Residential Mortgage Loan Originators

Overview

An individual who takes a residential mortgage loan application and offers or negotiates terms of a residential mortgage loan for compensation or gain is considered a RMLO. 

In Texas, there are two (2) agencies who issue Mortgage Loan Originator licenses. Before applying, verify the correct agency you need to apply with to avoid any potential delays.

  1. TEXAS DEPARTMENT OF SAVINGS AND MORTGAGE LENDING &
  2. TEXAS OFFICE OF CONSUMER CREDIT

For primary residential loans, please refer to the Texas Department of Savings & Mortgage Lending website: www.sml.texas.gov or call (877) 276-5550. If you are licensed with the Texas Department of Saving & Mortage lending, you may also be able to originate secondary and home-equity loans.

If you have specific legal questions, please seek the advice of an attorney.

License

Though most RMLO licenses are issued by the TX-SML, you are required to obtain a license from the Office of Consumer Credit Commissioner IF you originate the following types of loans: 

  • Secondary Mortgage Loans - Exception: If you currently hold any license from the TX Dept of Savings & Mortgage Lending, you must apply for secondary loans with TX-SML.
  • Home-equity loans - Exception: If you currently hold any license from the TX Dept of Savings & Mortgage Lending, you must apply for your Home Equity License with TX-SML.
  • Residential Property Tax Loans
  • Manufactured Housing Loans

Unless you are licensed by the Texas Department of Savings & Mortgage Lending, you can apply through the OCCC for secondary loans and home-equity loans.

Employees of companies that are licensed with the OCCC and originate mortgage loans are also required to obtain a license from the Office of Consumer Credit Commissioner AND register in the National Mortgage Licensing System- NMLS

To obtain a license from the Office of Consumer Credit Commissioner, you must apply through NMLS.

Entities whose originators must obtain a RMLO license are as follows:

  • Chapter 342 Regulated Lenders (if they originate secondary mortgage loans)
  • Chapter 347 Manufactured Housing Creditors
  • Chapter 348 Motor Vehicle Dealers (if they originate retail installment contracts secured by dwellings)
  • Chapter 351 Property Tax Lenders (if they originate residential property tax loans)

SAFE Mortgage Licensing Act

The Secure and Fair Enforcement for Mortgage Lending Act (SAFE) requires national registration of all Residential Mortgage Loan Originators (RMLO’s) in addition to applicable state licenses. 

The SAFE Mortgage Licensing Act is designed to enhance consumer protection and reduce fraud by encouraging states to establish minimum standards for the licensing and registration of state-licensed mortgage loan originators and for the Conference of State Bank Supervisors (CSBS) and the American Association of Residential Mortgage Regulators (AARMR) to establish and maintain a nationwide mortgage licensing system and registry for the residential mortgage industry.

The SAFE Act sets a minimum standard for licensing and registering mortgage loan originators. Specific state licensing requirements can be found at the Nationwide Mortgage Licensing System and Registry (NMLS).

Mortgage loan originators employed by a federally regulated depository or a regulated subsidiary can learn the registration requirements on the NMLS website or from their employer's federal bank regulator.

Uniform State Test: The OCCC has adopted the NMLS Uniform State Test, effective October 1, 2013. The SAFE Act requires mortgage loan originators to pass the test before they can be licensed through NMLS. The Uniform State Test replaces the previous national and state tests. For more information, please contact the OCCC at (512) 936-7612, or visit the NMLS Resource Center.

Employment Verification Form (ADM98)

Advisory Bulletins

Applicability of SAFE Act to Manufactured Housing (June 2010)

Statutes & Rules

These are the primary statutes and rules that apply to residential mortgage loan originators. This is not a complete list of laws that residential mortgage loan originators are required to comply with.

Primary State Statute
Chapter 180, Texas Finance Code: Texas SAFE Act

OCCC's Rules
Title 7, Chapter 2, Texas Administrative Code

Other State Statutes
Texas Constitution and Statutes

Federal Statutes & Rules
U.S. Government Publishing Office