Mortgage licensing / Tennessee
Tennessee Mortgage Loan Originator License
individual licence · NMLS TNORIGLIC_I · DFI
Tennessee Code Annotated § 45-13-105(16)(A) In general, “mortgage loan originator”:
(i) Means an individual who for compensation or gain or in the expectation of compensation or gain:
(a) Takes a residential mortgage loan application; or
(b) Offers or negotiates terms of a residential mortgage loan
Reference Tennessee Code Annotated § 45-13-301
Requirements (3)
Step 1
Company Sponsorship: A sponsorship request must be submitted by your employer. TN will review and accept or reject the sponsorship request. TN 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 TN Mortgage Loan Originator License.Submitted via: NMLS
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
Disclosure Questions: Provide an explanation and, if applicable, a supporting document for each “Yes” response.
General information
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 Tennessee content.
Note: An individual who completed 20 hours Pre-Licensure education pursuant to 12 U.S.C. 5104(c) must retake 20 hours of pre-licensure education in order to be eligible for state mortgage loan originator licensure if he or she: (1) fails to acquire a valid state license or federal registration as a mortgage loan originator within three years from the date of federal compliance with 12 U.S.C. 5104(c); or (2) fails to acquire a valid state license or federal registration as a mortgage loan originator within three years from the last date of licensure or registration as a mortgage loan originator.
Testing: Must satisfy one of the following three conditions:
• Passing results on both the National and Tennessee 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
Tennessee Department of Financial Institutions does NOT issue paper licenses for this license type.
Other Tennessee mortgage licenses
Sourced from the NMLS/CSBS state licensing record, last updated August 25, 2025. Requirements change — confirm against the state agency before filing. Not legal advice.