• Frequently Asked Questions

  Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) on CCI 241.01, “Readiness and Duty Requirements”

  This FAQ provides information on some of the new changes to Commissioned Corps Instruction (CCI) 241.01, “Readiness and Duty Requirements.” These FAQs are intended merely to give an overview of changes in the policy and to clarify what officers need to know. PHS officers should still read and familiarize themselves with the policy.

  What changed in CCI 241.01?

  Previous CCI 241.01	New version of CCI 241.01
  Requires officers to select a deployment role for which they are professionally licensed/credentialed or otherwise trained and competent; and to maintain those skills through training and recertification commensurate with that professional qualification. Commissioned Corps Headquarters (CCHQ) will validate the role(s) selected by the officer.	Clarifies Section 6-2.c. so that the USPHS Commissioned Corps bases an officer’s primary deployment role on the officer’s profession (i.e., profession based on the officer’s qualifying degree) and allows PHS officers to select a sub-specialty within the primary role.  Officers may also select a secondary deployment role if they qualify for that role.
  Has no mention of whether preventative medical officers can choose a clinical or non-clinical role.	States that “Officers in the following health care professions – Preventive Medicine, Preventive Dentistry, or Preventive Veterinarian Medicine – may choose a clinical or non-clinical role.”
  Does not address the issue of clinical hours for officers who shift from a non-clinical to clinical role.	States, in Section 6-2.c(3), that “An officer placed in a clinical role because of this Instruction who is in a non-clinical role on the effective date of this Instruction and who does not have the required clinical practice hours through a special pays contract must complete the clinical practice hours and submit evidence of this completion to CCHQ by 31 December 2022 and then annually in subsequent years. However, the Surgeon General (SG) may extend this deadline by no more than six months. Until such an officer fulfills the clinical practice hours requirement, the USPHS Commissioned Corps will not deploy the officer in a clinical role except in the circumstance when the officer is supervised by another officer who meets these requirements.”
  Uses the term ‘Family Care Plan.’	Changes ‘Family Care Plan’ to ‘Deployment Preparation Plan’ and clarifies that this is a new readiness requirement.
  Uses term ‘clinical hours.’	Changes ‘clinical hours’ to ‘clinical practice hours.’
  Says, in 6-2.d, that “All officers deploying in clinical positions must perform a minimum of 80 clinical hours per year in their clinical discipline or specialty, consistent with current professional license, certification, or registration” but does not say anything about time on deployment counting.	Expands on this, in 6-2.d, stating that “Officers on a deployment in a clinical role can use their time on deployment to count toward their clinical practice hours as verified by the onsite supervisor and/or CCHQ.”
  Requires officers, in Section 6.2.g, “to submit height and weight information (BMI and/or measurements needed to calculate estimated percent body fat) annually when reporting APFT scores.”	Includes, in section 6-2.g, much more specific instructions about conducting the Annual Weight Reporting and measuring the Body Mass Index (BMI) and estimated percentage body fat (EPBF).

  What happens if I don’t pass the Annual Physical Fitness Test (APFT)?

  Officers who do not pass the APFT (which results in being found “Not Qualified”  for readiness requirements) or who falsify their APFT are subject to disciplinary actions consistent with CCD 111.03, “Conditions of Service.” Officers are expected to pass the APFT and are urged to train and prepare well in advance of their APFT due date.

  What happens if the USPHS Commissioned Corps questions the result of my APFT or other Retention Weight Standards documents?

  The Office of the Surgeon General (OSG) and/or CCHQ may require officers to provide verification of compliance for any discrepancies reported in their BMI, EPBF, and/or fitness level. Such verification may include requiring the officer to demonstrate any or all portions of the APFT virtually or in-person or to complete a Verified Weight Report (PHS-7044-1) with an individual or facility designated by CCHQ.

  What determines my deployment role and how do I maintain that role?

  The USPHS Commissioned Corps will base a PHS officer’s primary deployment role on the officer’s degree that qualified them for a commission in the USPHS Commissioned Corps (i.e., qualifying degree). All officers must maintain their professional competence, in accordance with Commissioned Corps Directive (CCD) 111.03, “Conditions of Service,” for which the officer is professionally licensed/credentialed for the qualifying degree. The officer must maintain those skills through training and recertification commensurate with that qualifying degree. Officers may select a secondary deployment role as long as they are sufficiently trained and competent in this secondary role. CCHQ will validate the role(s) selected by the officer by checking the officer’s education and certification. However, officers in the following health care professions – Preventive Medicine, Preventive Dentistry, or Preventive Veterinarian Medicine – may choose a clinical or non-clinical role.

  Who must perform clinical practice hours?

