Commissioned Corps of the U.S. Public Health Service

Health Services Officer Professional Advisory Committee
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Steps in the Application Process

  1. All applicants are required to go through the Prescreen on www.usphs.gov, by selecting the “Apply Now” button.
    1. The Prescreen will walk you through basic qualifications, i.e. age, prior service, plus a list of some medical and security issues that could prevent you from qualifying for a commission. See FAQs: http://www.usphs.gov/questionsanswers/applying.aspx.
    2. It is very important that you accurately enter your email, degree and contact information. For information regarding qualifying degrees and program accreditation, see: http://www.usphs.gov/profession/.
  2. Once you’ve completed the Prescreen, the Recruitment Team is notified and they review the information you provided. They strive for a 48-72 hour turnaround. Be sure to check your spam/junk email for a response.
    1. Only qualified applicants whose Degrees/Disciplines are currently being sought by the USPHS will be provided a link to complete the application, along with instructions.
    2. You will need to fill out and print the application, and obtain the required documents to complete the application package, which will include: sealed official transcripts, sealed references, preliminary security and medical screening documents, pertinent prior service documents (DD-214), along with any pertinent licensure and a CV/resume. Incomplete packages will be returned.
    3. Otherwise qualified applicants whose Degrees/Disciplines are not currently being considered by the USPHS will receive a letter to that effect. If you receive this letter and are currently employed by an agency the USPHS supports, you may still be eligible to continue the application process. See Current Federal Employees Tab.
  3. When the packages arrive at the USPHS, they are reviewed again for eligibility (all levels: age, degree, licensure, medical and security) and if qualified, are placed in an applicant pool, or cohort. Each cohort is processed approximately quarterly. When your application is received in the process will determine when you will be contacted; it could be as short as a week or two, or 60-90 days.
  4. If qualified, you will be invited to a mandatory conference call that will review the Commissioned Corps and provide more detail to the commissioning process – with particular attention to adhering to a timeline.
    1. You will be provided an opportunity to ask questions at the end of the call, and an opportunity to “opt-out” of the process, if you decide the USPHS Commissioned Corps is not for you.
    2. In regards to the timeline, you will have about 30 days to get your medical package complete and submitted along with any other required documents.
  5. Once you decide to proceed, your package will then be disbursed to one of the CAMs (Career & Assignment Managers) for intake into the system – it is at this time you will be able to see online what has been received. This is a manual process – please be patient.
    1. A tailored e-Qualification package (PDF) will be prepared for you and sent via email. It will note which documents were received and provide the remaining documents/forms and instruction for completing the medical package and request for any other items that may be needed.
    2. The USPHS will not pay for any medical exams. Instruction for utilizing Military Entrance Processing Stations (MEPS) will be included in the instruction, however some of the required components cannot be completed by MEPS and you will be required to obtain those physical exam components separately.
    3. Make sure you send your entire Medical examination as one package. This is not only to minimize the large volume of items received at USPHS by mail and reduce items being misplaced, but also to expedite the physical qualification review, as they won’t review incomplete packages.
  6. There are three “Boards”, or sections you will see online to pass for Commissioning. Once each is completed, you will see the status online.
    1. Professional Board – A board of your peers will review your application and supporting documentation to determine your professional qualifications and suitability to be successful as a USPHS Commissioned Officer. Boards are held approximately monthly.
    2. Medical Board – The Physical Qualification/Medical Review Team will review your package and determine if you meet the USPHS physical/medical qualifications. This is a very small “team” and can take some time.
    3. Background/Security Investigation - Background investigations won’t be initiated until an agency submits the required documents requesting your call to duty.
  7. It is recommended that you not pursue your job search until you have at least been Professionally Boarded and Medically Cleared. You can then market yourself as a “USPHS Commissioned Corps Applicant who has been Professionally Boarded and Medically Cleared.”
    1. Due to the limited CAM staff at USPHS, the HSO Category has developed the Health Services Applicant Placement Program (HSAPP) to assist you in the application process and finding a position.
  8. Another component is the U.S. Senate confirmation. Once you have passed the Professional Board and Medical Board, your name will be forwarded for U.S. Senate confirmation. At present, this is a process with an inconsistent timeline.
  9. Once you have a position with one of the agencies we support (http://www.usphs.gov/aboutus/agencies/) and have completed all three parts, including the confirmation you can be called to duty as a Commissioned Officer.

Page Last Modified on 3/22/2016

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