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Mortgage licensing / California

California Mortgage Loan Originator License

individual licence · NMLS CADOCORIGINATOR_I · DFPI

Any person who originates residential mortgage loans must apply for and receive a mortgage loan originator license by July 31, 2010.

Requirements (6)

  1. Step 1

    Company Sponsorship: A sponsorship request must be submitted by your employer. CA-DFPI will review and accept or reject the sponsorship request. CA-DFPI offers an “Approved-Inactive” license status. If you are not currently employed by a mortgage company (or your employer has not yet requested sponsorship on your behalf) and you have completed all requirements for this license, the license may be issued as “Approved-Inactive” until sponsorship by a mortgage company is acquired. While in an “Approved-Inactive” status, you are NOTauthorized to conduct business under the authority of the CA-DFPI Mortgage Loan Originator License.

    Submitted via: NMLS

  2. Step 2

    Employment History: The business address listed in the Employment section of the Individual Form (MU4) must match the address of the registered location in the Company Relationship.

    Submitted via: NMLS

  3. Step 3

    Legal Document for Name Change: Upload legal documentation of legal name or legal status. This may be copies of divorce decree, marriage certificate, passports, etc. A driver's license or social security card are not acceptable documents. This document should be named [Legal Name Verification].

    Submitted via: Upload in NMLS: Upload document in NMLS in the Agency Guidance section under Document Type Legal Name/Status Documentation.

  4. Step 4

    Status Documentation: California requires appropriate documentation of citizenship or alien status. The Statement of Citizenship, Alienage, and Immigration Status for Application For Department of Financial Protection and Innovation License Or Certificate Form must be uploaded to NMLS. This document should be named [Statement of Citizenship].

    Submitted via: Upload in NMLS: Upload document in NMLS in the Agency Guidance section under Document Type Legal Name/Status Documentation.

  5. Step 5

    Disclosure Questions: Provide an explanation and, if applicable, a supporting document for each “Yes” response. California Penal Code Section 1203.4 states in relevant part that the applicant is not relieved of “…the obligation to disclose [a]… conviction in response to any direct question contained in any questionnaire or application for…licensure by any state or local agency…” even if the felony has been expunged.

  6. Step 6

    Remote Work Statement: Applicants who do not live within a reasonable commutable distance from their licensed employment location and/or are listed as a remote worker must provide the below statement. Please upload a signed statement on company letterhead to demonstrate you are in compliance with Financial Code Section 50141(a) (6) and/or 22109.1(a)(6). Please note the address disclosed in your employment history (MU4) for your current employer/sponsor must match with the statement below. This document should be named [ CA Compliance Statement]. If your document has not be reviewed after 14 day please contact MLO.Licensing@dfpi.ca.gov. The statement shall include the following representations: • I will only represent the business location [current employer/sponsor’s complete physical address] of [name of sponsor], which is on file with the Commissioner and by which I will be employed and subject to the supervision, as my place of employment. • I will only engage in business under the name of [name of sponsor]; • I will only provide the public with letterhead, phone numbers, electronic e-mail addresses or other forms of communication that are in the name of, under the control of, and provided by [name of sponsor], • I will only engage in activities and transactions related to the making of loans subject to the supervision and oversight of [name of sponsor]; and • I will not have a place of business where I regularly meet with borrowers, other than [name of sponsor]'s main or branch location. • Signature, Name, NMLS ID and Date

    Submitted via: Upload in NMLS: Upload document in NMLS in the Agency Guidance section under Document Type Additional Upload Requirement

General information

Who Is Required to Have This License? A mortgage loan originator who for compensation or gain, or in the expectation of compensation or gain, takes a residential mortgage loan application or offers or negotiates terms of a residential mortgage loan. Please reference California Financial Code Section 50140-50146 for more information about the rules and regulations. CA-DFPI does issue paper licenses for this license type. Pre-licensure Education: Prior to submission of the application, complete at least 20 hours of NMLS-approved pre-licensure education (PE) courses which must include 2 hours of California content. Note: Upon filing the application, the license status will be reflected in NMLS as Pending – Incomplete”. The “Pending – Incomplete” status will remain until the application is reviewed and the status is changed by the Department’s staff.

Other California mortgage licenses

Sourced from the NMLS/CSBS state licensing record, last updated September 3, 2025. Requirements change — confirm against the state agency before filing. Not legal advice.

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