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If you’re looking for a career in the mortgage industry, you might be searching for how to become a loan officer and wondering what it takes to get started. The good news? Becoming a loan officer can be a rewarding career with unlimited income potential. But like any profession, success doesn’t happen by accident—it happens by following the right steps and surrounding yourself with the right people.

At Mortgage Marketing Animals, we not only help loan officers get started in the industry, but we also help them build a business that actually works—whether they’re brand new or a seasoned pro looking to scale.

Steps to Becoming a Loan Officer

1. Meet the Basic Requirements

Each state has different licensing requirements, but in general, you’ll need to:
✅ Be at least 18 years old
✅ Have a high school diploma or equivalent
✅ Pass a background check and credit check

2. Complete the Required Education

Loan officers are required to complete a 20-hour pre-licensing course approved by the Nationwide Mortgage Licensing System (NMLS). This course covers federal mortgage laws, ethics, loan origination, and general mortgage knowledge.

3. Pass the NMLS SAFE Exam

The Secure and Fair Enforcement for Mortgage Licensing Act (SAFE Act) requires all loan officers to pass the NMLS exam. This test isn’t something to take lightly—many people fail on their first try. Studying is key!

4. Get Sponsored by a Mortgage Company

After passing the exam, you’ll need to get sponsored by a mortgage lender or brokerage to officially start originating loans. This is where your career truly begins.

5. Build Your Business the Right Way

Once you’re licensed, the real work starts. Too many loan officers struggle because they don’t have the right game plan for finding leads, building referral relationships, and growing their pipeline.

That’s where we come in.

The #1 Thing Most New Loan Officers Overlook

Passing the NMLS exam is only step one. What truly makes or breaks a loan officer’s career is how they market themselves and generate consistent business. Most people assume they can just “figure it out” once they start. Unfortunately, that leads to months (or even years) of struggling to close enough loans to make a decent living.

At Mortgage Marketing Animals, we specialize in helping loan officers close more loans without working crazy hours. Our proven Daily Success Plan helps loan officers know exactly who to call, what to say, and how to get more referrals from real estate agents.

Join Loan Officer Breakfast Club – For Free!

If you’re just getting started, you don’t have to do this alone. Every weekday at 8:30 AM EST, we host a FREE live coaching call inside the Loan Officer Breakfast Club, where hundreds of loan officers gather to learn what’s working in today’s market.

You’ll get real-time advice, proven scripts, and support from industry experts—all without spending a dime. It’s one of the best resources for new loan officers who want to fast-track their success.

Want to Set Yourself Up for Success? Let’s Talk!

Becoming a loan officer is just the first step. If you want to avoid struggling and start closing loans faster, we can help.

➡️ Join us at Loan Officer Breakfast Club every weekday at 8:30 AM EST for free training.
➡️ Check out Mortgage Marketing Animals for expert coaching that helps loan officers scale their business the right way.

You don’t have to figure this out alone—we’ve got the roadmap, and we’re here to help.

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