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HomeFinancial CodeDiv. 20Ch. 2§ 50120 Residential Mortgage Lender Licensing

§ 50120 Residential Mortgage Lender Licensing

Financial Code·California
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§ 50120 Residential Mortgage Lender Licensing

Key Takeaways

  • •If you want to give out or manage home loans in this state, you must get a special license from the government.
  • •You can only use the exact name on your license (or a name you told them about) when doing loan business.
  • •You can't use a real estate license to do home loan work—you need this special license instead.
  • •If you have a license but work in another state, you must either show your records in this state when asked or pay for the government to check your records where you are.

Example

A company called 'Quick Home Loans' wants to help people buy houses by giving them loans.

Before they can start, they must apply for a license with the state. They can’t just use their real estate license—they need this special one. If they open an office in another state, they have to let the government check their records here or pay for the government to travel and check there.

AI-generated — May contain errors. Not legal advice. Always verify source.

Official Source
View on CA.gov

§ 50120 Residential Mortgage Lender Licensing

(a) A residential mortgage lender shall file an application for licensure under this chapter with the commissioner to make or service residential mortgage loans in this state. (b) A licensee may not engage in the business as a residential mortgage lender under a name other than the name that appears on the license, or a legally assumed name disclosed either in the application or in an amendment to the application, which shall be reflected on the license. (c) A licensee may not make or service residential mortgage loans secured by real property pursuant to the authority of a license, or an exemption from licensure, under the Real Estate Law. (d) The commissioner may, pursuant to Section 50321, order a licensee to cease any other business conducted at any location where the licensee operates under the authority of a residential mortgage lender license, if the commissioner finds that the conduct of that business has facilitated evasions of this division or the rules adopted pursuant to this division, or that the conduct of that business is in violation of any law to which that business is subject. (e) A license issued for a business location outside this state shall constitute an agreement by the licensee to, at the sole discretion of the commissioner, either (1) make the licensee’s books, accounts, papers, records, and files available to the commissioner or the commissioner’s representatives in this state within 10 calendar days of a request from the commissioner or, (2) pay the reasonable expenses for travel, meals, and lodging of the commissioner or the commissioner’s representatives incurred during an investigation or examination made at the licensee’s location outside this state. (f) The commissioner may, by rule, require an applicant for a residential mortgage lender or servicer license or a residential mortgage lender or servicer licensee to make some or all filings with the commissioner through the Nationwide Mortgage Licensing System and Registry. (g) The commissioner may, by rule, require licensees to pay assessments through the Nationwide Mortgage Licensing System and Registry. (Amended by Stats. 2009, Ch. 160, Sec. 50. (SB 36) Effective October 11, 2009.)

Last verified: January 23, 2026

Key Terms

agreementlocationlicensemortgagecommissionpropertyreal estateapplication

Related Statutes

  • § 50130 Mortgage Servicer Licensing Requirements
  • § 22374 Finder Compensation Limits
  • § 50121 Residential Mortgage Lender Licensing
  • § 50123 Residential Mortgage Lender License Surrender
  • § 50124 Lender Servicer Obligations

References

  • Official text at leginfo.legislature.ca.gov
  • California Legislature. Financial Code. Section 50120.
View Official Source