Mortgage
Welcome!
Frequently Asked Questions
Following the economic crises of 2008, the Secure and Fair Enforcement for Mortgage Licensing Act of 2008 (SAFE Act) was established to increase uniformity, reduce regulatory burden, enhance consumer protection, and reduce fraud. To reach this end a Nationwide Mortgage Licensing System and Registry (NMLS) was established to provide uniform license applications and reporting, comprehensive supervision, work flow among regulators, enhanced consumer protection, consumer access to information, and other measures designed to reduce fraud and protect the consumer. This will impact all licensed mortgage officers and affect in some degree how they maintain their licenses.
According to Utah law, and now Federal law, any individual, company, company branch, or DBA (whether physically located in Utah or not) that transacts the “business of residential mortgage loans” in Utah must register and/or obtain a license from the Division.
"Business of residential mortgage loans" is defined in statute as: 1) originating a residential mortgage loan; 2) directly or indirectly soliciting, placing, or negotiating a residential mortgage loan; or 3) rendering services related to the origination or funding of a residential mortgage loan, including taking applications, obtaining verifications and appraisals, and communicating with the borrower and lender. (Utah Code §61-2c-102)
Please see 61-2c-105. Scope of chapter -- Exemptions.
Apply for a Mortgage License
Please select the license type you are applying for:
How do I become a licensed Mortgage Loan Originator?
The mortgage licensing laws and regulations have changed to comply with the federally mandated SAFE Act. It is important that you closely follow these instructions to obtain a loan originator's license in Utah:
- Meet the statutory licensing qualifications of good moral character, competency, honesty, integrity, and truthfulness. (Utah Code Annotated §61-2c-203)
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Meet the statutory minimum licensing qualifications as outlined in Title V Sec 1505 of the Safe Act, that include the following:
- The applicant has never had a loan originator license revoked in any governmental jurisdiction.
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The applicant has not been convicted of, or pled guilty or nolo contendere to, a felony in a domestic, foreign, or military court--
- During the 7-year period preceding the date of the application for licensing and registration; or
- At any time preceding such date of application, if such felony involved an act of fraud, dishonesty, or a breach of trust, or money laundering.
- The applicant has demonstrated financial responsibility, character, and general fitness such as to command the confidence of the community and to warrant a determination that the loan originator will operate honestly, fairly, and efficiently within the purposes of this title.
- Be at least 18 years of age at the time of application.
- Create your personal record in NMLS. Please reference NMLS Quick Guides. You will need your NMLS identifier number to provide to course providers. This will also allow you to schedule your exams after completing your education.
- Take the education requirements that include 20 hours of NMLS-approved courses (3 hours federal law and regulations, 3 hours ethics (including fraud, consumer protection, and fair lending practies), 2 hours non-traditional mortgages, and 12 hours of electives); AND 15 hours of Utah-approved pre-licensing education through an approved provider. The Utah 15-hour education must be completed. This course expires one year after completion so you must apply for a license before it expires.
- You must take and pass the NMLS national exam, including the Uniform State Test (UST) component.
- After passing both exams, complete the MU4 Form (Individual Record) in NMLS. This is your application for licensure. The company you are affiliating with will need to sponsor you for an approved (active) license. If you do not have a sponsor, your license will be in an inactive status until you have an employer sponsorship.
- Pay all licensing fees as assessed in NMLS.
- After requesting the license through NMLS, a copy of the certificate for completing the 15-hour Utah prelicensing course to the Division.
You must become a licensed Lending Manager to serve as a Principal Lending Manager for an entity or dba or a Branch Lending Manager for a branch. You can also obtain a Lending Manager license and leave it in an Associate Lending Manager status if you are not currently serving as either a Principal Lending Manager or a Branch Lending Manager for an entity. On NMLS your license will show only as a Lending Manager and the status will be determined by your position and tracked on the Division's records.
