MOSO Agent Licensing
& Onboarding Guide

California only

Welcome to the MOSO Real Estate Division! This guide provides the official steps, requirements, and resources needed to practice real estate and/or originate mortgage loans as a 1099 Independent Contractor in California.

Understanding the DRE vs. DFPI License

DFPI MLO License (CA LO License)
VS
DRE-Endorsed MLO License

Must be W-2 (Employee status).

Contract Status

Can work as 1099 (Independent Contractor) or W-2.

Separate license, not tied to a Real Estate License.

Licensing Status

Must hold a current, active California Real Estate License (Salesperson or Broker).

Requires 20 hours of NMLS-approved pre-licensing education.

Pre-Licensing Education

No additional state-specific pre-education hours required.

Reviewed within 30-45 days from submission.

Processing Time

Once course work is complete and exam pass. The CA DRE will review your application within approximately 3 weeks from submission.

Choose Your Path to Join MOSO

Select the path that matches your current licensing status. Each path is designed to help you maintain 1099 Independent Contractor status.

A
Current DFPI LO

You have a DFPI license and want to obtain a DRE license to keep 1099 status

B
Already DRE Licensed

You're DRE licensed with another broker and want to move to MOSO

Path A: Current DFPI LO Seeking DRE License to Keep 1099 Status

Recommendation: It is recommended that DFPI-licensed LOs obtain a DRE license and move their loan origination endorsement to DRE to maintain 1099 Independent Contractor status.

Here is the official link to the CA Department of Real Estate (DRE)'s Requirements to Apply for a Real Estate Salesperson License. Additionally, you will need to meet the DRE's requirement for MLO License Endorsement Information.

Note that you cannot originate loans under the DRE until you've been licensed through the DRE and affiliated/sponsored Loan Factory through the DRE. You may want to keep your DFPI license until you are fully licensed through the DRE.

STEP 1
Complete Pre-Licensing Education
  • ● Action Required: Enroll in the three required courses: Real Estate Principles, Real Estate Practice, and Real Estate Finance
  • ● Details & Resources: OnlineEd Partnership (30% Discount): Use our exclusive link for immediate savings: OnlineEd Loan Factory Portal (Promo code LOAN30 is optional)
STEP 2
Apply for Exam/License
  • ● Action Required: Submit a Combination Application for both the Salesperson Exam and License
  • ● Details & Resources: Go to the DRE's eLicensing System. You must upload your Course Completion Certificates and Live Scan Service Request (RE 237)
Detailed Application Steps
Prepare Required Documents
Create or Log in to Your DRE eLicensing Account
  • ● Go to eLicensing online system
  • ● Create a new account if you don't already have one
  • ● Log in and select "Salesperson Exam/License Application" from the menu
Complete the Combination Application
  • ● Choose "Salesperson Examination/License Application (RE 435)" option
  • ● Answer all questions accurately
  • ● Upload all required documents from Step 1
  • ● You can save and return to the application if needed
Certify and Pay the Fees
  • ● Review all details carefully and certify your application
  • ● Pay the fee (exam + license application)
  • ● DRE will review your submission and notify you once the application is accepted
STEP 3
Pass the Exam
  • ● Action Required: Schedule and take the California DRE Salesperson Exam
  • ● Details & Resources: The passing score is 70% or higher. Passing the exam automatically triggers the license issuance after your background check clears
Detailed Application Steps
  • ● After your application is accepted, log in to your eLicensing account to choose your exam date and location
  • ● Bring a valid form of photo identification on the exam day
  • ● Passing score: 70% or higher
STEP 4
Obtain DRE Sponsorship
  • ● Action Required: The Licensing Department must officially add you as a Salesperson
  • ● Details & Resources: Your license becomes active only once Loan Factory approves your sponsorship. You can check the status on the DRE Public License Lookup
Detailed Application Steps
  • ● Because you submitted the Combination Application, your license will be issued automatically after:
  • ✓ You pass the exam
  • ✓ DRE receives and clears your fingerprint background check
  • ● You won't need to submit a separate license application later.
STEP 5
Sign ICA & Complete Onboarding
  • ● Action Required: Sign your Independent Contractor Agreement and complete onboarding paperwork
  • ● Details & Resources: Contact onboarding@loanfactory.com to complete all required documentation
Detailed Application Steps
  • ● Once you pass, your broker can add you via eLicensing.
  • ● As soon as your broker sponsorship is approved, your license will become active.
  • ● You can verify your license status on the DRE Public License Lookup.

Path B: Already DRE Licensed

If you already have a DRE Real Estate License and wish to transfer your sponsorship to Loan Factory, follow these steps to maintain your 1099 Independent Contractor status.

STEP 1
Switch Brokerage Sponsorship
  • ● Action Required: Transfer your Real Estate License sponsorship from your current broker to Loan Factory
  • ● Details & Resources: Contact licensing@loanfactory.com to initiate the transfer process
STEP 2
Switch MLO Endorsement
  • ● Action Required: Transfer your MLO endorsement to Loan Factory if you plan to originate loans
  • ● Details & Resources: Work with the licensing team at licensing@loanfactory.com
STEP 3
Sign ICA & Complete Onboarding
  • ● Action Required: Complete your Independent Contractor Agreement and onboarding requirements
  • ● Details & Resources: Contact onboarding@loanfactory.com for all onboarding documentation

Frequently Asked Questions

Find answers to common questions about licensing, onboarding, and the MOSO Real Estate Division

You do not have to renew as DRE, especially if you are not licensed by the DRE yet. You can remain licensed under the DFPI and originate loans but you will be paid as W2.

