{"id":209833,"date":"2023-12-26T10:11:34","date_gmt":"2023-12-26T16:11:34","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.mometrix.com\/academy\/?page_id=209833"},"modified":"2026-05-14T12:48:31","modified_gmt":"2026-05-14T17:48:31","slug":"nmls-practice-test","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.mometrix.com\/academy\/nmls-practice-test\/","title":{"rendered":"NMLS<sup>&reg;<\/sup> Practice Test"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>The SAFE Mortgage Loan Officer (MLO) exam is designed by NMLS<sup>&reg;<\/sup> to assess the knowledge and skills of prospective state-certified loan officers.<\/p>\n<p>Click \u201cStart Test\u201d above to take a free NMLS practice test, and check out our premium-quality MLO test prep resources by clicking the links below!<\/p>\n<div class=\"buttonlinks\">\n<a href=\"https:\/\/www.mometrix.com\/university\/nmls\" class=\"class_names\" style=\"color:black;\" onclick=\"_paq.push(['trackEvent', 'Course Button', 'Course Click', NMLS Course Click']);\">NMLS Online Course<\/a><br \/>\n<a href=\"https:\/\/www.mometrix.com\/studyguides\/nmls\/\">NMLS Study Guide<\/a><br \/>\n<a href=\"https:\/\/www.flashcardsecrets.com\/nmls\/\" class=\"class_names\" style=\"color:black;\" onclick=\"_paq.push(['trackEvent', 'Flashcard Button', 'Flashcard Button Click', 'NMLS Flashcard Click']);\">NMLS Flashcards<\/a>\n<\/div>\n<h2 class=\"pt-page\"><span id=\"NMLS_Exam_Outline\" class=\"m-toc-anchor\"><\/span>NMLS Exam Outline<\/h2>\n<p>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.<\/p>\n<p>The exam is split into five content areas.<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.mometrix.com\/academy\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/02\/NMLS-Exam-Outline-01.png\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.mometrix.com\/academy\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/02\/NMLS-Exam-Outline-01.svg\" alt=\"exam outline for the NMLS exam, which contains 120 multiple-choice questions and has a time limit of 190 minutes\" width=\"518.65\" height=\"483\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-213700\" role=\"img\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<h3><span id=\"I_Federal_Mortgage_Related_Laws_(24%25)\" class=\"m-toc-anchor\"><\/span>I. Federal Mortgage Related Laws (24%)<\/h3>\n<p>The questions in this area assess your knowledge of the following:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Equal Credit Opportunity Act (ECOA), 12 CFR Part 1002 (Regulation B)<\/li>\n<li>Truth in Lending Act (TILA), 12 CFR Part 1026 (Regulation Z)<\/li>\n<li>Real Estate Settlement Procedures Act (RESPA), 12 CFR Part 1024 (Regulation X)<\/li>\n<li>TILA-RESPA Integrated Disclosure Rule (TRID)<\/li>\n<li>Regulatory authority<\/li>\n<li>Other federal laws and guidelines<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h3><span id=\"II_Uniform_State_Content_(11%25)\" class=\"m-toc-anchor\"><\/span>II. Uniform State Content (11%)<\/h3>\n<p>The questions in this area assess your knowledge of the following:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>SAFE Act<\/li>\n<li>State mortgage regulatory agencies<\/li>\n<li>Compliance<\/li>\n<li>License law and regulation<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h3><span id=\"III_General_Mortgage_Knowledge_(20%25)\" class=\"m-toc-anchor\"><\/span>III. General Mortgage Knowledge (20%)<\/h3>\n<p>The questions in this area assess your knowledge of the following:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Terms used in the mortgage industry<\/li>\n<li>Mortgage loan products<\/li>\n<li>Qualified and non-qualified mortgage programs<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h3><span id=\"IV_Mortgage_Loan_Origination_Activities_(27%25)\" class=\"m-toc-anchor\"><\/span>IV. Mortgage Loan Origination Activities (27%)<\/h3>\n<p>The questions in this area assess your knowledge of the following:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Loan inquiry and application process requirements<\/li>\n<li>Qualification: processing and underwriting<\/li>\n<li>Financial calculations<\/li>\n<li>Closing<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>If you need help with front-end and back-end ratios, check out our free <a class=\"ylist\" href=\"https:\/\/www.mometrix.com\/academy\/mortgage-ratio-calculator\/\" target=\"_blank\">mortgage ratio calculator<\/a>!