  All PHS officers commissioned in clinical professions and officers in a clinical deployment role must perform a minimum of 80 clinical practice hours per year in their clinical discipline or specialty, consistent with current professional license, certification, or registration and the officer’s qualifying degree. An officer placed in a clinical role because of this Instruction who is in a non-clinical role on the effective date of this Instruction and who does not have the required clinical practice hours through a special pays contract must complete the clinical practice hours and submit evidence of this completion to CCHQ by 31 December 2022 and then annually in subsequent years. However, the SG may extend this deadline by no more than six months. Until such an officer fulfills the clinical practice hours requirement, the USPHS Commissioned Corps will not deploy the officer in a clinical role except in the circumstance when the officer is supervised by another officer who meets these requirements. Officers on a deployment in a clinical role can use their time on deployment to count toward their clinical practice hours as verified by the onsite supervisor and/or CCHQ; however, only hours spent performing clinical duties (not administrative duties) will count towards clinical practice hours. Officers should not rely only on deployments to fulfill practice hours as not all deployment activities count towards practice hours.

  Can officers obtain a medical waiver from deployment?

  Officers who develop a medical condition that prevents them from safely deploying must request a deployment waiver from Medical Affairs Branch (MAB) within 7 calendar days, but no later than 21 days, after the diagnosis of the condition or after hospital discharge (if applicable), whichever comes later. All officers who are medically unable to deploy must request a deployment waiver regardless of whether the officer is “on call” or “backup” or the SG, or designee, has designated the officer as mission critical. Failure to request a waiver in the designated time period is grounds for disciplinary action. Instructions on how to request a waiver are on CCMIS, under the Medical Affairs tab, Medical Waiver Program section.

  What must officers do to obtain or update their weight requirement reporting?

  PHS officers who need to obtain or report an updated weight requirement (Body Mass Index (BMI) and their estimated percentage body fat (EPBF)) or “taping” must have this completed by a medical provider or healthcare professional (i.e., Registered Dietitian or Exercise Physiologist/Specialist) who is trained and/or qualified to complete “taping.” Such provider/professional must be credentialed or authorized to perform “taping” at the officer’s medical facility/site or Military Treatment Facility (MTF) where the officer receives medical care. If there is no credentialed or authorized provider where the officer receives medical care, the officer may get the “taping” performed at another facility that has a medical provider or healthcare professional who is trained and/or qualified to complete “taping” (as defined in previous sentences); however, the acceptance of this “taping” is subject to approval by CCHQ.

  Under no circumstances, may an officer’s family member complete the periodic health update (PHU) or Verified Weight Report (PHS-7044-1).

  What must officers do for their annual weight reporting?

  Officers must submit height and weight information, including BMI and measurements needed to calculate EPBF, if applicable, annually with submission of their PHU or as otherwise required by the ASH or OSG.

  The PHU and, if required, the Verified Weight Report (Form PHS-7044-1), will provide and determine the annual baseline weight. Officers will continue to report an annual weight with the submission of the Annual Physical Fitness Test (APFT). Only officers with a BMI of 27.6 kg/m2 or greater must obtain and include their EPBF or “taping” results on the Verified Weight Report.

  The PHU and Verified Weight Report (PHS-7044-1) must be completed and signed by the medical provider or healthcare professional at the time of completion of that document and include the provider’s credentials.

  Any officer identified as non-compliant with retention weight standards and required to submit quarterly weight reports using the Verified Weight Report must have this submission completed and signed by a medical provider or healthcare professional (i.e., Registered Dietitian or Exercise Physiologist/Specialist).

  What is a Deployment Preparation Plan (DPP)?

  The DPP used to be called the Family Care Plan. The USPHS Commissioned Corps requires PHS officers to complete a DPP and be prepared to submit it. CCHQ is currently developing the process for submitting and reviewing the DPP. When this is complete, CCHQ will require officers to submit the DPP annually to CCHQ. Officers are required not only to complete a DPP, but to also to update this plan annually, after any changes in family circumstances, and after any other change in personal status. DPPs enhance officer and dependent readiness by facilitating the care and support of the officer’s dependents during planned and unplanned absences of the officer. Officers must maintain a DPP and be prepared to submit to CCHQ when advised.

  I am single and have no dependents. Why do I need to write a DPP?

  A DPP will still be useful even if you have no dependents. The DPP aims to ensure an officer has a plan in place to address personal matters while they’re deployed. Single officers may have basic home maintenance needs and obligations. Officers should consider their legal and financial arrangements.

  If an officer fails to meet or maintain readiness requirements, will the USPHS Commissioned Corps reverse a rating of “Not Qualified” if the officer is qualified on the next check?

  Absent an approved waiver, the USPHS Commissioned Corps will mark PHS officers who fail to meet or maintain the basic level of force readiness as “Not Qualified” on their monthly readiness check on the first of the month. The USPHS Commissioned Corps will continue to mark officers as “Not Qualified” on the first of the subsequent months until they remedy the condition that put them out of compliance. Failed readiness checks (“Not Qualified” status) will continue to remain on an officer’s historic record even after the officer has regained the basic level of force readiness with subsequent readiness checks.

  However, in accordance with POM 821.75, “Readiness Compliance,” an officer who believes there is an error regarding the determination of the officer’s readiness status, or if there are unusual or extenuating circumstances that did not allow the officer to correct and/or update their basic force readiness status before a lapse in readiness occurred, the officer may submit a written request to the Readiness and Deployment Branch within 90 days of being marked as “Not Qualified.”

  Last Updated: 3/1/22
• 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 November 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