Mortgage licensing / North Dakota
North Dakota Mortgage Loan Originator License
individual licence · NMLS NDORIGINATOR_I · DFI
This License is required of any individual, 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.
Requirements (3)
Step 1
Company Sponsorship: A sponsorship request must be submitted by your employer. ND will review and accept or reject the sponsorship request. ND 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 ND Mortgage Loan Originator License.Submitted via: NMLS
Step 2
Employment History: The business address listed in the Employment History section of the Individual Form (MU4) must match the address of the registered location in the Company Relationship.Submitted via: NMLS
Step 3
Credit Report Explanations: 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 (MU2).Submitted via: Upload in NMLS: Upload document in NMLS in the Agency Guidance section under Document Type Credit Report Explanations. Titled: Credit Report Explanations – [Individual Name – Document Creation Date].
General information
Who Is Required To Have This License?
Any individual who for compensation or gain or in the expectation of compensation or gain:
(1) Takes a residential mortgage loan application; or
(2) Offers or negotiates terms of a residential mortgage loan.
NDCC 13-10-02(6) and NDCC 13-10-03
Activities Authorized Under This License
• This license authorizes the following activities…
• Takes a residential mortgage loan application; or
• Offers or negotiates terms of a residential mortgage loan
North Dakota does not 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.
Testing: Must satisfy one of the following three conditions:
• Passing results on both the National and ND State components of the SAFE Test, or
• Passing results on both the National and Stand-alone UST components of the SAFE Test, or
• Passing results on the National Test Component with Uniform State Content
Other North Dakota mortgage licenses
- Residential Mortgage Lender
- Residential Mortgage Lender Branch Registration
- Residential Mortgage Loan Servicer
- Residential Mortgage Loan Servicer Branch Registration
- All 5 North Dakota licenses
Sourced from the NMLS/CSBS state licensing record, last updated August 21, 2025. Requirements change — confirm against the state agency before filing. Not legal advice.