Mortgage licensing / New Mexico
New Mexico Mortgage Loan Originator License
individual licence · NMLS NMORIGINATOR_I · FID
This License is required of any natural person who: (a) for compensation or gain, or in the expectation of compensation or gain, directly or indirectly takes a residential mortgage loan application or negotiates or offers to negotiate the terms of a residential mortgage loan; and (b) is employed or associated with not more than one mortgage loan company licensee regulated by the Division.
Requirements (6)
Step 1
Company Sponsorship: A sponsorship request must be submitted by your employer. New Mexico will review and accept or reject the sponsorship request. NM 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 NOT authorized to conduct business under the authority of the New Mexico Financial Institutions Division.Submitted via: NMLS: NM FID will verify under State License/Registration and Sponsorship Information.
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
Step 3
Surety Bond: The sponsoring company is required to maintain a surety bond in the minimum amount of $50,000, issued by a surety company authorized to conduct business in New Mexico. The name of the principal insured on the bond must exactly match the full legal name of the licensed company. The New Mexico Financial Institutions Division (NM FID) will verify the sponsoring company's surety bond through the NMLS. NOTE: Individual mortgage loan originators are not required to obtain their own personal surety bond. As employees of a licensed mortgage loan company, they are covered under the surety bond maintained by that company pursuant to the Mortgage Loan Company Act.Step 4
Legal Name/Status Documentation: Upload current legal documentation of legal name or legal status. This must be an official government-issued document or a certified copy of driver’s license, passport, birth certificate; if name does not match identification card, a divorce decree, marriage certificate, or court-ordered document is required. This document should be named [Document Name] (e.g. Driver License, Passport, Marriage Certificate, etc.).Submitted via: Upload in NMLS: under the Document Type Legal Name/Status Documentation in the Document Uploads section in the Document Uploads section of the Individual Form (MU4).
Step 5
Credit Report Explanations: When applicable, submit a line by line, detailed letter of explanation of all derogatory credit accounts along with proof of payoffs, payment arrangements and evidence of payments made, or evidence of any formal dispute filed (documents must be dated). Accounts to address include, but are not limited to: collections items, charge offs, accounts currently past due, accounts with serious delinquencies in the last 3 years, repossessions, loan modifications, etc. Note: Items regarding bankruptcy, foreclosure actions, outstanding judgments or liens, or delinquent child support payments should be addressed in the Disclosure Explanations section of your Individual Form (MU4). This document should be named Credit Report Explanations – State must be selected.Submitted via: Upload in NMLS: under the Document Type Credit Report Explanations in the Document Uploads section of the Individual Form (MU4).
Step 6
Verification of Experience: Provide a current and up-to-date license-specific resume with detailed job descriptions and/or duties performed evidencing experience in the industry for which the company is applying. Detailed job descriptions and duties with all employers need to be incorporated into a resume format to demonstrate experience related to the specific state license for which the individual is applying. Note: Items regarding bankruptcy, foreclosure actions, outstanding judgments or liens, or delinquent child support payments should be addressed in the Disclosure Explanations section of your Individual Form (MU4). This document should be named ResumeSubmitted via: Upload in NMLS: under the Document Type Verification of Exeperience in the Document Uploads section of the Individual Form (MU4).
General information
GENERAL INFORMATION
Who Is Required To Have This License?
Any natural person who:
(a) for compensation or gain, or in the expectation of compensation or gain, directly or indirectly takes a residential mortgage loan application or negotiates or offers to negotiate the terms of a residential mortgage loan; and
(b) is employed or associated with not more than one mortgage loan company licensee regulated by the Division. Any processor or underwriter who is an independent contractor.
Statutory References: §58-21B NMSA 1978 - New Mexico Mortgage Loan Originator Licensing Act
Who is not required to have this license?
1) registered mortgage loan originators when acting for an entity that meets the definition of mortgage loan originator and is an employee of:
a. a depository institution;
b. a subsidiary that is:
i. owned and controlled by a depository institution; and
ii. regulated by a federal banking agency; or
c. an institution regulated by the farm credit administration;
2) an individual who offers or negotiates terms of a residential mortgage loan with or on behalf of an immediate family member of the individual;
3) an individual who offers or negotiates terms of a real property sale financed in whole or in part by the seller and secured by the seller's real property; or
4) a licensed attorney who negotiates the terms of a residential mortgage loan on behalf of a client as an ancillary matter to the attorney's representation of the client, unless the attorney is compensated by a lender, a mortgage loan company or other mortgage loan originator or;
5) any agent of such lender, mortgage loan company or other mortgage loan originator.
6) an individual engaged solely as a loan processor or underwriter who performs clerical or support duties as an employee at the direction of and subject to the supervision
7) and instruction of a person licensed, or exempt from licensing, pursuant to the Mortgage Loan Company Act.
Pre-licensure Education: Prior to submission of the application, complete 20 hours of NMLS-approved pre-licensure education (PE) courses which must include three (3) hours of New Mexico content.
Testing: Must satisfy one of the following three conditions:
1. Passing results on both the National and New Mexico State components of the SAFE Test; or
2. Passing results on both the National and Stand-alone UST components of the SAFE Test; or
3. Passing results on the National Test Component with Uniform State Content.
NOTE: Once the applicant’s Individual Form (MU4) is satisfactorily reviewed by the Financial Institutions Division, the license will be placed in the “Pending - Deficient” status. Once the applicant completes all the requirements on the checklist listed below, the license will be placed in the “Approved” status.
Other New Mexico mortgage licenses
Sourced from the NMLS/CSBS state licensing record, last updated August 7, 2026. Requirements change — confirm against the state agency before filing. Not legal advice.