diff --git a/authority/provisioner/aws.go b/authority/provisioner/aws.go
index f63b9ced..2ff8ade9 100644
--- a/authority/provisioner/aws.go
+++ b/authority/provisioner/aws.go
@@ -18,7 +18,6 @@ import (
 
 	"github.com/pkg/errors"
 	"github.com/smallstep/certificates/errs"
-	"github.com/smallstep/certificates/policy"
 	"go.step.sm/crypto/jose"
 	"go.step.sm/crypto/sshutil"
 	"go.step.sm/crypto/x509util"
@@ -268,8 +267,8 @@ type AWS struct {
 	claimer                *Claimer
 	config                 *awsConfig
 	audiences              Audiences
-	x509Policy             policy.X509NamePolicyEngine
-	sshPolicy              policy.SSHNamePolicyEngine
+	x509Policy             x509PolicyEngine
+	sshHostPolicy          *hostPolicyEngine
 }
 
 // GetID returns the provisioner unique identifier.
@@ -433,8 +432,8 @@ func (p *AWS) Init(config Config) (err error) {
 		return err
 	}
 
-	// Initialize the SSH allow/deny policy engine
-	if p.sshPolicy, err = newSSHPolicyEngine(p.Options.GetSSHOptions()); err != nil {
+	// Initialize the SSH allow/deny policy engine for host certificates
+	if p.sshHostPolicy, err = newSSHHostPolicyEngine(p.Options.GetSSHOptions()); err != nil {
 		return err
 	}
 
@@ -774,6 +773,6 @@ func (p *AWS) AuthorizeSSHSign(ctx context.Context, token string) ([]SignOption,
 		// Require all the fields in the SSH certificate
 		&sshCertDefaultValidator{},
 		// Ensure that all principal names are allowed
-		newSSHNamePolicyValidator(p.sshPolicy),
+		newSSHNamePolicyValidator(p.sshHostPolicy, nil),
 	), nil
 }
diff --git a/authority/provisioner/azure.go b/authority/provisioner/azure.go
index 5ccdc06b..40b7d3f5 100644
--- a/authority/provisioner/azure.go
+++ b/authority/provisioner/azure.go
@@ -14,7 +14,6 @@ import (
 
 	"github.com/pkg/errors"
 	"github.com/smallstep/certificates/errs"
-	"github.com/smallstep/certificates/policy"
 	"go.step.sm/crypto/jose"
 	"go.step.sm/crypto/sshutil"
 	"go.step.sm/crypto/x509util"
@@ -99,8 +98,8 @@ type Azure struct {
 	config                 *azureConfig
 	oidcConfig             openIDConfiguration
 	keyStore               *keyStore
-	x509Policy             policy.X509NamePolicyEngine
-	sshPolicy              policy.SSHNamePolicyEngine
+	x509Policy             x509PolicyEngine
+	sshHostPolicy          *hostPolicyEngine
 }
 
 // GetID returns the provisioner unique identifier.
@@ -229,8 +228,8 @@ func (p *Azure) Init(config Config) (err error) {
 		return err
 	}
 
-	// Initialize the SSH allow/deny policy engine
-	if p.sshPolicy, err = newSSHPolicyEngine(p.Options.GetSSHOptions()); err != nil {
+	// Initialize the SSH allow/deny policy engine for host certificates
+	if p.sshHostPolicy, err = newSSHHostPolicyEngine(p.Options.GetSSHOptions()); err != nil {
 		return err
 	}
 
@@ -411,7 +410,7 @@ func (p *Azure) AuthorizeSSHSign(ctx context.Context, token string) ([]SignOptio
 		// Require all the fields in the SSH certificate
 		&sshCertDefaultValidator{},
 		// Ensure that all principal names are allowed
-		newSSHNamePolicyValidator(p.sshPolicy),
+		newSSHNamePolicyValidator(p.sshHostPolicy, nil),
 	), nil
 }
 
diff --git a/authority/provisioner/gcp.go b/authority/provisioner/gcp.go
index 590c32e2..e56c0729 100644
--- a/authority/provisioner/gcp.go
+++ b/authority/provisioner/gcp.go
@@ -15,7 +15,6 @@ import (
 
 	"github.com/pkg/errors"
 	"github.com/smallstep/certificates/errs"
-	"github.com/smallstep/certificates/policy"
 	"go.step.sm/crypto/jose"
 	"go.step.sm/crypto/sshutil"
 	"go.step.sm/crypto/x509util"
@@ -93,8 +92,8 @@ type GCP struct {
 	config                 *gcpConfig
 	keyStore               *keyStore
 	audiences              Audiences
-	x509Policy             policy.X509NamePolicyEngine
-	sshPolicy              policy.SSHNamePolicyEngine
+	x509Policy             x509PolicyEngine
+	sshHostPolicy          *hostPolicyEngine
 }
 
 // GetID returns the provisioner unique identifier. The name should uniquely
@@ -224,8 +223,8 @@ func (p *GCP) Init(config Config) error {
 		return err
 	}
 
-	// Initialize the SSH allow/deny policy engine
-	if p.sshPolicy, err = newSSHPolicyEngine(p.Options.GetSSHOptions()); err != nil {
+	// Initialize the SSH allow/deny policy engine for host certificates
+	if p.sshHostPolicy, err = newSSHHostPolicyEngine(p.Options.GetSSHOptions()); err != nil {
 		return err
 	}
 
