• Practice Hours Waiver Frequently Asked Questions

  How do I obtain a waiver from the practice requirement in accordance with CCI 633.01?

  The Surgeon General will only waive the practice hours requirement, for up to four years, in extraordinary circumstances in accordance with 6-2.g., CCI 633.01, “Special Pays.” The waiver process begins with the officer informing his/her immediate supervisor of the request for a waiver and then submitting the waiver to the Director, CCHQ or his/her designee. The waiver must specify one or more of the criteria below as its basis. The Surgeon General shall determine the specific documentation required for each of the following waiver criteria:

  • While the officer is responsible for unique duties under adverse conditions (e.g., officers who are assigned to an OPDIV/STAFFDIV/non-HHS organization’s public health mission assignment that requires 120 days or more of travel in a 12 month period in or outside the continental United States);
  • While the officer is permanently stationed in a location outside the continental United States (OCONUS), except Alaska and Hawaii; or
  • While the officer is in the O-6 pay grade and encumbers an executive level position that would otherwise be filled by a civilian at the senior executive level within his/her OPDIV/STAFFDIV/non-HHS organization as per the Officer of Personnel and Management or is in the O-7 pay grade or above and who holds a senior leadership position in the Corps.
  • While the officer is participating in a full time intramural or extramural training program that is six months in duration or longer.

  Waivers may be submitted to the practice hours resource box at phspracticehours@hhs.gov.

  Is there a due date for Waiver Request?

  Yes. Waiver requests for officers receiving IP or RB must submit their waiver request before their anniversary date. Officers not receiving IP or RB must submit their waiver request before 31 December for the year in which they are requesting a waiver. Waivers are submitted to the Surgeon General for decision at the end of every month.

  How should I submit my PH Waiver Request?

  How should I submit my PH Waiver Request

  Waiver requests should be submitted to PHSPracticeHours@hhs.gov. Email Subject Line should read: PH WAIVER REQUEST_Last Name_SERNO

  Waivers must include the following:

  1. PHS-7088
  2. Documentation exhibiting the veracity of your request. Each of the following requests should have the corresponding documentation:

  Waiver Type	Required Form
  Unique Duties under Adverse Conditions	If travel, a sheet with the total number of travel days completed or expected within the calendar year of your waiver request, signed by your supervisor
  Permanently Stationed outside the continental United States (OCONUS), except Alaska and Hawaii	Personnel Orders indicating OCONUS station
  Flag/Executive Level Position	Personnel Orders indicating flag/executive level position
  Full time intramural or extramural training program that is 6 months or longer	Letter of support from agency signed by the Liaison
  Medical Incapacitation	Letter from your health care provider indicating that you are unable to practice clinically for 6 months within the calendar year of your waiver request

  All waiver submissions should be submitted as a single .pdf document (.pdf portfolios will not be accepted) in the order listed above and titled: RANK First name Last name Practice Hours Waiver Request

  Will I be notified of decision for my waiver request?

  Once the Surgeon General or their designee has made a decision you will be notified via email from the Practice Hours Manager.

  Where can I locate my approved request?

  Approved wavier documents are placed in the Practice Hours section of the officer’s eOPF

  I’ve been on sick leave more than 180 days. Can I submit a waiver?

  Yes.

  Last Updated: 8/2/2024
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