• Health Professions Special Pays (HPSP)

  Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

  
  
  

  Which policy governs Health Professions Special Pays (HPSP)?

  Commissioned Corps Directive (CCD) 151.05 provides broad policy on HPSP, including what is required by legislation, and the broad policy, authority, and responsibilities;
  
  Commissioned Corps Instruction (CCI) 633.01 prescribes the plan of action for carrying out the policy; and
  
  The Personnel Operations Memorandum (POM) 821.70 provides more guidance.

  What are the current Health Professions Special Pays available?

  Accession Bonus (AB), Critical Wartime Skills Accession Bonus (CWS-AB), Retention Bonus (RB) Incentive Pay (IP), Board Certification Incentive Pay (BCIP).

  Can an officer receive more than one special pay and serve the Active Duty Obligations (ADOs) concurrently?

  All HPSP agreements can be served concurrently with the exception that an officer may NOT receive RB while serving an AB or CWS-AB period of obligated service. An RB is prohibited if there is a training obligation.

  How are the various HPSP paid?

  AB is paid in a lump sum, CSW-AB is paid in annual lump sum payments, RB is paid in annual lump sum payments, IP is paid in monthly payments, and BCIP is paid in monthly payments.

  Can an officer request voluntary retirement prior to the end of a HPSP Active Duty Obligation?

  No. An officer must serve through the end of his or her agreement’s ADO.

  What is the eligibility for HPSP?

  The eligibility requirements are listed in POM 821.70, CCD 151.05, and CCI 633.01; however, the general eligibility requirements for all officers are: Serving in a designated health profession specialty or skill and:

  1. Have a performance rating of satisfactory on the most recent annual COER
  2. Must not have any active or pending administrative or disciplinary actions
  3. Maintain Conditions of Service (CCD 111.03)
  4. Have a Current Unrestricted License (CCI 251.01).
  5. Agree to a period of Obligated Active Duty Service (as defined in the HPSP Agreement)
  6. Starting in 2020:
     • For Incentive Pay (IP), submit annual proof of 80 clinical hours in the previous year.
     • To initiate a Retention Bonus (RB), submit proof of 80 clinical hours in the previous year. CCHQ must receive the agreement 60 days after the officer completes the qualifying training and licensure.

  What happens if I terminate my agreement early?

  Early termination of an existing HPSP agreement creates a debt to the United States. The officer, therefore, must repay the unearned portion of HPSP on a prorated basis.

  Can I receive RB if I have another obligation?

  An eligible officer may receive an IP and BCIP at the same time as an RB and serve the ADO concurrently. An officer may NOT receive RB with an existing education/training obligation.

  Do I have to submit annual requests for IP?

  No. However, if you become eligible for a different amount, you must submit a new request. For example, if you are under a Retention Bonus (RB), and while under the RB you become eligible for a higher rate of IP, and the RB expires, you must submit for the lower RB rate IP effective the day after the RB agreement expires.

  How is BCIP paid?

  BCIP is paid at annual rate $6,000, paid in monthly increments of $500.

  How do I apply for BCIP?

  If an officer meets the eligibility requirements in the guidance, the officer must submit a request, with his/her Agency’s endorsement, to enter a minimum of one year agreement. After the initial year, the BCIP will continue to be paid, although the obligation for it has been fulfilled.

  Do I have to submit annual requests for BCIP

  No. However, if your certification expires, you will need to submit a new request, with Agency’s endorsement, and documentation from the board to restart the BCIP.

  What is the HPSP appeal process?

  Section 6-8 of the Health Professions Special Pay (HPSP) policy (CCI 633.01) establishes an HPSP Review Board, that only accepts appeals under 3 specific conditions (6-8 b);

  • Termination of active agreements under specific circumstances, such as failure to be recommended for promotion, failure to maintain conditions of service, misconduct, etc. (6-7.d)
  • A recommendation by the OPDIV/STAFFDIV to not pay an HPSP. (6-2.f)
  • Termination of active agreements, or denial of HPSP eligibility, for officers in non-duty with pay status. (6-2.i.(2)).

  What do I do if I think that my HPSP payment is incorrect?

  Officers must submit a pay inquiry to FSB requesting validation of HPSP installment payment through their Agency Liaison, with supporting documents (earning statement, HPSP agreements).

  May officers with a Legacy Pay Active Duty Obligation request an HPSP agreement?

  Yes. Officers fulfilling a Legacy Pay Active Duty Obligation (ADO) may request an HPSP agreement provided the officer meets the eligibility requirements and the new agreement extends beyond the officer’s current ADO. The existing agreement(s) will be replaced with the current HPSP rate and/or longer period of service. Renegotiation of Agreement rules will apply. The Legacy agreement and its ADO are terminated

  May officers with an HPSP Active Duty Obligation request a new HPSP agreement?

  Yes. Officers fulfilling an HPSP Active Duty Obligation (ADO) may request a new HPSP agreement if the officer becomes eligible for a higher pay rate provided the new agreement extends beyond the officer’s current ADO. An officer may also enter a new agreement to align the completion of his/her agreement with an anticipated date of retirement provided the new ADO ends after the original agreement’s ADO.

  Do I have to repay any pay if I terminate a Legacy contract or HPSP agreement and enter an HPSP agreement?

  Any unearned portion of the previous contract/agreement must be repaid on a pro rata basis.

  What guidance or criteria should be used in selecting an effective date?

  1. Initial agreement:
     • The date the officer becomes eligible for HPSP provided the completed agreement is signed within 30 days of becoming eligible for HPSP, and FSB receives the agreement no later than 30 days after the effective date selected by the officer.
  2. Subsequent agreement:
     • The day after the previous HPSP agreement expires provided the new agreement is received no later than 30 days after the effective date selected by the officer. Or a later date as specified by the officer in the new HPSP agreement.
• 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 January 2025

  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