@@ -453,6 +452,6 @@ func (p *GCP) AuthorizeSSHSign(ctx context.Context, token string) ([]SignOption,
 		// Require all the fields in the SSH certificate
 		&sshCertDefaultValidator{},
 		// Ensure that all principal names are allowed
-		newSSHNamePolicyValidator(p.sshPolicy),
+		newSSHNamePolicyValidator(p.sshHostPolicy, nil),
 	), nil
 }
diff --git a/authority/provisioner/jwk.go b/authority/provisioner/jwk.go
index 081fbb90..a129a536 100644
--- a/authority/provisioner/jwk.go
+++ b/authority/provisioner/jwk.go
@@ -8,7 +8,6 @@ import (
 
 	"github.com/pkg/errors"
 	"github.com/smallstep/certificates/errs"
-	"github.com/smallstep/certificates/policy"
 	"go.step.sm/crypto/jose"
 	"go.step.sm/crypto/sshutil"
 	"go.step.sm/crypto/x509util"
@@ -29,17 +28,18 @@ type stepPayload struct {
 // signature requests.
 type JWK struct {
 	*base
-	ID           string           `json:"-"`
-	Type         string           `json:"type"`
-	Name         string           `json:"name"`
-	Key          *jose.JSONWebKey `json:"key"`
-	EncryptedKey string           `json:"encryptedKey,omitempty"`
-	Claims       *Claims          `json:"claims,omitempty"`
-	Options      *Options         `json:"options,omitempty"`
-	claimer      *Claimer
-	audiences    Audiences
-	x509Policy   policy.X509NamePolicyEngine
-	sshPolicy    policy.SSHNamePolicyEngine
+	ID            string           `json:"-"`
+	Type          string           `json:"type"`
+	Name          string           `json:"name"`
+	Key           *jose.JSONWebKey `json:"key"`
+	EncryptedKey  string           `json:"encryptedKey,omitempty"`
+	Claims        *Claims          `json:"claims,omitempty"`
+	Options       *Options         `json:"options,omitempty"`
+	claimer       *Claimer
+	audiences     Audiences
+	x509Policy    x509PolicyEngine
+	sshHostPolicy *hostPolicyEngine
+	sshUserPolicy *userPolicyEngine
 }
 
 // GetID returns the provisioner unique identifier. The name and credential id
@@ -111,8 +111,13 @@ func (p *JWK) Init(config Config) (err error) {
 		return err
 	}
 
-	// Initialize the SSH allow/deny policy engine
-	if p.sshPolicy, err = newSSHPolicyEngine(p.Options.GetSSHOptions()); err != nil {
+	// Initialize the SSH allow/deny policy engine for user certificates
+	if p.sshUserPolicy, err = newSSHUserPolicyEngine(p.Options.GetSSHOptions()); err != nil {
+		return err
+	}
+
+	// Initialize the SSH allow/deny policy engine for host certificates
+	if p.sshHostPolicy, err = newSSHHostPolicyEngine(p.Options.GetSSHOptions()); err != nil {
 		return err
 	}
 
@@ -294,7 +299,7 @@ func (p *JWK) AuthorizeSSHSign(ctx context.Context, token string) ([]SignOption,
 		// Require and validate all the default fields in the SSH certificate.
 		&sshCertDefaultValidator{},
 		// Ensure that all principal names are allowed
-		newSSHNamePolicyValidator(p.sshPolicy),
+		newSSHNamePolicyValidator(p.sshHostPolicy, p.sshUserPolicy),
 	), nil
 }
 
diff --git a/authority/provisioner/k8sSA.go b/authority/provisioner/k8sSA.go
index d52f0d12..be55f114 100644
--- a/authority/provisioner/k8sSA.go
+++ b/authority/provisioner/k8sSA.go
@@ -11,7 +11,6 @@ import (
 
 	"github.com/pkg/errors"
 	"github.com/smallstep/certificates/errs"
-	"github.com/smallstep/certificates/policy"
 	"go.step.sm/crypto/jose"
 	"go.step.sm/crypto/pemutil"
 	"go.step.sm/crypto/sshutil"
@@ -52,9 +51,10 @@ type K8sSA struct {
 	claimer   *Claimer
 	audiences Audiences
 	//kauthn    kauthn.AuthenticationV1Interface
-	pubKeys    []interface{}
-	x509Policy policy.X509NamePolicyEngine
-	sshPolicy  policy.SSHNamePolicyEngine
+	pubKeys       []interface{}
+	x509Policy    x509PolicyEngine
+	sshHostPolicy *hostPolicyEngine
+	sshUserPolicy *userPolicyEngine
 }
 
 // GetID returns the provisioner unique identifier. The name and credential id
@@ -152,8 +152,13 @@ func (p *K8sSA) Init(config Config) (err error) {
 		return err
 	}
 
-	// Initialize the SSH allow/deny policy engine
-	if p.sshPolicy, err = newSSHPolicyEngine(p.Options.GetSSHOptions()); err != nil {
+	// Initialize the SSH allow/deny policy engine for user certificates
+	if p.sshUserPolicy, err = newSSHUserPolicyEngine(p.Options.GetSSHOptions()); err != nil {
+		return err
+	}
+
+	// Initialize the SSH allow/deny policy engine for host certificates
+	if p.sshHostPolicy, err = newSSHHostPolicyEngine(p.Options.GetSSHOptions()); err != nil {
 		return err
 	}
 
