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b. Direct Endorsement Underwriter Eligibility (06/27/2025)
i. Eligibility Requirements
The DE underwriter must meet the following requirements:
• have either a minimum of:
o three years experience reviewing credit applications and one- to four-unit
property appraisals, within the past five years; or
o two years experience reviewing credit applications and one- to four-unit
property appraisals, within the past three years, combined with an additional three years of such experience within the past ten years; and
• be an employee of a single Mortgagee; and
• be authorized to bind the Mortgagee in matters involving origination of mortgages.
ii. Ineligible Participants
The DE underwriter must not be:
• listed on the General Services Administration’s (GSA) System for Award Management (SAM) or currently subject to a suspension, debarment, Limited
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I. DOING BUSINESS WITH FHA B. Other Participants
4. Nonprofits and Governmental Entities
Denial of Participation (LDP), or other restriction imposed under Part 24 of Title 24 of the Code of Federal Regulations, Part 180 of Title 2 of the Code of Federal Regulations as implemented by Part 2424 of Title 2, or any successor regulations to such parts, or under similar provisions of any other federal or state agency;
• under indictment for, or have been convicted of, an offense that reflects adversely upon the underwriter’s integrity, competence or fitness to meet the responsibilities of a DE underwriter;
• subject to any Unresolved Findings made specifically against the underwriter as the result of any HUD or other governmental investigation or audit;
• engaged in business practices that do not conform to generally accepted practices of prudent underwriters or that demonstrate irresponsibility;
• convicted of, or have pled guilty or nolo contendere to, a felony related to participation in the real estate or mortgage industry:
o during the seven-year period preceding the date of registration in FHA
Connection (FHAC); or
o at any time preceding the date of registration in FHAC, if such felony
involved an act of fraud, dishonesty, or a breach of trust, or money laundering; or
• in violation of provisions of the Secure and Fair Enforcement for Mortgage Licensing Act of 2008 (SAFE Act) (12 U.S.C. § 5101 et seq.) or its equivalent under state law, including all Nationwide Mortgage Licensing System and Registry (NMLS) requirements.
Additionally, the DE underwriter must not have Conflicts of Interest.