The Simple Guide to Renewing Your Texas MLO License

Every year between November 1 and December 31, mortgage loan originators (MLOs) must follow specific steps to renew their licenses. This four-step guide simplifies the Nationwide Mortgage Licensing System and Registry (NMLS) license renewal requirements and will help active MLOs in Texas — with licenses from TX-SML or TX-OCCC — avoid potential late fees or a lapse in their license.

Step 1: Complete the Required MLO Continuing Education  

In Texas, you need to complete eight hours of MLO continuing education (CE) by December 31* to renew your license, regardless of your license type. While no state-specific content is required, NMLS states that your CE must cover the following topics: 

• Three hours on relevant federal regulations and law
• Two hours of ethics training (including training on consumer protection, fair lending issues, and fraud)
• Two hours on lending standards for nontraditional mortgage products
• One hour elective on mortgage origination

We understand that your time is valuable. That’s why we designed our 8 Hour SAFE Comprehensive 2023 MLO CE Texas course package to work around your schedule. All course content is completely online and satisfies the CE requirements for OCCC & SML licensees. Plus, when you’re done, we report your course completion to NMLS for free!

*Because reporting time can vary, we strongly encourage you to give yourself enough time to complete your CE and license renewal application well before the December 31 deadline. For example, if you complete your CE course on December 18 or later, you are at risk of missing your deadline. Completing your CE on December 31 or later means you are guaranteed to miss your deadline.

Step 2: Ensure That Your Information Is Correct 

NMLS requires that you make sure your Individual MU4 Form is still accurate before submitting a renewal application. If you need to update anything, here are detailed instructions.   

To update information within your Individual MU4 Form (if necessary), you must:

1. Log into your NMLS account
2. Click the “filing” tab
3. Click “individual” 
4. Click the “Request New/Update” button 
5. Choose the section of the MU4 form that needs changing on the left navigation panel and save any changes 
6. Click “Attest and Submit” on the left navigation panel.

Step 3: Attest Your License 

The process for attesting your license is different depending on whether you or your employer is submitting your renewal request.

To attest your own license:

1. Log into NMLS
2. Click on the “Renewals” tab
3. Choose the “Attest and Pay” option.

If your employer is submitting on your behalf, follow the same process but choose “Attest for Company” for step three.

Step 4: Submit Your License Renewal Request

If your employer is responsible for your license renewal application, you can skip this step. Just make sure they submit the application between November 1 and December 31 to avoid late fees!

If you’re renewing yourself, visit the NMLS renewal checklist page and select your licensing agency to view fees associated with your renewal. After submitting your renewal request, your licensing agency (either TX-SML or TX-OCCC) will be notified. They will review your request, communicate any identified issues, and update the status of your renewal request.

To check your renewal request status, visit the “Composite View” tab within your NMLS account page. The NMLS Call Center can also share your application status but cannot provide any more information than that or change your renewal request.

Now that you’re a Texas MLO license renewal expert, why not take your CE early? Check out our MLO CE courses and get started on your path to renewal today.