Office of the Commissioner of Financial Regulation

Pursuant to changes resulting from the SAFE Act, the fingerprint process for Maryland mortgage loan originators has CHANGED. Please review the below information regarding required F EDERAL AND STATE background check requirements and processes.

FEDERAL CRIMINAL BACKGROUND CHECK

The SAFE Act requires all individuals acting as mortgage loan originators to submit fingerprints to NMLS for a federal criminal history background check with the FBI and to meet certain minimum criminal history standards. The timing of the requirement varies depending on your status.

1. New applicants - starting January 25, 2010, those applying for a mortgage loan originator license in the Maryland must have fingerprints on file with NMLS and request a federal criminal background check to be processed by NMLS. The Office of the Commissioner will not grant a license until results from the federal criminal background check have been received and reviewed. Applicants who previously submitted fingerprints to the FBI outside the NMLS may be approved based on that submission, but will still have to submit fingerprints to the NMLS by December 31, 2010 as detailed below.
2. Current licensees - mortgage loan originators licensed pursuant to a previous criminal background check with the FBI have been approved based on that prior submission. HOWEVER, SAFE STILL REQUIRES THAT YOU HAVE FINGERPRINTS ON FILE WITH NMLS AND REQUEST A FEDERAL CRIMINAL BACKGROUND CHECK. This task must be completed by the following deadlines:
   
   - Licensees - Interim Status (formerly exempt) - July 31, 2010
   - Licensees - General - December 31, 2010

Instructions for Submitting Fingerprints to NMLS

STATE CRIMINAL BACKGROUND CHECK

1. New applicants - As was the case prior to SAFE, new mortgage loan originator applicants are still required to submit fingerprints separately for a Maryland state background check.
   
   Instructions for Submitting Fingerprints for MD Background Check



2. Current licensees - If you are currently licensed, you have completed a Maryland state background check. NO additional state submission is required.

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Questions or comments regarding the Commissioner of Financial Regulation may be directed to finreg@dllr.state.md.us.
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