(1) What is the purpose of the Mortgage Broker Practices Act? The purpose of the Mortgage Broker Practices Act is to establish a state system of licensure and rules of practice and conduct for mortgage brokers and loan originators, to promote honesty and fair dealing with citizens, and to preserve public confidence in the lending and real estate community.

(2) What is the purpose of the Mortgage Broker Practices Act rules? The purpose of these rules is to administer and interpret the Mortgage Broker Practices Act in order to govern the activities of licensed mortgage brokers, loan originators, and other persons subject to the act.

(3) What is the scope and coverage of the Mortgage Broker Practices Act and these rules? There are four criteria to determine the scope and coverage of the Mortgage Broker Practices Act and these rules. All of the criteria must be met in order for a person or entity to fall under the scope and coverage of the act and these rules. The criteria are:

(a) The persons or entities conducting business;

(b) The type of transactions performed when conducting the business;

(c) The identification of residential real estate; and

(d) The location of the mortgage broker, loan originator, potential borrower, and residential real estate.

(4) What persons or entities are covered? The Mortgage Broker Practices Act and these rules apply to all persons or entities defined as mortgage brokers or loan originators under RCW 19.146.010. However, certain mortgage brokers and loan originators may be exempt from all or part of the act under RCW 19.146.020 as discussed in WAC 208-660-008.

(5) What types of transactions are covered? The Mortgage Broker Practices Act and these rules cover the assisting to obtain any "residential mortgage loan" defined in RCW 19.146.010 and WAC 208-660-006. Violations of RCW 19.146.0201, however, are not limited to residential mortgage loan transactions.

(6) What is residential real estate? Residential real estate is real property upon which is constructed or intended to be constructed, a single family dwelling, or multiple family dwelling of four or less units. See examples in WAC 208-660-006, "residential real estate."

(7) Does the location of the mortgage broker, loan originator, potential borrower, and residential real estate affect whether the transaction is covered under the Mortgage Broker Practices Act? If the mortgage broker, loan originator, potential borrower, or residential real estate is located in Washington, the transaction is covered by the Mortgage Broker Practices Act and these rules. However, the director may choose to defer to other jurisdictions where doing so would, in the director's sole discretion, achieve the purposes of the Mortgage Broker Practices Act.

(8) What are some examples of transactions falling under the scope and coverage of the Mortgage Broker Practices Act and these rules?

(a) A loan originator employed with Mortgage Broker, Inc. with a physical office in Redmond, Washington takes a loan application from a Kirkland, Washington resident for the purchase of a home located in Bellevue, Washington. Mortgage Broker, Inc. is not exempt from the Mortgage Broker Practices Act under RCW 19.146.020. The home located in Bellevue meets the definition of residential real estate and the purchaser intends to reside in the home.

(b) A loan originator with a physical office in Spokane, Washington takes a loan application from a Yakima, Washington resident for the purchase of a home located in Oregon. The mortgage broker is not exempt from the Mortgage Broker Practices Act under RCW 19.146.020. The home located in Oregon meets the definition of residential real estate and the purchaser intends to reside in the home.

(c) A loan originator with a physical office in Reno, Nevada working for a Nevada mortgage broker takes a loan application from a Nevada resident for the purchase of a home located in Olympia, Washington. The mortgage broker is not exempt from the Mortgage Broker Practices Act under RCW 19.146.020. The home located in Washington meets the definition of residential real estate and the purchaser intends to reside in the home.