To get a manufactured housing salesperson or serviceperson license in Nevada, you apply to the Manufactured Housing Division of the Nevada Housing Division, pass the required licensing exam, and submit a complete set of fingerprints for a state and FBI background check. Nevada residents can be fingerprinted electronically at an approved livescan provider such as Fingerprinting Express, which signs the Division’s fingerprint form so you can include it with your application packet. The Division issues or denies the license within 60 days of receiving a complete application, and each license is valid for 2 years.

Key facts at a glance

  • Who regulates it: Manufactured Housing Division, Nevada Housing Division, Department of Business and Industry
  • Governing law: Nevada Revised Statutes (NRS) Chapter 489
  • Fingerprint law for servicepersons, dealers and manufacturers: NRS 489.321
  • Fingerprint law for salespersons and Responsible Managing Employees (RMEs): NRS 489.341
  • Exam fee: $50, paid at the time of the exam
  • Decision timeline: within 60 days of a complete application
  • License term: 2 years, renewable
  • Renewal requirement: 8 hours of Division approved continuing education every 2 years
  • Where to get fingerprinted in Nevada: Fingerprinting Express in Reno, Las Vegas (South Rainbow and North Rainbow) and Henderson, walk ins welcome

Who needs a Nevada manufactured housing license?

Anyone who sells, services, repairs, installs or manages work on manufactured homes, mobile homes, or factory-built housing in Nevada needs a license from the Manufactured Housing Division under NRS Chapter 489. Every individual applicant in the categories below must be fingerprinted.

License type What the licensee does Fingerprint statute Exam required
Salesperson Employed by a licensed dealer to sell, rent, lease, exchange or buy manufactured homes NRS 489.341 Yes
General Serviceperson Repairs and services manufactured homes across the full scope of work NRS 489.321 Yes
Specialty Serviceperson Performs work of limited scope, often alongside a Nevada State Contractors Board license NRS 489.321 Yes, unless waived by the Division
Responsible Managing Employee (RME) Qualifies and supervises the licensed business for a dealer or serviceperson NRS 489.341 Yes
Dealer or Distributor Sells, rents or leases manufactured homes as a business NRS 489.321 Yes
Manufacturer Builds manufactured homes or factory built housing NRS 489.321 Per Division rules

A salesperson must work under a licensed dealer. If a licensed salesperson changes employers, the new employer may put them to work while the license transfer is pending, as long as the transfer is completed within 10 days.

How do I get licensed? Step by step

The Nevada manufactured housing licensing process for salespersons and servicepersons takes six steps, and fingerprinting can happen the same day you decide to apply.

  1. Download the right application. Initial salesperson, general serviceperson and specialty serviceperson licenses use the Division’s combined initial application (form LIC 311) at housing.nv.gov. RMEs use a separate RME application.
  2. Gather your supporting documents. Servicepersons typically provide a local city or county business license and a copy of their Nevada State Contractors Board license. Every applicant also completes the child support statement required by NRS 489.342.
  3. Get fingerprinted. Print the Division’s “Instructions for Obtaining Fingerprints” form and bring it, with a valid government photo ID, to an approved livescan provider such as Fingerprinting Express. The provider transmits your prints electronically to the Nevada Central Repository and signs the form.
  4. Schedule and pass the licensing exam. Contact a Division testing location at least 24 hours ahead. Exams are offered in Carson City and Las Vegas, plus Elko through Nevada Job Connect. The exam fee is $50, and study guides are available from the Division for $15.
  5. Submit your complete packet. Include the application, the signed fingerprint form, supporting documents and payment. The Division accepts checks payable to the Nevada Housing Division or payment through its online credit card and eCheck portal.
  6. Wait for the decision. The Division must issue or deny the license within 60 days of receiving a complete application. A provisional license may be issued while the FBI background report is pending.

Fingerprint requirements for salespersons and servicepersons

Every Nevada manufactured housing applicant must submit a complete set of fingerprints so the Division can run a criminal background check through the Nevada Central Repository and the FBI. The only difference between salespersons and servicepersons is which statute is marked as the reason for fingerprinting

Option 1: Electronic livescan (fastest, for Nevada residents). Take the Division’s fingerprint instruction form to a state approved private fingerprint agency. Fingerprinting Express is the expert brand and is an approved vendor. The form already lists the account details the agency needs. You pay us directly, we will submit your prints electronically (the fastest way to process), and we will sign and complete the form for your packet.