If you choose to remain 1099 and transfer to CA-DRE, you have two options for your CA-DFPI license:

Do Not Renew: If you do not wish to keep your DFPI license, follow the Do Not Renew Workflow in NMLS to indicate that you do not want to renew this license.

Keep the License: If you want to keep your DFPI license, you must complete the CE courses (if required) and renew it. However, Loan Factory will end your CA-DFPI sponsorship by 12/31/2025, and your license status will be placed in Approved – Inactive after renewal.

To avoid any delays in originating loans and to remain on 1099 compensation, we strongly recommend you start the coursework to get your CA-DRE license now. Details on how to get your DRE license can be found here:

Note: Even if you switch your DRE license to be affiliated with Loan Factory through elicensing, you cannot originate loans under DRE license until you complete the steps to get the sponsorship through the NMLS under the DRE license. There are 2 parts to link, the eLicensing and then the NMLS.

If you're a salesperson and transfer your DRE license over to Loan Factory, you'll need to use Loan Factory or one of our DBA's (TBD). If you are a broker, you're able to be a broker-associate for multiple brokerages and keep your other DBA with your present broker.

Similar to the loan officer mentor/mentee program, we will have a list of mentors that mentees can reach out to to partner up and learn from.

If you've done less than 3 transactions in the last 12 months.

MOSO

MOSO

Loan Factory is not requiring MLOs to get their DRE license. LO's that are licensed through DFPI and sponsored by Loan Factory will be paid as W2 employees after 12/31/2025. This will still allow you to affiliate your DRE license with the other real estate brokerage.

As an option, LO's can get their real estate salesperson license (or in your case you're already licensed) and hang their DRE license with Loan Factory to originate loans and also practice real estate under Loan Factory or its DBA's.

Starting December 31, 2025, all CA-DFPI MLO licenses must be paid as W-2. If the loan closes after the date you switch to W-2, the commission for that loan will be reported on your year-end W-2. The loan itself can still close without issue — only the way your commission is paid will change.

Important: If you do not get your DRE license in time for the renewal, you will still need to renew under DFPI until you get your DRE license to originate loans.

To remain on 1099 compensation, we recommend switching to the CA-DRE license before originating new loans.

Yes, you must. Here's how to add your Realtor license to your profile:

  1. Click on your profile picture in the top right corner of the screen and select "My Profile" from the dropdown menu.
  2. Next, navigate to the Business Information tab.
  3. Find the question that asks, "Do you have a real estate license?" and select Yes.
  4. This will prompt the system to display additional fields where you can enter your Realtor license details.

Not at this time.

Not at this time.

MOSO will be developing a transaction management platform but agents can use any available ones on the market. If there are features that you would like to have, please share with us.

The marketing team can help with generating marketing collateral. We will designate a compliance officer for escalations.

This will be a feature of the transaction management system when developed.

Yes, you can.

Yes, you can join our new chat space here.

This will be on the product roadmap.

Not if you are a salesperson. If you are a broker-associate under MOSO, then yes as long as the other broker allows it.

We currently do not allow business brokering through Loan Factory. You may want to continue at your current company.

The real estate software is being developed by the same team that developed the loan officer software.

(Answer to be provided)

(Answer to be provided)

For more information, visit: https://www.dre.ca.gov/examinees/

Testing centers:

  • Sacramento
  • Oakland
  • Fresno
  • La Palma (Orange County)
  • San Diego

Here are the general requirements for salesperson in CA: https://www.dre.ca.gov/examinees/requirementssales.html

See DRE page for Out of State examinees: https://www.dre.ca.gov/Examinees/OutOfState.html

Loan Factory will provide E&O coverage in each transaction.

Agents will receive 100% commission minus $695 fee per transaction.

a) Yes, it can only apply to allowable closing costs to the buyers. Make sure to check the underwriting guidelines.

b) No, credits must be disclosed to the lender.

Loan Factory / MOSO will host training events for agents and bring in guest presenters from the industry such as title companies, insurance companies, etc. For more support on transactions, we will have a list of mentors for mentee to work with.

The corporate office will is located at 2195 Tully Road, San Jose, CA 95122. Agents will be welcomed to use the office as needed.

If you are a DRE salesperson with another brokerage and have active real estate transactions with them, we recommend that you close out those transactions first before transferring your real estate license over.

Yes, you will need to complete and sign a new ICA form for the real estate division. Additionally, we

Depending on the status of your background check and fingerprints. The DRE/NMLS may require you to update your background check or fingerprints. Note that you will be required to do a set of fingerprints when first getting your DRE Real Estate license (for those not licensed). That information can be found here.

You will be required to submit another set of fingerprint through the NMLS when requesting the MLO endorsement. Information can be found here and on this FAQ.

You may be able to use your old fingerprint background check if the most recent report hasn't expired on your NMLS account.

Here is more information on the fingerprint background check from the NMLS.

The forms are handled by a combination of teams that include scott@loanfactory.com, licensing@loanfactory.com, and onboarding@loanfactory.com.