Starting September 1, 2023, the Wisconsin Department of Financial Institutions will require licensees to use the Nationwide Multistate Licensing System & Registry (NMLS) to manage adjustment service company licenses. Through NMLS, your company will be able to apply for, amend, and renew its license authority conveniently and safely online. Transitioning your license onto NMLS is required and must be completed by October 31, 2023. We suggest you start your transition now and not wait for September 1st. The purpose of this page is to provide you with important information to help you prepare to use NMLS.
NMLS is a secure web-based system created by state regulators to provide efficiencies in the processing of state licenses and to improve supervision of state-regulated industries. Through NMLS, companies maintain a single record which they use to apply for, maintain, renew, and surrender license authorities in one or more states. NMLS also contains functionality for the submission of financial statements as required for adjustment service companies. The Division of Banking recognizes that these submissions, though more efficient in the long run, may present some initial operational and technical challenges to you as a licensee. Links to training are provided below to assist the company in transitioning and should be used together with the WI Adjustment Service Company License Transition Checklist.
More information about NMLS can be found on the NMLS Resource Center.
Managing Your License on NMLS
Each company holding a adjustment service company license must create a company record in the system, both for the company itself and for each branch holding an adjustment service company license. Once the company and branch forms have been completed, they can immediately be submitted electronically through NMLS to the Wisconsin Department of Financial Institutions. NMLS is available now for you to create and begin completing your record.
How to Access NMLS
Note: If your company already has a record in NMLS, you do not need to do this step.
In order to gain access to NMLS for the first time, you must complete a Company Account Request Form and identify a Primary Account Administrator and a Secondary Account Administrator. This form can be submitted electronically through the NMLS website in the Getting Started section. This form needs to be submitted only once per company, regardless of the number of NMLS participating states in which you are licensed.
Within three days of completing and submitting the Company Account Request Form, the Primary Account Administrator will receive NMLS login information. The Primary Account Administrator for your company will have full rights to access the system, submit information to this agency and other participating state regulators, and set up other company users in the system. Instructions and tutorials on how to access and use the system are also available on the NMLS Resource Center.
Forms to Complete
Once you are able to access NMLS, you will need to submit the following through NMLS to the Wisconsin Department of Financial Institutions by October 31, 2023.
Company Application (Form MU1)
Biographical Statement and Consent Form (Form MU2)
Branch Application (Form MU3)
You may begin completing these forms now. See the Company (MU1) Form Filing Instructions if you are completing the Company (MU1) Form for the first time.
Note: If you have submitted these forms to another state, then you do not need to re-enter your company or branch records into NMLS. You will only need to identify the appropriate license type in Wisconsin and complete a few state-specific fields.
Fees
NMLS will annually charge a processing fee of $100 per company license, and $20 per licensed branch location renewed through the system. There is no processing fee for submitting a new application or transitioning an existing license onto NMLS.
There are no other NMLS processing fees. These processing fees pay for NMLS’ operations, including licensee system access 362 days per year, ability to maintain, renew and run reports on your licenses, and NMLS Call Center support.
NMLS Training
Training for these procedures is available in the form of recorded webinars and/or a self-paced e-learning package. You may complete all, none, or any of these items at your leisure by clicking the corresponding link below.
Completing the Company Account Request Form Recorded Webinar
Complete the MU1 Recorded Webinar
NMLS Basics for Companies e-Learning
As your adjustment service company might have a licensed branch location, we suggest the Branch Creation section be reviewed in the NMLS Basics for Companies e-Learning training along with the WI Adjustment Service Company Branch License Transition Checklist.
If you experience any issues during any part of the process, please contact the NMLS Call Center at 1-855-665-7123 for assistance with the process. The NMLS Call Center is available Monday - Friday from 9:00AM to 9:00PM Eastern Time.
NMLS Website
The NMLS Resource Center provides step-by-step instructions on how to access the system, guides on how to complete the forms, each state’s transition checklist and requirements, tutorials, current and future participating agencies, system alerts, system processing fees, and general background information. Training opportunities are also available in the News & Events section and from the home page.
If you have any questions, please contact the division at 608-261-7578 or by email at DFI_LFS@dfi.wisconsin.gov.