Every new mortgage loan originator needs at least 20 hours of NMLS-approved pre-licensing education (PE) before taking the SAFE MLO Test. Only providers on the NMLS approved list can deliver those hours. This guide compares 11 approved providers on the things that actually differ: price, format, state coverage and whether exam prep is included.
Prices were last checked on October 18, 2026. Each price links to the page it came from. Provider IDs and approved formats come from the NMLS Approved Course Provider List (updated 09/29/2026). Prices change often, so confirm at checkout.
NMLS-approved pre-licensing providers compared (October 2026)
| Provider | NMLS provider ID | PE formats (NMLS list) | 20-hour price (checked 10/18/2026) | State coverage | Exam prep included? |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 24hourEDU | 1405107 | Online | $189 (list $289) | Provider says its national course fully covers AL, AK, DE, GA, GU, IL, IN, IA, KS, KY, LA, ME, MN, MO, ND, PR, SD, VA, VI, WI, WY. One bonus state-law course included | Yes, included (provider claim) |
| Ameritrain | 1400015 | Webinar, Online | $244 (10-day online) | Provider lists AL, AK, AR, CA-DRE, DE, GA, GU, IL, IN-DFI, IA, KS, KY, LA, ME, MN, MO, ND, PR, SD, TX-OCCC, UT-DFI, VI, VA, WI, WY | Not verified |
| ProEducate | 1400037 | Online | $199 (list $295), provider says it includes the $30 NMLS banking fee | Not verified | Not verified |
| RealEstateU | 1405093 | Online | $219† | Not verified | Limited, per third-party review† |
| Aceable Mortgage | 1400102 | Webinar, Online | $279 online instructor-led; $339 live webinar; TX state-specific $79 | National 20-hour plus Texas state course listed | Not verified |
| MortgageEducation.com (1 Stop Training) | 1400051 | Classroom, Webinar, Online | $299 basic (no exam prep); $449 with 6 practice exams; $549 with 12 | State hours sold separately (from $49 per state) | Only in the $449 and $549 packages |
| OnCourse Learning | 1400013 | Classroom, Webinar, Online | $309 standard; $419 premier with prep; $599 Premier Plus | National package; state selection required | Only in the premier packages |
| Mortgage Educators & Compliance | 1400062 | Classroom, Webinar, Online | 20-hour SAFE from $325; state bundles $239–$375; test prep $129.99 extra | State bundles listed for AZ, CA, CO, FL, HI, MI, NV, NJ, NY, NC, OR, PA, TX, UT, WA | Sold separately ($129.99) |
| The CE Shop | 1405076 | Classroom, Webinar, Online | $329 (national 20-hour course alone) | National course plus individual state-specific courses | Not in the $329 course; bundled packages not verified |
| Cape School | 1400105 | Online (NMLS list) | From $400 (site showed $320 with a promo code) | National 20-hour; state courses in some states | Yes: simulator, video, flashcards, textbook, plus a pass guarantee (provider claim) |
| Champions School of Real Estate | 1400073 | Classroom, Webinar, Online | $400† | Texas-focused, per third-party review† | Not verified |
† Could not be confirmed on the provider’s own site on October 18, 2026. The figure comes from a third-party review published September 2026 (FinChannel). “Not verified” means we could not find it stated by the provider, not that the answer is no.
How to choose a provider
- Match your state first. If your state requires extra hours, make sure the provider sells that state’s course. Check the state requirements table.
- Pick a format you will finish. Online self-study is the cheapest. Webinars run on a fixed schedule and usually require a camera and ID.
- Compare total cost, not the headline price. Exam prep, state hours and NMLS reporting fees are often extra. Add everything up with our NMLS license cost calculator.
- Confirm reporting. The provider reports your completion to NMLS, so give them your exact NMLS name and ID.
What the 20 hours cover
Under the SAFE Act, the 20 hours include 3 hours of federal law, 3 of ethics (including fraud, consumer protection and fair lending), 2 on nontraditional mortgage lending and 12 of electives. The course is not the exam. You still need to pass the SAFE MLO Test, which is 120 questions (115 scored) with a 75% passing score.
From my desk: the course gets you eligible to sit for the test, but the questions are written around applying the rules to real files. That gap is where most first-time fails come from.
Where MLO Pass fits
MLO Pass is exam prep, not an NMLS-approved pre-licensing course. It does not count toward your 20 required hours. Take your PE with any approved provider, then use MLO Pass to get ready for the SAFE MLO Test itself.
A one-time $99 unlock gets you about 1,154 practice questions across all five content areas, full mock exams, an AI Trainer and a live readiness score. You pay once and have access for life, with no subscription. Use code MLOPASS for a $20 credit. Start at app.mlopass.com, or try the free 20-question practice test first.
Frequently asked questions
Is MLO Pass an NMLS-approved course?
No. MLO Pass is SAFE exam prep. It does not count toward the 20 hours of NMLS-approved pre-licensing education. You need an approved provider for those hours, and you can use MLO Pass alongside the course to prepare for the test.
How do I check that a provider is NMLS-approved?
Search the NMLS Approved Course Provider List, which NMLS last updated on September 29, 2026. It shows each provider's NMLS ID and whether it is approved for PE in classroom, webinar or online formats.
How much does a 20-hour NMLS course cost?
On October 18, 2026, the prices posted for the national 20-hour course ran from about $189 to $599, depending on the provider and whether exam prep is bundled. State-specific hours can cost extra.
Do I need more than 20 hours?
Some states require extra state-specific hours on top of the federal 20. Check the MLO License Requirements by State table before you buy, so the provider you pick covers your state.
Who reports my course completion to NMLS?
The course provider does. Give the provider your NMLS ID and your name exactly as it appears in NMLS, so the credit lands on your record.