SBA Loan Requirements: What You Need to Qualify

SBA 7(a) loans require: 2+ years in business, good personal credit (680+ recommended), ability to repay from business cash flow, no recent bankruptcies or defaults on government loans, and the business must be for-profit and operate in the U.S.

The SBA does not lend directly — you apply through an SBA-approved lender.

The SBA guarantees 75–85% of the loan, which allows lenders to offer better terms than conventional loans. Maximum loan amount is $5 million..