Doctor Loans
Physician and dentist loan programs built around how early-career medical professionals actually look on paper — high student debt, a short employment history, and strong future income that a standard underwriting box doesn't always account for.
- Low or no down payment options for eligible medical professionals
- Student loan debt can be treated differently than under standard conventional guidelines
- Available to residents, fellows, and newly practicing physicians and dentists
- No private mortgage insurance (PMI) requirement on many doctor loan programs
- Can close before employment officially starts, based on a signed offer letter
Ask About Doctor Loan
Medical careers don’t fit a standard underwriting box — a resident with six figures of student debt and a modest salary today may be a strong borrower once attending pay starts, and conventional guidelines don’t always account for that trajectory. Doctor loan programs exist to bridge that gap, with underwriting built around a medical career’s typical path rather than a snapshot of current income alone.
Who This Is For
- Medical residents and fellows early in their career
- Newly practicing physicians and dentists with limited savings for a down payment
- Borrowers whose student loan balance would otherwise push their debt-to-income ratio too high
Doctor Loan FAQs
What counts as a doctor loan?
Doctor loan programs are designed specifically for physicians, dentists, and in some cases other licensed medical professionals. They typically allow a lower down payment and more flexible treatment of student loan debt than a standard conventional loan, in recognition of a medical career's income trajectory.
Do I need to already be practicing to qualify?
Not necessarily. Many doctor loan programs work with residents and fellows, and some can close based on a signed employment offer before the new position officially starts. Exact requirements vary by lender and program.
How is my student loan debt treated?
Doctor loan programs often use an income-driven repayment amount, a deferred-payment calculation, or another adjusted figure instead of the full standard payment, which can meaningfully change how much you qualify for compared to conventional underwriting.
Do I have to put 20% down to avoid mortgage insurance?
Many doctor loan programs don't require private mortgage insurance even with a low or no down payment — one of the features that sets them apart from a standard conventional loan.
Is this only for medical doctors?
Physician and dentist programs are the most common, but eligibility varies by lender — talk to a loan officer about your specific degree and licensing to see what applies to your situation.
Related Resources
Ready to Talk Through Doctor Loan?
Tell us about your situation and we'll tell you honestly what it will take to qualify.
