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How to get an MLO license in South Carolina. 20 total pre-licensing hours required. Surety bond: $25,000. Total initial fees: varies. Verified 2026-03-20. Data verified 2026-03-20. Source: LicenseMap (getlicensemap.com).
Mortgage Loan Originator
Most information on this page has been verified.
82% of data points are verified against official sources. 5 fields based on preliminary research. We recommend confirming details with your state's licensing authority. See sources below · Report incorrect data
20 hrs
Total Pre-Licensing Hours
+3 hrs
State Additional Hours
$25,000
Surety Bond
Varies
Total Initial Fees
8 hrs
Annual CE Hours
Annual (December 31)
Renewal
Create an account on NMLS (nmls.org)
Complete 23 hours of NMLS-approved pre-licensing education (20 federal + 3 South Carolina-specific)
Pass the SAFE MLO Test (National Component with Uniform State Content)
Submit MU4 application through NMLS
Authorize FBI criminal background check and credit report
Pay all required NMLS and state fees
Obtain surety bond ($25,000) or meet bonding requirements
Receive South Carolina MLO license through NMLS
Note: All MLO applications are processed through NMLS (Nationwide Multistate Licensing System). Create your account at nmls.org before starting the application process.
The SAFE Act (2008) sets federal minimums for all MLOs
Every state must meet or exceed these requirements. South Carolina may add additional requirements on top of this baseline.
Pre-Licensing Education
20 hours minimum
National Exam Pass Score
75%
Annual CE Requirement
8 hours
Background Check
Required (FBI)
Credit Check
Required
Minimum Age
18
Federal requirements include 3 hrs federal law, 3 hrs ethics, and 2 hrs nontraditional lending within the 20-hour pre-licensing education.
Overall State Requirements
VerifiedAdditional Pre-Licensing Education
+3 hours(20 total with federal 20)
State-Specific Course Topics
Surety Bond
$25,000
Not sure if you need a mlo license? Check whether your state requires one.
Ready to start your MLO career?
Complete your NMLS-approved pre-licensing courses online. Currently 20% off.
Questions
120
Passing Score
75%
Time Limit
190 minutes
Questions
Varies
Passing Score
75%
Time Limit
Varies
Administered By
Prometric (through NMLS)
Exam Fee
$110
NMLS SAFE MLO test fee
Retake Policy
30-day wait after 1st and 2nd failures; 6-month wait after 3rd failure; must repay $110 each attempt
Study guides for the NMLS SAFE Mortgage Loan Originator exam.
Browse Study Guides on Amazon →As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases.
| Fee | Amount |
|---|---|
NMLS Processing Fee Initial NMLS processing fee (increased from $30 effective March 1, 2025) | $35 |
State License Fee South Carolina state MLO license fee | $50 |
SAFE MLO Exam Fee SAFE MLO test fee | $110 |
FBI Background Check FBI criminal background check via NMLS | $36.25 |
Credit Report Credit report via NMLS | $15 |
Total Initial Fees Includes NMLS processing ($35), state fee, exam ($110), background check ($36.25), and credit report ($15) fees; does not include education or surety bond costs | Varies |
Use our licensing cost calculator to estimate your total investment including education and exam fees.
Budget tip: Online courses are often more affordable than in-person programs. Compare options →(affiliate link)
CE & Renewal Requirements
Verified8
Federal Minimum CE
+1
State Additional CE
8
Total CE Hours
Renewal Period
Annual (December 31)
Renewal Fee
$100
South Carolina state renewal fee plus $35 NMLS annual processing fee
State-Specific CE Topics
Federal CE minimum includes 3 hrs federal law, 2 hrs ethics, and 2 hrs nontraditional lending. All CE must be completed through NMLS-approved providers.
Browse approved MLO training programs to find the right fit.
Find approved Mortgage Loan Originator pre-licensing courses at The CE Shop →(affiliate link)
NMLS Multi-State Facilitation
NMLS allows you to apply for multiple state licenses through a single portal
Additional Requirements to Add South Carolina
MLOs can originate loans in multiple states by adding state licenses through NMLS. Each state may require passing the state-specific SAFE test component, additional education, and paying state licensing fees.
Mortgage Loan Originator Schools in South Carolina
Compare approved training programs, costs, and requirements.
How this state compares to 50 others for this profession
Timeline
#1 of 51
Salary
#43 of 51
Processing
#1 of 51
Based on May 2024 Bureau of Labor Statistics OEWS data for Loan Officers (SOC 13-2072)
Entry Level
$45,580
25th percentile
Median
$61,690
-17% vs. national avg ($74,180)Experienced
$81,450
75th percentile
Wage Distribution (Annual)
4,280 employed in this state
Note: BLS category "Loan Officers" includes all loan officers, not just mortgage loan originators. Actual MLO compensation often includes significant commission income.
Source: BLS OEWS – Loan Officers (May 2024)
National employment projections for 2024-2034
Projected Growth
+4%
Average GrowthNew Jobs
+12,500
over 10 years
Annual Openings
27,300
per year (avg.)
310,600 currently employed nationwide (2024)
Source: BLS Employment Projections 2024-2034 (September 2025)
SAFE MLO Test (NMLS National Component) — 2021-2024National rate
55%
First-time Pass Rate
Approximately 53-58% first-time.
Source: NMLS / Conference of State Bank Supervisors (CSBS) (2024)
Pass rates are approximate national averages and may vary by state, exam provider, and candidate preparation.
Estimated total: 6–16 weeks
Timeline estimated from licensing requirements on this page.
Source: South Carolina Board of Financial Institutions — Licensing Requirements
2–4 weeks
Estimated processing time
Source: South Carolina Board of Financial Institutions — Licensing Requirements
South Carolina requires 20 hours of pre-licensing education to become a licensed Mortgage Loan Originator. All licensing is managed through the NMLS (Nationwide Multistate Licensing System).
All MLO licensing in the United States is governed by the SAFE Act and processed through NMLS.
South Carolina has dual licensing authorities (BFI and DCA) for mortgage professionals, both requiring 3 hours of state-specific PE.
South Carolina has two licensing authorities: Board of Financial Institutions (BFI) and Department of Consumer Affairs (DCA).
Both SC authorities require 3 hours of state-specific pre-licensing education.
South Carolina has two licensing agencies: BFI (Board of Financial Institutions) and DCA (Department of Consumer Affairs). This entry covers the BFI path.
Accurate: SC has two licensing agencies. BFI (under Consumer Finance Division) licenses MLOs employed by mortgage lenders/servicers
DCA licenses Mortgage Broker Loan Originators. Both require 3 hours SC-specific PE.
Study guides for the NMLS SAFE Mortgage Loan Originator exam.
Browse Study Guides on Amazon →As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases.
Shop essential tools and supplies to get started in your career.
As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases.
Shop essential tools and supplies to get started in your career.
As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases.
South Carolina ranks #3 out of 51 for lowest mortgage loan originator licensing fees ($246.25). See full ranking →
Related Guides
Mortgage Loan Originator requirements in nearby states
| State | Timeline | |
|---|---|---|
| South Carolina (you) | 6–16 wks | |
| Georgia | 6–16 wks | → |
| North Carolina | 6–16 wks | → |
Explore requirements for other professional licenses in South Carolina.
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