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Mortgage licensing / Arizona

Arizona Mortgage Broker License

company licence · NMLS AZBROKER_C · DIFI

This License is required of any person who for compensation or gain, or in the expectation of compensation or gain, directly or indirectly negotiates, places, assists in placement, finds or offers to negotiate, place, assist in placement or find mortgage loans on Arizona property for others. There must be a principal place of business (office) in the State of Arizona.

Requirements (17)

  1. Step 1

    MU2 Individual FBI Criminal Background Check Requirements: Pursuant to ARS § 6-123.01, AZ-DIFI has the authority to require fingerprints and background checks for all applicants, licenses, active managers or responsible individuals, or any organizer, director or officer of any corporate applicant or licensee, or any individual in control of a licensee or applicant, or any individual who seeks to acquire control of a licensee or each key individual. The following individuals, specified on the Company Form MU1 are required to authorize an FBI criminal background check (CBC) through the NMLS. Direct Owners/Officers - CBC is not required for individuals who have had a CBC completed and reviewed by the AZ-DIFI within the previous 12 months. • All individuals who hold 20% or more of the voting shares. • Top 3 individuals that are responsible for and provide oversight for the entity's business activity.Qualifying Individual - CBC is not required for individuals who have had a CBC completed and reviewed by the AZ-DIFI within the previous 12 months. After review of the application the Department may require additional CBC's to be completed as stated below. Indirect Owners and Additional Officers - CBC is not required for individuals who have had a CBC completed and reviewed by the AZ-DIFI within the previous 12 months. After authorizing an FBI criminal background check through the submission of the Company Form MU1 and Individual Form MU2, you must schedule an appointment to be fingerprinted if new prints are required. See the Quick Guides - Company section of the NMLS Resource Center for more information. Note: If you are able to "Use Existing Prints" to process the FBI criminal background check, you DO NOT have to schedule an appointment. NMLS will automatically submit the fingerprints on file.

    Submitted via: NMLS

  2. Step 2

    Branch Location(s): • Arizona is a brick-and-mortar state. At least 1 place of business must be an Arizona residence or commercial property. If the entity’s physical address is not located in Arizona, a separate branch application is required. A branch application must be submitted for each additional branch location.

    Submitted via: NMLS

  3. Step 3

    Other Trade Name(s): • List your DBA or Trade Name(s) used in Arizona in the “Other Trade Names” section of the Form MU1. • A separate license is no longer required for use of multiple trade names. • You may only transact business in the legal name of the entity and any name(s) approved and listed for Arizona under the Trade name section on the NMLS. • A licensee may not use an assumed name or trade name that either: • Is so substantially similar to the assumed name or trade name of another department licensee that it may cause uncertainty or confusion among the public. • Tends to deceive or mislead the public as to the nature of business that the licensee conducts. • A person using an approved assumed or trade name shall notify the AZ-DIFI within fifteen days after any material change to the name. It is recommended that each DBA or Trade Name is registered with the Arizona Secretary of State.

    Submitted via: NMLS

  4. Step 4

    Resident/Registered Agent: Add the information currently on record with Arizona Corporation Commissionin the “Resident/Registered Agent” section of the Form MU1

