The Federal Housing Administration (FHA) provides mortgage insurance for loans from approved lenders in the United States. As an FHA underwriter, you assess loan applications for FHA-insured mortgages. Your duties include collecting information about the loan package and evaluating the financial records of the applicant. You then decide whether to approve or deny the application, and you document your reasons for making your decision. One of your first responsibilities in this career is to earn direct endorsement (DE) certification from a qualified lender. Employers require this certification for underwriters who work with FHA-insured products.