Option 2: Ink fingerprint cards (out of state or rural applicants). Applicants who live outside Nevada or in a rural area without an approved agency can have two FBI fingerprint cards rolled by local law enforcement. Mail both cards with the application packet and a cashier’s check or money order for the processing fee, and sign each card in the upper left corner.

Livescan is faster and far less likely to be rejected than ink cards, which can be returned for smudged or unreadable prints and restart your wait.

Where to get fingerprinted for a Nevada manufactured housing license

Fingerprinting Express is a Nevada livescan fingerprinting provider serving licensing applicants since 2003, with locations in Reno, Las Vegas and Henderson. Walk ins are welcome at every location and no appointment is ever required.

Location City
Fingerprinting Express Reno Reno (5000 Smithridge Dr)
Fingerprinting Express South Rainbow Las Vegas (6485 S Rainbow Blvd)
Fingerprinting Express North Rainbow Las Vegas (2351 N Rainbow Blvd)
Fingerprinting Express Henderson Henderson (1485 W Warm Springs Rd)

Why manufactured housing applicants choose Fingerprinting Express:

  • Low rejection rate. Our technicians maintain a 0.02% fingerprint rejection rate, so your background check is far less likely to stall.
  • We know the form. Bring the Division’s fingerprint instruction form and we complete and sign the agency section for your packet.
  • Same visit, done. Prints are transmitted electronically to the Nevada Central Repository during your visit.
  • Employer friendly. Dealers and service companies onboarding several salespersons or technicians can send their whole team.

What to bring: a valid government issued photo ID and the Division’s Instructions for Obtaining Fingerprints form.

Renewing your license and continuing education

Nevada manufactured housing licenses last 2 years, and salespersons, servicepersons, RMEs and dealers must complete at least 8 hours of Division approved continuing education during those 2 years before the license can be renewed. Renewals use the Division’s renewal application (form LIC 322) and must reach the Division on or before your expiration date.

The Division may waive continuing education for a specialty serviceperson who also holds a Nevada State Contractors Board license. Renewal packets also include the child support statement, and serviceperson renewals include a current contractors license copy. Check the renewal form for whether new fingerprints are required for your license type.

Common mistakes that delay a license

  • Marking the wrong statute on the fingerprint form (salespersons use NRS 489.341, servicepersons use NRS 489.321)
  • Mailing the application without the signed fingerprint agency section
  • Forgetting to sign ink fingerprint cards in the upper left corner
  • Sending only one FBI card instead of the two the Division requires
  • Using an outdated version of a Division form instead of downloading the current one from housing.nv.gov
  • Letting continuing education hours lapse before the renewal date

Frequently asked questions

Do manufactured home salespersons need fingerprints in Nevada?

Yes. Under NRS 489.341, every salesperson and Responsible Managing Employee applicant must submit a complete set of fingerprints for a state and FBI criminal background check.

Do manufactured home servicepersons need fingerprints in Nevada?

Yes. Under NRS 489.321, general and specialty serviceperson applicants, along with dealers and manufacturers, must submit fingerprints with their application.

Where can I get fingerprinted for a Nevada manufactured housing license?

Any state approved livescan agency can take your prints. Fingerprinting Express offers walk in livescan fingerprinting in Reno, Las Vegas and Henderson and signs the Division’s fingerprint form on the spot.

How long does it take to get a Nevada manufactured housing license?

The Manufactured Housing Division must issue or deny a license within 60 days of receiving a complete application. A provisional license may be issued while the FBI report is pending.

How much does the manufactured housing licensing exam cost?

The exam fee is $50, paid when you take the exam. Optional study guides cost $15 from the Division.

I live outside Nevada. How do I submit fingerprints?

Have two FBI fingerprint cards rolled by your local law enforcement agency, sign each card, and mail them with your packet and a cashier’s check or money order for processing.

How long is the license valid?

Each license is valid for 2 years and can be renewed after completing 8 hours of approved continuing education.

Get your manufactured housing fingerprints done today

Whether you are a new salesperson joining a dealership or a serviceperson growing your repair business, Fingerprinting Express makes the fingerprint step the easiest part of your Nevada manufactured housing license. Walk into any of our Reno, Las Vegas or Henderson locations with your photo ID and the Division’s fingerprint form, and leave with your prints submitted and your form signed.

This article is general information, not legal advice. Requirements can change, so always confirm current forms and fees with the Nevada Housing Division, Manufactured Housing, at housing.nv.gov.

Sources