Securing a training commission in the Junior Commissioned Officer Student Training and Extern Program (JRCOSTEP) as an officer in the Commissioned Corps of the United States Public Health Service (USPHS) is a multi-step process.

Step 1 - Initiate a prescreen. The USPHS prescreen is a series of questions that will determine your conditional eligibility to initiate a formal application. The questions relate to your citizenship status, age, health, and academic achievements and will take approximately 10 minutes to complete.

Step 2 - Upon completion of the prescreen, you will be notified by email as to your eligibility. If qualified, you will receive access to the official application and directions for submitting supporting documents by the application deadline, December 31. It is imperative that you complete all necessary documentation outlined in the instruction packet to be considered a formal applicant to the Commissioned Corps.

Step 3 - When you submit your complete application to the USPHS for JRCOSTEP, your materials will be reviewed for completeness and eligibility. You will receive additional communication as to your status as an applicant typically within 4-6 weeks. First communication is usually initiated via the email address that you have indicated on your application.

Step 4 - Once your application materials have been verified for completeness and eligibility as an official JRCOSTEP applicant your file is available to agencies for review and selection.

Step 5 - If you have been tentatively selected by an agency for JRCOSTEP you will be contacted directly by the agency for interview. Once the agency has formally selected you, you will continue the USPHS commissioning process. In general the process for commissioning consists of three board reviews which include professional boarding, medical review, and security/suitability determination.

If you are ready to answer the call, take the first step to starting your future career as a Commissioned officer today!

>>> USPHS Prescreen <<<