<\/p>\n<h3><span id=\"V_Ethics_(18%25)\" class=\"m-toc-anchor\"><\/span>V. Ethics (18%)<\/h3>\n<p>The questions in this area assess your knowledge of the following:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Ethical issues<\/li>\n<li>Ethical behavior related to loan origination activities<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\t\t\t<div class=\"sg-box\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"sg-box-text\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<p class=\"sg-box-title\">Check Out Mometrix's NMLS Study Guide<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t\t<p>Get practice questions, video tutorials, and detailed study lessons<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t\t<a class=\"sg-box-button\" href=\"https:\/\/www.mometrix.com\/studyguides\/nmls\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Get Your Study Guide<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/www.mometrix.com\/studyguides\/nmls\/\">\n\t\t\t\t<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"184\" height=\"238\" src=\"https:\/\/www.mometrix.com\/academy\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/nmls-25694.jpg\" alt=\" Study Guide\">\n\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n<h2 class=\"pt-page\"><span id=\"NMLS_Exam_Registration\" class=\"m-toc-anchor\"><\/span>NMLS Exam Registration<\/h2>\n<p>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.<\/p>\n<h2 id=\"NMLSCourse\" class=\"pt-page\"><span id=\"NMLS_Online_Prep_Course\" class=\"m-toc-anchor\"><\/span>NMLS Online Prep Course<\/h2>\n<p>If you want to be fully prepared, Mometrix offers an <strong>online NMLS prep course<\/strong> designed to give you everything you need to succeed!<\/p>\n<p>Here&#8217;s what you&#8217;ll find in the NMLS course:<\/p>\n<div class=\"mocblurb\">\n<ul>\n<li class=\"moclessons\"><\/li>\n<li class=\"mocpqs\"><\/li>\n<li class=\"mocflash\"><\/li>\n<li class=\"mocmoney\"><\/li>\n<li class=\"mocmobile\"><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<p>Everyone learns differently, so we&#8217;ve tailored the NMLS online prep course to ensure every learner has what they need to prepare for the NMLS exam.<\/p>\n<p>Click below to check it out!<\/p>\n<div style=\"text-align: center\">\n<a href=\"https:\/\/www.mometrix.com\/university\/nmls\/?utm_source=academy&amp;utm_medium=button&amp;utm_campaign=academy-mu-ads&amp;utm_content=nmls\" class=\"class_names\" style=\"color:black;\" onclick=\"_paq.push(['trackEvent', 'Course Button', 'Course Click', 'NMLS Course Click']);\"><button class=\"buttontranscript\">Start your NMLS Online Course<\/button><\/a><\/div>\n<p>&nbsp;<br \/>\n<a href=\"https:\/\/www.mometrix.com\/university\/nmls\/\" class=\"mobile-ad\" style=\"color:black;\" onclick=\"_paq.push(['trackEvent', 'Mobile Ad', 'Mobile Click', NMLS Mobile Click']);\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.mometrix.com\/academy\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/04\/NMLS-Mobile-Ad-1.webp\" alt=\"20% off coupon for the NMLS online course.\" width=\"353\" height=\"354\"><\/a><\/p>\n<h2 class=\"pt-page\"><span id=\"Test_Day\" class=\"m-toc-anchor\"><\/span>Test Day<\/h2>\n<h3><span id=\"Inperson_Testing\" class=\"m-toc-anchor\"><\/span>In-person Testing<\/h3>\n<p>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.<\/p>\n<p>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.<\/p>\n<p>Once you have completed the pre-test procedures, you are directed to your testing station, and your test begins.<\/p>\n<h3><span id=\"Remote_Testing\" class=\"m-toc-anchor\"><\/span>Remote Testing<\/h3>\n<p>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.<\/p>\n<p>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.<\/p>\n<p>Once the proctor is satisfied with your space and workstation and you have completed the pre-test activities, your exam begins.<\/p>\n<h2 class=\"pt-page\"><span id=\"How_the_NMLS_Exam_is_Scored\" class=\"m-toc-anchor\"><\/span>How the NMLS Exam is Scored<\/h2>\n<p>To pass the NMLS exam and obtain your license, NMLS requires you to answer at least 75% of the questions correctly.<\/p>\n<p>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.<\/p>\n<h2 class=\"pt-page\"><span id=\"Retaking_the_NMLS_Exam\" class=\"m-toc-anchor\"><\/span>Retaking the NMLS Exam<\/h2>\n<p>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.<\/p>\n<p>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.<\/p>\n<p>If you pass the exam, you cannot take it again in hopes of improving your score.