Transition From Loan Officer to Broker‑Owner

A Low‑Risk Roadmap to Taking Full Control of Your Mortgage Business

Stay Licensed, Keep Closing, and Launch When You’re Ready

For many mortgage loan officers and real‑estate professionals, the leap to owning a brokerage feels overwhelming. It’s not just about the licensing—it’s about income risk, operational unknowns, and the fear of losing the pipeline you built. But what if you didn’t have to hit the pause button on your career to become your own boss? That’s exactly where our Transition Program comes in. It’s tailored for experienced loan officers who want the freedom of brokerage ownership but the safety of earning while they prepare.

How the Transition Program Works

Our path is designed for flexibility and progression—no rush, no forced startup. You stay licensed, keep originating, and build your brokerage on your terms. Here’s the breakdown:

Sponsorship & Licensing: You’re sponsored by Co/LAB Lending and operate as an independent contractor (1099), so your originations continue.
Per‑File Fee Model: Instead of traditional splits, you pay a per‑file fee — keeping you in business while planning your next step.
Expense Ownership: You manage your own CRM, LOS, leads and equipment—giving you both flexibility and responsibility.
Access to Community & Resources: You tap into Co/LAB’s network: daily live support (Co/LAB Connect), a private chat for transition participants, and weekly helpdesk calls.
Franchise Transition: When you're ready, you move into full ownership: pay the franchise fee (or finance it), form your business, get your NMLS company license, and optionally, opt for our Concierge Service ($7,500) to handle full set-up.

Who This Path is For

This program is ideal for mortgage professionals who are serious about building their own brokerage but aren’t quite ready to take the leap full-time. It’s tailored to help you maintain your income while preparing for ownership with the right structure, mentorship, and back-end support in place.

A loan officer closing consistently (for example, 5+ loans/month) and ready to explore ownership
Wanting to keep your income while you learn the business of running a brokerage
Looking for a structured, supported path rather than going it completely alone
Planning to run your own brand, recruit and lead, but need time, resources and licensing infrastructure

Key Milestones on Your Transition Timeline

Every broker journey is different—but most successful transitions follow a similar path. This timeline outlines the key steps you’ll take as you move from loan officer to business owner, with support and guidance at every stage.

Continue origination under Co/LAB sponsorship and earn income.
Complete required licensing and maintain compliance in your state(s).
Build your book, refine your business model, and gain mentorship.
Decide your launch point: full franchise ownership, branch expansion, or independent brokerage.
Once ready, pay your franchise fee, form your business entity, adopt the Co/LAB brand (or run your own), and transition to ownership.

Benefits You Can Expect

Making the switch to ownership shouldn’t mean putting your career or income on pause. Our transition program offers a smart, low-risk way to build your future while keeping your current business thriving—so you don’t have to choose between earning now and building for tomorrow.

No pipeline freeze: Your business keeps flowing while you build.
Mentorship & setup support: We walk you through licensing, ops and business launch.
Freedom & speed: Work at your own pace—whether that’s 3 months or 12 months to launch.
Ownership upside: Move from earned originator income to full business owner profitability and control.

Ready to Map Your Transition Plan?

Schedule a Free Strategy Call and Take the First Step

If you’re ready to unlock the next phase of your career and build a business where you call the shots, let’s talk. Book a free Q&A with our team and we’ll design a custom transition roadmap—matching your current production, your timeline, and your goals.