@@ -305,7 +310,7 @@ func (p *K8sSA) AuthorizeSSHSign(ctx context.Context, token string) ([]SignOptio
 		// Require and validate all the default fields in the SSH certificate.
 		&sshCertDefaultValidator{},
 		// Ensure that all principal names are allowed
-		newSSHNamePolicyValidator(p.sshPolicy),
+		newSSHNamePolicyValidator(p.sshHostPolicy, p.sshUserPolicy),
 	), nil
 }
 
diff --git a/authority/provisioner/k8sSA_test.go b/authority/provisioner/k8sSA_test.go
index 3ccce461..c63a32bc 100644
--- a/authority/provisioner/k8sSA_test.go
+++ b/authority/provisioner/k8sSA_test.go
@@ -371,7 +371,8 @@ func TestK8sSA_AuthorizeSSHSign(t *testing.T) {
 							case *sshDefaultDuration:
 								assert.Equals(t, v.Claimer, tc.p.claimer)
 							case *sshNamePolicyValidator:
-								assert.Equals(t, nil, v.policyEngine)
+								assert.Equals(t, nil, v.userPolicyEngine)
+								assert.Equals(t, nil, v.hostPolicyEngine)
 							default:
 								assert.FatalError(t, errors.Errorf("unexpected sign option of type %T", v))
 							}
diff --git a/authority/provisioner/nebula.go b/authority/provisioner/nebula.go
index 6c31dbc5..39980cc8 100644
--- a/authority/provisioner/nebula.go
+++ b/authority/provisioner/nebula.go
@@ -11,7 +11,6 @@ import (
 	"github.com/pkg/errors"
 	nebula "github.com/slackhq/nebula/cert"
 	"github.com/smallstep/certificates/errs"
-	"github.com/smallstep/certificates/policy"
 	"go.step.sm/crypto/jose"
 	"go.step.sm/crypto/sshutil"
 	"go.step.sm/crypto/x25519"
@@ -35,17 +34,18 @@ const (
 // https://signal.org/docs/specifications/xeddsa/#xeddsa and implemented by
 // go.step.sm/crypto/x25519.
 type Nebula struct {
-	ID         string   `json:"-"`
-	Type       string   `json:"type"`
-	Name       string   `json:"name"`
-	Roots      []byte   `json:"roots"`
-	Claims     *Claims  `json:"claims,omitempty"`
-	Options    *Options `json:"options,omitempty"`
-	claimer    *Claimer
-	caPool     *nebula.NebulaCAPool
-	audiences  Audiences
-	x509Policy policy.X509NamePolicyEngine
-	sshPolicy  policy.SSHNamePolicyEngine
+	ID            string   `json:"-"`
+	Type          string   `json:"type"`
+	Name          string   `json:"name"`
+	Roots         []byte   `json:"roots"`
+	Claims        *Claims  `json:"claims,omitempty"`
+	Options       *Options `json:"options,omitempty"`
+	claimer       *Claimer
+	caPool        *nebula.NebulaCAPool
+	audiences     Audiences
+	x509Policy    x509PolicyEngine
+	sshHostPolicy *hostPolicyEngine
+	sshUserPolicy *userPolicyEngine
 }
 
 // Init verifies and initializes the Nebula provisioner.
@@ -76,8 +76,13 @@ func (p *Nebula) Init(config Config) error {
 		return err
 	}
 
-	// Initialize the SSH allow/deny policy engine
-	if p.sshPolicy, err = newSSHPolicyEngine(p.Options.GetSSHOptions()); err != nil {
+	// Initialize the SSH allow/deny policy engine for user certificates
+	if p.sshUserPolicy, err = newSSHUserPolicyEngine(p.Options.GetSSHOptions()); err != nil {
+		return err
+	}
+
+	// Initialize the SSH allow/deny policy engine for host certificates
+	if p.sshHostPolicy, err = newSSHHostPolicyEngine(p.Options.GetSSHOptions()); err != nil {
 		return err
 	}
 
@@ -275,7 +280,7 @@ func (p *Nebula) AuthorizeSSHSign(ctx context.Context, token string) ([]SignOpti
 		// Require all the fields in the SSH certificate
 		&sshCertDefaultValidator{},
 		// Ensure that all principal names are allowed
-		newSSHNamePolicyValidator(p.sshPolicy),
+		newSSHNamePolicyValidator(p.sshHostPolicy, p.sshUserPolicy),
 	), nil
 }
 
diff --git a/authority/provisioner/oidc.go b/authority/provisioner/oidc.go
index e4fe8090..60bb5cf1 100644
--- a/authority/provisioner/oidc.go
+++ b/authority/provisioner/oidc.go
@@ -13,7 +13,6 @@ import (
 
