(a)        In order to be eligible to apply for a mortgage loan originator license, an individual must complete at least 24 hours of prelicensing education approved in accordance with subsection (b) of this section, which shall include:

(1)        Three hours of federal law and regulations;

(2)        Three hours of ethics, including instruction on fraud, consumer protection, and fair lending issues;

(3)        Two hours of training related to lending standards for nontraditional mortgage products; and

(4)        Four hours of North Carolina laws and regulations.

(b)        Prelicensing education courses and the course providers shall be reviewed and approved by the Nationwide Mortgage Licensing System and Registry using reasonable standards consistently applied, subject to the Commissioner’s approval of any course of study required by subdivision (a)(4) of this section. Review and approval of a prelicensing education course shall include review and approval of the course provider.

(c)        Nothing in this section shall preclude any prelicensing education course, approved by the Nationwide Mortgage Licensing System and Registry, that is provided by the employer of the applicant or an entity that is affiliated with the applicant by an agency contract, or any subsidiary or affiliate of the employer or entity.

(d)       Except as provided in subsection (e) of this section, prelicensing education may be offered only in a classroom or classroom equivalent setting, as approved by the Nationwide Mortgage Licensing System and Registry.

(e)        An individual having successfully completed the prelicensing educational requirements in any other state, if the requirements have been approved by the Nationwide Mortgage Licensing System and Registry, shall be given credit for those hours toward the completion of the prelicensing requirements in this State, other than the hours required under subdivision (a)(4) of this section.

(f)        An individual previously licensed under this Article whose license expires and who requests a late renewal of license pursuant to N.C. Gen. Stat. § 53-244.101 must prove that the individual has completed all of the continuing education requirements for the preceding year. ?(2009-374, s. 2.)