How long can I draw on an SBA Express line of credit?
Short answer
At most 60 months. SOP 50 10 8.1, Appendix 17, Para. B.3 allows no advances after the first 60 months. A revolving loan over 12 months also needs a term-out period at least as long as the draw period.
You can draw for at most 60 months. Appendix 17, Para. B.3 of SOP 50 10 8.1 allows no advances after the first 60 months. Once a loan starts amortizing, no further draws are permitted.
The term-out rule can set a shorter limit
A revolving SBA Express loan of more than 12 months must have a term-out period at least as long as the draw period. So the draw period can be no more than half of the total maturity:
- 10-year maturity: up to 60 months of draws, then at least 60 months of term-out.
- 8-year maturity: up to 4 years of draws.
- 5-year maturity: up to 30 months of draws.
The SOP's own example uses an 8-year maturity. A 2-year draw and a 6-year term-out works. A 6-year draw and a 2-year term-out does not.
What the lender decides
Those are SBA's outer limits. The lender sets the actual draw period and payment schedule. For line advances, lenders should follow the same practices they use on their non-SBA revolving lines (Sec. B, Ch. 6, Para. D.11).
A line with a maturity of 12 months or less is a separate case. It can start with no term-out at all (Appendix 17, Para. B.3).
Ask lending partners about your loan
Tell us the amount you need and what it is for. We refer you to lenders that may fund businesses like yours, and it costs you nothing.
Janover Capital LLC is not a lender and is not the SBA. The lender makes the credit decision. A lender or marketplace may pay us a referral fee if we connect you, at no cost to you. Advertiser disclosure.