Specialty Certification

(MLO Licensing Review) 

Candidates for the CAS MLO Licensing designation must provide evidence of the following:

1. Completion of a minimum of two (2) years of on-the-job service and training related to processing licensing applications.
2. Satisfactory completion of the CSBS MLO Licensing Review Learning Plan (course list below).
3. Completion of CHRI Training as assigned.

Applicants must ensure that they meet all certification requirements and will then complete an attestation of successful job performance and mastery of job-related skills, providing a thorough written response for each competency category. Their supervisor will then review and affirm the attestation to ensure accuracy and completeness. The core competencies are an integral part of the certification, and a high degree of reliance is placed on the attestation for determining compliance with these skill areas. The supervisor reviewing the application form should be familiar with the applicant’s experience, performance, and skills/abilities and be confident that the applicant meets all the requirements outlined in the form.

The attestation form addresses the following categories:

TECHNICAL - Provides effective organization to the application review process:

• Effectively reviews and organizes applications.
• Ensures pre-licensure documents are received, and requirements are completed or places requirements or deficiencies on the applicant.
• Processes applications efficiently and in a timely manner (i.e., within the time period prescribed by state statute or regulation where applicable).
• System Proficiency
  • Demonstrates the ability to navigate the Nationwide Multistate Licensing System (NMLS).
  • Applies national best practices for data entry, application review, and deficiency tracking.
• Application Review and Processing
  • Conducts a thorough review of initial and renewal applications, identifying deficiencies and missing documentation.
  • Analyzes financial responsibility and background documentation to ensure applicants meet state licensing requirements.
  • Reviews and evaluates MLO sponsorship information to ensure it meets state-specific requirements, including eligibility of the sponsoring entity, appropriate supervision, and compensation structure, as applicable.
  • Assesses MLO sponsorship details as part of the application review, verifying alignment with state regulations regarding employment structure, supervision, and compensation, as applicable.
• Risk Assessment and Decision Making
  • Evaluates risk factors in licensing applications, such as prior enforcement actions, regulatory history, criminal history, and financial responsibility.
  • Identifies patterns of non-compliance and recommends appropriate next steps.

CONCEPTUAL - Provides effective and accurate evaluation of the application submitted by individuals:

• Effectively follows established licensing procedures to collect and analyze data.
• Infers correct conclusions from collected data.
• Regulatory & Licensing Framework
  • Demonstrates an understanding of the purpose and importance of state financial regulation.
  • Applies key licensing concepts, including the roles of mortgage lenders, brokers, servicers, and other financial service providers. Understands the license types required by different business types under state guidelines.
  • Understands the importance of licensing in consumer protection and promoting market stability.
• Industry Knowledge & Trends
  • Recognizes evolving risks in the industry, including fraud schemes and cybersecurity threats.
• Standardization & Best Practices
  • Applies principles of uniformity and process improvement in licensing reviews.
  • Compares and contrasts state regulatory approaches and recognizes areas for alignment with national best practices.
  • Stays informed about regulatory updates and industry developments

LEGAL/COMPLIANCE - Provides effective and accurate evaluation of policies, procedures, laws, rules, and regulations:

• Effectively demonstrates knowledge of policies, procedures, laws, rules and regulations.
• Effectively follows established procedures for presenting deficient application information and recommending corrective action to applicants.
• Assesses the impact of federal regulations such as the S.A.F.E. (Secure and Fair Enforcement) Act and Anti-Money Laundering and Countering the Financing of Terrorism (AML/CFT) requirements on state licensing as applicable.

COMMUNICATIONS - Demonstrates strong communication, collaboration, and customer service skills in interactions with applicants, colleagues, and stakeholders:

• Effectively and clearly communicates with applicants to obtain necessary information.
• Provides clear, timely, and professional communication with license applicants, including status updates, guidance on requirements, and responses to inquiries.
• Collaborates with internal and external regulatory stakeholders to ensure smooth application processing.
• Applies professional judgment to resolve disputes or misunderstandings regarding licensing requirements.
• Effectively and clearly communicates deficiencies to supervisory personnel and/or applicant or applicant’s representative.
• Manages difficult conversations with tact and professionalism, particularly in cases of application deficiencies or enforcement actions.
• Effectively prepares written comments that are accurate, grammatically correct, and logically arranged, to factually support any conclusions drawn.
• Effectively and clearly provides licensing information to the public.

Learning Plan, Mortgage Licensing School Course Listing for MLO Licensing Review

• History of Licensing
• NMLS, Licensing, and the State Agency
• NMLS Account Management and System Navigation for Organization Users
• NMLS Resource Center and Support
• SAFE Act Requirements
• Work List Management & Assignment
• MLO License Applications - Industry Perspective
• Record Access, Relationships, and Sponsorship
• License Item Management
• License Statuses
• Reviewing MLO License Applications
• Reviewing a Criminal Background Check
• Reviewing a Credit Report
• Reviewing Individual Amendments
• Testing and Education Investigations
• Adverse and Final License Statuses
• License Surrender
• Using NMLS Reports
• NMLS Consumer Access

Application Specialist Recertification:

Every three years, participants will be required to provide evidence of the successful completion of a minimum of 40 continuing education hours (CEH). If participant exceeds this requirement, up to 14 CEHs may be carried over into the new three-year term. Continuing education should be selected with the goal of maintaining, improving, or expanding the participant’s knowledge, skills, and abilities. Participants are also required to review and remain in compliance with updates to certifications. Should a material change related to the certification occur, additional training may be required to maintain certification.