2014 Rhode Island General Laws
Title 19 - Financial institutions
Chapter 19-14.10 - An Act Adopting the Federal Secure and Fair Enforcement for Mortgage Licensing Act of 2009
Section 19-14.10-4 - License and registration required.

§ 19-14.10-4 License and registration required. – (a) An individual, unless specifically exempted from this chapter under subsection (b) of this section, shall not engage in the business of a mortgage loan originator with respect to any dwelling located in this state without first obtaining and maintaining annually a license under this chapter. Each licensed mortgage loan originator must register with and maintain a valid unique identifier issued by the nationwide mortgage licensing system and registry.

(b) The following individuals are exempt from this chapter:

(1) Registered mortgage loan originators, when acting for an entity described in subparagraphs 19-14.10-3(10)(i)(A), (B), or (C) are exempt from this chapter.

(2) Any individual who offers or negotiates terms of a residential mortgage loan with or on behalf of an immediate family member of the individual.

(3) Any individual who offers or negotiates terms of a residential mortgage loan secured by a dwelling that served as the individual's residence.

(4) A licensed attorney who negotiates the terms of a residential mortgage loan on behalf of a client as an ancillary matter to the attorney's representation of the client, unless the attorney is compensated by a lender, a mortgage broker, or other mortgage loan originator or by any agent of such lender, mortgage broker, or other mortgage loan originator.

(5) A licensed attorney when performing loan closing services for a licensed lender, licensed loan broker, or for an entity exempt from licensing under subdivision 19-14.1-10(a)(4);

(6) A mortgage loan originator: (i) Who is employed by a lender or loan broker licensed under chapter 19-14 and/or 19-14.1; (ii) Who works at a qualified location; (iii) Who is registered with, and maintains a unique identifier through the nationwide mortgage licensing system and registry; (iv) Who acts as a mortgage loan originator for residential mortgage loans secured by dwellings (as defined in Section 103(v) of the Truth in Lending Act) constructed or to be constructed on real property located in states other than Rhode Island; and (v) Who is licensed or registered as required by applicable law in each state in which such real property is located. As used herein, the term "qualified location" means a location licensed under this chapter which serves as the primary place of employment of at least one mortgage loan originator licensed under chapter 19-14.10.

(c) An individual loan processor or underwriter who is an independent contractor may not engage in the activities of a loan processor or underwriter unless such independent contractor loan processor or underwriter obtains and maintains a license under chapters 19-14 and 19-14.10. Each independent contractor loan processor or underwriter licensed as a mortgage loan originator must have and maintain a valid unique identifier issued by the nationwide mortgage licensing system and registry.

(d) For the purposes of implementing an orderly and efficient licensing process the director or the director's designee may establish licensing rules or regulations and interim procedures for licensing and acceptance of applications. For previously registered or licensed individuals the director or the director's designee may establish expedited review and licensing procedures as follows:

(1) A mortgage loan originator applicant whose employer at the time of application for a mortgage loan originator license is an entity described in subparagraphs 19-14.10-3(10)(A), (B), or (C) and who has been assigned a unique identifier through the nationwide mortgage licensing system and registry and who has completed and filed with the director or the director's designee all information, documents and requirements for licensure pursuant to this chapter shall be permitted to continue to act as a mortgage loan originator for the period prior to action being taken on his or her application by the director or the director's designee;

(2) A mortgage loan originator applicant who has been assigned a unique identifier through the nationwide mortgage licensing system and registry and who has completed and filed with the director or the director's designee all information, documents and requirements for licensure pursuant to this chapter and whose employer at the time of application for a mortgage loan originator license is a lender or loan broker licensed under chapter 19-14 and 19-14.1, shall be permitted to continue to act as a mortgage loan originator for the period prior to action being taken on his or her application by the director or director's designee if the applicant and a senior officer or principal of such lender or loan broker files written attestation to the director or the director's designee that:

(i) The applicant is currently or has within the six (6) month period prior to the date of the application been acting as a registered mortgage loan originator in this state or as a state-licensed mortgage loan originator in another state, in either case under the provisions of Section 1507 of the SAFE Act;

(ii) The applicant has never had a mortgage loan license or registration denied, revoked, or suspended in any governmental jurisdiction; and

(iii) the applicant has not been convicted of a felony that would otherwise authorize the director or the director's designee to deny the applicant a license.

(3) Any provisional authority to act as a mortgage loan originator issued pursuant to this subsection (d) shall expire on the earlier of: (i) The date on which the director or the director's designee issues or denies the application for the license; or (ii) One hundred twenty (120) days from the date of application for the license.

(4) The director or the director's designee may deny or suspend the rights of a lender or loan broker licensed under chapter 19-14 or 19-14.1 to employ a mortgage loan originator under this subsection (d) if the director or the director's designee finds that such lender or loan broker, a senior official or principal thereof, or the applicant failed to exercise due diligence and good faith when submitting the attestations required in subdivision (d)(1) or (d)(2) above.

History of Section.
(P.L. 2009, ch. 148, § 3; P.L. 2009, ch. 160, § 3; P.L. 2010, ch. 56, § 2; P.L. 2010, ch. 64, § 2; P.L. 2011, ch. 145, § 3.)