Best NMLS Prep Courses
Looking for a career as a mortgage loan originator and feeling intimidated by the SAFE Mortgage Loan Originator Test? You’re not alone and with so many different exam prep courses available, deciding the best NMLS exam prep can be intimidating.
I took the time to personally review several exam prep courses so you can decide which exam prep course is the best fit for your study plans. I spent over 70 hours working through these courses to help you save your time and money by choosing the right course the first time.
Read on to find the best providers of practice questions and other study materials for your specific needs, as well as a brief overview of their services and offerings.
The Top 5 NMLS Exam Prep Courses For You
Here is my lineup for the top 5 NMLS exam prep courses and what they do best.
- Best for Comprehensive Studying: Oncourse has the best overall content with instructor support.
- Best for State Specific Content: Aceable Agent offers individual courses for every state.
- Best for Adaptive Technology: The CE Shop has adaptive tech that tracks your progress and personalizes the study material.
- Best for Independent Students: Mometrix is entirely self-study so you can study like you want to.
- Best for In-person Classes: In person classes are offered on weekends for students wanting traditional classroom settings.
NMLS Exam Prep Course Comparison
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Course
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Best For
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Price Range
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Pass Guarantee
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Format
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Access Period
|
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
OnCourse
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Students looking for live webinars with expert instructors.
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$129-$199
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Yes
|
Webinars, self-study
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1 year
|
|
Aceable Agent
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Students looking for both national and state-specific exam prep.
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$109-$479
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Yes
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Self-study, live webinars
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6 months
|
|
The CE Shop
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Students wanting an adaptive self-study experience with progress tracking.
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$149
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Yes
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Topical lessons, practice exams
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1 year
|
|
Mometrix
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Students looking for an independent, self-study course.
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$59.99 per month
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No
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Study lessons, flashcards
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Monthly subscription
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|
Affinity MLO Training Academy
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Students wanting the ability to attend in-person classes.
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$260-$395
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No
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Mock Exams, live webinars
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3 months
|
#1 – OnCourse Learning MLO Courses
OnCourse Learning Financial Services makes preparing for the NMLS license exam very simple thanks to their expansive offerings.
Over 16 instructors make up OnCourse’s team; each averages 20+ years of experience. Because of this, you’ll always have a subject matter expert teaching you important material. Additionally, you can learn through live in-person classes if you live in one of their select states.
And if you like your initial experience with this company, you can always come back for more by signing up for their Continuing Education, Late Continuing Education, and Professional Development courses.
Another strong benefit to this course is its compatibility with different budgets and learning styles. While OnCourse’s Platinum Exam Prep is their best offering for NMLS prep, they also provide stripped-down webinars that cover general topics for the national and state exams.
Check out our exclusive OnCourse Learning promo code to get a discount!
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Package
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What’s Included
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Best For
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Price
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|---|---|---|---|
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4 Hour National Exam Prep Webinar
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Instructor-led review for the National NMLS exam with practice questions and test-taking tips.
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Students wanting expert instructor-led classes but at an accelerated pace.
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$129
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8 Hour National Exam Prep Webinar
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Experienced instruction with test-taking tips and key information for the National Exam
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Students wanting instructor-led reviews that cover content for the national NMLS exam.
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$149
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4 Hour UT-PLM Exam Prep Public Webinar
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Webinar based exam prep for Utah Principal Lending Manager Exam
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Students specifically looking for licensing in Utah.
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$150
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Prep xL Exam Prep (Online Self-Paced)
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1,800+ questions, 11 simulated exams, 800+ flashcards, Rubiâ„¢
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Students looking for an interactive, self-paced course with thorough study materials.
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$199
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Pros
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Adaptive Tech: Rubiâ„¢ AI and built in progress tracking optimizes study time. -
Lengthy Access Period: Most courses are 6 months or less, but OnCourse has a year long access period. -
Live Webinars: Students get live, classroom like session where they can ask expert instructors questions and get test-taking tips. -
In-Depth Study Material: Over a thousand questions, 11 mock exams, and hundreds of flashcards to prep for the real exam.
Cons
-
Lacks Combo Packages: There isn’t a bundle of the self-study material with live webinars, so students wanting both will have to buy multiple packages. -
Glitchy Platform: Students report that the website crashes which can result in lost progress. -
Doesn’t cater to different learning styles: Lacks traditional study material so students that prefer pen and paper don’t have options in this program.
OnCourse Ratings
Bottom Line
OnCourse Learning has so much content and numerous courses on offer that you can get started quickly with whatever resources you need. We recommend this to anyone looking for a more in-depth approach to NMLS review in a variety of formats.
OnCourse Learning Discounts & Promotions
#2 – Aceable Agent
Aceable, known for its modern approach to education, has officially entered the NMLS space with Aceable Mortgage, and it’s already gaining attention. Their courses are fully NMLS-approved and designed with today’s busy professionals in mind. Whether you prefer self-paced learning or a more structured experience, Aceable lets you choose between an online self-study format or live instructor-led webinars.
