If you intend to conduct a mortgage loan origination business in the State of Maryland, unless exempt, you must apply for and obtain a Mortgage Loan Originator license. The Commissioner of Financial Regulation uses the Nationwide Mortgage Licensing System (NMLS) to manage Mortgage Loan Originator licensees and applicants.

• New Applicants - ALL new license applicants MUST initiate applications through the NMLS. New licenses will be approved through the NMLS beginning July 1, 2009. Proceed to NMLS HERE.
•  ALL new applicants MUST initiate applications through the NMLS. New licenses will be approved through the NMLS beginning July 1, 2009.
• New applicants who were previously exempt from licensing have the option of electing an Interim license status which will enable the applicant to perform restricted activities until certain requirements are satisfied including prelicensing education and testing, criminal background check and surety bonding. All requirements must be satisfied by July 31, 2010 (see NMLS Maryland Transition Plan for details below).
• New applicants will need to proceed to the Maryland website to identify the sponsoring Maryland Mortgage Lender. As Lender licensees have until December 31, 2010, to transition to NMLS, this must be executed on the Maryland website. COMPLETE SPONSORSHIP APPLICATION
   
• Renewing Licensees - Current licensees must transition to the NMLS prior to expiration of their current license. As part of the transition, your license will be renewed from expiration through December 31, 2010.

•  If your license expires prior to July 1, 2009, you must use the Maryland renewal website application only - PROCEED TO MD WEBSITE HERE.
• If your license expires on or after July 1, 2009, Proceed to NMLS HERE to transition your license to NMLS and renew the license through December 31, 2010. You may initiate your renewal and transition to the NMLS at ANY time prior to expiration, and you will have until December 31, 2010 to complete certain requirements including prelicensing education and testing (unless otherwise notified by the Commissioner), criminal background check and surety bonding. 
• New applicants will need to proceed to the Maryland website to identify the sponsoring Maryland Mortgage Lender and to pay their Maryland license fee. As Lender licensees have until December 31, 2010, to transition to NMLS, sponsorship must be executed on the Maryland website. Likewise, licensing fees will be pro-rated by Maryland for the renewal period through December 31, 2010. COMPLETE PAYMENT AND SPONSORSHIP APPLICATION.

Featured Information

Pre-Licensing Education Requirements
Continuing Education Requirements
Information for Course Providers
Emergency Mortgage Lender and Mortgage Loan Originator Regulations

Applications and Forms

Effective May 11, 2009 the Commissioner of Financial Regulation uses the Nationwide Mortgage Licensing System (NMLS) to manage Mortgage Loan Originator licensees and applicants.

Transition a Maryland Mortgage Loan Originator License to NMLS (have your Maryland license registration number available) - Form MU4 (Login to NMLS)
Apply for a Maryland Mortgage Loan Originator License - Form MU4 (Login to NMLS)
Amend a Maryland Loan Originator License (Login to NMLS)

Other Forms

Affidavit of Mortgage Originator Activity - New Applicant (Word document, 209KB, download Word viewer for free)
Employer Acknowledgement Statement (completed by present or prospective employer) (PDF document, 122KB, download Adobe Acrobat for free) (Word document, 184KB, download Word viewer for free)
Amendment Mortgage Originator Activity Form (Word document, 191KB, download Word viewer for free)
Request for In-Active Status (Not available until July 1, 2009) (Word document, 184KB, download Word viewer for free)
Request for Return to Active Status (Not available until July 1, 2009) (Word document, 184KB, download Word viewer for free)
Fingerprint Cards Request Form

Laws and Rules

Applicants and licensees are expected to be knowledgeable about and in compliance with the Mortgage Loan Originator Law, and any other applicable state or federal statutes and regulations.

Maryland Code Annotated, Financial Institutions § 11-601 et seq. (Maryland Mortgage Originator Law)
Maryland Code Annotated, Financial Institutions § 11-501 et seq. (Maryland Mortgage Lender Law)
COMAR 09.03.09 Mortgage Originators
COMAR 09.03.10 Credit and Other Regulation
COMAR 09.03.11 Recordation of Security Instruments for Residential Property
COMAR 09.03.12 Foreclosure Procedures for Residential Property

Resources

Maryland Transition Plan
NMLS Getting Started Guide
Work Flows & Quick Guides
NMLS Tutorials
Navigation Guides
Upcoming Training & Workshops
NMLS News & System Alerts