how long does my work history have to be to get a personal loan?

Personal loan underwriting can vary from bank to bank as these loans are retained by the lending bank. In saying that the bank will look at the steadiness of your current employment and if less than 2 years, what you did prior to your job. Also a factor will be credit score, income and assets.

it is different from bank to bank, most will want at least a 2 year history but it does vary. Check with your current bank and go from there.

You may find that a credit card is much easier to obtain, if you have good credit, but short work history.