Mortgage officer licensing is rising for the first time since 2022, signaling a tentative rebound in the lending workforce after years of contraction. According to data from the Conference of State Bank Supervisors, 158,260 individuals requested to renew their mortgage loan officer licenses as of December 31, a marginal increase from 158,161 at the start of 2025, and state-specific license renewals climbed to 167,656 from 166,636 the previous year.
The uptick marks a significant shift in momentum. Following a massive 15% surge in 2022, licensing renewals began to slide as interest rates climbed and the mortgage market cooled. While the decline slowed to less than 2% in 2024, the current figures represent the first year of growth in four years, suggesting the industry may have finally found its “new baseline,” according to National Mortgage News reporting on the data.
Yet the recovery remains modest and cautious. Current licensing levels are still well below the 2022 peak of 192,073 individuals. More tellingly, many lenders are not rushing to expand headcount despite the improving outlook. Over a third of companies originating fewer than 1,000 loans annually expect no change to staffing levels this year, while 23% of firms processing 5,000 or more loans also expect to keep staffing flat, according to National Mortgage News research.
The renewed interest in licensing aligns with optimistic growth projections. Fannie Mae expects mortgage origination volume to reach $2.4 trillion in 2026, a significant jump from the $1.945 trillion logged in 2025. Industry experts view the year as a pivotal “reset,” driven in part by homebuilders offering aggressive price discounts and incentives to buyers facing affordability constraints, as noted by Phil Crescenzo Jr. of Nation One Mortgage.
Mark Fleming, chief economist at First American Data & Analytics, suggests that inventory will be supported by “gradual life-event” moves—buyers and sellers re-entering the market due to personal milestones. As long as the balance of inventory remains steady, Fleming predicts house price growth will remain in check, allowing affordability to continue its incremental improvement throughout 2026.
Sources
- National Mortgage News — Reported mortgage licensing ticks up as industry eyes 2026 reset, including renewal numbers, historical context, volume forecasts, and expert commentary from Phil Crescenzo Jr. and Mark Fleming (Feb. 6, 2026)