To become a Lending Manager you must meet the following requirements:
- Meet the minimum statutory licensing qualifications as outlined for a Mortgage Loan Originator.
- Carefully review qualifications to obtain the license as outlined by rule before proceeding to take the education and test.* You will need to validate this experience on the Lending Manager Experience Documentation form at the time of application.
Experience Documentation Form: There are three options to demonstrate your proficiency to pursue this license. Follow the requirements for the option you choose on the Lending Manager Qualification Application. Click to download form.
*It’s the applicant’s responsibility to review and verify their ability to meet the experience criteria to qualify for the Lending Manager license BEFORE proceeding to take the qualifying education and test. Applicant assumes all financial responsibility for the test and education and will subsequently need to have their Lending Manager experience verified by the Utah DRE, before qualifying for the license. ALL fees are non-refundable. - Take 40 hours of approved education from a certified Mortgage Pre-license School. Completion of your pre-licensing education must be verified by the provider on your Candidate Certifying Document and you must present the original document to the Pearson Vue Testing Center at the time of test administration.
- Take and pass the Lending Manager exam (and the NMLS national exam with UST component, if not already passed). The exam is given by Pearson Vue. You may contact Pearson Vue once you have completed your education to schedule your exam by calling 1-800-274-7292 or visit their website at home.pearsonvue.com/test-takers. Please see the Utah Lending Manager handbook for useful information on tesing.
- Request licensure through NMLS and pay associated fees within 5 days of passing the Lending Manager exam. Note: The Lending Manager exam score is good for 90 days, it can take more that 60 days to review and issue the license.
- Compile and submit the following information to the Division within 5 days of passing the exam:
- Completed Lending Manager checklist. (all documentation)
- Complete, sign, notarize and submit to the Division all required elements of the Lending Manager Experience Documentation Form
- Original 2 page application with a passing score on the Lending Manager exam and social security verification forms provided by testing center.
- Copy of paid invoice from NMLS showing proof of payment of Lending Manager license fee.
- Signed and stamped Education Certifying Document issued by education provider.
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Supporting documentation to any "YES" answers from the MU4 Form in NMLS.
Incomplete submissions will be returned to the applicant
To obtain a license for a Mortgage Company or dba Company, you must create a registration on the NMLS website and complete an MU1 Form and the accompanying MU2 Form(s). There are procedures in NMLS to be followed as well as jurisdictional specific procedures for Utah. These are outlined in NMLS and summarized below:
- Each entity must submit a Certificate of Existence from the Utah Division of Corporations. This can be uploaded on your NMLS filing.
- Each entity must submit a notarized letter on company letterhead authorizing the Principal Lending Manager to use the company name.
- All trade names (dbas) must be listed in the Other Trade Name section on the MU1 Form for the company and a license filed.
- A license request must be made for all trade names (dbas) - "DRE Entity License Other Trade Name #(x)," in order to do business under that name in the state.
- A Certificate of Existtence from the Utah Division of Corporations must be uploaded to the MU1 filing for all trade names.
To register a Branch Office:
- File a Form MU3 through NMLS.
- A Form MU1 must be filed in NMLS for the Company before a branch filing can occur.
- A branch manager must be designated for each location and the branch manager must hold a Lending Manager license.
- The registration costs include the NMLS processing fee and the new application fee. All fees are payable through NMLS and are non-refundable.
- Once a request for licensure has been made in NMLS, the Utah Division of Real Estate will review for approval.
- All documentation must be submitted to the Utah Division of Real Estate within 5 days of the electronic submission of your application.
To change a Mortgage Company name:
After a company is registered on NMLS all name changes (and other amendments) will be processed in NMLS by amending the MU1 Form. The company must provide the following to the Division:
- Certificate of Existence from the Utah Division of Corporations showing the company is current and in good standing.
- Notarized letter on the company’s letterhead, signed by a company President or Owner, authorizing the PLM to use the company name.
