South Carolina DCA: NMLS Pre-Licensing MLO Requirements & Training

Number of Hours Required

State-Specific Ed Required

3 Hr SC-DCA PE

Best Way To Prepare for the Test

20-Hour Online Interactive Course

SC-DCA Requires 17 hours of NMLS-Approved Pre-Licensing Education and 3 hours of SC-DCA state-specific education.

99.8% Success Rate with Pass Promise

Diehl offers the Pass Promise. If a user completes a simulated exam in Prep2Pass with a 95% or higher score and does not pass the NMLS/SAFE MLO test, they received a full refund for the Test Prep App. To date, 99.8% have passed the NMLS/SAFE MLO test after scoring a 95% or higher in the Prep2Pass Simulated Test.

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South Carolina (DCA) Pre-Licensing Course

This is the state-specific education requirement for South Carolina (DCA).

SOUTH CAROLINA DEPARTMENT OF CONSUMER AFFAIRS REQUIREMENTS FOR NMLS PRE-LICENSING EDUCATION

Hours Required By The State: 20 hours (Including 3 hours of SC-DCA state-specific education)

Final Exam Instructions: Each course contains a final exam. A minimum score of 75% is required to pass the final exam and can be taken as many times as needed to pass. This exam is required for education credit, but does not count toward the SAFE Mortgage Loan Originator Test.

NMLS Education Requirement: Diehl Mortgage Training is an NMLS-Approved Training Provider for Pre-Licensing Education #1400133

Seat Time: The state requires that all students spend a minimum amount of seat time engaged in the course content. Our online learning management system tracks engagement by clicking through the course.

Reporting: Upon completion of your course, the NMLS requires course providers to credit-bank your education hours within 7 business days. Diehl banks your hours in as little as 24 hours.

Start and End Date of Course: Your course will close at the end of the 5, 7, or 10-Day period, depending on the path you choose.

Certificates: Upon completion of the course, Diehl Mortgage Training & Compliance will email you a certificate of completion. Please download and hold onto this certificate to show proof of education completion.

https://consumer.sc.gov/

Step 1 – Review your checklist
Go to the State Licensing Requirements Page for your state and gather required documentation which may need to be uploaded and sent to the state agency.
All state licensed MLOs and certain individuals as mandated by their state agency are required to pass the National SAFE MLO test, complete pre-licensure education, and submit to a criminal background and credit check prior to submitting an application in NMLS. Review Professional Standards for more details on the Criminal Background Check, Testing, Education, and Credit Report process. 

Step 2 – Coordinate with your company
NMLS is the official system of record so it is important to coordinate use with your employer. If your company is licensed with or registered in a state through NMLS, either of you can complete your first Individual Form (MU4) in NMLS. Whoever creates the first Individual Form (MU4) must pay any associated fees when it is submitted to the state agency. If your company is completing your first Individual Form (MU4), wait for their direction before proceeding. 

Step 3 – Create an account
NOTE: The information used to create the account must be accurate, complete and reflect information found on legal documentation. Inaccurate information may result in one or more duplicate accounts. If duplicate accounts are created, the responsible individual or company is liable for all fees associated with resolving the error.
Navigate to NMLS.
Click the Log Into NMLS button.
Click the Request an Account link.
Select the Individual option.
Review the Quick Guide: Creating an Individual Account for further assistance.

Step 4 – Log into NMLS
If your company created your first Individual Form (MU4), log in with the credentials provided, review your Individual Form (MU4), make any necessary corrections and attest to its accuracy. 
Review the Attestation Quick Guide for further assistance. 

South Carolina DCA
Pre-Licensing Education (PE) FAQs

What are South Carolina DCA requirements for MLO Pre-Licensing Education?

To obtain an MLO license with the Department of Consumer Affairs (DCA), you must complete 20 hours of South Carolina DCA NMLS Pre-Licensing Courses. South Carolina DCA PE is broken down into the following components: 

  • 3 Hours of Federal Law 
  • 3 Hours of Ethics 
  • 2 Hours of Non-Traditional Mortgage Lending Training 
  • 9 Hours of Electives 
  • 3 Hours of State-Specific Law 

This 20-hour PE course is intended to equip you with the knowledge necessary to pass the NMLS exam with a score of 75% or higher and originate loans correctly and ethically.

How do I contact South Carolina Mortgage Licensing?

If you have questions or concerns regarding your new South Carolina DCA NMLS license, you can contact the South Carolina Department of Consumer Affairs using the following information: 

 

  • Phone: 803-734-4200
  • Email: SCMortgageBroker@scconsumer.gov
  • Website: www.consumer.sc.gov
  • Address: 293 Greystone Boulevard, Ste. 400
    Columbia, SC 29210

For more information regarding licensing agencies in South Carolina, you can refer to the NMLS South Carolina MLO License Description

What happens if my NMLS license expires in South Carolina?

If your NMLS license expires in South Carolina, it means you didn’t meet the annual renewal requirement or have left your license inactive for five years or more. Those that missed the renewal due date—which is November 30 in the state of South Carolina—will have to complete Late NMLS Continuing Education requirements.

 

On the other hand, if your MLO license is not active for a period of five years or more, you’ll need to start the NMLS application process all over again. This requires you to retake South Carolina DCA mortgage loan officer training and the NMLS exam. 

 

If you are in either of these situations, Diehl Education can help you complete the mandatory CE requirement every year with our comprehensive NMLS CE courses and PE courses.

Is there a deadline to complete PE in South Carolina?

Unlike CE, there’s no deadline to complete South Carolina DCA PE courses since this is a prerequisite for your NMLS application. However, once you’ve successfully completed this requirement, you have three years to take the NMLS exam and apply to become an MLO with the South Carolina DCA.

How does Diehl help prepare for a South Carolina mortgage license?

At Diehl Education, we’re committed to providing you with top-quality PE courses to help you acquire your new South Carolina DCA MLO license promptly. Our PE courses can even be tailored to fit your needs best, allowing you to complete them in five, seven, or ten days via an online instructor-led or live stream webinar course. Plus, we offer in-depth NMLS Test Prep tools, such as flashcards and practice exams that are almost like the real thing.  

When you become an MLO in South Carolina, we can also help you obtain additional MLO state licenses in all 50 states and U.S. territories, including Guam, Puerto Rico, and the Virgin Islands.

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