# Do You Need Two Years of Work History to Get a Mortgage? Canonical URL: https://valor.mortgage/answers/do-i-need-two-years-of-work-history/ Page title: Do You Need Two Years of Work History? | Valor Mortgage By [Christopher Armantrout](https://valor.mortgage/about-us/), Licensed Mortgage Loan Originator · NMLS [#1210804](https://www.nmlsconsumeraccess.org/EntityDetails.aspx/INDIVIDUAL/1210804) Last updated November 5, 2026 Rules accurate as of November 2026 Quick answer Typically yes, but there are exceptions. Lenders generally look at the most recent two years. If you were in school or the military for part of that time, the documents may help cover it. Christopher gives the example of a new nurse who can use a diploma and transcripts to show training in the field. A shorter history may still work when other parts of your file are strong. Rules on this page were checked on November 5, 2026 against HUD Handbook 4000.1 and the Fannie Mae Selling Guide. Program terms are subject to agency and lender guidelines and may change, and individual lenders can set stricter rules. ## Do you need two years of work history? March 30, 2026 · 33 seconds · [Watch on YouTube](https://www.youtube.com/shorts/vXXyejut1-w) **Transcript:** Do you need two years of work history to get pre-approved? Typically, the answer is yes, but there are some situations where that may not be the case. One such situation may be if you've been, let's say, a nurse and you've been in nursing school for so long and you're just starting your first job, we can use your college diploma and the college transcripts to be able to show that you technically have two years of work history or two years of training in your field of expertise. So this could apply to other things as well. So if you have any other questions, feel free to give us a call. We can help you to buy with confidence and buy with Valor. Whether school or training counts depends on the loan program, your field and the lender. ## What do the program rules say? | Loan | The general rule | What can help with less | |---|---|---| | [FHA](https://valor.mortgage/fha-loans/) | A lender verifies your most recent two years of employment history | Evidence of enrollment in school or the military during that time | | [Conventional (Fannie Mae)](https://valor.mortgage/conventional-loans/) | A reliable pattern of employment over the most recent two years | A shorter history may be eligible with positive factors that reasonably offset it | Program terms are subject to agency and lender guidelines and may change. VA and USDA have their own rules, so ask about them directly. ## Who might this help? - **Recent graduates** starting work in the field they trained for, such as nursing - **Veterans and service members** coming out of military service. See [our VA loan guide](https://valor.mortgage/va-loans/) - **Someone returning to work** after a long break - **A person who changed jobs** but stayed in the same line of work Having two years of history isn’t the same as two years at one job. Changing employers within your field is usually easier to document than a change of field or pay type. ## What about a gap in employment? On FHA loans, with a gap of six months or more, a lender may count your current income if you have been in your job for at least six months and you have a two-year work history before the gap. Conventional and other programs treat this in their own ways, and a lender may ask you to explain the gap. ## Does your type of pay matter? Yes. Salary or a steady hourly job is simpler to count once you have started. Commission, overtime, bonus and seasonal income often need a longer record. Self-employment has its own rules; see [what lenders usually look for](https://valor.mortgage/answers/can-i-get-a-mortgage-if-im-self-employed/). ## What should you gather? - W-2s or verification from recent employers - Your diploma and transcripts, if you were recently in school - Your DD-214 or military records, if that applies - Your offer letter and first pay stub, if you just started ## Work history FAQ ### Can I get a mortgage right after starting a new job? Sometimes, especially if you stayed in the same field and your pay type didn’t change. Your lender may need an offer letter and pay stubs. See [how a job change affects your