What is the minimum credit score a person needs to obtain an FHA loan?

There is no minimum credit score to qualify for an FHA loan. As of March 2015, a minimum FICO score of 580 is required to qualify for FHA's low down payment advantage, but applicants with lower credit scores may still qualify for FHA loans with higher down payments.

Applicants who qualify for the low down payment advantage pay only about 3.5 percent down on FHA loans. Those who do not meet the credit requirements to receive the advantage pay 10 percent but still receive all the other benefits of FHA loans, which are typically easier to qualify for and offer lower interest rates and fees than traditional loans.