Who Qualifies for a Physician Loan? The Full List of Eligible Professions
Physician loans aren't only for MDs. Lumen Mortgage's physician loan program covers 16 professions: medical doctors (MD, DO), dentists (DDS, DMD), optometrists (OD), ophthalmologists and psychiatrists (MD or DO), pharmacists (PharmD), veterinarians (DVM or VMD), podiatrists (DPM), physician assistants/associates (PA), CRNAs with a DNAP or DNP, nurse practitioners (NP), registered nurses (RN), clinical nurse specialists (CNS), and chiropractors (DC). Residents, fellows, and interns with one of these degrees qualify too. Every eligible profession gets the same terms: up to 100% financing with no PMI, in Oregon and California.
Key Facts
The Full List of Eligible Professions
Physicians: Medical Doctor (MD), Doctor of Osteopathy (DO), Doctor of Ophthalmology (MD or DO), and Doctor of Psychiatry (MD or DO). Dentists: Doctor of Dental Science or Surgery (DDS) and Doctor of Dental Medicine (DMD). Eye, foot, and pharmacy care: Doctor of Optometry (OD), Doctor of Podiatric Medicine (DPM), and Doctor of Pharmacy (PharmD). Veterinarians: Doctor of Veterinary Medicine (DVM or VMD). Physician assistants and anesthesia: Physician Assistant/Associate (PA) and Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist (CRNA with a DNAP or DNP). Nursing: Nurse Practitioner (NP), Registered Nurse (RN), and Clinical Nurse Specialist (CNS). Chiropractic: Chiropractor (DC). In training: Medical residents, fellows, and interns holding one of the degrees above.
Yes, Registered Nurses Qualify
Many physician loan programs stop at MDs and DOs. Ours includes registered nurses. If you're an RN, you're eligible on the same terms as a physician. There's no minimum number of years in nursing and no separate license requirement beyond being a registered nurse. That matters because nurses are the largest group in healthcare, and most of them have never been offered a zero-down loan without mortgage insurance. With a conventional loan, a nurse putting 3–5% down usually pays monthly PMI. With our physician loan, you can put nothing down and pay no PMI. Nurse practitioners, clinical nurse specialists, and CRNAs qualify on the same terms.
Residents, Fellows, and Interns
You don't have to finish training to buy. Residents, fellows, and interns holding an eligible degree qualify. If you have a signed employment contract or offer letter with a start date within 90 days of closing, we can use that income before your first paycheck. During residency or fellowship, student loans in deferment or forbearance may be left out of your debt-to-income ratio. Starting a new job soon? See how to close on a home before your job starts.
The Same Terms for Every Profession
Your profession decides whether you're eligible. It doesn't change your terms. A chiropractor, an RN, and a surgeon all get the same program: - 100% financing up to $2,000,000 with a 720+ credit score, or up to $1,500,000 with 680+ - 95% financing up to $2,000,000 with 680+ - No private mortgage insurance at any tier - 15- and 30-year fixed rates, for a purchase or rate/term refinance - DTI up to 50% at 95% LTV or below, and up to 45% above 95% LTV or on 15-year terms - A one-unit primary residence in Oregon or California Your credit score, loan size, and income decide which tier you land in. Model your numbers on the physician loan calculator.
If Your Profession Isn't on the List
The list above is complete. If your credential isn't on it, this program isn't available to you, but you still have good options. First-time buyers can look at our first-time buyer programs and FHA loans. If you're self-employed in healthcare, such as running your own practice, bank statement loans qualify you on deposits instead of tax returns. Veterans and active-duty service members can compare VA loans, which also offer 0% down with no monthly mortgage insurance.
How to Check If You Qualify
1. Confirm your credential is on the list above. 2. Gather your income documents: recent pay stubs, or a signed offer letter or contract if you're starting a new job. 3. Check your credit range. 680 is the minimum, and 720+ opens 100% financing up to $2M. 4. Call us at 503-966-9255 for a free review. We'll confirm your eligibility and tier before you start house hunting. Buying in California? See our California physician loan page for local markets and 2026 county loan limits.
Eligible professions at a glance
Every profession below gets the same terms: up to 100% financing, no PMI, Oregon and California.
| Credential | Field | |
|---|---|---|
| Medical Doctor | MD | Medicine |
| Doctor of Osteopathy | DO | Medicine |
| Doctor of Ophthalmology | MD or DO | Medicine |
| Doctor of Psychiatry | MD or DO | Medicine |
| Doctor of Dental Science or Surgery | DDS | Dentistry |
| Doctor of Dental Medicine | DMD | Dentistry |
| Doctor of Optometry | OD | Eye care |
| Doctor of Pharmacy | PharmD | Pharmacy |
| Doctor of Veterinary Medicine | DVM or VMD | Veterinary |
| Doctor of Podiatric Medicine | DPM | Foot and ankle |
| Physician Assistant/Associate | PA | Physician assistant |
| Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist | CRNA with DNAP or DNP | Anesthesia |
| Nurse Practitioner | NP | Nursing |
| Registered Nurse | RN | Nursing |
| Clinical Nurse Specialist | CNS | Nursing |
| Chiropractor | DC | Chiropractic |
| Residents, fellows, and interns | Any degree above | In training |
Realtor Referral
Buying with a zero-down physician loan?
A zero-down offer needs an agent who can present it well to listing agents. We can introduce you to Oregon and California agents who regularly close deals with physician loans.
No directory. No paid placements. No RESPA-restricted referral fees. We've worked alongside these pros on real Oregon and California deals — we'll make a personal email introduction so you can interview them yourself.
Or email us directly:
Licensed in Oregon & California · NMLS #1498678
From the Blog
Further Reading
Physician LoansPhysician Loans in Oregon & California: 100% Financing, No PMI
Physician loans in Oregon and California with up to 100% financing and no PMI — for MDs, DOs, dentists, NPs, PAs, CRNAs, registered nurses, chiropractors, optometrists, residents, and fellows. See who qualifies, the financing tiers, and the reserve requirements.
Physician LoansFrom Renters to Owners: How a Pharmacist Bought a $995K First Home on Bull Mountain with 100% Financing
After years of renting, a pharmacist and her RN husband needed more room for a growing family. Our physician loan financed 100% of their $995,000 Bull Mountain home with no mortgage insurance, and a 3% seller credit covered nearly all of their cash to close.
Physician LoansPhysician Loan Case Study: How We Closed 33 Days Before Our Borrower's First Day of Work
A physician relocating to Eugene, Oregon for a new position at Oregon Medical Group needed to close on a home before their April 22 start date — and before they'd earned a single paycheck. Here's how we qualified them on future employment income, coordinated with their recruiter and realtor, and closed on March 20, 2026.