CONSUMERS

REGULATED INDUSTRIES

PUBLICATIONS

Acquiring Licensing & Existing Licensees

Applications

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

NMLS Portal Registration Requirements

As part of the transition to the NMLS portal, both new applicants and businesses with an existing OCCC Credit Access Business license are required to register through NMLS as ALECS is no longer available for this industry. If you don’t have an NMLS account, start by obtaining IRS documents that exactly match your entity name and FEIN; then click here for an NMLS quick tips resource to set up your account. If you need help with creating your account, contact the NMLS call center at 1-855-665-7123. For details on the transition process for existing licensees, see the Existing OCCC CAB Licensees section below.

NMLS Call Center

Please note that OCCC staff are unable to access NMLS accounts or upload documents on your behalf. If you need help with account setup, navigation, or document uploads, the NMLS Call Center is happy to assist at 1-855-665-7123 (Mon–Fri, 9:00 a.m.–9:00 p.m. ET).

HOW TO APPLY

Businesses applying for a Credit Access Business (CAB) license must submit their application through NMLS. New applicants must create an NMLS account, while businesses with an existing NMLS account should apply through the NMLS account for that entity.

In ALECS, each CAB license was issued as a licensed location. In NMLS, the first CAB license is issued as a Company License, and any additional locations are issued as branch licenses. A company license is required before any branch licenses may be issued.

Refer to the links below for new application checklists:

Existing OCCC CAB Licensees

 
CAB transition applications are now available in NMLS. Licensees are encouraged to apply as soon as possible. The transition period will close on May 18, 2026. Please note that you must enter your ALECS license number, which is different from your Masterfile number and appears on your physical license as the number following the dash. Please be sure to enter in your ALECS license number exactly as it is on file with the OCCC, as any discrepancy will cause NMLS to generate a new application with new application fees instead of a transition application, which requires fewer documents and does not incur OCCC fees.
 
Transition Application Requirements
In addition to completing the online transition application, applicants must also complete and upload the Business Plan and Verification of Experience forms, available at the following links:
 
Refer to the links below for transition application checklists:
 

Transfer of Existing License:

Please note that the license transfer process has recently changed, though the item requirements remain the same. As of March 16, 2026, businesses needing to transfer a Credit Access Business license must apply for a new license online through NMLS.
During the new application submission, please upload a copy of the asset purchase agreement signed by both the buyer and the seller, or any other documentation that demonstrates the transfer event to the MU1 Document Upload section of NMLS. Name your files TX Proof of Transfer as of 2025-10-14 (Date of the document) and upload it to the Additional Requirement(s) section of the MU1. Click here for an NMLS Document Upload guide.
If the seller has authorized you to operate under their license while your application is in review, you must complete and upload the “Request for Permission to Operate” form. Name your files TX Permission to Operate as of 2025-10-14 (Date of the document) and upload it to the Document Uploads Additional Requirement(s) section of the MU1. This form is available at the following link:

Forms

ALECS
NMLS
File Annual Report
Licensee Search

Renewal Dates

November 01 – Renewal Opens
December 31 – Renewal Closes

***Licenses that are not renewed will cancel non-renewable. Should your license cancel as non‑renewable and you continue to need licensure, you are required to discontinue all CAB activities and file a new application. You must wait until the new application is reviewed and approved before conducting any CAB activities again.***

Annual Reports

Qtly 1- due April 30
Qtly 2 – due July 31
Qtly 3 -due October 31
Qtly 4 – January 31st of the following year

Annual Report – January 01 – December 31 – due January 31st of the following year

Notice to Property Tax Lenders and Regulated Lenders: A new Annual Report filing system has been launched, filing is open. Click Here. Notice: Credit Access Business NMLS Transition. Click Here. Notice to Property Tax Lenders and Regulated Lenders: A new Annual Report filing system has been launched, filing is open. Click Here. Notice: Credit Access Business NMLS Transition. Click Here.