(205 ILCS 635/7-5)

Sec. 7-5. Testing of mortgage loan originators.

(a) In order to meet the written test requirement referred to in item (5) of Section 7-3, an individual shall pass, in accordance with the standards established under this subsection (a), a qualified written test developed by the Nationwide Multistate Licensing System and Registry and administered by a test provider approved by the Nationwide Multistate Licensing System and Registry based upon reasonable standards.

(b) A written test shall not be treated as a qualified written test for purposes of subsection (a) of this Section unless the test adequately measures the applicant's knowledge and comprehension in appropriate subject areas, including:

(1) ethics;

(2) federal law and regulation pertaining to mortgage origination;

(3) State law and regulation pertaining to mortgage origination; and

(4) federal and State law and regulation, including instruction on fraud, consumer protection, the nontraditional mortgage marketplace, and fair lending issues.

(c) Nothing in this Section shall prohibit a test provider approved by the Nationwide Multistate Licensing System and Registry from providing a test at the location of the employer of the applicant or the location of any subsidiary or affiliate of the employer of the applicant, or the location of any entity with which the applicant holds an exclusive arrangement to conduct the business of a mortgage loan originator.

(d) An individual shall not be considered to have passed a qualified written test unless the individual achieves a test score of not less than 75% correct answers to questions.

An individual may retake a test 3 consecutive times with each consecutive taking occurring at least 30 days after the preceding test.

After failing 3 consecutive tests, an individual shall wait at least 6 months before taking the test again.

A licensed mortgage loan originator who fails to maintain a valid license for a period of 5 years or longer shall retake the test, not taking into account any time during which such individual is a registered mortgage loan originator.

(Source: P.A. 100-1153, eff. 12-19-18.)