 	"github.com/pkg/errors"
 	"github.com/smallstep/certificates/errs"
-	"github.com/smallstep/certificates/policy"
 	"go.step.sm/crypto/jose"
 	"go.step.sm/crypto/sshutil"
 	"go.step.sm/crypto/x509util"
@@ -95,8 +94,9 @@ type OIDC struct {
 	keyStore              *keyStore
 	claimer               *Claimer
 	getIdentityFunc       GetIdentityFunc
-	x509Policy            policy.X509NamePolicyEngine
-	sshPolicy             policy.SSHNamePolicyEngine
+	x509Policy            x509PolicyEngine
+	sshHostPolicy         *hostPolicyEngine
+	sshUserPolicy         *userPolicyEngine
 }
 
 func sanitizeEmail(email string) string {
@@ -216,8 +216,13 @@ func (o *OIDC) Init(config Config) (err error) {
 		return err
 	}
 
-	// Initialize the SSH allow/deny policy engine
-	if o.sshPolicy, err = newSSHPolicyEngine(o.Options.GetSSHOptions()); err != nil {
+	// Initialize the SSH allow/deny policy engine for user certificates
+	if o.sshUserPolicy, err = newSSHUserPolicyEngine(o.Options.GetSSHOptions()); err != nil {
+		return err
+	}
+
+	// Initialize the SSH allow/deny policy engine for host certificates
+	if o.sshHostPolicy, err = newSSHHostPolicyEngine(o.Options.GetSSHOptions()); err != nil {
 		return err
 	}
 
@@ -468,7 +473,7 @@ func (o *OIDC) AuthorizeSSHSign(ctx context.Context, token string) ([]SignOption
 		// Require all the fields in the SSH certificate
 		&sshCertDefaultValidator{},
 		// Ensure that all principal names are allowed
-		newSSHNamePolicyValidator(o.sshPolicy),
+		newSSHNamePolicyValidator(o.sshHostPolicy, o.sshUserPolicy),
 	), nil
 }
 
diff --git a/authority/provisioner/policy.go b/authority/provisioner/policy.go
index 8a69e1e5..b9740e39 100644
--- a/authority/provisioner/policy.go
+++ b/authority/provisioner/policy.go
@@ -1,11 +1,38 @@
 package provisioner
 
 import (
+	"fmt"
+
 	"github.com/smallstep/certificates/policy"
+	"golang.org/x/crypto/ssh"
+)
+
+type sshPolicyEngineType string
+
+const (
+	userPolicyEngineType sshPolicyEngineType = "user"
+	hostPolicyEngineType sshPolicyEngineType = "host"
 )
 
+var certTypeToPolicyEngineType = map[uint32]sshPolicyEngineType{
+	uint32(ssh.UserCert): userPolicyEngineType,
+	uint32(ssh.HostCert): hostPolicyEngineType,
+}
+
+type x509PolicyEngine interface {
+	policy.X509NamePolicyEngine
+}
+
+type userPolicyEngine struct {
+	policy.SSHNamePolicyEngine
+}
+
+type hostPolicyEngine struct {
+	policy.SSHNamePolicyEngine
+}
+
 // newX509PolicyEngine creates a new x509 name policy engine
-func newX509PolicyEngine(x509Opts *X509Options) (policy.X509NamePolicyEngine, error) {
+func newX509PolicyEngine(x509Opts *X509Options) (x509PolicyEngine, error) {
 
 	if x509Opts == nil {
 		return nil, nil
@@ -38,16 +65,66 @@ func newX509PolicyEngine(x509Opts *X509Options) (policy.X509NamePolicyEngine, er
 	return policy.New(options...)
 }
 
+// newSSHUserPolicyEngine creates a new SSH user certificate policy engine
+func newSSHUserPolicyEngine(sshOpts *SSHOptions) (*userPolicyEngine, error) {
+	policyEngine, err := newSSHPolicyEngine(sshOpts, userPolicyEngineType)
+	if err != nil {
+		return nil, err
+	}
+	// ensure we're not wrapping a nil engine
+	if policyEngine == nil {
+		return nil, nil
+	}
+	return &userPolicyEngine{
+		SSHNamePolicyEngine: policyEngine,
+	}, nil
+}
+
+// newSSHHostPolicyEngine create a new SSH host certificate policy engine
+func newSSHHostPolicyEngine(sshOpts *SSHOptions) (*hostPolicyEngine, error) {
+	policyEngine, err := newSSHPolicyEngine(sshOpts, hostPolicyEngineType)
+	if err != nil {
+		return nil, err
+	}
+	// ensure we're not wrapping a nil engine
+	if policyEngine == nil {
+		return nil, nil
+	}
+	return &hostPolicyEngine{
+		SSHNamePolicyEngine: policyEngine,
+	}, nil
+}
+
 // newSSHPolicyEngine creates a new SSH name policy engine
-func newSSHPolicyEngine(sshOpts *SSHOptions) (policy.SSHNamePolicyEngine, error) {
+func newSSHPolicyEngine(sshOpts *SSHOptions, typ sshPolicyEngineType) (policy.SSHNamePolicyEngine, error) {
 
 	if sshOpts == nil {
 		return nil, nil
 	}
 
+	var (
+		allowed *SSHNameOptions
+		denied  *SSHNameOptions
+	)
+
+	// TODO: embed the type in the policy engine itself for reference?
+	switch typ {
+	case userPolicyEngineType:
+		if sshOpts.User != nil {
+			allowed = sshOpts.User.GetAllowedNameOptions()
+			denied = sshOpts.User.GetDeniedNameOptions()
+		}
+	case hostPolicyEngineType:
+		if sshOpts.Host != nil {
+			allowed = sshOpts.Host.AllowedNames
+			denied = sshOpts.Host.DeniedNames
+		}
+	default:
+		return nil, fmt.Errorf("unknown SSH policy engine type %s provided", typ)
+	}
+
 	options := []policy.NamePolicyOption{}
 