loan](https://valor.mortgage/will-changing-jobs-hurt-my-loan-application/). ### Do college years count as work history? They may help, especially when your studies prepared you for your current field. Lenders generally need transcripts or proof of enrollment, and the rules vary. ### Does part-time work count? It can, but lenders often want to see that the income has continued long enough to rely on it. Your history and program determine how much can be used. ## Where these rules come from | Rule or figure | Source | As of | |---|---|---| | FHA employment history and gaps | [HUD Handbook 4000.1](https://www.hud.gov/hud-partners/single-family-handbook-4000-1) | Nov 5, 2026 | | Conventional employment history | [Fannie Mae Selling Guide B3-3.2-02](https://selling-guide.fanniemae.com/sel/b3-3.2-02/standards-employment-related-income) | Nov 5, 2026 | ## Related answers and guides - [What shouldn’t you do before applying for a mortgage?](https://valor.mortgage/answers/what-not-to-do-before-applying-for-a-mortgage/) - [How long does it take to get pre-approved?](https://valor.mortgage/answers/how-long-does-it-take-to-get-pre-approved/) - [Can you get a mortgage if you’re self-employed?](https://valor.mortgage/answers/can-i-get-a-mortgage-if-im-self-employed/) - [More answers on getting pre-approved](https://valor.mortgage/answers/#preapproval). - [About Christopher Armantrout](https://valor.mortgage/about-us/). [Call me at (615) 671-9178](tel:+16156719178). That’s the fastest way to get a straight answer on what you’d qualify for and how your work and school history could count. If it’s after hours, [grab a time on my calendar](https://valor.mortgage/book-your-appointment/). Pick a slot that works and I’ll call you then. If your life is too chaotic for a phone call right now — I understand — [start an application](https://valor.mortgage/purchase/) and I’ll review it and reach out with a plan. About the author [Christopher Armantrout](https://valor.mortgage/about-us/) Owner & Senior Loan Officer, Valor Mortgage NMLS #1210804 Christopher is a licensed Mortgage Loan Originator in the State of Tennessee and has been originating home loans since 2015. He founded Valor Mortgage in Springfield in 2019 and works with veterans, first-time buyers, self-employed borrowers, and families across Robertson County and Middle Tennessee. [More about Christopher](https://valor.mortgage/about-us/) [Verify this license on NMLS](https://www.nmlsconsumeraccess.org/EntityDetails.aspx/INDIVIDUAL/1210804) **Valor Mortgage, LLC** · Christopher Armantrout, Mortgage Loan Originator, NMLS #1210804 · Valor Mortgage, LLC is powered by Encore Lending Group, LLC, NMLS #1249911 · Licensed in Tennessee · Equal Housing Opportunity 724 S Main St, Springfield, TN 37172 · (615) 671-9178 · christopher@valor.mortgage · [NMLS Consumer Access](https://www.nmlsconsumeraccess.org/EntityDetails.aspx/INDIVIDUAL/1210804) The dollar figures on this page are illustrative examples for general information only and are not an offer, a rate quote, or a commitment to lend. Actual interest rates and APRs vary based on loan program, borrower qualifications, property, market conditions and other factors. Program fees, limits and terms are set by the agencies named above and change without notice; all loans are subject to credit approval, income verification and property appraisal. Not all applicants will qualify. --- ## Contact Valor Mortgage - Christopher Armantrout, Senior Loan Officer, NMLS #1210804 - Phone: [(615) 671-9178](tel:+16156719178) - Email: [christopher@valor.mortgage](mailto:christopher@valor.mortgage) - Office: 724 S Main St, Springfield, TN 37172 - [Book an appointment](https://valor.mortgage/book-your-appointment/) · [Apply online](https://valor.mortgage/purchase/) · [Contact page](https://valor.mortgage/contact-us/) Valor Mortgage, LLC is powered by Encore Lending Group, LLC, NMLS #1249911 ([NMLS Consumer Access](https://www.nmlsconsumeraccess.org/EntityDetails.aspx/COMPANY/1249911)). Christopher Armantrout, Loan Officer, NMLS #1210804. Licensed in Tennessee. Equal Housing Opportunity. All loan programs, rates, terms, and conditions are subject to change without notice. Loan approval is based on borrower qualification, credit review, income verification, and property eligibility. Not all applicants will qualify. Not a commitment to lend.