Can an Agent be an MLO? Under the ABA Rules of RESPA, you or your spouse can take advantage of the “Associate” exemption and make money on the loans you generate for your Real Estate Transactions. Take a look around you and you will quickly see that many complimentary professions are getting their originators license. Insurance Agents, Builder Reps, Financial Advisors, and other Real Estate Companies are quickly seeing the value and ease in capturing business from their existing clients…so why not you?