Mortgage licensing / Pennsylvania

Pennsylvania Mortgage Lender License

branch licence · NMLS PALENDER_B · DBS

Requirements (18)

1. Step 1

   Pennsylvania Branch License/Registration Fee: See the License Requirements and Fees Chart on the NMLS Resource Center for details related to this Requirement. NMLS Initial Processing Fee: See the License Requirements and Fees Chart on the NMLS Resource Center for details related to this Requirement. 7 Pa.C.S. § 6132(a)(4)

   Submitted via: NMLS

2. Step 2

   Credit Report for Control Persons: See the License Requirements and Fees Chart on the NMLS Resource Center for details related to this Requirement 7 Pa.C.S. § 6133(e)(5)

   Submitted via: NMLS

3. Step 3

   Pennsylvania State Police Criminal History Background Check: $22.00 for each request and is payable through PATCH by credit card. Results will not be accepted more than 30 days prior to the application submission date. 7 Pa.C.S. § 6133(d), 6138(a)(3)

   Submitted via: Outside NMLS – See the Criminal Background History Instructions

4. Step 4

   MU2 Individual FBI Criminal Background Checks: $36.25 per branch manager. 7 Pa.C.S. § 6133(d), 6138(a)(3)

   Submitted via: NMLS

5. Step 5

   Third Party Investigatory Background Checks: Fees vary by investigative company. In addition to the Pennsylvania and Federal Criminal Background Checks, a branch manager who does not or has not resided in the US for at least 5 years must provide an investigative background report. Results will not be accepted more than 30 days prior to the application submission date. 7 Pa.C.S. § 6133(d), 6138(a)(3)

   Submitted via: Outside NMLS – See the Criminal Background History Instructions

6. Step 6

   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. 7 Pa.C.S. § 6131(a)

   Submitted via: NMLS

7. Step 7

   Branch Manager: A Branch Manager must be designated for each licensed location. A Branch Manager is defined as an individual who is the supervisor of a branch office.

   Submitted via: NMLS

8. Step 8

   Branch Manager Tax Certification: Provide a certified memorandum indicating all tax obligations to the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania have been paid or that a deferred payment plan with the Pennsylvania Department of Revenue has been made. PA Executive Order 2011-06. Click to download Tax Waiver and Certification form

   Submitted via: Email to:ra-asklicensing@pa.gov

9. Step 9

   Branch Manager (MU2) Attestation: Complete the Individual Form (MU2) in NMLS. This form must be attested to by the applicable branch manager before it is able to be submitted along with the Branch Form (MU3). 7 Pa.C.S. § 6131(a), (a.1)

   Submitted via: NMLS

10. Step 10

    Credit Report: Branch Managers required to authorize a credit report through NMLS. Individuals will be required to complete an Identity Verification Process (IDV) along with an individual attestation before a license request for your company can be filed through NMLS. This authorization is made when the Individual Form (MU2) is submitted as part of the Branch Form (MU3). 7 Pa.C.S. § 6133(e)(5); 6138(a)(3)

    Submitted via: NMLS

11. Step 11

    Other Trade Name: If operating under a name that is different from the applicant’s legal name, that name (“Trade Name”, “Assumed Name” or “DBA”) must be listed under the Other Trade Names section of the Branch Form (MU3). Pennsylvania does not limit the number of other trade names. If operating under an “Other Trade Name”, upload proof of registration of the trade name(s) with the Pennsylvania Department of State, Corporations Bureau and approved document with the assigned Pennsylvania business entity number that demonstrates authorization to do business Pennsylvania under that trade name. This document should be named Pennsylvania Trade Name – Assumed Name. 7 Pa.C.S. § 6121(2); 6131(i)(1)

    Submitted via: Upload in NMLS: under the Document Type Trade Name/Assumed Name Registration Certificates in the Document Uploads section of the Branch Form (MU3).

12. Step 12

    When adding an Other Trade Name to a Branch Form (MU3), it must also be added to the Company Form (MU1).

13. Step 13

    Legal Name/Status Documentation: Upload legal documentation of legal name or legal status. This may be certified copies of divorce decree, marriage certificate, copy of driver’s license, passports, etc. This document should be named [Document Name] (Ex. Driver’s License, Marriage Certificate, etc.). 7 Pa.C.S. § 6131(b); 6138(a)(3)

    Submitted via: Upload in NMLS: under the Document Type Legal Name/Status Documentation in the Document Uploads section of the Individual Form (MU2).

14. Step 14

    Memorandum of Tax Certification: Provide a certified memorandum indicating all tax obligations to the State have been paid or that a payment plan (if applicable) is in place. Click here to access the form. 7 Pa.C.S. § 6133(e)(4)

    Submitted via: Email to:ra-asklicensing@pa.gov

15. Step 15

    Pennsylvania Criminal Background History Check: The Branch Manager listed on the Branch (MU3) form must complete a Pennsylvania State Police (PSP) criminal background check by using the Pennsylvania Access to Criminal History (PATCH) website. Please follow the directions on the form carefully. Results will not be accepted more than 30 days prior to the application submission date. Click to download PA State Police Criminal Background History Instructions. 7 Pa.C.S. § 6133(d); 6138(a)(3)

    Submitted via: Email to:ra-asklicensing@pa.gov

16. Step 16

    Criminal Background Check: Authorization for an FBI criminal history background check for each branch manager to be completed in NMLS. 7 Pa.C.S. § 6138(a)(3). After you authorize the FBI criminal history background check through the Individual Form (MU2), you must schedule an appointment to be fingerprinted. See the Completing the Criminal Background Check Process Quick Guide for information. 7 Pa.C.S. § 6133(d); 6138(a)(3)

    Submitted via: NMLS

17. Step 17

    If you are able to ‘Use Existing Prints’ to process the FBI criminal history background check, you DO NOT have to schedule an appointment. NMLS will submit the fingerprints already on file and the background check will begin to process automatically.

18. Step 18

    Third Party Investigatory Background Checks: In addition to the Pennsylvania and Federal Criminal Background Checks, a branch manager who does not or has not resided in the US for at least 5 years must provide an investigative background report. The report must be prepared by an acceptable search firm and submitted directly to the Department in addition to other background information required in the application. Results will not be accepted more than 30 days prior to the application submission date. At a minimum, the report must contain the following: • A comprehensive credit report/history • Civil court and bankruptcy court records for the past 5 years, including a search of the court data in the country(ies), states, towns where the individual resided and worked and in contiguous areas. • Criminal records for the past 5 years, including felonies, misdemeanors and violations including a search of court data in the countries, states, towns where the individual resided and worked and in contiguous areas. Click to download Third-Party Investigatory Background Check Instructions.

    Submitted via: Email to:ra-asklicensing@pa.gov

General information

Other Pennsylvania mortgage licenses

• Mortgage Broker
• Mortgage Broker License
• Mortgage Consumer Discount Branch License
• Mortgage Consumer Discount Company License
• Mortgage Lender License
• Mortgage Originator License
• All 11 Pennsylvania licenses

Sourced from the NMLS/CSBS state licensing record, last updated June 30, 2025. Requirements change — confirm against the state agency before filing. Not legal advice.