Start with the effective date
On October 8, 2026, FHA published Mortgagee Letter 2026-11. For FHA case numbers assigned on or after January 1, 2027, FHA will accept VantageScore 4.0 and FICO Score 10T alongside Classic FICO for applicable FHA-insured Title II single-family mortgage programs.
The case-number date controls the new policy; it is not necessarily the date you first contact a lender, submit an application, sign a contract or close. Ask your lender which policy applies to your transaction.
Know what the update does not promise
The update does not guarantee approval, a particular score or better loan terms. FHA says its established Minimum Decision Credit Score thresholds remain unchanged, and the tri-merged credit-report requirement remains in place.
A lender may submit one or more FHA-accepted score-model types. FHA does not recommend a particular model. When there is more than one borrower, the same submitted model type or types must be used for every borrower.
Separate FHA policy from the lender's process
FHA sets the insurance-program rules, but approved lenders obtain credit reports, choose which accepted model or models to submit, and underwrite the complete application. A recommendation from FHA's TOTAL Mortgage Scorecard is one part of the process; FHA states that a lender may not approve or deny an FHA-insured mortgage based only on that assessment.
A lender's technology readiness, credit-provider options and additional underwriting requirements can affect what is available in practice. Ask the lender to distinguish an FHA requirement from a lender-specific requirement.
Prepare useful questions
- Ask whether the FHA case number is expected before or after January 1, 2027.
- Ask which FHA-accepted credit-score model or models the lender and its credit provider can submit.
- For a loan with more than one borrower, confirm that the same submitted model types will be used for everyone.
- Review the credit information requested by the lender and promptly question information that appears inaccurate.
- Ask which requirements come from FHA and which are additional lender requirements.
Source review
The official HUD and FHA materials below were checked October 26, 2026. Mortgagee Letter 2026-11 and the accompanying questions and answers are dated October 8, 2026. The policy is effective for applicable FHA case numbers assigned on or after January 1, 2027. This article is general education, not an FHA eligibility decision, individual credit advice, loan approval or government endorsement. Preapproval is preliminary, and final approval depends on lender and property review.
General education only. This article does not offer a rate or guarantee loan approval. Loan options depend on your circumstances and lender review.