California MLO Continuing Education

MLO Continuing Education Requirements for California

No matter which state issued your MLO license, you're subject to specific mortgage education requirements because of the Secure and Fair Enforcement for Mortgage Licensing Act of 2008 (SAFE Act). This legislation requires that all state-licensed MLOs take 7 hours of approved NMLS CE, in addition to California specific course requirements.

You can't take just any NMLS course to reach those 8 hours, either. Your California NMLS training needs to cover specific topics and you need to take your mortgage education with an NMLS-approved provider. 

For Annual CE, California NMLS licensed MLOs Are required To Complete:

• 3 hours on relevant federal regulations and law
• 2 hours of ethics training (including training on consumer protection, fair lending issues, and fraud)
• 2 hours on lending standards for nontraditional mortgage products
• 1 Hour of CA Law if licensed with the DFPI
• Or 1 Hour of elective credit if licensed with the DRE

That last hour is dependent upon where you are licensed as a CA MLO, as the list shows above. While the NMLS oversees the general CE requirements and helps with recordkeeping of your completed hours, it's important to know any California specific requirements that may apply to you. 

How Do I Know If I'm Required To Take My CE This Year Or Not?

Generally, if you obtained your license after 2009 but before this year, the above NMLS CE requirements apply to you. If you obtained your license the current year (and assuming you completed the required pre-license education), you don't need to complete any additional mortgage education this year. 

Successive Year Rule

Per the SAFE Act, you cannot take the same NMLS course for two years in a row. To avoid this possible overlap, AYPORealEstate creates brand new NMLS-approved CE courses every single year to comply with this rule.

NMLS Late CE Courses - Making Up Your Continuing Education

Late CE is required during the annual reinstatement period:

• If you missed the deadline to renew your MLO license this year, and you need to make up the 8 hours of approved Late CE 
• If you have an MLO license that's been expired for a while, and you need to meet the NMLS continuing education requirements for the last year during which your license was active

To summarize, if you miss the deadline or you are returning to the industry, you will need 7 hours of NMLS course work, plus 1-Hour of CA Law if licensed with the DFPI or 1-Hour of elective credit if licensed with the DRE. 

These hours need to come from a specifically designated NMLS 'Late CE' course. The NMLS maintains a catalog of approved courses so you can find the Late CE class you need. 

AYPORealEstate is an approved Late CE provider and can help you get your Late Continuing Education done, on time.

CA Mortgage Loan Originator CE Deadline

The deadline to complete CE is December 31st. 

Take note: MLOs in California are prevented from applying to renew their license if they have not completed CE. Since it may take as long as seven (7) days for a course provider to report a course completion into NMLS, MLOs are strongly encouraged not to wait until the last minute to try to complete CE or they may be prevented from submitting for renewal on time.

• At-Risk-to-Miss Renewal Deadline: If you complete your class by December 18th or later, you are at risk to miss your CA Mortgage CE deadline.
• Guaranteed to Miss Renewal Deadline: If you complete your class by December 31st or later you are guaranteed to miss your CA Mortgage CE deadline. 

Stay on top of the NMLS continuing education requirements so CE hours never stand between you & your renewal. Contact us or enroll today to beat the deadline!