TX MLO licensing
Texas MLO License Requirements (2026)
Everything you need to become a licensed Mortgage Loan Originator in Texas: pre-license education, fees, exam structure, surety bond, and annual continuing education.
Source: NMLS Testing Handbook + SAFE MLO National Test Content Outline · Last verified 2026-04
23
Total PE hours
20 federal + 3 state
$359
Application fee
Renewal $222
8 hrs
Annual CE
Federal minimum
No
Stand-alone state test
UST covers state
Regulator
TX Department of Savings and Mortgage Lending (SML) / TX Office of Consumer Credit Commissioner (OCCC)
Open NMLS Texas state pageSurety bond
Surety bond requirement varies by sponsor type — SML licensees require a $50,000 individual bond if originating for a mortgage company; OCCC handles its own bond schedule.
Watch outs
- Texas has TWO regulators (SML for residential mortgage companies, OCCC for licensed lenders) — make sure your application is filed under the correct one.
- 3 hours of TX-specific PE on top of the 20-hour SAFE federal minimum.
- No stand-alone state test.
Your path to a Texas MLO license
- Complete 23 hours of NMLS-approved pre-license education (including 3 hr Texas-specific).
- Pass the SAFE MLO national test (120 questions, 115 scored, $110 fee, 75% to pass).
- Submit MU4 + $359 Texas state application fee through NMLS.
- Complete FBI fingerprint background check + credit authorization.
- Get sponsored by a Texas-licensed lender or brokerage.
- License issued — start originating. Maintain 8 hours of CE annually to renew.
Texas state-specific practice
79 state-specific questions in bank
Separated from the national bank so your weak-topic mix isn’t skewed.
Common questions about Texas MLO licensing
How many pre-license hours do I need to become an MLO in Texas?
23 hours total — the federal 20-hour SAFE minimum plus 3 Texas-specific hours.
Does Texas require a stand-alone state exam in addition to the SAFE national test?
No. The SAFE Uniform State Test (UST) covers state content for Texas; you only sit for the SAFE national exam (120 questions, 115 scored).
How much does it cost to apply for an MLO license in Texas?
The state application fee is approximately $359. Annual renewal is approximately $222. These exclude federal NMLS processing (~$30), FBI fingerprinting (~$40), credit report (~$15), and any surety bond costs. Total first-year out-of-pocket usually lands around $559–$759.
What are Texas's annual continuing education requirements?
8 hours of NMLS-approved CE per calendar year to renew your Texas MLO license. Federal CE minimum is 8 hours.
Who is the MLO regulator in Texas?
TX Department of Savings and Mortgage Lending (SML) / TX Office of Consumer Credit Commissioner (OCCC). Filings, application updates, and renewals all flow through the NMLS portal — the regulator pulls your file from there.