To change a Mortgage Company owner:
Alll ownership changes must be submitted through NMLS on the MU1 Form.The following documentation will need to be submitted to the Utah Division of Real estate within 5 days of filing in NMLS:
- Certificate of Existence from the Utah Division of Corporations showing the new ownership and that the company is current and in good standing.
- Notarized letter on the company’s letterhead, signed by any new company President or Owner, authorizing the PLM to use the company name
To change the PLM for a Mortgage Company:
After the company is registered in NMLS, to change a PLM, you will need to amend the MU1 Form and the accompanying MU2 Form to show the new PLM as a Qualifying Individual for Utah. Submit to the Division a notarized letter on the company’s letterhead, signed by a company President or Owner, authorizing the PLM to use the company name. The new PLM will need to be sponsored by the company.
Licensed Mortgage Loan Originator And Lending Manager Renewal
How do I renew my loan originator or lending manager license?
In addition to the continuing education that is required on a national level that includes 8 hours of continuing education (3 hours of federal law and regulations, 2 hours of ethics, 2 hours of nontraditional mortgage loan origination, and 1 hour of elective), there is now an additional requirement of state-specific law and regulation. This course is only approved through the NMLS, but the content and length of the course is updated on an annual basis by the Division of Real Estate and the Mortgage Commission.
This course will consist of 2 hours of Utah law and regulation. This course must be completed Prior to requesting your renewal. Note: This course will show on your NMLS record and will be tracked through NMLS. Click on PROVIDERS to obtain a list of courses available.
Newly licensed Mortgage Loan Originators will have a one-time requirement to complete the additional 5 hour Utah Post licensing course before their first renewal. The course must be completed Prior to requesting your renewal. Loan Originators that have not completed the course will be prevent from renewing until the course is compele and banked on the NMLS. Click here for a list of Utah MLO 5 hour course providers. Newly license Lending Managers do not have to complete this course.
Individual Renewal Checklist (Loan Originators and Lending Managers)
Prior to the November 1st renewal period:
- Review your filing in the NMLS to make sure your information is current and correct. This includes mailing address, email, phone numbers, name, and employment history.
- Review your filing to make sure there are no license items placed on your filing. License items can be deficiencies or requirements that are pending on your license and must be cleared prior to requesting renewal. Some common deficiencies include Employment History Updates, ACH Payments that may have been returned unpaid, requests for information about Disclosure Questions or Credit Reports. Satisfy all pending license items prior to renewal. You may call the licensing department at 801-530-6747, if you do not understand your deficiency or need help in getting it cleared. When a license item is placed on your filing, you receive an email through the NMLS notifying you of the deficiency or requirement.
**REFER TO YOUR INDIVIDUAL NMLS DASHBOARD TO REVIEW ANY OUSTANDING REQUIREMENTS AND/OR DEFICIENCIES**
- If your driver’s license number has changed, be sure to indicate this update on your filing, as well as your US citizenship status. This is found under the Identifying Information section on your MU4 form. If this information is incorrect or incomplete, we may place a deficiency on your license requiring you to provide the Division with a copy of the Certificate of Legal Presence. If your information is recorded accurately on your filing, you will not need to submit this form (Certificate of Legal Presence) to us as you may have done in prior years.
- NMLS-approved continuing education (8 hours) must be completed prior to requesting renewal. It is recommended that to insure an on time renewal, these hours must be completed no later than December 15th, of the renewal period. The NMLS will prevent you from requesting renewal if these hours are not banked.
- Utah specific continuing education on Utah Law (2 hours) and Utah New MLO 5 hr course ( if applicable) must be completed prior to requesting renewal. Note: The NMLS system will prevent you from requesting renewal if you have not completed the course. Note: To insure an on time renewal, these hours must be completed no later than December 15th of the renewal period. These hours will be tracked on the NMLS.