-	allowed := sshOpts.GetAllowedNameOptions()
 	if allowed != nil && allowed.HasNames() {
 		options = append(options,
 			policy.WithPermittedDNSDomains(allowed.DNSDomains),
@@ -57,7 +134,6 @@ func newSSHPolicyEngine(sshOpts *SSHOptions) (policy.SSHNamePolicyEngine, error)
 		)
 	}
 
-	denied := sshOpts.GetDeniedNameOptions()
 	if denied != nil && denied.HasNames() {
 		options = append(options,
 			policy.WithExcludedDNSDomains(denied.DNSDomains),
@@ -67,5 +143,14 @@ func newSSHPolicyEngine(sshOpts *SSHOptions) (policy.SSHNamePolicyEngine, error)
 		)
 	}
 
+	// Return nil, because there's no policy to execute. This is
+	// important, because the logic that determines user vs. host certs
+	// are allowed depends on this fact. The two policy engines are
+	// not aware of eachother, so this check is performed in the
+	// SSH name validator, instead.
+	if len(options) == 0 {
+		return nil, nil
+	}
+
 	return policy.New(options...)
 }
diff --git a/authority/provisioner/sign_options.go b/authority/provisioner/sign_options.go
index 7ca6cec4..3327310b 100644
--- a/authority/provisioner/sign_options.go
+++ b/authority/provisioner/sign_options.go
@@ -16,7 +16,6 @@ import (
 
 	"github.com/pkg/errors"
 	"github.com/smallstep/certificates/errs"
-	"github.com/smallstep/certificates/policy"
 	"go.step.sm/crypto/keyutil"
 	"go.step.sm/crypto/x509util"
 )
@@ -408,11 +407,11 @@ func (v *validityValidator) Valid(cert *x509.Certificate, o SignOptions) error {
 // x509NamePolicyValidator validates that the certificate (to be signed)
 // contains only allowed SANs.
 type x509NamePolicyValidator struct {
-	policyEngine policy.X509NamePolicyEngine
+	policyEngine x509PolicyEngine
 }
 
 // newX509NamePolicyValidator return a new SANs allow/deny validator.
-func newX509NamePolicyValidator(engine policy.X509NamePolicyEngine) *x509NamePolicyValidator {
+func newX509NamePolicyValidator(engine x509PolicyEngine) *x509NamePolicyValidator {
 	return &x509NamePolicyValidator{
 		policyEngine: engine,
 	}
@@ -424,7 +423,6 @@ func (v *x509NamePolicyValidator) Valid(cert *x509.Certificate, _ SignOptions) e
 	if v.policyEngine == nil {
 		return nil
 	}
-
 	_, err := v.policyEngine.AreCertificateNamesAllowed(cert)
 	return err
 }
diff --git a/authority/provisioner/sign_ssh_options.go b/authority/provisioner/sign_ssh_options.go
index 374bd65c..8f9cf466 100644
--- a/authority/provisioner/sign_ssh_options.go
+++ b/authority/provisioner/sign_ssh_options.go
@@ -4,13 +4,13 @@ import (
 	"crypto/rsa"
 	"encoding/binary"
 	"encoding/json"
+	"fmt"
 	"math/big"
 	"strings"
 	"time"
 
 	"github.com/pkg/errors"
 	"github.com/smallstep/certificates/errs"
-	"github.com/smallstep/certificates/policy"
 	"go.step.sm/crypto/keyutil"
 	"golang.org/x/crypto/ssh"
 )
@@ -448,24 +448,55 @@ func (v sshDefaultPublicKeyValidator) Valid(cert *ssh.Certificate, o SignSSHOpti
 // sshNamePolicyValidator validates that the certificate (to be signed)
 // contains only allowed principals.
 type sshNamePolicyValidator struct {
-	policyEngine policy.SSHNamePolicyEngine
+	hostPolicyEngine *hostPolicyEngine
+	userPolicyEngine *userPolicyEngine
 }
 
 // newSSHNamePolicyValidator return a new SSH allow/deny validator.
-func newSSHNamePolicyValidator(engine policy.SSHNamePolicyEngine) *sshNamePolicyValidator {
+func newSSHNamePolicyValidator(host *hostPolicyEngine, user *userPolicyEngine) *sshNamePolicyValidator {
 	return &sshNamePolicyValidator{
-		policyEngine: engine,
+		hostPolicyEngine: host,
+		userPolicyEngine: user,
 	}
 }
 