The standout here is the mobile-friendly design. You can study from your phone, tablet, or computer with ease, which is perfect if you’re juggling work, family, or other responsibilities. The content isn’t just dry text, either, it’s interactive, visual, and broken into digestible chunks that make complex topics easier to grasp.
For those who want extra prep before the exam, Aceable also offers an optional add-on to boost your readiness for the SAFE test. Just keep in mind that it’s not automatically included in the main course, so you’ll want to factor that into your study plan.
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Package
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What’s Included
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Best For
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Price
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|---|---|---|---|
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20-Hour National + State Pre-License Course
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Live, online webinars.
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Students looking for national and state pre-licensing material.
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$479
|
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3-Hour State-Specific Law Only
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Online self-study content.
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Students that need state-specific licensing.
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$109
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Pros
-
Live Webinars: Instructors host live session where they teach material and answer questions from students. -
State Specific Content: If you already have the National exam completed, they offer individual courses for each state. -
Self-paced with Instructor Support: You get the best of both world with the ability to work on you own, but can rely on instructors when needed. -
Pass Guarantee: 100% money-back guarantee without any hidden requirements.
Cons
-
Not Budget-Friendly: This is the most expensive course listed in this article. -
Lacks Adaptive Tech: The program does not have the same tech integration as the others. -
Webinar Schedule Conflicts: All the webinars are scheduled during the week.
Aceable Agent Ratings
Bottom Line
Aceable Mortgage brings a fresh, flexible, and tech-savvy option to NMLS exam prep. If you’re looking for a course that fits around your schedule and keeps you engaged, this one is definitely worth considering.
#3 – The CE Shop
The CE shop offers a pre-licensing course for the national NMLS exam that is entirely self-paced and online. I found their platform easy to use and well organized, so I didn’t have to struggle to navigate the material I was trying to learn.
What really stood out to me was the assessment exam, which gave me feedback on my strengths and weaknesses and was then used to create a personalized study plan. Being able to optimize my study time is important to me because it not only ensures I’m learning the concepts I’m struggling with but also saves me time.
Their practice exams are also dynamic, with hundreds of questions randomized for each test, so you never see the same exam twice. They also have a readiness indicator, so when I was ready for the real exam, Exam Prep Edge notified me.
It’s important to note that this prep course is for the national level, so you will need supplemental material for any states you want to get certified in.
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Package
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What’s Included
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Best For
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Price
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|---|---|---|---|
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SAFE MLO Exam Prep Edge
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Mock exams, adaptive tech, individual lessons
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Students who are independent and looking for an online self-study exam prep program.
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$149
|
Pros
-
Progress Tracking: Dynamic practice exams and topical assessment that are personalized to target your strengths and weaknesses. -
Affordable Pricing: This course is more affordable than some competitors and they offer discount codes and have sales often. -
Structured Studying: Even though is this a self-study based course, there is a study plan that is personalized to your progress. -
Unique Exams: Every practice exam is unique with randomized questions for the question bank.
Cons
-
No State Specific Content: This course is only for the National NMLS exam material, so you will have to supplement with other programs. -
Lacks Instructor Support: There is no access to instructors, so you cannot have your questions answered if you have any. -
Spotty Customer Support: Student report that it can take a long time to get technical issues addressed by customer support.
The CE Shop Ratings
Bottom Line
The CE Shop offers a self-paced course covering content for the National NMLS exam, which is a great fit for independent students seeking a self-study course applicable across multiple states. Despite its lack of interactive content, it’s a clear and efficient choice for exam prep.
#4 – Mometrix
Mometrix is unique as it is the only course on this list that offers a monthly subscription, which is ideal for working professionals looking for a prep course that is flexible to their scheduling needs. I also think that for only $59 a month, this course is much more affordable than some courses that cost hundreds of dollars for only 3 months of access.
Despite lacking depth in their study material when compared to competitors, there are still 40+ lessons, 330+ flashbacks, and 960 practice questions. This is a simple yet thorough course that allows students who want to fast-track their exam prep to work through the material quickly without sacrificing content quality.
Mometrix also includes test-taking strategies and ways to manage test anxiety in their course, which can be a game changer for students who are hesitating to further their careers because they are struggling to overcome their anxiety. With tips based specifically on the NMLS exam, not only does this course prepare you for the material, but also for how the test is structured.
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Package
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What’s Included
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Best For
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Price
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|---|---|---|---|
|
NMLS Test Prep Course
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960 practice questions, 40+ study lessons, 330+ flashcards
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Students wanting a concise, self-study course that is independent of instructors with thorough content.
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$59.99 / monthly
|
Pros
-
Streamlined Content: This program is concise that can be worked through relatively quickly, which is appealing to students wanting quick exam prep. -
Bonus Material: Test taking strategies and ways to manage test anxiety are included in this course. -
Budget-friendly: With monthly subscriptions less than $60. -
Multiple Platforms Supported: Mobile app that supports on the go studying.
