It’s all too easy for busy loan officers to fall behind on continuing education. Maybe you meant to start those courses in the summer, and suddenly it’s winter and you’re scrambling. How can you tell if you’re in the danger zone?
Here are ten telltale signs that you’re behind on your MLO continuing education, along with quick fixes for each. If any of these feel familiar, don’t worry. We’ve got practical solutions to help you catch up fast and meet your NMLS continuing education deadline. Let’s turn that panic into a plan!
1. The Deadline Is Looming (or Just Passed) and You Haven’t Started
If it’s mid-December and you have zero CE hours completed, or worse, it’s January 1 and you’re now past the deadline, that’s a flashing red sign you’re behind. Most states require MLO CE to be done by December 31 annually.
Fix
Take action immediately. Enroll in an online NMLS CE classes package that you can knock out quickly. Many providers offer 8-hour courses you can finish in a day or two. Clear your schedule for a “CE crunch day” and get it done. Also, check if your state participates in the NMLS reinstatement period (usually Jan 1 – Feb 28). If you missed the deadline, you may still complete CE in January and renew late, but do not delay any further.
2. You’re Not Even Sure What the CE Requirements Are This Year
If you find yourself asking, “What courses do I need to take again?”, it’s a sign you haven’t been on top of it. Maybe you don’t know the required topics or hours offhand.
Fix
Log in to the NMLS resource center or your state regulator’s site today and review the requirements. Typically, it’s 8 hours covering federal law, ethics, non-traditional lending, plus possibly an elective or state-specific topic. If you’re in a state like California or Florida, remember NMLS continuing education California and NMLS continuing education Florida rules include a one-hour state law component as part of the 8 hours. Knowing what’s required is half the battle. Once you confirm you need, say, an 8-hour comprehensive course with a Florida law module, you can quickly find a class that meets those needs.
3. You Can’t Remember the Last Time You Did Any CE
Think back... when did you last sit down for a continuing education class or webinar? If it was so long ago that you barely recall the content, you might have skipped a year (or more). This often happens to MLOs who are newly licensed.
For example, if you got licensed in the current year and didn’t realize you might be exempt for that first year, you might forget to do it the next year.
Fix
Check your NMLS education record. Verify the last year for which you completed CE. If there’s a gap (e.g., no record for last year), you need to do a Late CE course for that year ASAP. The NMLS keeps track, and you must make up the missing year’s CE before you can renew. Going forward, set a yearly reminder for yourself every fall, so you never lose track of when it’s time to complete your hours.
4. You Haven’t Logged Into Your NMLS Account in Ages
Many of us treat NMLS like a once-a-year chore. If you haven’t logged in all year, you might miss important alerts, like notices about renewal opening or deficiencies on your license.
Fix
Log in to the NMLS site now, not later. Check your license status. Are there any notices or tasks? Sometimes, NMLS will show a “to-do” if your CE isn’t done. While you’re there, make sure your contact info is up to date (so you get future email reminders). Make it a habit to log in at least every couple of months, even when it’s not renewal season. It keeps you aware of your standing and avoids last-minute surprises.
5. You’re Relying on Last-Minute Cramming
Sign number five... it’s late in the year, and you catch yourself saying, “I’ll just cram my CE over the weekend.” You’re treating continuing education like a college exam you can cram for.
Fix
While you can complete CE in a short time, quality matters. Find a provider with an NMLS classes online format that allows self-paced learning. Break the 8 hours into two days if possible (maybe 4 hours on Saturday, 4 on Sunday) so you retain something. And promise yourself this is the last time you’ll do it this way.
Mark next year’s calendar to start earlier. Last-minute cramming is stressful, and you might miss details or make mistakes on course quizzes, which could drag things out. Plan to be a month early next time. Your future self will thank you.
6. Your License Renewal Invoice Includes a Late Fee
If you’ve gone into NMLS to renew and you see extra fees tacked on (or a message about a reinstatement fee), that’s a concrete sign you’re behind. Late fees indicate you missed the “on-time” renewal and are now in the late renewal period.
Fix
Don’t ignore those fees – pay them and complete whatever is missing (usually the CE) to finalize renewal. Many states charge daily penalties up to a cap. For example, some states charge $25 per day late up to $1,000. The sooner you renew, the lower the potential fine.
