A mortgage loan originator is the key link between a potential home buyer needing a mortgage loan and a lender who will sanction one. A mortgage loan originator (MLO), often called a mortgage loan officer is employed by banks and other home loan lenders.
The role of an MLO is to gather documents needed for processing a mortgage loan from the borrower. These comprise proof of income and expenses including all debt repayments, tax receipts, and more.
The paperwork is then processed by the MLO to evaluate the quantum of loan that may be sanctioned. The report is then presented to the lender who takes a final call on whether a mortgage loan may be allowed to the borrower without any risk.
The norms for qualification of a mortgage loan vary between lenders and MLOs must know the prevailing rules and regulations governing the loans.
If the work of an MLO sounds appealing and you want to become one in Texas, read on to learn the 6 steps to get a mortgage loan originator license in Texas. 
Click here to learn more about getting a mortgage loan originator license in Texas.
Step 1
Ensure that you are at least 18 years old. Once you reach this age, open an account on the website of the Nationwide Mortgage Licensing System (NMLS). An ID number will be issued that is valid throughout your entire career as an MLO.
Step 2
Complete the 2-part MLO pre-licensing coursework. One is the 20-hour national section and the other is the 3-hour course that covers the mortgage rules and regulations prevailing in Texas only. Both parts take aspiring MLOs through the fundamentals, principles, and practices governing the mortgage industry.
To qualify for a mortgage loan originator license in Texas, you must select a course that is approved by NMLS. You can select a classroom course or an online one. Typically, online courses offer the flexibility to study at any time, even on the go.
One of the top MLO pre-licensing course providers is RealEstateU offering high-quality study materials at very affordable prices.
Step 3
Submit your verification to check whether you have any past criminal records. Your application for a mortgage loan originator license in Texas might be rejected in case of any adverse report in this regard.
Step 4
Visit the website of NMLS, pay a fee of $110, and schedule the Secure and Fair Enforcement (SAFE) licensing exam. Appear for this 190-minute licensing exam and pass it by securing a grade of at least 75%
Step 5
After you pass the SAFE test, apply for a mortgage loan originator license in Texas on the NMLS portal by paying a fee of $30. Other fees payable at this state are a credit report fee of $15 and a state license application fee of $195.
Step 6
Find a broker to sponsor you.
Once these six steps are completed you will be issued an active mortgage loan originator license in Texas.