- If your license is on probation and there are requirements that must be completed at renewal, either to have the probation removed or as terms of the probation, make sure these items are reported to the Division before you request renewal. This will aid in getting your renewal processed in a timely manner.
On or After November 1st of the renewal period:
- You can now request renewal. The renewal fee is $78.00 which includes the NMLS processing fee of $30, Renewal fee of $30.00 and Recovery Fund fee of $18.00.
- If there is a change in your answers to the Disclosure Questions, you must upload the required documentation explaining the change in your filing.
- If you request your renewal during the renewal period of Nov 1 - Dec 31, your license will remain in the same status that was reflected when your renewal was request. If your status was active, you can continue to work as usual. Your renewal approval is contingent on all requirements being met, in which case the Division will process the renewal as quickly as possible and email your new license to you.
Entity License Renewal (company, dbas, branches):
Prior to the start of the rewal period, before November 1st:
- Review MU1 filing and/or MU3 filing to confirm that all the information, company location, mailing address, contact information, etc., is all correct.
- If there is a change in your answers to the Disclosure Questions, you must upload the requirement documentation explaining the change in your filing.
- Review the entity filing to make sure there are no license items placed on the filing. These items could include things like a returned ACH Payment, update qualifying individual, company ownership, etc.
- For each Entity license and Other Trade Name (DBA) Entity license, please submit a current Certificate of Existence from the Utah Division of Corporations. This document should be uploaded under the Document Type Certificate of Authority/Good Standing Certificate in the Document Uploads section of the Company Form (MU1) and must be completed before the license can be renewed.
On or After the start of the renewal period, November 1st :
- Request and pay renewal fees through NMLS between November 1st and December 31st of the current reneal period.
- If your renewal is requested during the renwal period of Nov 1st - Dec 31st, the license will remain in the status that it was when the renewal was requested. If the status was active, work can continue as usual. Your renewal approval is contingent on all requirements being met, in which case, the Division will process the renewal as quickly as possible and email your new license to the email address listed in the contact information.
**Submit the Certification of Legal Presence only if requested of you by the Division.
Commission Members
- SWBC Mortgage Corp.
- Industry Member
- First Colony Mortgage Inc.
- Industry Member
- Fairway Independent Mortgage Corporation
- Industry Member
- KW Succes, Keller Willams Realty
- Public Member
- Citywide Home Loans
- Industry Member
Upcoming Public Meetings
If you would like to attend an upcoming meeting, please contact Maelynn Valentine at 801-530-6750 or mvalentine@utah.govPast Public Meetings
Forms and Applications
New Administrative Rules
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R162-2c-204 (Effective date: 11/6/2019)
Rule Sub-Heading: Clarify when a new loan originator is required to take the division-approved continuing education course for new loan originators.
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R162-2c-102 (Effective date: 7/8/2020)
Rule Sub-Heading: Deletes outdated language from definitions of subsections 93) “Certification” and (10) “Instructor Applicant.”
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R162-2c-203 (Effective date: 7/8/2020)
Rule Sub-Heading: Eliminates the requirement that instructors of division-approved continuing education courses be certified by the Division of Real Estate.
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R162-2c-301a (Effective date: 7/8/2020)
Rule Sub-Heading: Eliminates the requirement that a lending manager review each complaint relating to conduct by a sponsored mortgage loan originator or unlicensed staff member.
Education Providers & Instructors
Registration & Renewal
Pre-Licensing
To certify an Appraisal Pre-Licensing School an individual must:
- Read and be familiar with Administrative Rule R162-2g-307 regarding per-licensing education
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Submit to the Division:
- Completed and signed Pre-licensing School Application.
- $100 non-refundable fee.
- Completed checklist.
Certifications are valid for a two-year period. As a courtesy,renewal forms will be mailed out six weeks prior to the expiration date. Submit the renewal forms with the completed checklist.
Note: Applications must be submitted not less than 30 days prior to the date of the first class.
