Therapist

Treating the underserved. Healing a nation.

Therapists in the USPHS Commissioned Corps contribute to public policy, health education, and improving the health of underserved communities like prisons and Indian country.

Officers In Action

A Message from Chief Therapist Officer CAPT West

Becoming a clinical and rehabilitation therapist officer in the USPHS Commissioned Corps

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Types of Profession Opportunities

Occupational Therapist

Qualification

Bachelor's, master's, or doctoral degree in occupational therapy (entry level) from a school or college accredited by the Accreditation Council for Occupational Therapy Education (ACOTE) at the time of graduation

Qualification

Current, unrestricted, and valid certification/registration by the American Occupational Therapy Association Licensed by the state

Physical Therapist

Qualification

Bachelor's, master's, or doctoral (D.P.T.) degree in physical therapy from a school or college accredited by the Commission on Accreditation for Physical Therapy Education (CAPTE)

Qualification

Current, unrestricted, and valid license/registration as a physical therapist by any state

Speech-Language Pathologist

Qualification

Master's degree in speech-language pathology from a school or college accredited by the Council on Academic Accreditation (CAA)

Qualification

Current, unrestricted, and valid certification by the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association

Qualification

(1) License. A current, active, valid, unrestricted speech-language pathology license from a U.S. State (as defined in 42 USC 201 (f)) is required.

Qualification

(2) Training. A candidate must possess a qualifying master’s degree in speech-language pathology from a school accredited by the Council on Academic Accreditation in Audiology and Speech-Language Pathology (CAA).

Qualification

Note: A PhD in Speech-Language Pathology is not a qualifying degree for purposes of this Instruction, but rather a professional education that is granted after a candidate has obtained a qualifying speech-language pathology degree.

Audiologist

Qualification

Master's or doctoral degree in audiology earned from a school or college accredited by the Council on Academic Accreditation (CAA)

Qualification

Current, unrestricted, and valid certification by the American Board of Audiology or the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association

Qualification

(1) License. A current, active, valid, unrestricted audiology license registration, or certification from a U.S. State (as defined in 42 USC 201 (f)) is required.

Qualification

(2) Certification. All audiologists are required to achieve and maintain national certification from either the American Board of Audiology (i.e., Board Certification in Audiology) or the American Speech Language Hearing Association (i.e., Certificate of Clinical Competence in Audiology).

Respiratory Therapist

Qualification

Bachelor's or master's degree in respiratory therapy from a school or college accredited by the Committee on Accreditation of Respiratory Care (CoARC) or Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP) at the time of graduation

Qualification

Active, current, unrestricted, and valid Registered Respiratory Therapist (RRT) license from any U.S. State, Washington D.C., territory, or commonwealth. The RRT program must be recognized by the National Board of Respiratory Care (NBRC). Certified or registered pulmonary function technician/technologist is not a qualifying certification.

Are you fit to serve?

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Officers are encouraged to grow professionally within their agencies, with pay increases based on promotions and years of service.

Officers and their families receive medical and dental care at little or no cost through TRICARE. Coverage begins on the first day of service. Learn more

Officers are encouraged to expand their knowledge base and pursue professional opportunities across agencies throughout their tenure in the USPHS Commissioned Corps.

The USPHS Commissioned Corps offers a Basic Allowance for Housing, a tax-free amount to cover your rent or mortgage that is calculated by your rank/grade, duty station location, and dependent status.

The USPHS Commissioned Corps also provides a Basic Allowance for Subsistence, which offsets costs for officers’ meals and is adjusted based on the cost of food as measured by the USDA food cost index. (The Basic Allowance for Subsistence does not cover meals for officers’ family members.)

Public Health Service officers have access to the benefits provided in the Post-9/11 GI Bill after 90 days of active duty service, provided they have not used the benefits previously. Benefits include funding for tuition, housing, supplies, and more. Learn more

Public Health Service officers are enrolled in a Thrift Savings Plan, a retirement plan similar to a 401(k), and a retirement pension plan with benefits eligibility beginning after 20 years of service (each additional year of service garners 2.5%).

The USPHS Commissioned Corps offers a variety of jobs in rural, urban, tribal and international communities. Officers serve in 800 different locations across all 50 states and numerous foreign duty stations.

The Indian Health Service awards up to $50,000 in loan repayment to health professionals in exchange for at least two years of service in health facilities serving American Indian and Alaska Native communities. Learn more

The National Health Service Corps (NHSC) offers select medical professionals $60,000 in loan repayment in exchange for two years of service at a community-based site in a high-need health professional shortage area. Recipients must apply to and accept a position at an NHSC site. Learn more

The CDC Epidemic Intelligence Service (EIS) Program provides federal loan repayment in exchange for two years of service practicing epidemiology in CDC or state/local health departments. The repayment amount is based on availability of funds. Learn more