The Ultimate Guide to MLO CE: What Loan Officers Need to Know Before the Deadline

It doesn't have to drive you crazy with a little planning!

Every December, loan officers across the country face the same nightmare: “Oh no—I still need my CE.”

Cue the panic, the late-night searches for “fast NMLS CE,” and the regret of waiting too long. Don’t be that person.

What Is MLO CE?

MLO CE (Mortgage Loan Originator Continuing Education) is the 8 hours of annual coursework required by the NMLS under the SAFE Act. You need it every year to renew your license. No CE = no renewals = no originating.

When’s the Deadline?

The big one is December 31. But here’s the catch: many states have earlier cut-offs and the NMLS itself recommends completing by early December to avoid bottlenecks. Procrastinate, and you could get stuck in the dreaded “late CE” category.

What’s Required?

• 3 hours Federal law and regulations

• 2 hours Ethics

• 2 hours Nontraditional mortgage lending

• 1 hour Elective (varies by provider)

• State-specific hours if your state requires them

MLO Force covers it all, in formats that actually work for busy loan officers.

Why Most LOs Hate CE

• Bad instructors who just read slides.

• Zero connection to real-world origination.

• Classes that feel like they were built in 2004.

That’s why we flipped the script.

The MLO Force CE Experience

• Relevant → We connect the laws to what you see in files every day.

• Interactive → Quizzes, stories, and scenarios that keep you awake.

• Efficient → Done in a single sitting (or at your pace, if you go self-study).

Avoid the Crunch

Don’t wait until December. Knock out CE now and spend the holidays focused on family, not federal regs.