California Code, Financial Code - FIN § 50002.5

(a) Every licensee engaging in the business of making, servicing, or making and servicing residential mortgage loans shall require that every mortgage loan originator employed or compensated by that licensee obtains and maintains a mortgage loan originator license from the commissioner under this division or Division 9 (commencing with Section 22000), or has first obtained a license endorsement from the commissioner of Real Estate pursuant to Article 2.1 (commencing with Section 10166.01) of Chapter 3 of Part 1 of Division 4 of the Business and Professions Code.

(b) A residential mortgage lender or servicer shall not employ a mortgage loan originator whose license or license endorsement has lapsed.

(c) A residential mortgage lender or servicer may not make or broker a residential mortgage loan unless that loan is negotiated by or applied for through a licensed mortgage loan originator.

(d) Every licensee engaged in the business of making, servicing, or making and servicing residential mortgage loans and every mortgage loan originator licensed under this division shall register with and maintain a valid unique identifier issued by the Nationwide Mortgage Licensing System and Registry.

(e) No mortgage loan originator licensed under this division and employed by a licensed residential mortgage lender or residential mortgage servicer shall engage in any activity that is not an authorized activity for a licensed residential mortgage lender or residential mortgage servicer pursuant to this division.