Illinois Mortgage Broker License Requirements
Technically, you don’t actually receive a license. You’re required by Illinois law to take and pass an exam. You’ll receive certification as a permanent Loan Originator, but no formal license. The exam covers state and federal laws and rules relating to mortgage lending. 

To work as a mortgage loan originator in Illinois, you need to:

1. Pass the loan originator examination or claim exempt. The exam consists of 100 questions and is scored in a Pass or Fail format. You will have two hours to complete the exam and the cost is $74.
2. Complete the Civil Background check. Once you have passed the examination, AMP will provide you with instructions on how to proceed. Civil background checks are completed online through the AMP website www.goamp.com. The fee for the civil background checks are $115 and can be paid by credit card. Once you have submitted and paid for your civil background checks online, you will need to fax a completed and signed disclosure form to CMKA at 888-738-4534. The form is titled "Disclosure to Loan Originator Applicant regarding Procurement of a Consumer Report" and is the final page of the Form LO application. It can take up to 4 weeks for the civil background checks to be completed.
3. Complete a Criminal Background check . Once you have completed your civil background checks online at the AMP website, you can schedule an appointment with an Illinois State Police certified fingerprinting vendor. For detailed instructions on the fingerprinting process and a list of approved providers, click here. The fee for the criminal background check varies by vendor.
4. Submit a completed Loan Originator Application. You must complete all sections of the form LO, including your employer completely filling out Part III. Mail the form with a cashier's check or money order for $125 and a copy of your valid drivers license to the Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation (IDFPR). You can also access the application online at your personal account at www.goamp.com.

Illinois Mortgage Lending License Exam Information

To apply for a Illinois Permanent Loan Originator certificate, you must pass an examination.

The Illinois Loan Originator Examination is administered by computer at AMP Assessment Centers.

To schedule an exam, you will need to provide the following information:

1. Personal information – legal name, address, social security number, e-mail address, phone number, date of birth, examination type
2. Exam fees paid in full

Visit http://www.goamp.com for more exam reservation guidelines, and a list of all AMP test center locations and hours of operation. Scheduled test dates vary widely by location.

To gain admission to the Assessment Center, you must present two forms of identification, one with a current photograph. Both forms of identification must be current and include your current name and signature. You will also be required to sign a roster for verification of identity. Acceptable forms of identification include a current:

1. Driver's license with photograph
2. State identification card with photograph
3. Passport
4. Military identification card with photograph
5. Social security card (secondary form)

Employment ID cards, student ID cards and any type of temporary identification are NOT acceptable as primary identification, but may be used as secondary identification.
Candidates are prohibited from misrepresenting their identities or falsifying information to obtain admission to the Assessment Center.

You will have two hours to answer 100 multiple-choice questions. You will have plenty of time to complete the exam. Be sure to attempt to answer every question. After completing the exam, you are instructed to report to the proctor to receive your score report (pass or fail). Successful candidates will receive instructions for completing the registration process. For more information on the state exam, click here, for AMP's Candidate Handbook.

For more information on becoming an Illinois Permanent Loan Originator, click here.