<\/p>\n\n\t\t\t<div class=\"sg-box\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"sg-box-text\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<p class=\"sg-box-title\">Check Out Mometrix's NMLS Flashcards<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t\t<p>Get complex  subjects broken down into easily understandable concepts<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t\t<a class=\"sg-box-button blue-button\" href=\"https:\/\/www.flashcardsecrets.com\/nmls\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Get Your Flashcards<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/www.flashcardsecrets.com\/nmls\/\">\n\t\t\t\t<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"614\" src=\"https:\/\/www.mometrix.com\/academy\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/NMLS.png\" alt=\" Flashcards\">\n\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n<h2 class=\"pt-page\"><span id=\"NMLS_Acronyms_and_Abbreviations_Guide\" class=\"m-toc-anchor\"><\/span>NMLS Acronyms and Abbreviations Guide<\/h2>\n<p>To do well on the NMLS exam, you need to be comfortable with the acronyms and abbreviations used throughout the mortgage industry. This will help you better understand questions about laws, disclosures, loan products, underwriting, insurance, and key lending terms.<\/p>\n<p>To help you study, we\u2019ve compiled many of the most important NMLS acronyms and abbreviations into one free PDF, organized into clear categories for quick and easy review.<br \/>\n<link href=\"https:\/\/cdnjs.cloudflare.com\/ajax\/libs\/font-awesome\/6.7.0\/css\/all.min.css\" rel=\"stylesheet\">\r\n<div class=\"multprint\">\r\n    <div class=\"pdf-item-large\">\r\n        <div class=\"image-container-large\">\r\n            <a href=\"https:\/\/cdn-academy.pressidium.com\/academy\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/NMLS-Acronyms-and-Abbreviations.pdf\">\r\n                <img decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-full\" src=\"https:\/\/www.mometrix.com\/academy\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/NMLS-Abbreviations-Cover-scaled.webp\" alt=\"NMLS Acronyms and Abbreviations sheet\" width=\"490.2\" height=\"750.88\" \/>\r\n            <\/a>\r\n            <button class=\"print-button-large\" aria-label=\"Print\" title=\"Print PDF\" onclick=\"printPDF('https:\/\/www.mometrix.com\/academy\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/NMLS-Acronyms-and-Abbreviations.pdf')\">\r\n                <span class=\"fas fa-print\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><\/span>\r\n            <\/button>\r\n        <\/div>\r\n        <a class=\"pdfdownloadbutton\" href=\"https:\/\/cdn-academy.pressidium.com\/academy\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/NMLS-Acronyms-and-Abbreviations.pdf\">\r\n            <img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"pdfdownloadbutton-icon\" src=\"https:\/\/courses.mometrix.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/07\/download-icon.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"20\" height=\"20\" \/><span class=\"pdfdownloadbutton-label\" aria-hidden=\"true\">Download NMLS Acronyms Sheet<\/span>\r\n  <span class=\"sr-only\">Download NMLS Acronyms and Abbreviations PDF<\/span>\r\n        <\/a>\r\n    <\/div>\r\n<\/div><\/p>\n<h2 class=\"pt-page\"><span id=\"FAQS\" class=\"m-toc-anchor\"><\/span>FAQS<\/h2>\n<div class=\"faq-list\">\n<div class=\"qa_wrap\">\n<div class=\"q_item text_bold\">\n<h4 class=\"letter\">Q<\/h4>\n<p style=\"line-height: unset;\">How hard is the NMLS exam?<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<div class=\"a_item\">\n<h4 class=\"letter text_bold\">A<\/h4>\n<p>The exam is considered to be moderately difficult, with a first-time passing rate of 58%.<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<div class=\"qa_wrap\">\n<div class=\"q_item text_bold\">\n<h4 class=\"letter\">Q<\/h4>\n<p style=\"line-height: unset;\">How many questions are on the NMLS exam?<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<div class=\"a_item\">\n<h4 class=\"letter text_bold\">A<\/h4>\n<p>There are 120 multiple-choice questions on the exam, five of which are unscored.<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<div class=\"qa_wrap\">\n<div class=\"q_item text_bold\">\n<h4 class=\"letter\">Q<\/h4>\n<p style=\"line-height: unset;\">How long is the NMLS exam?<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<div class=\"a_item\">\n<h4 class=\"letter text_bold\">A<\/h4>\n<p>The time limit for the exam is 190 minutes.<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<div class=\"qa_wrap\">\n<div class=\"q_item text_bold\">\n<h4 class=\"letter\">Q<\/h4>\n<p style=\"line-height: unset;\">What is the passing score for the NMLS exam?<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<div class=\"a_item\">\n<h4 class=\"letter text_bold\">A<\/h4>\n<p>You must answer at least 75% of the questions correctly to pass the exam.<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<div class=\"qa_wrap\">\n<div class=\"q_item text_bold\">\n<h4 class=\"letter\">Q<\/h4>\n<p style=\"line-height: unset;\">How much does the NMLS exam cost?