State Law Update: Virginia Amends Mortgage Originator Licensing Statute

Mortgage Licensing SAFE Act

On February 20, Virginia enacted HB 1803, which conforms Virginia law to federal SAFE Act regulations, as recommended by the Virginia Housing Commission. The bill (i) expands the definition of a mortgage loan originator to include an individual who represents to the public that he can or will take an application for, or offer or negotiate the terms of, a residential mortgage loan, (ii) exempts from licensing requirements any individual acting as a loan originator in financing the sale of his or her own residence, (iii) specifies conditions under which an attorney engaged in mortgage loan origination activities is exempt from licensing requirements, (iv) removes the definition of "federal banking agencies", and (v) defines the term "employee."