HowToGetLicensed

Mortgage Loan Officer License: Texas vs Illinois

Thinking about getting your mortgage loan officer license? Here's how Texas and Illinois compare on education requirements, exam fees, total costs, and renewal obligations.

Requirement Texas Illinois
Education Hours 23 hours 20 hours
Exam NMLS SAFE MLO Test NMLS SAFE MLO Test
Application Fee $325 $300
Exam Fee $110 $110
Total Estimated Cost $1,000 - $2,000 $800 - $1,800
Renewal Period Every 1 year Every 1 year
CE Hours 8 hours 8 hours
Renewal Fee $325 $300

Which State Is Easier or Cheaper?

Lower cost: Illinois is the more affordable option, with an average total cost of $800-$1,800 compared to $1,000-$2,000.

Fewer education hours: Illinois requires 20 hours of pre-license education, compared to 23 hours in Texas.

Full State Guides

Compare mortgage loan officer requirements across all 50 states →