SAFE MLO Exam FAQ (Official Answers)
All questions
How many questions are on the SAFE MLO test?
120 questions: 115 scored and 5 unscored pretest questions.
How long is the test?
190 minutes of testing time, within a 225-minute appointment.
What is the passing score?
75%. The SAFE Act sets this minimum (12 U.S.C. §5104(d)).
How much does the test cost?
$110 per attempt.
What topics are on the test, and how are they weighted?
Federal mortgage-related laws 24%, Uniform State Content 11%, general mortgage knowledge 20%, mortgage loan origination activities 27%, and ethics 18%.
What is the first-time pass rate?
53%, as of December 31, 2024.
Do pretest questions count?
No. The 5 pretest questions are unscored and mixed in at random, so treat every question as scored.
Does everyone get the same test?
No. Each candidate gets a different form, and scores are statistically equated across forms.
When do I get my results?
At a test center, you get a printed score report before you leave; it becomes official when it posts in NMLS. Online-proctored results are emailed within three business days.
How soon can I retake the test?
After 30 days following a 1st or 2nd failure. After a 3rd consecutive failure, you wait 180 days.
Does a passing score expire?
If you go 5 years without holding a valid MLO license, you must retest (12 U.S.C. §5104(d)(3)(D)).
Are real test questions available online?
No. Real test questions are confidential. NMLS publishes a short set of sample questions that show the format.
Does this site count toward my 20 hours of education?
No. This site is exam practice, not an NMLS-approved course.
Practice with every question
392 questions, each with an explanation for every option and an official source, plus a timed 120-question, 190-minute practice exam.
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FAQ
How many questions are on the SAFE MLO test?
120 questions: 115 scored and 5 unscored pretest questions.
How long is the test?
190 minutes of testing time, within a 225-minute appointment.
What is the passing score?
75%. The SAFE Act sets this minimum (12 U.S.C. §5104(d)).
How much does the test cost?
$110 per attempt.
What topics are on the test, and how are they weighted?
Federal mortgage-related laws 24%, Uniform State Content 11%, general mortgage knowledge 20%, mortgage loan origination activities 27%, and ethics 18%.
What is the first-time pass rate?
53%, as of December 31, 2024.
Do pretest questions count?
No. The 5 pretest questions are unscored and mixed in at random, so treat every question as scored.
Does everyone get the same test?
No. Each candidate gets a different form, and scores are statistically equated across forms.
When do I get my results?
At a test center, you get a printed score report before you leave; it becomes official when it posts in NMLS. Online-proctored results are emailed within three business days.
How soon can I retake the test?
After 30 days following a 1st or 2nd failure. After a 3rd consecutive failure, you wait 180 days.
Does a passing score expire?
If you go 5 years without holding a valid MLO license, you must retest (12 U.S.C. §5104(d)(3)(D)).
Are real test questions available online?
No. Real test questions are confidential. NMLS publishes a short set of sample questions that show the format.
Does this site count toward my 20 hours of education?
No. This site is exam practice, not an NMLS-approved course.