 // Valid validates validates that the certificate (to be signed)
 // contains only allowed principals.
 func (v *sshNamePolicyValidator) Valid(cert *ssh.Certificate, _ SignSSHOptions) error {
-	if v.policyEngine == nil {
+	if v.hostPolicyEngine == nil && v.userPolicyEngine == nil {
+		// no policy configured at all; allow anything
 		return nil
 	}
-	_, err := v.policyEngine.ArePrincipalsAllowed(cert)
-	return err
+
+	// Check the policy type to execute based on type of the certificate.
+	// We don't allow user certs if only a host policy engine is configured and
+	// the same for host certs: if only a user policy engine is configured, host
+	// certs are denied. When both policy engines are configured, the type of
+	// cert determines which policy engine is used.
+	policyType, ok := certTypeToPolicyEngineType[cert.CertType]
+	if !ok {
+		return fmt.Errorf("unexpected SSH cert type %d", cert.CertType)
+	}
+	switch policyType {
+	case hostPolicyEngineType:
+		// when no host policy engine is configured, but a user policy engine is
+		// configured, we don't allow the host certificate.
+		if v.hostPolicyEngine == nil && v.userPolicyEngine != nil {
+			return errors.New("SSH host certificate not authorized") // TODO: include principals in message?
+		}
+		_, err := v.hostPolicyEngine.ArePrincipalsAllowed(cert)
+		return err
+	case userPolicyEngineType:
+		// when no user policy engine is configured, but a host policy engine is
+		// configured, we don't allow the user certificate.
+		if v.userPolicyEngine == nil && v.hostPolicyEngine != nil {
+			return errors.New("SSH user certificate not authorized") // TODO: include principals in message?
+		}
+		_, err := v.userPolicyEngine.ArePrincipalsAllowed(cert)
+		return err
+	default:
+		return fmt.Errorf("unexpected policy engine type %q", policyType) // satisfy return; shouldn't happen
+	}
 }
 
 // sshCertTypeUInt32
diff --git a/authority/provisioner/ssh_options.go b/authority/provisioner/ssh_options.go
index 91ce7126..dacafc80 100644
--- a/authority/provisioner/ssh_options.go
+++ b/authority/provisioner/ssh_options.go
@@ -34,6 +34,15 @@ type SSHOptions struct {
 	// templates.
 	TemplateData json.RawMessage `json:"templateData,omitempty"`
 
+	// User contains SSH user certificate options.
+	User *SSHUserCertificateOptions `json:"user,omitempty"`
+
+	// Host contains SSH host certificate options.
+	Host *SSHHostCertificateOptions `json:"host,omitempty"`
+}
+
+// SSHUserCertificateOptions is a collection of SSH user certificate options.
+type SSHUserCertificateOptions struct {
 	// AllowedNames contains the names the provisioner is authorized to sign
 	AllowedNames *SSHNameOptions `json:"allow,omitempty"`
 
@@ -41,6 +50,11 @@ type SSHOptions struct {
 	DeniedNames *SSHNameOptions `json:"deny,omitempty"`
 }
 
+// SSHHostCertificateOptions is a collection of SSH host certificate options.
+// It's an alias of SSHUserCertificateOptions, as the options are the same
+// for both types of certificates.
+type SSHHostCertificateOptions SSHUserCertificateOptions
+
 // SSHNameOptions models the SSH name policy configuration.
 type SSHNameOptions struct {
 	DNSDomains     []string `json:"dns,omitempty"`
@@ -56,7 +70,7 @@ func (o *SSHOptions) HasTemplate() bool {
 
 // GetAllowedNameOptions returns the AllowedSSHNameOptions, which models the
 // names that a provisioner is authorized to sign SSH certificates for.
-func (o *SSHOptions) GetAllowedNameOptions() *SSHNameOptions {
+func (o *SSHUserCertificateOptions) GetAllowedNameOptions() *SSHNameOptions {
 	if o == nil {
 		return nil
 	}
@@ -65,7 +79,7 @@ func (o *SSHOptions) GetAllowedNameOptions() *SSHNameOptions {
 
 // GetDeniedNameOptions returns the DeniedSSHNameOptions, which models the
 // names that a provisioner is NOT authorized to sign SSH certificates for.
-func (o *SSHOptions) GetDeniedNameOptions() *SSHNameOptions {
+func (o *SSHUserCertificateOptions) GetDeniedNameOptions() *SSHNameOptions {
 	if o == nil {
 		return nil
 	}
diff --git a/authority/provisioner/x5c.go b/authority/provisioner/x5c.go
index 434fc576..850fc752 100644
--- a/authority/provisioner/x5c.go
+++ b/authority/provisioner/x5c.go
@@ -9,7 +9,6 @@ import (
 
 	"github.com/pkg/errors"
 	"github.com/smallstep/certificates/errs"
-	"github.com/smallstep/certificates/policy"
 	"go.step.sm/crypto/jose"
 	"go.step.sm/crypto/sshutil"
 	"go.step.sm/crypto/x509util"
@@ -27,17 +26,18 @@ type x5cPayload struct {
 // signature requests.
 type X5C struct {
 	*base
-	ID         string   `json:"-"`
-	Type       string   `json:"type"`
-	Name       string   `json:"name"`
-	Roots      []byte   `json:"roots"`
-	Claims     *Claims  `json:"claims,omitempty"`
-	Options    *Options `json:"options,omitempty"`
-	claimer    *Claimer
-	audiences  Audiences
-	rootPool   *x509.CertPool
-	x509Policy policy.X509NamePolicyEngine
-	sshPolicy  policy.SSHNamePolicyEngine
+	ID            string   `json:"-"`
+	Type          string   `json:"type"`
+	Name          string   `json:"name"`
+	Roots         []byte   `json:"roots"`
+	Claims        *Claims  `json:"claims,omitempty"`
+	Options       *Options `json:"options,omitempty"`
+	claimer       *Claimer
+	audiences     Audiences
+	rootPool      *x509.CertPool
+	x509Policy    x509PolicyEngine
+	sshHostPolicy *hostPolicyEngine
+	sshUserPolicy *userPolicyEngine
 }
 