Cons
-
No State Specific Material: This is another course that is only for the National NMLS content, so you will have to get the state exam prep from another program. -
Lacks Depth: This program does not have the same amount of study material that some of the other courses have. -
No Instructor Support: The course is completely self-study based with no instructors available for questions.
Mometrix Ratings
Bottom Line
This is an excellent online course that will teach you what you need to know with flexible study options. A good choice for students that are not looking for instructor support and want to be completely independent.
#5 – MLO Training Academy (Affinity)
If you need some help preparing for your NMLS exam, MLO Training Academy is worth your consideration. They offer study resources that can help you prepare by yourself or with the help of an instructor, but either way, you’re free to study at your own pace.
Do you have a lot of free time to study and want to prepare for your NMLS exam as quickly as possible? Try their 5-day pre-licensing course. But if you need a bit more time to get through all the concepts, they also offer a 10-day version. Both courses cover all the most important concepts on the exam and provide valuable insight into the mindset required to be a successful MLO.
If you don’t want (or need) a coach to guide you through the material, this course still has you covered. For a slightly lower cost than their live courses, you can sign up for their Online NMLS Exam Prep Mastery Course. This is the best choice for independent study, since you’ll have several instructional videos and 15 practice exams to attempt.
For the best possible chances of passing this notoriously difficult exam, we recommend taking advantage of their bundle offer. You can get discounted access to both the live courses and the online mastery course. The only downside is that you’re not allowed to access their live content on your mobile phone or tablet, but if you’ve got a decent computer, this shouldn’t be an issue.
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Package
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What’s Included
|
Best For
|
Price
|
|---|---|---|---|
|
Online MLO Exam Prep Master Course
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15+ practice exams, study manuals, 500+ flashcards
|
Students that want independent online study material
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$260
|
|
Live Webinar MLO Exam Prep Master Course
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Live online instructor led class
|
Students wanting instructor support via live online sessions
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$260
|
|
Live In-Classroom 1 Day – 5 Hour MLO Exam Prep Master Course
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In-person instructor led class
|
Students that need in-person classroom settings.
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Varies by location
|
Pros
-
In-Person Classes: Affinity is the only course on this list that offers in person classes. -
Thorough Content: The courses include over 15 practice exams. -
Live Weekend Classes: Their live online and in-person classes occur on weekends, so working professionals can attend. -
Lots of Courses: They offer a ton of different courses so you will have an option no matter what your study style is.
Cons
-
Not Budget-friendly: This course is also expensive when compared to some of its competitors. -
No Pass Guarantee: Expensive course price with no pass guarantee. -
No Mobile Support: This course is designed for computer use only.
Affinity Ratings
Bottom Line
Just about everything to do with Affinity’s MLO Training Academy is impressive: the price, the support team, and the study materials. So long as you’re not dead-set on using your phone to access it, this is a terrific choice!
Choosing the Best Course for You
I’m looking a course with instructor support → OnCourse offers webinar courses that are led entirely by expert instructors.
I want a streamlined, self-study course → Mometrix’s course offers thorough content without instructor.
I need adaptive tech to target my weakness → The CE Shop has the best integrated tech that tracks your progress and customizes your learning experience.
I prefer in person classes → Affinity has in person workshops for one or two days in multiple states.
I want a course for my state specifically → Aceable Agent offers state-specific courses for over half of the United States, including Hawaii!
Honorable Mentions
OnlineEd: This would be a good choice for students wanting completely instructor based lessons, but because of the lack of variety for different study styles it didn’t make the top 5.
VanEd: State-specific content is their specialty, but their content is considered to be more difficult than the actual exam so they didn’t make it into our top 5.
NMLS Exam Frequently Asked Questions
What is the process to become NMLS-licensed?
The process for NMLS licensing differs depending on the state. Be sure to look up your state’s unique requirements for more information prior to enrolling in any courses; most NMLS prep course sites provide additional resources and information regarding this topic.
Is a background check required to obtain my NMLS license?
A federal background check and fingerprinting is required by the NMLS as part of the process to obtain your license. Additional information on the background check can be found from NMLS here.
What is a Mortgage Loan Originator (MLO)?
A Mortgage Loan Originator is a financial professional who takes a residential mortgage loan application, offers or negotiates the specifics of a residential mortgage loan, or helps in acquiring or applying for a residential mortgage loan.
Kenneth W. Boyd is a former Certified Public Accountant (CPA) and the author of several of the popular "For Dummies" books published by John Wiley & Sons including 'CPA Exam for Dummies' and 'Cost Accounting for Dummies'.
Ken has gained a wealth of business experience through his previous employment as a CPA, Auditor, Tax Preparer and College Professor. Today, Ken continues to use those finely tuned skills to educate students as a professional writer and teacher.
