In short
A physician loan is a mortgage program for eligible medical professionals. The options I offer may include no down payment, no mortgage insurance and the ability to exclude eligible student loans from debt ratios, with a 680 minimum credit score. Eligible professions include MD, DO, DDS, DMD, PharmD, DVM, DPM, CRNA, NP, and residents, fellows and interns with one of those degrees.
Reviewed by Ron Pippin, NMLS #218333 · Last updated October 21, 2026
What is a physician loan, and who qualifies?
A physician loan is a mortgage program for borrowers with specific medical and professional degrees. The options I offer may include no down payment, no mortgage insurance and the ability to exclude eligible student loans from your debt ratios, with a 680 minimum credit score. Eligible professions include MD, DO, DDS, DMD, PharmD, DVM or VMD, DPM, CRNA with DNAP or DNP, NP with MSN or DN, and residents, fellows or interns with one of those degrees. Professors and medical directors must have active clinical duties as part of their contract.
Key takeaways
Big student loans often show up years before your full earning potential does. Physician loans are built for that gap. At Strategic Mortgage, I work with eligible doctors, dentists, pharmacists, veterinarians, CRNAs, nurse practitioners, and residents, fellows and interns to find physician loan options that fit where they are now, and I explain every trade-off in plain English.
Built for Where You Are in Your Career
You've put years into school and training. Often that means large student loans and a paycheck that hasn't caught up to your earning potential yet. A standard mortgage can treat those student loans harshly and make it look like you can't afford a home you actually can.
Physician loans were designed for that situation. I offer physician loan options with no down payment, no mortgage insurance, and the ability to exclude eligible student loans from your debt ratios. Each of those depends on the program and your qualifications, but together they can open the door to buying sooner than you expected.
Key Features of a Physician Loan
- Options with no down payment. If you qualify, you may be able to buy without putting money down.
- Options with no mortgage insurance. Some physician programs do not charge monthly mortgage insurance, even with little or nothing down.
- Student loans may be excluded. Eligible student loans may be left out of your debt-to-income calculation.
- Credit score. A 680 minimum credit score applies.
Not having to bring a down payment doesn't mean you should spend every dollar you have. We'll still talk about closing costs, reserves and keeping a cushion for life.
Who Is Eligible?
Physician loan programs are limited to specific professional degrees and designations. The eligible professions include:
- Medical Doctor (MD)
- Doctor of Osteopathy (DO)
- Doctor of Dental Science or Surgery (DDS)
- Doctor of Dental Medicine (DMD)
- Doctor of Ophthalmology (MD or DO)
- Doctor of Psychiatry (MD or DO)
- Doctor of Pharmacy (PharmD)
- Doctor of Veterinary Medicine (DVM or VMD)
- Doctor of Podiatric Medicine (DPM)
- Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist (CRNA with DNAP or DNP)
- Nurse Practitioner (NP with MSN or DN)
- Medical residents, fellows or interns with one of the degrees above
A note on clinical duties: professors, medical directors and others in similar roles who hold one of the eligible designations must have active clinical duties as part of their contract.
If you're not sure whether your degree or role fits, call or text me. Not a big deal. I'll check it for you.
Know the Full Payment Before You Shop
A physician loan can make it easier to qualify, but qualifying isn't the same as being comfortable. What payment will work for you? Let's look at the full estimated payment, including property taxes, homeowners insurance and any HOA dues, alongside your student loan payments and the rest of your budget.
If you're early in your career, we'll talk about what your income looks like now and what it may look like later. I'd rather you buy a home you enjoy than one that keeps you up at night.
Your rate depends on your scenario and the day's market. Reach out and I'll price it for real.
Why Compare Physician Programs
Physician loan programs aren't all the same. Lenders can differ on which professions they accept, how they handle residents and new contracts, which student loans they exclude and how much they lend. As an independent broker, I have multiple options, and I compare them against your situation.
I'll explain why I'm recommending a loan and what you give up or gain with each choice. Sometimes a physician loan is the clear winner. Sometimes a conventional or other loan makes more sense, and I'll tell you the difference.
