VA MLO licensing
Virginia MLO License Requirements (2026)
Everything you need to become a licensed Mortgage Loan Originator in Virginia: 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
20
Total PE hours
20 federal + 0 state
$285
Application fee
Renewal $95
8 hrs
Annual CE
Federal minimum
No
Stand-alone state test
UST covers state
Regulator
VA Bureau of Financial Institutions (State Corporation Commission)
Open NMLS Virginia state pageSurety bond
Sponsor company bond covers individual MLOs.
Watch outs
- No state-specific PE hours required — federal 20-hour SAFE minimum is sufficient.
- Renewal fee is notably low ($95).
- No stand-alone state test.
Your path to a Virginia MLO license
- Complete 20 hours of NMLS-approved pre-license education (20 hr federal SAFE minimum).
- Pass the SAFE MLO national test (120 questions, 115 scored, $110 fee, 75% to pass).
- Submit MU4 + $285 Virginia state application fee through NMLS.
- Complete FBI fingerprint background check + credit authorization.
- Get sponsored by a Virginia-licensed lender or brokerage.
- License issued — start originating. Maintain 8 hours of CE annually to renew.
Virginia state-specific practice
70 state-specific questions in bank
Separated from the national bank so your weak-topic mix isn’t skewed.
Common questions about Virginia MLO licensing
How many pre-license hours do I need to become an MLO in Virginia?
20 hours total — the federal 20-hour SAFE minimum plus 0 Virginia-specific hours (none required beyond the federal minimum).
Does Virginia require a stand-alone state exam in addition to the SAFE national test?
No. The SAFE Uniform State Test (UST) covers state content for Virginia; you only sit for the SAFE national exam (120 questions, 115 scored).
How much does it cost to apply for an MLO license in Virginia?
The state application fee is approximately $285. Annual renewal is approximately $95. 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 $485–$685.
What are Virginia's annual continuing education requirements?
8 hours of NMLS-approved CE per calendar year to renew your Virginia MLO license. Federal CE minimum is 8 hours.
Who is the MLO regulator in Virginia?
VA Bureau of Financial Institutions (State Corporation Commission). Filings, application updates, and renewals all flow through the NMLS portal — the regulator pulls your file from there.