    Submitted via: NMLS

  5. Step 5

    Responsible Individual (Qualifying Individual): • List one person, who qualifies as your Arizona Responsible Individual in the “Qualifying Individual” section of the Form MU1. • Residency requirements listed below may be waived for certain qualified applicants. Please refer to the AZ- Mortgage Broker Responsible Individual - Certificate of Exemption checklist on NMLS. • If your requested responsible individual would qualify to be a nonresident, you must submit that request through NMLS prior to submitting this application. Qualifications for this Position: • Must be a resident of Arizona (see bullet point above). • A W2 employee of the company (an employee does not include an independent contractor). • Have not less than three years’ experience as a mortgage broker, or equivalent lending experience in a related business during the five years immediately preceding the time of becoming the new qualified Responsible Individual. • Have satisfactorily completed a 24-hour course of study approved by the superintendent during the three years immediately preceding the time of application. • Have passed a mortgage broker's test, pursuant to section 6-908. Note: The Responsible Individual will be required to complete 12 hours of continuing education (CE) relating the mortgage industry prior to renewal each year. 8 hours of Loan Originator CE can be applied towards the 12 hour requirement. Completion certificates should be uploaded under “Verification of Experience” in the “Document Uploads” section of the Form MU2. "Active management" means directing a licensee's activities by a responsible individual, who: Is knowledgeable about the licensee's Arizona activities; Supervises compliance with: The laws enforced by the Department of Financial Institutions as they relate to the licensee, and Other applicable laws and rules; and Has sufficient authority to ensure compliance. "Resident of this state" means a natural person domiciled in Arizona. "Responsible individual" or "responsible person" - A.A.C. R20-4-102(27) states: "as those terms are used in A.R.S. §§ 6-903, 6-943, 6-973, and 6-976, means a resident of this state who: Lives in Arizona during the entire period of designation as the responsible individual on a license; Is in active management of a licensee's affairs; Meets the qualifications listed in A.R.S. §§ 6-903, 6-943, or 6-973; and is an officer, director, member, partner, employee, or trustee of a licensed entity." Equivalent and Related Experience A. An applicant may satisfy the three years' experience requirement of A.R.S. § 6-903 by the types of lending-related experience listed in this subsection. The Department counts each month in the following types of work experience toward the three years required for a mortgage broker license, under A.R.S. § 6-903(B), or as a responsible individual, under A.R.S. § 6-903(E). The Department counts a fractional month of experience, at least 15 days long, as a full month. 1. Mortgage broker with an Arizona license, responsible individual, or branch manager for a licensee; 2. Mortgage banker with an Arizona license, responsible individual, or branch manager for a licensee; 3. Loan officer with responsibility primarily for loans secured by lien interests on real property; 4. Lender's branch manager with responsibility primarily for loans secured by lien interests on real property; 5. Mortgage broker with license from another state, or responsible individual for a mortgage broker licensed in another state; 6. Mortgage banker with license from another state, or responsible individual for a mortgage banker licensed in another state; 7. Attorney certified by any state as a real estate specialist. B. An applicant with insufficient actual experience of the types listed in subsection (A) may satisfy the remainder of the three years' experience requirement of A.R.S. § 6-903 by the types of related experience listed in this subsection. The Department counts each month in the following types of work experience according to the ratio listed below, of actual experience to equivalent experience, credited towards qualifying for a license, under A.R.S. § 6-903(B), or as a responsible individual, under A.R.S. § 6-903(E). The Department counts a fractional month of experience, at least 15 days long, as a full month. An applicant receives credit in only one area listed and for not more than three years' actual experience. The remaining years of experience required to qualify for a license shall be obtained from types of work experiences listed in subsection (A). 1.Attorney without state bar certified real estate specialty...3:2 2. Paralegal with experience in real estate matters...3:2 3. Loan underwriter ...3:2 4. Mortgage broker or mortgage banker from another state without license...3:2 5. Real estate broker with an Arizona license or license from a state with substantially equivalent licensing requirements...3:2 6 Escrow officer ...3:2 7. Trust officer with a title company...3:2 8. Executive, supervisor, or policy maker involved in administering or operating a mortgage-related business...3:1.5 9. Title officer with a title company...3:1.5 10. Real estate broker, not qualified under subsection (B)(5)...3:1.5 11. Loan processor with responsibility primarily for loans secured by lien interests on real property...3:1.5 12. Lender's branch manager with responsibility primarily for loans not secured by lien interests on real property...3:1.5 13. Real property salesperson with an Arizona license or a license from a state with substantially equivalent licensing requirements...3:1 14. Loan officer, with responsibility primarily for loans not secured by lien interests on real property...3:1

    Submitted via: NMLS

  6. Step 6

    Verification of Experience: For the Responsible Individual,provide the following: • List all applicable Employment History (pertaining to the experience requirement above) in the “Employment History” section of the individual’s Form MU2. If the department needs supporting information (such as a resume or a letter(s) of reference) to determine eligibility, we will place a deficiency via the NMLS during the review of the application.

    Submitted via: NMLS

  7. Step 7

    Formation Document: • Upload a certified copy of the applicable document listed below into the “Document Uploads” section of the Form MU1. The Corporate Charter or Articles of Incorporation (Corporation) The Articles of Organization and Operating Agreement (LLC) The Partnership Agreement (Partnership of any form)

    Submitted via: NMLS

  8. Step 8

    Surety Bond: If your investors are limited solely to Institutional Investors, the Surety Bond amount is $10,000. Otherwise the Surety Bond amount is $15,000. "Institutional investor" means a state or national bank, a state or federal savings and loan association, a state or federal savings bank, a state or federal credit union, a federal government agency or instrumentality, a quasi-federal government agency, a financial enterprise, a licensed real estate broker or salesman, a profit sharing or pension trust, or an insurance company. • Upload a Surety Bond into the “Document Uploads” section of the Form MU1. You must use the Arizona Surety Bond Form. • The bond must be signed by all parties. The name of the officer that signs the bond must be printed on the bond. • Arizona requires one surety bond per license type (it will cover all DBA licenses). Do not include any DBA names on the surety bond form.

