Iowa Administrative Code
Agency 187 - Banking Division
Chapter 19 - Mortgage Loan Originators
Rule 187-19.2 - Mortgage Loan Originator Requirements

(1) A natural person who applies for a license pursuant to Iowa Code section 535D.4 to act as a mortgage loan originator in this state shall apply with the superintendent through the NMLS. The superintendent may consider an application withdrawn if it does not contain all of the information required and the information is not submitted to the superintendent within 30 days after the superintendent requests the information.

(2) Prior to applying for a mortgage loan originator license, the applicant must complete the prelicensing education requirements pursuant to Iowa Code section 535D.7.

(3) Prior to applying for a mortgage loan originator license, the applicant must pass the SAFE mortgage loan originator test, which is comprised of two components: a national component and a state component. Applicants must pass each component with a score of 75 percent or higher.

(4) The fee for an initial mortgage loan originator application is $50. This fee is nonrefundable. This fee is in addition to any fees established and charged by the NMLS, any approved education course provider, any approved education testing provider, any law enforcement agency for fingerprints and background checks, or by any credit reporting agency used by the NMLS.

(5) An applicant must provide fingerprints, authorize a fingerprint background check through NMLS, and pay the appropriate fees for the purpose of conducting a national criminal history background check through the Federal Bureau of Investigation. This requirement applies to all individuals, regardless of whether the applicant was previously registered under Iowa Code chapter 535B or if the applicant has previously submitted fingerprint cards for licensure.

(6) Each applicant must provide authorization to obtain a credit report through NMLS.

(7) To engage in activities requiring a license, a mortgage loan originator must be covered under a surety bond that reflects the dollar amount of loans originated, processed, or underwritten, as the case may be, on an annual basis. The bond must be on a form provided by the superintendent. Satisfaction of this requirement shall be met by one of the following:

(8) To engage in activities requiring a license, a mortgage loan originator must be employed by, under contract with, or an exclusive agent of a licensed company or a company that is exempt from licensing requirements. However, the superintendent may consider an application for mortgage loan originator from a person not currently employed by, under contract with, or an exclusive agent of a licensee. If the superintendent determines that the applicant is otherwise eligible for a mortgage loan originator license, the superintendent shall approve the license in "active-inactive" status or similar status type indicating that the applicant has met the individual requirements for licensure but is not authorized to conduct business.

(9) A mortgage loan originator license expires on the next December 31 after issuance; however, mortgage loan originator licenses issued on or after November 1 but before January 1 will not expire until December 31 of the following year. For example, a mortgage loan originator license issued on November 17, 2009, would not expire until December 31, 2010.

(10) An individual who has completed 20 hours of prelicensure education pursuant to 12 U.S.C. 5104(c) must retake 20 hours of prelicensure education in order to be eligible for mortgage loan originator licensure if the individual: