can you get PMI removed from an FHA loan in less than 5 years

Yes. By refinancing to a conventional loan. Otherwise, absolutely not.

If you keep your existing FHA insured, 30-year fixed home loan, you will have to pay 60 months minimum of annual MIP no matter the loan-to-value. If you refinanced into another FHA insured home loan, you would be in the same scenario.

FHA MIP will be there for 5 years minimum (unless you did a 15 year mortgage). Even if you pass the 5 year mark and your balance is below 78%, FHA, at their option does not have to remove MIP. I have a client that has been fighting with FHA for nearly a year trying to get it removed and they refuse... WilliamAcres.com