Nurse Practitioners, CRNAs & Physician Assistants Now Qualify for the Doctor Loan Program
I’m excited to share an update to the medical professional mortgage program: Nurse Practitioners (NP), Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetists (CRNA with DNAP or DNP), and Physician Assistants/Associates (PA) now qualify. This has been one of the more common questions I’ve fielded since the doctor loan program launched — I’ve had nurses reach out in the past hoping to use it, and I wasn’t able to help them qualify. That’s changed, and I’m glad to finally have an answer for them.
Like the doctor loan program, this option is built for medical professionals who may be carrying significant student loan debt relative to their income, without requiring a large down payment or monthly mortgage insurance to get into a home.
Key Features of the NP/CRNA/PA Mortgage Program
This program offers the same core benefits as the doctor loan program, with financing tiered by credit score and loan-to-value (LTV):
- No monthly mortgage insurance, regardless of down payment
- Available for home purchases and rate-and-term refinances (no cash-out)
- Delayed financing allowed
- Primary residence / owner-occupied only
- 1-unit properties
Financing amount depends on your credit score:
| Minimum Credit Score | Financing | Max Loan Amount |
|---|---|---|
| 700 | 100% (no down payment) | up to $1,000,000 |
| 700 | 95% LTV | up to $2,000,000 |
| 720 | 100% (no down payment) | up to $1,500,000 |
In other words: 100% financing tops out at $1.5M (with a 720 score). To reach the full $2M loan amount, a 5% down payment (95% LTV) applies.
Debt-to-income (DTI) limits also follow LTV:
- 45% DTI maximum when LTV is greater than 95%
- 50% DTI maximum when LTV is 95% or under
Want to see how this compares to your specific scenario? Get a personalized rate quote.
Who Is Eligible?
This expansion of the medical professional mortgage program is available to:
- Nurse Practitioner (NP)
- Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist (CRNA) with DNAP or DNP
- Physician Assistant / Associate (PA)
These join the existing list of eligible medical professionals under the doctor loan program, including physicians, dentists, and veterinarians.
Why This Matters for Nurses and PAs
Nurse practitioners, CRNAs, and physician assistants often carry the same kind of financial profile that made the doctor loan program valuable in the first place — significant student loan debt from graduate-level education, combined with strong, stable income. Traditional mortgage programs can penalize that combination, treating a high student loan balance as a red flag even when income supports it well.
This program is designed to look at the fuller picture — career stability and earning potential, not just the debt-to-income snapshot — while helping preserve cash that would otherwise go toward a large down payment or monthly mortgage insurance.
FAQs About the Doctor Loan Program for Nurses
Do nurse practitioners qualify for the doctor loan program?
Yes. Nurse Practitioners (NP) now qualify, along with CRNAs (with DNAP or DNP) and Physician Assistants/Associates (PA).
Do CRNAs qualify?
Yes, CRNAs qualify if they hold a DNAP or DNP credential.
Do registered nurses (RN) qualify?
Eligibility is specific to NP, PA, and CRNA (with a DNAP or DNP) credentials. A registered nurse without one of these advanced degrees would not qualify under this program.
Is a down payment required?
Not necessarily. With a 700 credit score, 100% financing (no down payment) is available up to $1,000,000, or up to $1,500,000 with a 720 credit score. For loan amounts up to $2,000,000, a 5% down payment (95% LTV) applies.
Is mortgage insurance required?
No. This program does not require monthly mortgage insurance, regardless of down payment.
Can this program be used for a refinance?
Yes, but only for rate-and-term refinances — cash-out refinancing is not available under this program. Delayed financing is allowed for buyers who purchased with cash and want to refinance shortly after closing.
Ready to Explore Your Options?
If you’re an NP, CRNA, or PA in Washington State thinking about buying a home or refinancing, I’d love to walk you through how this program works and whether it’s the right fit for your goals.
👉 Read: Full Doctor Loan Program Guide for Washington State
About Rhonda Porter
[…] Read: NPs, CRNAs & PAs now qualify — program details, credit score tiers, and DTI limits […]