Understand the annual SAFE Act education breakdown, state-specific rules, course reporting, and the successive-year restriction before selecting your 2026 CE.
| Category | Minimum Hours | Required Coverage |
|---|---|---|
| Federal law and regulations | 3 | Federal mortgage laws, regulations, and annual required topics |
| Ethics | 2 | Fraud, consumer protection, and fair lending issues |
| Nontraditional mortgage lending | 2 | Lending standards for the nontraditional mortgage product market |
| Elective | 1 | Undefined mortgage-origination education or a required state-specific topic |
The eight-hour federal framework is a minimum. A state may require additional hours or designate part of the annual education for state law. MLOs with multiple licenses should review every agency before enrolling.
Finish all required online seat time, authentication, activities, and assessment requirements.
The approved provider submits the completion record to NMLS.
Check that CE appears on your NMLS education record before submitting the renewal.
Compare the 2026 eight-hour comprehensive course and available state-specific options.
State-licensed mortgage loan originators are the individuals subject to the annual NMLS-approved CE requirement. Confirm status and agency-specific rules in NMLS.
Eight hours is the federal minimum, but a state may require additional hours or a particular state-law course.
The ethics category must include fraud, consumer protection, and fair lending issues.
Complete it early enough for the provider to report it and for the education to post before you submit the renewal.
Requirements can vary by state and change over time. Verify the official NMLS education record and state-specific chart.
