The SAFE Mortgage Loan Officer (MLO) exam is designed by NMLS to assess the knowledge and skills of prospective state-certified loan officers.
Click “Start Test” above to take a free NMLS practice test, and check out our premium-quality MLO test prep resources by clicking the links below!
NMLS Exam Outline
The SAFE MLO exam contains 120 multiple-choice questions, and you will be given a time limit of 190 minutes. Five of the questions are unscored. These questions are used by the administrators to evaluate questions for future versions of the exam.
The exam is split into five content areas.
I. Federal Mortgage Related Laws (24%)
The questions in this area assess your knowledge of the following:
- Equal Credit Opportunity Act (ECOA), 12 CFR Part 1002 (Regulation B)
- Truth in Lending Act (TILA), 12 CFR Part 1026 (Regulation Z)
- Real Estate Settlement Procedures Act (RESPA), 12 CFR Part 1024 (Regulation X)
- TILA-RESPA Integrated Disclosure Rule (TRID)
- Regulatory authority
- Other federal laws and guidelines
II. Uniform State Content (11%)
The questions in this area assess your knowledge of the following:
- SAFE Act
- State mortgage regulatory agencies
- Compliance
- License law and regulation
III. General Mortgage Knowledge (20%)
The questions in this area assess your knowledge of the following:
- Terms used in the mortgage industry
- Mortgage loan products
- Qualified and non-qualified mortgage programs
IV. Mortgage Loan Origination Activities (27%)
The questions in this area assess your knowledge of the following:
- Loan inquiry and application process requirements
- Qualification: processing and underwriting
- Financial calculations
- Closing
V. Ethics (18%)
The questions in this area assess your knowledge of the following:
- Ethical issues
- Ethical behavior related to loan organization activities
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NMLS Exam Registration
To register for the SAFE MLO exam, you must first create an online account with the National Mortgage Licensing System (NMLS). Once you have an account, you must create and pay for a testing window, which costs $110. You must then sign a confidentiality agreement, after which you will be able to schedule your examination appointment with Prometric.
Online NMLS Prep Course
If you want to be fully prepared, Mometrix offers an online NMLS Prep Course. The course is designed to provide you with any and every resource you might want while studying. The NMLS Course includes:
- Review Lessons Covering Every Topic
- 950+ NMLS Practice Questions
- More than 300 Digital Flashcards
- Money-back Guarantee
- Free Mobile Access
- and More!
The NMLS Prep Course is designed to help any learner get everything they need to prepare for their NMLS exam. Click below to check it out!
Test Day
In-person Testing
On exam day, you should arrive at the testing center about 30 minutes before your scheduled appointment. Once you arrive, you will need to present one valid, government-issued ID with a signature. Your first and last name on the ID must match the first and last name you registered under.
All personal items, such as your cell phone, wallet, and keys, must be placed in a secure locker outside the testing room. Eyeglasses may be inspected before you enter the testing room.
Once you have completed the pre-test procedures, you are directed to your testing station, and your test begins.
Remote Testing
You can sign into the test delivery platform 30 minutes before your appointment. You will need the confirmation number from the email you received after registering, and you must present one valid, government-issued ID with a signature to the proctor. Your first and last name on the ID must match the first and last name you registered under.
Before beginning the exam, the proctor will direct you to move the webcam around your testing space, and your clothing will be inspected visually. You may be asked to pull your hair back, roll your sleeves up and turn your pockets inside out.
Once the proctor is satisfied with your space and workstation and you have completed the pre-test activities, your exam begins.
How the NMLS Exam is Scored
To pass the NMLS exam and obtain your license, NMLS requires you to answer at least 75% of the questions correctly.
The exam is scored using the Linear On-the-Fly Testing (LOFT) method. The reason for this method is that all of the questions on the exam are not equal in difficulty. If you receive an exam that is created using questions that are more difficult than questions used on another version of the exam, the scoring takes this into account. This method of scoring allows each candidate to have the same opportunities to make a passing grade, even if one takes a test that is considered to be more difficult.
Retaking the NMLS Exam
It is possible to retake the exam if you do not pass. You are allowed to take the exam several times, but there is a waiting period from the time you take the exam until you will be eligible to take the exam again.
If you fail to pass the exam after three attempts, you will have to wait a mandatory 180 days before you can try again. The test taken after the mandatory 180-day waiting period will count as an initial exam and start the process of 30-day waiting intervals should you fail to pass.
If you pass the exam, you cannot take it again in hopes of improving your score.
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FAQS
Q
How hard is the NMLS exam?
A
The exam is considered to be moderately difficult, with a first-time passing rate of 58%.
Q
How many questions are on the NMLS exam?
A
There are 120 multiple-choice questions on the exam, five of which are unscored.
Q
How long is the NMLS exam?
A
The time limit for the exam is 109 minutes.
Q
What is the passing score for the NMLS exam?
A
You must answer at least 75% of the questions correctly to pass the exam.
Q
How much does the NMLS exam cost?
A
The testing fee is $110.