 // GetID returns the provisioner unique identifier. The name and credential id
@@ -133,8 +133,13 @@ func (p *X5C) Init(config Config) error {
 		return err
 	}
 
-	// Initialize the SSH allow/deny policy engine
-	if p.sshPolicy, err = newSSHPolicyEngine(p.Options.GetSSHOptions()); err != nil {
+	// Initialize the SSH allow/deny policy engine for user certificates
+	if p.sshUserPolicy, err = newSSHUserPolicyEngine(p.Options.GetSSHOptions()); err != nil {
+		return err
+	}
+
+	// Initialize the SSH allow/deny policy engine for host certificates
+	if p.sshHostPolicy, err = newSSHHostPolicyEngine(p.Options.GetSSHOptions()); err != nil {
 		return err
 	}
 
@@ -326,6 +331,6 @@ func (p *X5C) AuthorizeSSHSign(ctx context.Context, token string) ([]SignOption,
 		// Require all the fields in the SSH certificate
 		&sshCertDefaultValidator{},
 		// Ensure that all principal names are allowed
-		newSSHNamePolicyValidator(p.sshPolicy),
+		newSSHNamePolicyValidator(p.sshHostPolicy, p.sshUserPolicy),
 	), nil
 }
diff --git a/authority/provisioner/x5c_test.go b/authority/provisioner/x5c_test.go
index 5d2a3566..b91ca2ea 100644
--- a/authority/provisioner/x5c_test.go
+++ b/authority/provisioner/x5c_test.go
@@ -780,7 +780,8 @@ func TestX5C_AuthorizeSSHSign(t *testing.T) {
 							case *sshCertValidityValidator:
 								assert.Equals(t, v.Claimer, tc.p.claimer)
 							case *sshNamePolicyValidator:
-								assert.Equals(t, nil, v.policyEngine)
+								assert.Equals(t, nil, v.userPolicyEngine)
+								assert.Equals(t, nil, v.hostPolicyEngine)
 							case *sshDefaultPublicKeyValidator, *sshCertDefaultValidator, sshCertificateOptionsFunc:
 							default:
 								assert.FatalError(t, errors.Errorf("unexpected sign option of type %T", v))
diff --git a/policy/engine.go b/policy/engine.go
index 42d4f303..e9038dd0 100755
--- a/policy/engine.go
+++ b/policy/engine.go
@@ -216,11 +216,11 @@ func (e *NamePolicyEngine) IsIPAllowed(ip net.IP) (bool, error) {
 
 // ArePrincipalsAllowed verifies that all principals in an SSH certificate are allowed.
 func (e *NamePolicyEngine) ArePrincipalsAllowed(cert *ssh.Certificate) (bool, error) {
-	dnsNames, ips, emails, usernames, err := splitSSHPrincipals(cert)
+	dnsNames, ips, emails, principals, err := splitSSHPrincipals(cert)
 	if err != nil {
 		return false, err
 	}
-	if err := e.validateNames(dnsNames, ips, emails, []*url.URL{}, usernames); err != nil {
+	if err := e.validateNames(dnsNames, ips, emails, []*url.URL{}, principals); err != nil {
 		return false, err
 	}
 	return true, nil
@@ -243,32 +243,26 @@ func appendSubjectCommonName(subject pkix.Name, dnsNames *[]string, ips *[]net.I
 }
 
 // splitPrincipals splits SSH certificate principals into DNS names, emails and usernames.
-func splitSSHPrincipals(cert *ssh.Certificate) (dnsNames []string, ips []net.IP, emails, usernames []string, err error) {
+func splitSSHPrincipals(cert *ssh.Certificate) (dnsNames []string, ips []net.IP, emails, principals []string, err error) {
 	dnsNames = []string{}
 	ips = []net.IP{}
 	emails = []string{}
-	usernames = []string{}
+	principals = []string{}
 	var uris []*url.URL
 	switch cert.CertType {
 	case ssh.HostCert:
 		dnsNames, ips, emails, uris = x509util.SplitSANs(cert.ValidPrincipals)
-		switch {
-		case len(emails) > 0:
-			err = fmt.Errorf("Email(-like) principals %v not expected in SSH Host certificate ", emails)
-		case len(uris) > 0:
-			err = fmt.Errorf("URL principals %v not expected in SSH Host certificate ", uris)
+		if len(uris) > 0 {
+			err = fmt.Errorf("URL principals %v not expected in SSH host certificate ", uris)
 		}
 	case ssh.UserCert:
 		// re-using SplitSANs results in anything that can't be parsed as an IP, URI or email
-		// to be considered a username. This allows usernames like h.slatman to be present
+		// to be considered a username principal. This allows usernames like h.slatman to be present
 		// in the SSH certificate. We're exluding IPs and URIs, because they can be confusing
 		// when used in a SSH user certificate.
-		usernames, ips, emails, uris = x509util.SplitSANs(cert.ValidPrincipals)
-		switch {
-		case len(ips) > 0:
-			err = fmt.Errorf("IP principals %v not expected in SSH User certificate ", ips)
-		case len(uris) > 0:
-			err = fmt.Errorf("URL principals %v not expected in SSH User certificate ", uris)
+		principals, ips, emails, uris = x509util.SplitSANs(cert.ValidPrincipals)
+		if len(uris) > 0 {
+			err = fmt.Errorf("URL principals %v not expected in SSH user certificate ", uris)
 		}
 	default:
 		err = fmt.Errorf("unexpected SSH certificate type %d", cert.CertType)
@@ -280,7 +274,7 @@ func splitSSHPrincipals(cert *ssh.Certificate) (dnsNames []string, ips []net.IP,
 // validateNames verifies that all names are allowed.
 // Its logic follows that of (a large part of) the (c *Certificate) isValid() function
 // in https://cs.opensource.google/go/go/+/refs/tags/go1.17.5:src/crypto/x509/verify.go
-func (e *NamePolicyEngine) validateNames(dnsNames []string, ips []net.IP, emailAddresses []string, uris []*url.URL, usernames []string) error {
+func (e *NamePolicyEngine) validateNames(dnsNames []string, ips []net.IP, emailAddresses []string, uris []*url.URL, principals []string) error {
 