Once you’ve paid and submitted everything, double-check that your renewal submission went through. Then, implement a system to avoid this next year (set an early December deadline for yourself to have all CE and renewal done, so you never incur late fees again).
7. You Forgot About State-Specific CE Requirements
Here’s a big one for those licensed in multiple states: you might be behind because you didn’t realize one of your states had an extra requirement. For instance, NMLS continuing education California DFPI licensees need a one-hour California law course as part of their 8 hours, and NMLS continuing education Florida requires a Florida law component. If you only took a generic 8-hour federal course and skipped the state-specific hours, you’re technically not done, and your renewal will be blocked for that state.
Fix
Audit your CE courses against each state’s requirement. The NMLS provides a chart of state CE needs. If you find you’re missing something (e.g., you haven’t done that one-hour NJ elective for your New Jersey license), sign up for that course immediately. Most providers offer standalone state-specific CE modules. Knock them out, get them reported, and then you should be clear to renew in all your states.
8. Your Colleagues Already Finished CE – and You Haven’t Started
Maybe in conversation, you realize all your fellow loan officers did their CE at the company training last month or online earlier in the year. If you’re the only one in your peer group who is still unfinished, that’s a sign you’re cutting it close.
Fix
Use a bit of peer pressure as motivation. If your company or branch offers a CE class, jump on the next one. Or ask those colleagues which provider they used and sign up for the same course (if they liked it). Sometimes studying “alongside” someone, even virtually, can help you stay accountable.
Consider forming a study group or setting a friendly challenge like, “Hey team, let’s all get our CE certificates by next Friday and go out to celebrate.” Turning it into a group goal can push you to act.
9. You See “Terminated – Failed to Renew” on Your License
This is an oh-no moment. If you actually see that your license status has been changed to “Terminated – Failed to Renew” in NMLS, then you are officially behind. The deadline passed, and you didn’t renew in time.
Fix
Don’t panic, but do hustle. This status means you did not complete the requirements by the end of the late renewal period. You’ll likely need to complete the required CE (which at this point would be a Late CE course for the last year), then apply for reinstatement or even a new license application depending on how your state handles it. Contact your state regulator or consult NMLS guidance for “reinstating a terminated license.”
Often, you can still fix this by doing the education and paying fees, but time is of the essence. Until it’s resolved, you cannot originate loans, so make this your absolute top priority. And let this be a lesson to never let it get this far again.
10. You Keep Promising Yourself to “Do It Later” (and later is almost too late)
Procrastination is the sneakiest sign you’re falling behind. If every week you say, “I’ll start my CE next week,” and now the year’s nearly over, you’ve been behind schedule for a while.
Fix
Break the inertia with small steps. Commit to just logging in and completing one hour of a course today. Often, starting is the hardest part. Once you do an hour, you’ll be inclined to finish the rest. Remove distractions and give yourself a mini-reward after each module (like a good cup of coffee or a walk).
It also helps to visualize the consequences of not acting. Picture having to explain to your boss or clients that you can’t work for a bit due to a lapsed license. Not fun, right? Use that as fuel to dive in and get your CE done now, not later.
Final Thoughts... Get Back on Track
If you spotted yourself in any of these signs, take a deep breath. You’re not the first MLO to fall behind on continuing education, and you won’t be the last. The important thing is to recognize it and take immediate action. The NMLS and state regulators do provide safety nets like late renewal windows and Late CE courses, but it’s up to you to use them in time.
Once you’ve fixed the immediate issue and completed your CE, make a plan to avoid getting behind next year. Mark key dates. NMLS continuing education deadline (again, usually 12/31), any state-specific deadlines (a few states like Delaware have earlier cut-offs in December), and perhaps set a personal deadline like Thanksgiving to have everything done. Sign up for a course early. Many providers let you enroll in the new year’s CE as early as summer.
Remember, continuing education is part of being a professional. By staying on top of it, you keep your license secure and your knowledge sharp. No more last-minute scrambles or sleepless nights worrying about your license status! You’ve got this under control now.
Good luck, get those courses done, and keep moving forward in your mortgage career – fully licensed and ready to help your clients with confidence.