    Submitted via: NMLS

  9. Step 9

    Loan Originator Surety Bond: A mortgage broker shall: • Provide a surety bond, executed in its legal name, in the amount of $200,000 to comply with the financial responsibility of its loan originators as required by ARS § 6-991.03(B)(8). • Upload a Surety Bond with the naming convention of ‘MLO Surety Bond’ into the “Document Uploads” section of the Form MU1. You must use the Arizona MLO Surety Bond Form. • The bond must be signed by all parties. The name of the officer that signs the bond must be printed on the bond. OR Each loan originator shall be invoiced $100 on each initial and renewal application for deposit in the mortgage recovery fund established pursuant to section 6-991.09

    Submitted via: NMLS

  10. Step 10

    Documentation of Citizenship or Alien Status (Sole Proprietors Only): If you are applying as a sole proprietor, Arizona requires a copy of appropriate documentation of citizenship or alien status. Please refer to A.R.S. Section 41-1080(A). • Upload Documentation of Citizenship or Alien Status into the NMLS under the Document Type “Legal Name/Status Documentation” in the “Document Uploads” section of the Form MU2. • A driver’s license from the following states WILL NOT satisfy this requirement: California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, District of Columbia, Hawaii, Illinois, Maryland, New Mexico, New York, Nevada, Utah, Vermont, and Washington.

    Submitted via: NMLS

  11. Step 11

    Personal Financial Statement: (Sole Proprietors Only): Upload a completed Personal Financial Statement form into the “Document Uploads” section of the Form MU2. You must use the Arizona Personal Financial Statement form. This document should be named [State Abbreviation] – Personal Financial Statement.

    Submitted via: NMLS

  12. Step 12

    Business Plan: • Upload a Business Plan under “Business Plan” in the “Document Uploads” section of the Form MU1. This document should be named [Company Legal Name] Business Plan. • The business plan must include: marketing strategies, products, target markets, and the operating structure that the applicant intends to employ. If an existing uploaded business plan already includes the above information, an additional document does not need to be uploaded. A company should only upload a single business plan. If state-specific material is required, this information should be added to the existing uploaded business plan.

    Submitted via: NMLS

  13. Step 13

    Management Chart: • Upload a Management Chart under “Management Chart” in the “Document Uploads” section of the Form MU1. This document should be named [Company Legal Name] Management Chart. • The management chart must include a chart displaying the applicant’s divisions, officers, and managers (individual name and title). It must also identify compliance reporting and internal audit structure. If the existing uploaded management chart already includes the above information, an additional document does not need to be uploaded. A company should only upload a single management chart.

    Submitted via: NMLS

  14. Step 14

    Organizational Chart/Description: • Upload an Organizational Chart under “Organizational Chart/Description” in the “Document Uploads” section of the Form MU1. This document should be named [Company Legal Name] Organizational Chart – Description. • The organizational chart must include a chart showing (or a description which includes) the percentage of ownership of Direct Owners and Indirect Owners as well as Subsidiaries and Affiliates of the applicant. If the existing uploaded Organizational Chart/Description already includes the above information, an additional document does not need to be uploaded.

    Submitted via: NMLS

  15. Step 15

    Financial Statements: Net Worth Requirement: Must be solvent as defined under A.R.S. Section 47-1201(A)(23). Upload the most current Un-Audited Financial Statements on the applicant or that of the applicant’s parent company. The financial statements should include a Balance Sheet and a Profit and Loss Statement prepared within the immediately preceding six months

  16. Step 16

    Notice to Applicants Effective July 3, 2015 In accordance with A.R.S. §41-1030 • An agency shall not base a licensing decision in whole or in part on a licensing requirement or condition that is not specifically authorized by statute, rule or state tribal gaming compact. A general grant of authority in statute does not constitute a basis for imposing a licensing requirement or condition unless a rule is made pursuant to that general grant of authority that specifically authorizes the requirement or condition. • This statute may be enforced in a private civil action and relief may be awarded against the state. The court may award reasonable attorney fees, damages and all fees associated with the license application to a party that prevails in an action against the state for a violation of this section. • A state employee may not intentionally or knowingly violate this statute. A violation of this statute is cause for disciplinary action or dismissal pursuant to the agency’s adopted personnel policy. This statute does not abrogate the immunity provided by A.R.S. §12-820.01 or A.R.S. §12-820.02.

