MLO Federal Law Practice Questions (RESPA, TILA, ECOA, FCRA)

Updated October 20, 2026

This area is 24% of the SAFE MLO test, about ~28 of the 115 scored questions. Below are 10 free practice questions written from the laws it covers, each with the answer, an explanation, and its source.

What this area covers

Most points here turn on exact deadlines and thresholds. Keep the TRID timelines cheat sheet open while you practice.

Weights are from the NMLS content outline. Question counts are our arithmetic (weight × 115).

10 practice questions

1. Which payment is permitted under RESPA Section 8?
  1. A gift card given to a real estate agent for each referral
  2. Free advertising for an agent who refers borrowers
  3. A fee split with a title company when no work was done
  4. A bona fide salary paid for services actually performed
Show answer and explanation

Answer: D. A bona fide salary paid for services actually performed
Correct — §1024.14(g)(1)(iv) permits payment for goods, facilities, or services actually provided.

Source: 12 CFR 1024.14(g)(1)(iv)

2. Under RESPA Section 9, a seller of property bought with a federally related mortgage loan may not:
  1. Pay part of the buyer's closing costs
  2. Recommend a title company without requiring it
  3. Require the buyer to buy title insurance from a particular title company
  4. Choose a closing date
Show answer and explanation

Answer: C. Require the buyer to buy title insurance from a particular title company
Correct — 12 U.S.C. §2608.

Source: 12 U.S.C. 2608(a)

3. The initial escrow account statement must be given to the borrower:
  1. At settlement or within 45 calendar days after settlement
  2. Within 1 year after settlement
  3. Within 10 days after the first payment
  4. Only if the borrower requests it
Show answer and explanation

Answer: A. At settlement or within 45 calendar days after settlement
Correct — §1024.17(g)(1).

Source: 12 CFR 1024.17(g)(1)

4. A servicer must provide the annual escrow account statement within how many days after the end of the escrow computation year?
  1. 45 days
  2. 60 days
  3. 30 days
  4. 10 days
Show answer and explanation

Answer: C. 30 days
Correct — §1024.17(i)(1).

Source: 12 CFR 1024.17(i)(1)

5. When servicing is transferred, the transferor servicer must notify the borrower at least how long before the effective date?
  1. 60 days
  2. 30 days
  3. 5 days
  4. 15 days
Show answer and explanation

Answer: D. 15 days
Correct — §1024.33(b)(3)(i)(A).

Source: 12 CFR 1024.33(b)(3)(i)

6. Under Regulation X, a servicer generally can't make the first notice or filing for foreclosure until the borrower is more than how many days delinquent?
  1. 45 days
  2. 90 days
  3. 30 days
  4. 120 days
Show answer and explanation

Answer: D. 120 days
Correct — §1024.41(f)(1).

Source: 12 CFR 1024.41(f)(1)(i)

7. Under Regulation X, which best describes a "mortgage broker"?
  1. Any employee of a bank
  2. The closing attorney
  3. A person other than a lender's employee who renders origination services and acts as an intermediary between borrower and lender
  4. A real estate agent who lists the home
Show answer and explanation

Answer: C. A person other than a lender's employee who renders origination services and acts as an intermediary between borrower and lender
Correct — §1024.2(b) definition.

Source: 12 CFR 1024.2(b) (Mortgage broker)

8. Which factor may NOT be used to discriminate under ECOA?
  1. Length of employment
  2. Debt-to-income ratio
  3. Credit history
  4. Receipt of income from a public assistance program
Show answer and explanation

Answer: D. Receipt of income from a public assistance program
Correct — §1002.4 and the ECOA notice (§1002.9(b)(1)) list it as a prohibited basis.

Source: 12 CFR 1002.2(z)

9. Under Regulation B, an "elderly" applicant is one who is:
  1. 62 years of age or older
  2. 55 or older
  3. 65 or older
  4. 70 or older
Show answer and explanation

Answer: A. 62 years of age or older
Correct — §1002.2(o).

Source: 12 CFR 1002.2(o)

10. An applicant qualifies individually for a loan. Under Regulation B, the creditor:
  1. Generally can't require the spouse to sign the note
  2. Must deny the loan if the spouse refuses to sign
  3. May require a co-signer of the same sex
  4. Must require both spouses to sign the note
Show answer and explanation

Answer: A. Generally can't require the spouse to sign the note
Correct — §1002.7(d)(1).

Source: 12 CFR 1002.7(d)(1)

Practice with every question

Focused, not overwhelming: 717 questions in 11 short chapters, each with an explanation for every option and an official source, plus three timed 120-question, 190-minute practice exams.

Try 25 free in the appSee launch price

More free practice

Uniform State Content questionsGeneral mortgage knowledge questionsLoan origination questionsEthics practice questionsMortgage math practice questionsHow to pass the SAFE MLO testMLO exam FAQBest MLO exam prep compared

Official sources

FAQ

What federal laws are on the MLO exam?

The federal law area of the NMLS outline covers RESPA, TILA (including TRID), ECOA, FCRA, HMDA, GLBA, BSA/AML, the Homeowners Protection Act, and related rules. It is 24% of the test.

How many federal law questions are on the SAFE test?

The area is weighted 24%. That is about 28 of the 115 scored questions; that count is our arithmetic, not an NMLS figure.

Free questionsGet full access