Mortgage licensing / California
California Residential Mortgage Lending Act License
branch licence · NMLS CADOCRESLENDSER_B · DFPI
Requirements (8)
Step 1
Other Trade Names: Other Trade Names are managed at the company license level. Once the Other Trade Name is approved at the company level, it can be used across any or all licensed branches. If operating under an approved Other Trade Name, that name, must be listed under the Other Trade Names section of the Branch Form (MU3). If the company intends to conduct business at a branch office under a fictitious business name not already approved by the Commissioner: • Upload a copy of the Fictitious Business Name Statement bearing the seal of the County Clerk for each fictitious business name to be used under the Document Type Trade Name/Assumed Name Registration Certificates in the Document Uploads section of the Company Form (MU1) and. • List the fictitious business name in the Other Trade Name section of the Company Form (MU1) and Branch Form (MU3) Refer to Section 17900 of the Business and Professions Code for the requirements of filing this statement. In California, a company is not authorized to use a fictitious business name if an assumed/forced name is issued by the California Secretary of State. The California Department of Financial Protection and Innovation does not limit the number of other trade names. This document should be named CA-DFPI CRMLA Lender or Servicer or Lender/Servicer Fictitious Business Name/Trade Name/Assumed Name.Submitted via: Upload in NMLS: under the Document Type Trade Name/Assumed Name Registration Certificates in the Document Uploads section of the Company MU1 Form.
Step 2
NMLS Initial Processing Fee: $20Submitted via: NMLS Filing Submission
Step 3
Submission of Branch Form (MU3): Complete and submit the Branch Form (MU3) in NMLS. This form serves as the application for the license through NMLS.Submitted via: NMLS
Step 4
Branch Manager: A branch manager must be designated for each licensed location. Branch manager is defined as an individual whose principal office is physically located in, who is in charge of, and who is responsible for the business operations of a branch office.Submitted via: NMLS
Step 5
Branch Manager (MU2) Attestation: If the branch manager is not licensed as a mortgage loan originator (MLO), the branch manager must complete the Individual Form (MU2) in NMLS. This form must be attested to by the applicable branch manager before it can be submitted along with the Branch Form (MU3).Submitted via: NMLS
Step 6
Credit Report: Branch Managers are NOT required to authorize a credit report through NMLS.Step 7
MU2 Individual FBI Criminal Background Check Not Required Through NMLS: Branch Managers are NOT required to authorize a FBI criminal background check (CBC) through NMLS.Step 8
Disclosure Questions: Provide a complete and detailed explanation and document upload for each “Yes” response to Disclosure Questions made by the branch manager. See the Company Disclosure Explanations Quick Guide for instructions.Submitted via: Upload in NMLS in the Disclosure Explanations section of the Individual Form (MU2).
General information
Who Is Required to Have This License?
Each office location of a licensed
residential mortgage lender, mortgage servicer, or residential mortgage lender
and servicer, other than the main location, which is either located in
California or outside of California that seeks to engage in business subject to
the California Residential Mortgage Lending Act must obtain an approved branch
license.
The California Residential Mortgage Lending Act is contained in Division
20 (commencing with Section 50000) of the California Financial Code and the
regulations are contained in Subchapter11.5 of Chapter 3, Title 10 of the California Code of Regulations.
License Delivery
CA-DFPI does not issue
paper licenses for this license type.
Pre-Requisites for Submission of
Branch Form (MU3)
This license should only be applied for by a
company that also holds, or is applying for, a residential mortgage lender,
residential mortgage servicer, or residential mortgage lender and servicer
license.
Other California mortgage licenses
- Branch Office Mortgage Loan Originator (MLO) License Endorsement
- Mortgage Loan Originator License
- Real Estate Broker License MLO License Endorsement
- Real Estate Broker License Mortgage Loan Originator (MLO) License Endorsement
- Real Estate Corporation License MLO License Endorsement
- Real Estate Salesperson License Mortgage Loan Originator (MLO) License Endorsement
- All 8 California licenses
Sourced from the NMLS/CSBS state licensing record, last updated September 12, 2024. Requirements change — confirm against the state agency before filing. Not legal advice.