What is the current state of the application process?
Beginning Jan 1, 2012 - and until further notice - the Commissioned Corps will only accept new application packets for groups and positions of identified need. The groups of need that have been identified are: Physicians and Dentists; CDC EIS candidates forwarded to USPHS from the agency; IHS Pharmacy Residency candidates that have been forwarded from the agency; USUHS candidates forwarded to USPHS from the program; DOD Wounded Warrior Initiative applicants (psychiatrists, psychologists, psychiatric nurse practitioners and licensed clinical social workers); and student programs (i.e. JRCOSTEP and SRCOSTEP).
From 2010 to present, the U.S. Public Health Service (USPHS) has received overwhelming interest in career opportunities. As we dealt with an increased amount of applicants, we also underwent an internal reorganization. One of the Division of Commissioned Corps Personnel and Readiness (DCCPR) Director’s primary objectives is a commitment to provide an effective and efficient application process and improved customer service. However, to meet the high customer service demands amidst organizational and process changes, we are focusing our efforts on the current applicant pool that exceeds 1,200. In addition, DCCPR is concurrently streamlining the current process to improve effectiveness and efficiencies with a goal of reducing the overall process time. By working through the existing applicant pool over the next several months and instituting improved business processes, DCCPR will be able to more effectively work thru current applicants and work on accelerating the application process to better meet your needs for the future.
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Will this focus on existing application pool be temporary?
Will this focus on existing application pool be temporary?
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When does this change go into effect?
Beginning Jan 1, 2012 ‐and until further notice ‐the Commissioned Corps will only accept new application packets from certain professions and groups in need of applicants.
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Why are only certain professions being accepted after Jan 1, 2012?
Due to a small number of Physician and Dental applicants along with a standing commitment to certain groups/programs the need to facilitate certain application types was recognized.
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What if I miss the deadline and I am not in a group that is a focus in the short term. What can I do in the interim?
Beginning December 2011, there will be informational sessions (via webinar, conference call, etc.) to further explain the new process. A calendar of these informational sessions is available on the Events Calendar and on the USPHS Facebook page (www.facebook.com/USPHS).
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Is this application change similar to the pause in 2010?
NOT AT ALL! We will continue calling officers to active duty throughout 2012.
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How will this be for the betterment of the Commissioned Corps, me and the agency I might work for?
As the current applicant pool is processed, the Commissioned Corps will be streamlining its application process, providing a less complicated and less time consuming experience. The intent is to assign existing applicants (and applicants within the groups listed above) as efficiently as possible to the agencies we serve and remove the current backlog. While we will not be taking applications for some professions in the short term, in the long term, we foresee that the revamped application process will eliminate a lot of the confusion around the current process.
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How do I apply?
Visit the Applying to the Commissioned Corps section under How to Apply. When your complete application packet for commissioning is received and reviewed, you will be assigned a human resources specialist to assist you. If you have general questions you may call the call center at 1-800-279-1605.
You may also refer to the Application Lifecycle Chart [PDF] for a detailed description of the applying and commissioning process.
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How long does the application process take?
At this time the commissioning process can take as little as 3 months and as long as 9 months or more. There are many factors which can affect the timeline. At this time we are encouraging ALL potential applicants to begin the application for commissioning 9-12 months from their available start date to accommodate all variables in the commissioning process.
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Should I apply to the Commissioned Corps or to the agency or program where I wish to work?
Applying for a call to active duty as a U.S. Public Health Service Commissioned Corps officer involves two processes. You must apply for a Corps commission, and you must apply for jobs at agencies or with programs where Corps officers serve. You should pursue both processes simultaneously. Visit Applying to the Commissioned Corps for a step-by-step guide to the application process.
The USPHS will process your application for a Corps commission. Your actual job offer, however, will come from the agency or program to which you applied for a position.
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Do I meet the entry criteria for joining the Commissioned Corps?
To be accepted as an applicant for the Commissioned Corps, you must:
- Be a U.S. citizen
- Be less than 44 years, 0 months and 0 days of age
- Be “medically qualified” and meet height and weight standards (see below)
- Have a current, unrestricted professional license (if applicable)
- Have a qualifying degree or a higher degree from an accredited institution (varies depending on occupation)
- Be “professionally boarded”
- Meet Suitability Requirements
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What does "medically qualified" mean?
All applicants to the Commissioned Corps must undergo a physical examination and be found medically qualified prior to an appointment. It is not sufficient that the officer be "qualified" for a particular assignment at a particular geographical location. The commissioned officer is expected to be physically qualified to perform the duties of his/her rank and profession in various climates and work assignments without endangering his/her health or the health of others. For career service, the officer must be physically capable of assuming any assignment in his/her profession whether such an assignment is likely to occur in the foreseeable future.
Health conditions that place an individual at an increased risk, use sick leave and medical services excessively, and/or an increased risk for early death or disability may be cause for either rejection or limitation of tour of duty. The following is disqualifying for an unrestrictive active duty service:
- Conditions that prevent the performance of full duties at the time of call to duty.
