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Mortgage Broker Licensing

DFI uses the NMLS to manage all Mortgage Broker licenses. Make application and all changes to a Mortgage Broker license through the NMLS.

Before You Apply

Review the documents below to make an informed decision regarding the Mortgage Broker License.

Before applying, you must obtain certain registrations, licenses, and pass a testing requirement outside DFI.

Register with these Agencies

  1. Washington Secretary of State - You must receive a corporate registration, unless a sole proprietorship
  2. Washington Business License Services - You must receive a Business License

Testing Requirement

  1. All Mortgage Broker applicants must appoint a Designated Broker. This person must pass the Designated Broker Test before the company applies for licensure. This test is not the same as the MLO Exam(s). See the Designated Broker Test for more information.

Application Steps

  1. Gather all items listed on the New Application Checklist(link is external)
    Note: Do not apply for the license through NMLS until you have ALL items on the checklist.

    Specific items to be gathered or prepared include:

    • Websites
      View your company’s websites to ensure the main page contains all of the following: (1) Applicant’s legal name, (2) Applicant’s NMLS number and (3) a link to the NMLS Consumer Access(link is external), labeled as “NMLS Consumer Access”
    • Business Plan
      Prepare your company’s business plan outlining marketing strategy, products and target markets.
    • Management Chart
      Prepare the company’s internal management chart that shows the internal divisions, officers and managers. The chart must include, at minimum, all the owners and officers.
    • Trust Accounting
      Prepare one of the two documents related to whether the company is required to maintain a trust account. The documents are in the new application checklist(link is external).
    • Electronic Surety bond
      New Mortgage Broker applicants must have a $20,000 electronic surety bond. The bond must be issued through NMLS, not in paper, and must be in NMLS before the application can be filed
    • Designated Broker Materials
      Prepare the Designated Broker New Application Checklist(link is external). Gather the Designated Broker’s evidence of experience and test passage certificate.
  2. Submit Your Application Through NMLS
    Once you have completed your application, submit your application for the Washington Mortgage Broker License through NMLS. This will include paying the licensing fee ($1,001), authorizing a credit report and Criminal Background Check (CBC) for each control person and uploading documents from the new application checklist(link is external).

    More Information:
    For help on submitting an application, see: Submitting Company Form Quick Guide(link is external)

    Sponsor Mortgage Loan Originator
    If the company is originating mortgages a Mortgage Loan Originator is required, so sponsor them now: See: MLO Sponsorship Quick Guide(link is external)

    Submit Branch Locations
    If the company has additional locations where Washington activity will be done, submit license applications for those branches: See: Submitting Branch Form Quick Guide(link is external)

  3. Email the documents indicated on the checklist to DFI at MortgageLicensing@dfi.wa.gov(link sends email) Take this action as quickly as possible after application submission.

    Mortgage Broker New Application Checklist(link is external)
    Designated Broker New Application Checklist(link is external)

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