exam length: 55 questions
  • Time limit: 1 hour 30 minutes
  • Exam fee: $110

Keys to Passing

  • Complete 500+ practice questions
  • Score 80%+ consistently before scheduling
  • Focus on highest-weighted sections
  • Use our AI tutor for tough concepts

TN MLO Study Tips from Top Performers

1Master Tennessee's non-judicial foreclosure process using deeds of trust, including the power-of-sale procedure, required notice periods, and the role of the trustee
2Study the Tennessee Residential Lending, Brokerage, and Servicing Act thoroughly, especially its licensing requirements and prohibited practices
3Know the TN Department of Financial Institutions' enforcement powers, including examination authority, cease and desist orders, and civil penalties
4Understand Tennessee's usury laws and interest rate caps, including exceptions for federally regulated lenders under federal preemption
5Review the $25,000 surety bond requirement, trust account requirements, and continuing education obligations for Tennessee MLO license renewal

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the Tennessee MLO exam?

The Tennessee MLO exam is the state-specific component of the NMLS licensing test. It covers Tennessee mortgage laws, licensing requirements administered by the TN Department of Financial Institutions, and state consumer protection regulations. You must pass both this state exam and the national SAFE exam to originate mortgages in Tennessee.

How many questions are on the TN MLO state exam?

The Tennessee MLO state exam has 55 questions with a 1 hour 30 minute time limit. You need a score of 75% (approximately 41 correct answers) to pass. The exam is administered through NMLS at Prometric testing centers.

What Tennessee-specific topics should I study?

Focus on the Tennessee Residential Lending, Brokerage, and Servicing Act, the non-judicial foreclosure process using deeds of trust, the TN Department of Financial Institutions' regulatory authority, Tennessee's usury and interest rate provisions, the $25,000 surety bond requirement, and state-specific consumer protection disclosures.

What are the TN MLO license requirements?

Tennessee requires 20 hours of NMLS-approved pre-license education, passing both the national and state NMLS exams, a criminal background check and credit report, a $25,000 surety bond, and registration through NMLS. Renewal requires annual continuing education including Tennessee-specific hours.