Free Practice Questions for TN MLO

Tennessee has no separate state MLO test. Applicants for a Tennessee mortgage loan originator license take the NMLS SAFE MLO Test, the National Test with Uniform State Content, which covers federal mortgage law, uniform state content, general mortgage knowledge, origination activities and ethics, and then apply through NMLS to the TN Department of Financial Institutions.

The SAFE MLO Test has 120 multiple-choice questions, 115 scored and 5 unscored pretest questions, with 190 minutes to answer them. You need a score of 75% or better to pass. The test costs $110 and is scheduled through NMLS at Prometric test centers or by online proctoring.

The test itself has no Tennessee section, but Tennessee's 20 hours of pre-licensing education include 2 hours on Tennessee law. Know that the Tennessee Residential Lending, Brokerage and Servicing Act governs mortgage licensing, that all license applications, amendments and renewals go through NMLS, and that the employing mortgage lender or broker files the surety bond that covers its originators.

Tennessee requires 20 hours of NMLS-approved pre-license education, including 2 hours of Tennessee law, a passing score of 75% or better on the SAFE MLO National Test with Uniform State Content, a criminal background check and credit report, and sponsorship by a licensed company whose surety bond covers its originators. Renewal requires at least 8 hours of NMLS-approved continuing education each year: 3 hours of federal law, 2 of ethics, 2 of nontraditional mortgage lending and 1 elective, completed by December 31.