To certify a Mortgage Pre-licensing School an individual must:
- Read and be familiar with Administrative Rule R162-2c regarding per-licensing education.
- Read and be familiar with the Mortgage Originator Per-licensing Education Curriculum.
- Read and be familiar with the PLM Per-licensing Education Curriculum.
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Submit to the Division:
- Completed and signed Pre-licensing School Application.
- $100 non-refundable fee.
- Completed checklist.
Certifications are valid for a two-year period. As a courtesy, renewal forms will be mailed out six weeks prior to the expiration date. Submit the renewal forms with the completed checklist.
To certify a Real Estate Pre-licensing School an individual must:
- Read and be familiar with Administrative Rule R162-2f regarding per-licensing education.
- Read and be familiar with the Real Estate Pre-licensing Education Curriculum.
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Submit to the Division:
- Completed and signed Pre-licensing School Application.
- $100 non-refundable fee.
- Completed checklist.
Certifications are valid for a two-year period. As a courtesy, renewal forms will be mailed out six weeks prior to the expiration date. Submit the renewal forms with the completed checklist.
To become a certified Appraisal Pre-licensing Instructor an individual must:
- Read and be familiar with Administrative Rule R162-103 regarding per-licensing education.
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Submit to the Division:
- Completed and signed Pre-licensing Instructor Application
- $75 non-refundable fee.
- Certification of Legal Presence
- Completed checklist
Certifications are valid for a two-year period. As a courtesy, renewal forms will be mailed out six weeks prior to the expiration date. They must be submitted with the checklist.
To become a certified Mortgage Per-licensing Instructor an individual must:
- Read and be familiar with Administrative Rule R162-2c regarding per-licensing education.
- Read and be familiar with the Mortgage Originator Pre-licensing Education Curriculum.
- Read and be familiar with the PLM Pre-licensing Education Curriculum.
- Take and pass the Lending Manager's exam.
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Submit to the Division:
- Completed and signed Pre-licensing Instructor Application.
- $75 non-refundable fee.
- Completed Certification of Legal Presence
- Completed checklist.
Certifications are valid for a two-year period. As a courtesy, renewal forms will be mailed out six weeks prior to the expiration date. They must be submitted with the checklist.
To become a certified Real Estate Pre-licensing Instructor an individual must:
- Read and be familiar with Administrative Rule R162-2f regarding per-licensing education.
- Read and be familiar with the Real Estate Pre-licensing Education Curriculum.
- Take and pass the exam for which you plan to teach (Sales Agent and/or Broker).
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Submit to the Division:
- Completed and signed Pre-licensing Instructor Application.
- $75 non-refundable fee.
- Certification of Legal Presence.
- Completed checklist .
Certifications are valid for a two-year period. As a courtesy, renewal forms will be mailed out six weeks prior to the expiration date. They must be submitted with the checklist.
To certify an Appraiser Qualifying Education course, an individual must:
- Read and be familiar with Administrative Rule R162-29-307c regarding qualifying eduction.
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Submit to the Division:
- Completed and signed Qualifying Education Course Application (including all listed required documents)
- $70 non-refundable fee
Certifications are valid for a two-year period. As a courtesy, renewal forms will be mailed out six weeks prior to the expiration date.
NOTE: Qualifying education courses are required to be certified with the AQB and must be a minimum of 15 hours in length. All distance education courses must also have IDECC approval.
Continuing Education
To become a certified Appraisal Continuing Education Instructor an individual must:
- Read and be familiar with Administrative Rule R162-29-307c regarding qualifying eduction.
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Submit to the Division:
- Read and be familiar with Administrative Rule R162-2g-307 regarding continuing education.
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Submit to the Division:
- Completed and signed Continuing Education Instructor Application.
- Certification of Legal Presence
- $75 non-refundable fee.
- Completed checklist.
Certifications are valid for a two-year period. As a courtesy renewal forms will be mailed out six weeks prior to the expiration date.
