80R10411 ATP-D

By: Flynn H.B. No. 3144

A BILL TO BE ENTITLED

AN ACT

relating to requirements for obtaining a mortgage broker or loan officer license.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:

SECTION 1. Subchapter C, Chapter 156, Finance Code, is amended by adding Section 156.2011 to read as follows:

Sec. 156.2011. PROVISIONAL LOAN OFFICER LICENSE. (a) The commissioner shall issue an applicant for a loan officer license a provisional license within 24 hours of receiving a request for a license from the applicant containing a completed application, the applicant's fingerprint, and the license fee, if the applicant has 18 months of experience as a loan officer as evidenced by documentary proof of full-time employment as a loan officer with a mortgage broker or a person exempt under Section 156.202.

(b) A provisional license is valid for 60 days after the date of issuance. After that date, a person must hold a license as otherwise required by this subchapter.

SECTION 2. Sections 156.204(a), (c), and (e), Finance Code, are amended to read as follows:

(a) To be eligible to be licensed as a mortgage broker a person must:

(1) be an individual who is at least 18 years of age;

(2) be a citizen of the United States or a lawfully admitted alien;

(3) maintain a physical office in this state and designate that office in the application;

(4) provide the commissioner with satisfactory evidence that the applicant satisfies one of the following:

(A) the person has received a bachelor's degree in an area relating to finance, banking, or business administration from an accredited college or university and has 18 months of experience in the mortgage or lending field as evidenced by documentary proof of full-time employment as a mortgage broker or loan officer with a mortgage broker or a person exempt under Section 156.202;

(B) the person is licensed in this state as:

(i) an active real estate broker under Chapter 1101, Occupations Code;

(ii) an active attorney; or

(iii) a local recording agent or insurance solicitor or agent for a legal reserve life insurance company under Chapter 21, Insurance Code, or holds an equivalent license under Chapter 21, Insurance Code; or

(C) the person has three years of experience in the mortgage lending field as evidenced by documentary proof of full-time employment as a loan officer with a mortgage broker or a person exempt under Section 156.202;

(5) provide the commissioner with satisfactory evidence of:

(A) having passed an examination, offered by a testing service or company approved by the finance commission, that demonstrates knowledge of:

(i) the mortgage industry; and

(ii) the role and responsibilities of a mortgage broker; and

(B) compliance with the financial requirements of this chapter;

(6) not have been convicted of a criminal offense that the commissioner determines directly relates to the occupation of a mortgage broker as provided by Chapter 53, Occupations Code;

(7) satisfy the commissioner as to the individual's good moral character, including the individual's honesty, trustworthiness, and integrity; [and]

(8) not be in violation of this chapter, a rule adopted under this chapter, or any order previously issued to the individual by the commissioner; and

(9) provide the commissioner with satisfactory evidence that:

(A) if the person has not been previously licensed as a mortgage broker or a loan officer under this subchapter, the person has completed 90 classroom hours of education courses approved by the commissioner under this section; or

(B) if the person has not been previously licensed as a mortgage broker under this subchapter but has been licensed as a loan officer under this subchapter, the person has successfully completed 30 classroom hours of education courses approved by the commissioner under this section.

(c) To be eligible to be licensed as a loan officer a person must:

(1) be an individual who is at least 18 years of age;

(2) be a citizen of the United States or a lawfully admitted alien;

(3) designate in the application the name of the mortgage broker sponsoring the loan officer;

(4) provide the commissioner with satisfactory evidence that the applicant satisfies one of the following:

(A) the person meets one of the requirements described by Subsection (a)(4) and has [;

[(B)the person has] successfully completed 60 classroom [30] hours of education courses approved by the commissioner under this section;

(B) [(C)] the person has 18 months of experience as a loan officer as evidenced by documentary proof of full-time employment as a loan officer with a mortgage broker or a person exempt under Section 156.202 and has successfully completed 30 classroom hours of education courses approved by the commissioner under this section; or

(C) [(D)] for applications received prior to January 1, 2000, the mortgage broker that will sponsor the applicant provides a certification under oath that the applicant has been provided necessary and appropriate education and training regarding all applicable state and federal law and regulations relating to mortgage loans;

(5) not have been convicted of a criminal offense that the commissioner determines directly relates to the occupation of a loan officer as provided by Chapter 53, Occupations Code;

(6) satisfy the commissioner as to the individual's good moral character, including the individual's honesty, trustworthiness, and integrity;

(7) provide the commissioner with satisfactory evidence of having passed an examination, offered by a testing service or company approved by the finance commission, that demonstrates knowledge of:

(A) the mortgage industry; and

(B) the role and responsibilities of a loan officer; and

(8) not be in violation of this chapter, a rule adopted under this chapter, or any order previously issued to the individual by the commissioner.

(e) The education courses required for a mortgage broker or loan officer license under Subsection (a)(9) or (c)(4) [(c)(4)(B)] must cover ethics, the Real Estate Settlement Procedures Act of 1974 (12 U.S.C. Section 2601 et seq.), the Truth in Lending Act (15 U.S.C. Section 1601 et seq.), the Equal Credit Opportunity Act (15 U.S.C. Section 1691 et seq.), and the provisions of this chapter.

SECTION 3. The changes in law made by this Act apply only to a loan officer or mortgage broker license for which any part of an application is submitted on or after September 1, 2007.

SECTION 4. This Act takes effect September 1, 2007.