• COER Policy FAQs

  Commissioned Corp Instruction (CCI) 351.01

  When is the COER evaluation year?

  The COER evaluation year begins 1 October and runs through 30 September of the following calendar year. The 2024 evaluation year runs from 1 October 2023 to 30 September 2024.

  What types of COERs can I do?

  There are only two COER types - Annual and Interim. All officers must complete an Annual COER each year (with exceptions as specified in the CCI). (See Section 6-8.c. and d.)

  For what “purpose” should I complete a COER?

  Officers must complete at least one Annual COER each year (with exceptions as specified in the CCI). Most officers complete an End of Year COER covering the entire evaluation year (which ends on 30 September). Frequent purposes for completing COERs are a Transfer (of the Rater or Officer), Retirement (of the Rater or Officer), Deployment, or a temporary duty (TDY). (See Section 6-8.d.)

  Are COERs required?

  Yes. All members of the Regular Corps and the Ready Reserve Corps must have an Annual COER for each Evaluation Year (except for those exempt according to CCI 351.01 Section 6-3.).

  Am I required to have an Interim COER?

  No. Interim COERs are optional unless an officer's Rater requires a COER for the officer. If this occurs, the Interim COER is mandatory. (See CCI 351.01, Section 6-8.d.).

  Am I required to complete a COER for the Evaluation Year in which I retire?

  No. However, your Rater may still require you to complete one or you may choose to complete a COER.

  Am I required to complete a COER if my terminal leave begins in one Evaluation Year but my retirement is effective in the next one?

  Yes.

  Example: Officer John Doe starts terminal leave on 1 September, but their retirement date is 1 Nov, the officer must complete a COER for the evaluation year preceding ending September 30 (although the last date of his COER will be the day before he began terminal leave). A COER will not be required covering 1 October through 1 November.

  I am separating (not retiring), am I required to perform a COER?

  It depends on the effective date of the separation and/or start of terminal leave.
  Officers who separate prior or commence continuous terminal leave prior to or on April 1 of the Evaluation Year are not required to complete a COER. However, your Rater may still require you to complete one or you may choose to complete a COER.

  Officers whose separation date occurs or who commence continuous terminal leave after April 1, must complete a COER for that Evaluation Year. The end date of your last COER will be the last day you worked before you separated or began terminal leave.

  How does sick leave for an extended time during the Evaluation Year impact my evaluation?

  Officers will not be penalized for sick leave for an extended period of time.

  In cases where an officer had more than one Rater and was on sick leave for an extended period of time, the Rater who supervised the officer the most time while not on sick leave will complete the Evaluation Year’s Annual COER

  When can I start my COER?

  All COER types may be initiated up to one month before the “end date” of your COER.

  When does my COER need to be completed?

  All COERs for the Evaluation Year need to be completed and in the eOPF by January 15th following the Evaluation Year.

  Is it possible to have multiple Annual COERs and Interim COERs in one Evaluation Year?

  An officer may only have one Annual COER per Evaluation Year. However, it is possible to have multiple Interim COERs in one Evaluation Year due to rater changes or other events such as TDY, detail, or deployment.

  My rater changed multiple times during the same evaluation year, resulting in no period of evaluation 6 months or longer by the same rater. Which rater will complete my Annual COER?

  If the officer does not have a period of evaluation by one rater that is greater than 6 months, the rater that supervised the officer for the longest period of time will complete Annual COER (even if it is the longest period by just one day). If all the Raters supervised the officer for the same length of time, the Rater who supervised the officer most recently will be the Annual COER.

  How can I complete a COER if I am temporarily unable to contact my Rater or Reviewing Official, and the COER won't be completed until after the deadline?

  Make every effort to complete the COER before the deadline. If it is not possible, contact your Liaison as soon as possible so they are aware of the problem.

  I was recently called to active duty. Am I required to complete an Annual COER?

  If you were called to active duty after 1 April, you are not required to complete an Annual COER for that Evaluation Year. For example, if you were called to active duty 10 April 2024, you are not required to complete an Annual COER for the 2024 Evaluation Year. You may complete an Interim COER for this period. Additionally, if your rater initiates an Interim COER for this period, it is mandatory.

  What happens if I don't do the Annual COER?

  Missing COERs will delay or block promotions, appointment board nominations, awards, and initiating special pays. Missing COERs may also potentially affect your retention in the Commissioned Corps.

  COER Scenarios

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

  
• USER ASSISTANCE

  Please check our Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) . FAQs are located at the top of the page next to the search function.

  Having Access Issues or Need IT Help? Please contact the Commissioned Corps Helpdesk at: CCHelpDesk@hhs.gov

  COMMISSIONED CORPS NEWS

  Officer Spotlight December 2024

  Officer Spotlight

  Practice Hours Opportunities

  Practice Hours Opportunities

  2023 Temporary Grade Promotions

  CC News Announcement 2023 Temporary Grade Promotions

  Changes in Tattoo Policy in CCI 412.01, Uniforms and Appearance

  Changes in Tattoo Policy in CCI 412.01, Uniforms and Appearance

  Surgeon General Priorities

  Surgeon General Priorities

  January 2021: United States Public Health Commissioned Corps Doctrine

  The link above will take you to the Noncompetitive Promotion Roster for Promotion Year 2020.

  FAQs Practice Hours and Special Pay Changes

  This is first in a series of FAQs, more FAQs will be forthcoming on Practice Hours and Special Pays.

  Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) Mission - Deployments Readiness Updates

  As we position ourselves to assist with controlling the spread of the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19), please note that we’re in an “all-hands on deck” status. Messaging has gone out from the Assistant Secretary for Health reminding Commissioned Corps officers of their deployment responsibilities...

Protecting, Promoting and Advancing the Health and Safety of Our Nation. Commissioned Corps Headquarters
1101 Wootton Parkway, Suite 300
Rockville, MD. 20852
240-453-6000

• 1. 
     COMMISSIONED CORPS

  2. Home
  3. Contact Us
  4. About Us
  5. Site Map

• 1. U.S. DEPARTMENT OF
     HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES

  2. HHS Home
  3. Office of Assistant Secretary for Health
  4. Office of the Surgeon General
  5. USPHS.gov

• 1. 
     U.S. GOVERNMENT

  2. The White House
  3. USA.gov
  4. USAJOBS.gov
  5. DATA.gov

• 1. 
     ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

  2. Plain Writing Act
  3. Accessibility
  4. Privacy Notice
  5. Freedom of Information Act
  6. Disclaimers
  7. Vulnerability Disclosure Policy