<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<div class=\"a_item\">\n<h4 class=\"letter text_bold\">A<\/h4>\n<p>The testing fee is $110.<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n<p><div itemscope=\"\" itemprop=\"author\" itemtype=\"http:\/\/schema.org\/Person\" class=\"author-bio\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" itemprop=\"image\" class=\"author-image\" height=\"127\" width=\"127\" alt=\"Headshot of Mometrix associate Peter Rench.\" src=\"https:\/\/www.mometrix.com\/academy\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/01\/Peter-Rench-scaled.webp\"><div class=\"author-text\"><p class=\"author-name\">By <span itemprop=\"name\">Peter Rench<\/span><\/p><div class=\"author-desc\"><p>Peter Rench joined Mometrix in 2009 and serves as Vice President of Product Development, responsible for overseeing all new product development and quality improvements. Mr. Rench, a National Merit Scholar, graduated magna cum laude with a Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering and a minor in mathematics from Texas A&amp;M University.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><div itemscope=\"\" itemprop=\"editor\" itemtype=\"http:\/\/schema.org\/Person\" class=\"author-bio\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" itemprop=\"image\" class=\"author-image\" height=\"127\" width=\"127\" alt=\"Aaron Lanni profile pic\" src=\"https:\/\/www.mometrix.com\/academy\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/image_2024-12-11_124906662.png\"><div class=\"author-text\"><p class=\"author-name\">Edited by <span itemprop=\"name\">Aaron Lanni<\/span><\/p><div class=\"author-desc\"><p>Aaron is the content manager and lead editor for Mometrix Academy. He regularly produces, updates, proofreads, and edits content to ensure it meets Mometrix\u2019s quality and accessibility standards.<\/p>\n<\/div><p class=\"alignright author-desc author-link\"><a class=\"ylist\" href=\"https:\/\/www.mometrix.com\/academy\/editorial-guidelines\/\">Learn more about our editorial guidelines<\/a> \u2192<\/p><\/div><\/div><\/p>\n<div class=\"home-buttons\">\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.mometrix.com\/academy\/\">Mometrix Academy &#8211; Home<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<p class=\"disclaimer\">NMLS is a registered trademark of State Regulatory Registry LLC, which is not affiliated with Mometrix Test Preparation and does not endorse this page.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>The SAFE Mortgage Loan Officer (MLO) exam is designed by NMLS&reg; to assess the knowledge and skills of prospective state-certified loan officers. Click \u201cStart Test\u201d above to take a free NMLS practice test, and check out our premium-quality MLO test prep resources by clicking the links below! NMLS Study Guide NMLS Exam Outline The SAFE &#8230; <a title=\"NMLS&reg; Practice Test\" class=\"read-more\" href=\"https:\/\/www.mometrix.com\/academy\/nmls-practice-test\/\" aria-label=\"Read more about NMLS&reg; Practice Test\">Read more<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":19,"featured_media":209845,"parent":0,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":{"footnotes":""},"class_list":{"0":"post-209833","1":"page","2":"type-page","3":"status-publish","4":"has-post-thumbnail","6":"page_category-contains-misc-pdf","7":"page_category-finance-insurance-and-real-estate","8":"page_category-nmls-pages","9":"page_type-exam-overview","10":"page_domain-nmls"},"aioseo_notices":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.mometrix.com\/academy\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/209833","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.mometrix.com\/academy\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.mometrix.com\/academy\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.mometrix.com\/academy\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/19"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.mometrix.com\/academy\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=209833"}],"version-history":[{"count":8,"href":"https:\/\/www.mometrix.com\/academy\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/209833\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":294362,"href":"https:\/\/www.mometrix.com\/academy\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/209833\/revisions\/294362"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.mometrix.com\/academy\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/209845"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.mometrix.com\/academy\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=209833"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}