Note: Applications must be submitted not less than 30 days prior to the date of the first class.
To become a certified Mortgage Continuing Education Instructor for an NMLS approved course an individual must be a certified Continuing Education Provider through NMLS. To become a certified Mortgage Continuing Education instructor to teach the state-specific continuing education courses, must be a certified Continuing Education Provider through NMLS.
- Read and be familiar with Administrative Rule R162-2c regarding licensing education.
To become a certified Real Estate Continuing Education Instructor an individual must:
- Read and be familiar with Administrative Rule R162-2f regarding continuing education.
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Submit to the Division:
- Completed and signed Continuing Education Instructor Application.
- $50 non-refundable fee.
- Certification of Legal Presence
- Completed checklist.
Certifications are valid for a two-year period. As a courtesy, renewal form will be mailed out six weeks prior to the expiration date.
Note: Applications must be submitted at least 30 days prior to the date of the first class.
To certify an Appraisal Continuing Education Course an individual must:
- Read and be familiar with Administrative Rule R162-2g-307 regarding continuing education.
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Submit to the Division:
- Completed and signed Continuing Education Course Application.
- $75 non-refundable fee.
Certifications are valid for a two-year period. As a courtesy, renewal forms will be mailed out six weeks prior to the expiration date.
NOTE: Continuing Education Courses are not required to be certified with the AQB but must be in compliance with the AQB. Subject matter requirements are listed below and must be a minimum of two hours in length.
- Ad Valorem Taxation
- Arbitration
- Business Courses Related to Practice of Real Estate Appraisal
- Construction Estimating
- Ethics and Standards of Professional Practice
- Land Use Planning, Zoning Related Computer Taxation
- Management, Leasing, Brokerage, Timesharing
- Property Development
- Real Estate Appraisal (Valuations/Evaluations)
- Real Estate Law
- Real Estate Litigation
- Real Estate Financing and Investment
- Real Estate Appraisal Related Computer Applications
- Real Estate Securities and Brokerage, Timesharing Syndication
- Real Property Exchange
Note: 8 hours of NMLS approved continuing education are required to be completed annually as part of the renewal requirements. The 8-hour course and providers are approved through the NMLS. In addition, beginning with the 2015 license renewal, which begins November 1, 2014, state-specific continuing education will be required each year. The length of this course may vary from year to year. To obtain the current course outline, contact the Division directly at realestate@utah.gov. To certify a state-specific continuing education course an individual must submit to the Division:
- A completed and signed Continuing Education Course Application
- A completed Instructor Application for a new instructor or the name of a currently approved instructor
- $75 non-refundable fee.
Certifications expire December 31 of each year and updated course materials must be submitted each year. Applications must be submitted at least 30 days prior to the date of the first class.
To certify a Real Estate Continuing Education Course an individual must:
- Read and be familiar with Administrative Rule R162-2f-206c regarding continuing education.
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Submit to the Division:
- Completed and signed Continuing Education Course Application.
- $75 non-refundable fee.
Certifications are valid for a two-year period. As a courtesy, renewal forms will be mailed out six weeks prior to the expiration date.
Note: Applications must be submitted at least 30 days prior to the date of the first class.
Mortgage 1 hour Utah Law course 2023
Administrative Rules
- Appraiser Administrative Rules
- Utah Residential Mortgage Practices and Licensing Rules
- Real Estate Administrative Rules
Additional Resources
- To Bank Student Hours: https://utdre.useclarus.com/
- Student Continuing Education Evaluation Form(Real Estate)
- Student Continuing Education Evaluation Form(Appraiser)
Prelicense Education Providers
| School | Mortgage Loan Originator 15 Hour |
Principal Lending Manager 40 Hour |
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| Classroom | Online | Classroom | Online | |
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1 Stop Training, Inc /dba MortgageEducation.com
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OCL Financial Services dba/ OnCourse Learning
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