FHA, VA, and UAD 3.6: Which Loans Are Affected and When?
"Does this apply to FHA?"
It's one of the most common questions I hear from appraisers about UAD 3.6 - and the answer isn't as simple as you'd expect. The November 2, 2026 deadline that everyone's focused on is specifically a Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac mandate. Other loan types have their own timelines, and some of those timelines are still unclear.
If you do a mix of conventional, FHA, VA, and non-lender work, you need to know exactly which assignments require UAD 3.6 format and which don't. Here's the breakdown.
Conventional / GSE Loans (Fannie Mae & Freddie Mac)
This is the clear one. Appraisals for loans sold to Fannie Mae or Freddie Mac through the Uniform Collateral Data Portal (UCDP) must use UAD 3.6 format for all new submissions on or after November 2, 2026. No exceptions. No extensions.
We're currently in Broad Production (started January 26, 2026), meaning lenders can submit in either UAD 2.6 or 3.6 format right now. After November 2, it's 3.6 only. Legacy UAD 2.6 is fully retired on May 3, 2027, after which no revisions on old-format reports will be accepted. (Freddie Mac Timeline)
If the majority of your work is conventional lender orders through AMCs, this is your deadline and it's firm.
FHA (Federal Housing Administration)
FHA announced plans to adopt UAD 3.6 beginning in Spring 2026 on an optional basis. FHA systems were updated to support optional UAD 3.6 delivery, allowing lenders to submit FHA appraisals in the new format if they choose. (RMAA: FHA UAD 3.6 Adoption | NAR: FHA Transition Summary)
Here's what's important: FHA has not yet set a mandatory UAD 3.6 date. The Spring 2026 announcement was about enabling the option, not requiring it.
That means if you do FHA work, you may or may not receive requests for UAD 3.6 format depending on your lender's preference. Some lenders may start submitting FHA appraisals in 3.6 format early, especially if they're already using 3.6 for conventional work and want to standardize. Others may wait for a mandatory date.
The practical implication: If you're preparing for UAD 3.6 for your conventional work (and you should be), that preparation also covers FHA when the time comes. The report format is the same URAR. But keep in mind that FHA appraisals have additional FHA-specific requirements beyond the UAD format - those aren't going away.
VA (Department of Veterans Affairs)
As of March 2026, VA has not announced a specific UAD 3.6 adoption timeline. VA appraisals operate through their own system (the VA portal, not UCDP) and have their own appraisal requirements that differ from conventional work.
The expectation in the industry is that VA will eventually adopt UAD 3.6, but no dates or specific plans have been publicly confirmed. VA operates on its own schedule and its own requirements.
The practical implication: If you do VA work, you're not preparing for a November deadline on those assignments. But learning UAD 3.6 for your conventional work means you'll be ready whenever VA makes its move.
USDA
Similar to VA, USDA has not announced a specific UAD 3.6 timeline as of this writing. USDA rural housing loans have their own appraisal requirements and their adoption of UAD 3.6 will follow their own schedule.
Non-Lender Work
UAD 3.6 is a requirement for appraisals submitted to the GSEs (and eventually FHA) through the UCDP. If your appraisal isn't going through that portal, UAD 3.6 doesn't apply.
Estate appraisals, divorce valuations, tax appeals, bankruptcy work, pre-listing appraisals, attorney-ordered work, and private party appraisals all continue to use whatever report format is appropriate for the assignment. None of this work is affected by UAD 3.6 - now or ever. (For the full strategic implications of that, see UAD 3.6 Doesn't Apply to Your Most Profitable Work.)
The Timeline Summary
| Loan Type | UAD 3.6 Status | Mandatory Date | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Conventional (Fannie/Freddie) | Active - Broad Production now | November 2, 2026 | Firm deadline. All new UCDP submissions. |
| FHA | Optional - systems updated Spring 2026 | Not yet set | Lenders can submit in 3.6 if they choose. Mandatory date TBD. |
| VA | Not yet announced | Not yet set | Monitor VA for updates. |
| USDA | Not yet announced | Not yet set | Monitor USDA for updates. |
| Non-lender work | Not applicable | Never | Estate, divorce, tax appeal, private work unaffected. |
What This Means for Your Practice
If you're like most appraisers, you're doing a mix of these. Here's how to think about it.
Your November 2026 preparation effort is driven by conventional work. That's the firm deadline and likely the majority of your lender assignments. Everything in the UAD 3.6 Checklist applies here.
FHA preparation is a bonus, not a separate effort. If you're ready for UAD 3.6 on conventional work, you're also ready for FHA when it becomes required. The report format is the same. FHA-specific requirements (like FHA condition requirements and property eligibility) are separate from the UAD format and don't change.
VA and USDA are wait-and-see. Prepare for conventional. When VA and USDA announce their timelines, you'll already have the skills.
Non-lender work is your hedge. If the combined weight of UAD 3.6 for conventional and eventually FHA feels overwhelming, remember that estate, divorce, and tax appeal work is completely immune to all of this. Building that side of your practice reduces how much any single regulatory change affects your income. (Full strategy in UAD 3.6 Doesn't Apply to Your Most Profitable Work.)
Staying Updated
Timelines for FHA, VA, and USDA may change. The best sources for official updates:
- Fannie Mae UAD Hub - For conventional/GSE deadlines
- Freddie Mac UAD Hub - For conventional/GSE deadlines
- FHA/HUD announcements - For FHA-specific updates
- VA appraisal policy updates - For VA-specific updates
I'll update this article as new timelines are announced. Check back periodically, or bookmark the official sources above.
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Jon Barrett
Jon Barrett is the founder of Appraiser Machine and has spent over a decade working with independent appraisers. He's built 300+ appraiser websites, co-led a national appraiser mastermind group, and talked with hundreds of appraisers about what's actually working in their practices. He built Appraiser Machine because the operations side of running an appraisal practice was still stuck in spreadsheets and duct tape - and appraisers deserved better.