 	// nothing to compare against; return early
 	if e.totalNumberOfConstraints == 0 {
@@ -400,15 +394,15 @@ func (e *NamePolicyEngine) validateNames(dnsNames []string, ips []net.IP, emailA
 		}
 	}
 
-	for _, username := range usernames {
+	for _, principal := range principals {
 		if e.numberOfPrincipalConstraints == 0 && e.totalNumberOfPermittedConstraints > 0 {
 			return NamePolicyError{
 				Reason: NotAuthorizedForThisName,
-				Detail: fmt.Sprintf("username principal %q is not explicitly permitted by any constraint", username),
+				Detail: fmt.Sprintf("username principal %q is not explicitly permitted by any constraint", principal),
 			}
 		}
 		// TODO: some validation? I.e. allowed characters?
-		if err := checkNameConstraints("username", username, username,
+		if err := checkNameConstraints("principal", principal, principal,
 			func(parsedName, constraint interface{}) (bool, error) {
 				return matchUsernameConstraint(parsedName.(string), constraint.(string))
 			}, e.permittedPrincipals, e.excludedPrincipals); err != nil {
diff --git a/policy/engine_test.go b/policy/engine_test.go
index 1f8be691..0259e8de 100755
--- a/policy/engine_test.go
+++ b/policy/engine_test.go
@@ -2749,18 +2749,6 @@ func Test_splitSSHPrincipals(t *testing.T) {
 				wantErr: true,
 			}
 		},
-		"fail/user-ip": func(t *testing.T) test {
-			r := emptyResult()
-			r.wantIps = []net.IP{net.ParseIP("127.0.0.1")} // this will still be in the result
-			return test{
-				cert: &ssh.Certificate{
-					CertType:        ssh.UserCert,
-					ValidPrincipals: []string{"127.0.0.1"},
-				},
-				r:       r,
-				wantErr: true,
-			}
-		},
 		"fail/user-uri": func(t *testing.T) test {
 			r := emptyResult()
 			return test{
@@ -2772,18 +2760,6 @@ func Test_splitSSHPrincipals(t *testing.T) {
 				wantErr: true,
 			}
 		},
-		"fail/host-email": func(t *testing.T) test {
-			r := emptyResult()
-			r.wantEmails = []string{"ops@work"} // this will still be in the result
-			return test{
-				cert: &ssh.Certificate{
-					CertType:        ssh.HostCert,
-					ValidPrincipals: []string{"ops@work"},
-				},
-				r:       r,
-				wantErr: true,
-			}
-		},
 		"fail/host-uri": func(t *testing.T) test {
 			r := emptyResult()
 			return test{
@@ -2817,6 +2793,18 @@ func Test_splitSSHPrincipals(t *testing.T) {
 				r: r,
 			}
 		},
+		"ok/host-email": func(t *testing.T) test {
+			r := emptyResult()
+			r.wantEmails = []string{"ops@work"}
+			return test{
+				cert: &ssh.Certificate{
+					CertType:        ssh.HostCert,
+					ValidPrincipals: []string{"ops@work"},
+				},
+				r:       r,
+				wantErr: false,
+			}
+		},
 		"ok/user-localhost": func(t *testing.T) test {
 			r := emptyResult()
 			r.wantUsernames = []string{"localhost"} // when type is User cert, this is considered a username; not a DNS
@@ -2839,6 +2827,18 @@ func Test_splitSSHPrincipals(t *testing.T) {
 				r: r,
 			}
 		},
+		"ok/user-ip": func(t *testing.T) test {
+			r := emptyResult()
+			r.wantIps = []net.IP{net.ParseIP("127.0.0.1")}
+			return test{
+				cert: &ssh.Certificate{
+					CertType:        ssh.UserCert,
+					ValidPrincipals: []string{"127.0.0.1"},
+				},
+				r:       r,
+				wantErr: false,
+			}
+		},
 		"ok/user-maillike": func(t *testing.T) test {
 			r := emptyResult()
 			r.wantEmails = []string{"ops@work"}