  17. Step 17

    Disclosure Questions: • Provide an explanation for all "Yes" answers in the Disclosure Explanation section of the Company Form MU1 • Upload a copy of any applicable orders or supporting documents into the Document Uploads section of the Company Form MU1

    Submitted via: NMLS

General information

Who is required to have this license? • A.R.S. Section 6-901 - A “person” who, for compensation or in the expectation of compensation, either directly or indirectly makes, negotiates, or offers to make or negotiate a mortgage loan. • A.A.C. R20-4-102 - “Person” means a natural person or any legal or commercial entity, including a corporation, business trust, estate, trust, partnership, limited partnership, joint venture, association, limited liability company, limited liability partnership, or limited liability limited partnership. Who does not need this license? Review the list of Mortgage Broker license exemptions under A.R.S. Title 6, Chapter 9, Article 1: • A “person” who does business under any other law of this state, or law of any other state while regulated by a state agency of such other state or the United States, relating to banks, savings banks, trust companies, savings and loan associations, profit sharing and pension trusts, credit unions, insurance companies or consumer lenders, or receivership, including directly or indirectly making, negotiating or offering to make or negotiate a mortgage loan if the mortgage transactions are regulated by the other law or are under the jurisdiction of a court. Subsidiaries and service corporations of these institutions shall not be exempt and shall be subject to the provisions of this article unless preempted by federal law. • A “person” who makes a mortgage loan: • (a) With his own monies. • (b) For his own investment. • (c) Without intent to resell. • (d) And is not engaged in the business of making mortgage loans. • A “person” who funds a mortgage loan which has been originated and processed by a licensee, by a mortgage banker licensed in this state, or by a person exempt under paragraph 1 of this subsection, and who meets all of the following: • (a) Does not maintain a place of business in this state in connection with funding mortgage loans. • (b) Does not directly or indirectly solicit borrowers in this state for the purpose of making mortgage loans • (c) Does not participate in the negotiation of mortgage loans. • A “person” who, as seller of real property, receives one or more mortgages or deeds of trust as security for a purchase money obligation. • A “person” who is licensed to practice law in this state, but is not actively and principally engaged in the business of negotiating mortgage loans, if this person renders services in the course of his practice as an attorney at law. • A “person” who receives a mortgage or deed of trust on real property as security for an obligation payable on an installment or deferred payment basis and arising out of materials furnished or services rendered in the improvement of that real property or any lien created without the consent of the owner of the real property. • A “person” who is licensed pursuant to A.R.S. Title 6, Chapter 9, Article 2 or 3. • An agency of any state or of the United States. • A nonprofit federally tax-exempt corporation certified by the United States Small Business Administration and organized to promote economic development within this state, whose primary activity consists of providing financing for business expansion. • An institutional investor, as defined in section 6-971, unless the institutional investor makes a mortgage loan other than a commercial mortgage loan as defined in section 6-971. What are the prerequisites for license applications? • There are no prerequisites to apply for this license. Fee Breakdown: (all fees are collected via the NMLS) Collected at the time of Application: • Non-Refundable Application Fee: $500 • Prorated License Fee (only refundable if application is denied): Application Submitted In Fee License Active Through January, February, March $250.00 12/31 of the Current Calendar Year April, May, June $187.50 12/31 of the Current Calendar Year July, August, September $125.00 12/31 of the Current Calendar Year October $62.50 12/31 of the Current Calendar Year November, December $312.50 12/31 of the Next Calendar Year • Non-Refundable NMLS Processing Fee: $120.00 • FBI Criminal Background Check Fee: $36.25 x each required authorization Use the checklist below to complete the requirements for Arizona licensing. The checklist provides instructions and requirements for information to be entered in NMLS, the documents that must be uploaded into NMLS, and the documents that must be sent outside NMLS.

Other Arizona mortgage licenses

Sourced from the NMLS/CSBS state licensing record, last updated February 12, 2026. Requirements change — confirm against the state agency before filing. Not legal advice.

Stop missing the rule that costs you a loan.