- Health conditions and/or problems requiring continuing diagnostic evaluation, frequent follow up, medical care, treatment, or therapy, or that may limit geographic area of assignment and/or may interfere with performance of duties.
- Health conditions and/or problems that place an individual at unacceptable risk for use of sick leave; or medical, dental, psychiatric, psychological, or surgical services; or early death or disability.
- In addition, each applicant must meet the height and weight standards as established by United States Public Health Service Commissioned Corps regulations (see height/weight tables).
If medical information is incomplete or omitted, the applicant will be notified and the necessary additional information will be requested. Failure to submit requested information will result in closure of the application and return of materials. Additionally, if there is any change in the applicant's health status (i.e., medical or psychiatric) after the entrance history and physical examination, but before call to active duty, the applicant must notify the USPHS immediately. The change in the applicant's health status may be grounds for delay in call to active duty or even for medical disqualification. Failure to report significant change in health status may result in separation from service without benefits after reporting to duty.
The falsification or other nondisclosure of material information on the part of the applicant may result in the immediate closeout of the application or separation of the officer from active duty without benefits. The determination of material nondisclosure is made by the USPHS and this decision is final.
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Which medical diagnoses or conditions would be disqualifying for active duty commissioning?
In general, the following medical diagnoses or conditions are disqualifying.* There are occasions in which very mild, non-progressive, or asymptomatic forms of some diseases may be permitted an interval of observation, subject to reevaluation after a trial period on active duty.
- Diabetes, types I and II (and prediabetes to frank diabetes due to multiple other risk factors, such as overweight, hyperlipidemia, or hypertension).
- HIV, Hepatitis C, or other serious chronic infections and associated diseases.
- Inability to see or hear or potentially-progressive diseases leading to blindness or deafness.
- Current or recent psychotherapy and/or use of medication, for chronic or recurrent psychiatric diagnosis.
- Ulcerative colitis or Crohn's Disease, or any immunosuppression related to disease or treatment (e.g., chronic treatment with oral steroids for conditions like rheumatoid arthritis, asthma or spinal inflammation; any immunosuppressive organ treatment for transplanted or autoimmune disease).
- Presence of extensive orthopedic hardware (e.g., spinal fusion devices; artificial joints; any screws, rods or pins which cause pain or other symptoms).
- Any significant alteration of essential internal organs (e.g., gastric bypass surgery, cirrhosis, renal insufficiency, colectomy, tracheotomy).
- Cardiovascular disease, including atherosclerosis or any condition requiring implanted devices or anticoagulation.
- Chronic pain condition (anything which requires frequent medication or therapy; e.g., low back pain; fibromyalgia; severe headaches).
- Any malignancies or pre-malignancies (other than basal cell or squamous cell cancer of skin), unless in remission with no evidence of recurrence for at least 5 years.
- Applicants cannot be called to active duty while pregnant.
Any conditions which may progress to disability in the applicant’s professional duties, attendance and performance at work, or activities of daily living (e.g., severe asthma or allergies; recurrent sinusitis; headaches; chronic back or joint pain; chronic or recurrent mental illness).
*This list is not all inclusive.
To get in touch with our Medical Suitability Team please email us at osphs@hhs.gov.
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What are the height and weight standards?
The standards are available in the Height and Weight Table. If an applicant does not meet these standards they can alternatively do a Body Mass Index or calculate a percentage body fat to qualify. To get in touch with our Medical Suitability Team please email us at osphs@hhs.gov.
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Which security-related situations or circumstances could potentially be disqualifying for active duty commissioning?
- Military Discharges: Other than Honorable (Includes a character review and further assessment of separation and reenlistment codes).
- Military disciplinary proceedings/court martial.
- Employment: Fired, quit, or left under unfavorable circumstances.
- Financial: Delinquent on any debt. [Foreclosures, Federal and State tax liens, unpaid child support, student loans (does not include forbearance or deferment), bankruptcy require court documentation; all other accounts must be up to date].
- Recent illegal drug use; possession or distribution charges/convictions.
- Alcohol related charges/convictions.
- Violence/domestic violence charges/convictions.
- Felony criminal charges/convictions.
- Civil court actions.
- Pending criminal charges/convictions.
*This list is not all inclusive.
Material intentional falsification, intentional non-disclosure or falsification, such as failure to report criminal arrests, financial delinquencies, drug use, alcohol use/abuse, employment misconduct, terminations, and/or qualifications will result in the denial of commission, may result in an unsuitable determination for continued access, and may be subject to prosecution.
If you have additional questions, please contact the USPHS Suitability/Security Team at PHSsecurity@hhs.gov.
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How can I check the status of my application?
You will be contacted once your application has been received and reviewed. This can take between 6 and 8 weeks from the date it was mailed care of US Postal Service. This timeframe includes 2 to 4 weeks for our internal mail processing.
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