How We Get Started in Ogden, UT
Whether you're finishing residency, starting a new position or already established in practice, the process starts with a conversation. Tell me about your degree, your role, your timeline and the payment you're comfortable with. Then let's run some numbers together.
I've been doing this for nearly 30 years, including time inside banks and large mortgage companies. At Strategic Mortgage, you'll have my number, and you'll know where your loan stands from start to finish. If you're looking at homes in Ogden or nearby, let's see what we can do.
This page is general education only. Any examples are illustrations, not an offer or commitment to lend, and they do not reflect current interest rates. Programs, guidelines and eligibility change over time, and approval is never guaranteed. Call or text me for details on your own situation.
Quick facts
- Minimum credit score
- 680
- Down payment
- Options with no down payment, if you qualify
- Mortgage insurance
- Options with no mortgage insurance
- Student loans
- Eligible student loans may be excluded from debt ratios
- Eligible professions
- MD, DO, DDS, DMD, PharmD, DVM/VMD, DPM, CRNA, NP, plus residents, fellows and interns
- Clinical duties
- Professors and medical directors need active clinical duties in their contract
Is this loan right for you?
Who it's for
- Medical Doctors (MD) and Doctors of Osteopathy (DO), including ophthalmologists and psychiatrists
- Dentists (DDS or DMD), pharmacists (PharmD), veterinarians (DVM or VMD) and podiatrists (DPM)
- Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetists (CRNA with DNAP or DNP) and Nurse Practitioners (NP with MSN or DN)
- Medical residents, fellows or interns with one of the eligible degrees
- Professors, medical directors and similar roles with an eligible designation and active clinical duties in their contract
- Borrowers with a 680 or higher credit score whose student loans make a standard loan harder
Who it may not fit
- Borrowers without one of the eligible professional degrees or designations
- Professors, medical directors or administrators without active clinical duties in their contract
- Borrowers with credit scores below the 680 minimum
- Anyone who would be better served by a conventional or other loan once the full costs are compared
Pros and cons
Pros
- Options with no down payment for those who qualify
- Options with no mortgage insurance
- Eligible student loans may be excluded from debt ratios
- Designed for medical professionals early in their careers, including residents, fellows and interns
Trade-offs to weigh
- Limited to specific professional degrees and designations
- Requires a 680 minimum credit score
- Buying with little or nothing down means less equity at the start
- Program guidelines vary by lender, so terms need a side-by-side comparison
Frequently asked questions
Can I buy with no down payment on a physician loan?
You may be able to. I offer physician loan options with no down payment for borrowers who qualify. We'll still plan for closing costs and make sure you keep a cushion after closing.
Do physician loans have mortgage insurance?
I have physician loan options with no mortgage insurance. Whether that applies to you depends on the program and your qualifications, so let's look at your scenario.
How are my student loans counted?
With the physician options I offer, eligible student loans may be excluded from your debt ratios. Which loans count as eligible depends on the program, so I'll review yours and tell you how each lender would treat them.
Which professions qualify?
Eligible professions include MD, DO, DDS, DMD, Doctor of Ophthalmology or Psychiatry (MD or DO), PharmD, DVM or VMD, DPM, CRNA with DNAP or DNP, NP with MSN or DN, and medical residents, fellows or interns with one of those degrees.
I'm a professor or medical director. Do I qualify?
You may, as long as you hold one of the eligible designations and have active clinical duties as part of your contract. Call or text me and I'll look at your situation.
What credit score do I need?
A 680 minimum credit score applies to the physician loan options I offer. Meeting the minimum doesn't guarantee approval, but it's the starting point.
Related loan programs
Traditional, bank-statement, profit-and-loss and eligible 1099 options for business owners and independent contractors, compared across multiple lenders by Strategic Mortgage.
Conventional or DSCR, Strategic Mortgage looks at both paths and compares multiple lenders so your financing matches your investment.
When your loan amount goes above your county's conforming limit, the lender you choose matters more. I compare jumbo lenders so you're not stuck with one bank's rules.
Last updated October 21, 2026 · Reviewed by Ron Pippin, NMLS #218333. This page is educational and not a commitment to lend; program details change — ask for current figures.