- Sign up for our emails, and we'll notify you when next year's application cycle opens.
- Review the Site Reference Guide (PDF - 672 KB). It details everything we expect of NHSC-approved sites.
- See our detailed application sections on this page. Learn what you need to submit a complete application package.
We've closed the 2024 New Site Application Cycle
Eligible health care facilities can apply to become National Health Service Corps (NHSC)-approved sites. NHSC-approved sites provide outpatient, comprehensive primary health care services to people. They are located in Health Professional Shortage Areas (HPSAs).
Contact your state or territorial primary care office if you have questions about your HPSA designation.
What are the benefits of becoming an NHSC-approved site?
There are benefits to being an NHSC-approved site. We can assist you in recruiting, hiring, and retaining qualified clinicians.
On this page:
When do site application cycles open?
We open a new site application cycle yearly, typically in the spring.
The new site application cycle is for sites that:
- Have never been NHSC-approved, including sites that have applied and had their application denied or canceled
- Are currently inactive for NHSC due to expiration or past compliance issues
How long is the application cycle?
In a typical cycle, you have six to eight weeks to submit your site application.
What should I do before I apply?
- Read the NHSC Site Reference Guide (PDF - 672 KB) and the NHSC Site Agreement (PDF - 291 KB).
- Gather or create all required documents.
- Create an account or log into the BHW Customer Service Portal to ensure you have an active account.
What are the sections of the application?
The NHSC Site Application contains 11 sections. Contact your state or territorial primary care office (PCO) if you have questions.
Note: If your organization has multiple sites located in Health Professional Shortage Areas (HPSAs), you must submit a separate application for each site.
This section assesses your site’s eligibility to participate in the program. If your site does not pass the prescreening questionnaire, you will not be able to continue. Refer to the “Eligibility Requirements and Qualification Factors” section in the NHSC Site Reference Guide (PDF - 672 KB) to ensure your site meets the appropriate requirements.
This section asks for general information, such as your site name, address, website, and unique identifiers.
This section identifies similar or potential duplicate sites that already have a BHW site record. If your site applied previously, use the same site record. Do not create a duplicate. If you need to be added as a Point of Contact (POC) to an old record, contact your NHSC state or territorial lead.
In this section, you will select the comprehensive primary medical, mental/behavioral health, and/or dental health care services provided on-site. In addition, you will submit data regarding the site staffing full-time equivalents. The information collected in this section is part of the NHSC Site Data Tables (PDF - 203 KB).
If your site provides behavioral health and/or substance use disorder services on-site, you must provide the following for site approval:
- A completed Comprehensive Behavioral Health Services Checklist (PDF - 206 KB). During application cycles, you will directly enter this data in the Behavioral Health section of the application.
- Documentation demonstrating the provision of core and non-core comprehensive behavioral health services.
Refer to the "Comprehensive Primary Behavioral Health Services" section of the NHSC Site Reference Guide to ensure your site is eligible.
This section requests data regarding accepted insurance, payment types, patients, and the sliding fee discount program. The information collected in this section is part of the NHSC Site Data Tables (PDF - 203 KB). You must upload all required documentation. Otherwise, the system will not let you submit your application.
This section asks questions regarding your site's telehealth services. Sites that provide 100 percent telehealth services do not qualify for the NHSC.
In this section, you must list at least two POCs (except for solo private practices). Only POCs who own, oversee, or manage a significant portion of your organization and can answer questions about policies and operating procedures can submit your site application. If approved, the POC information will be visible to the public on the Health Workforce Connector.
In this section, you must verify the appropriate HPSA score using the HPSA Find tool on data.hrsa.gov. The NHSC and primary care office will verify this information and, if needed, add all missing HPSA IDs during the application review process.
In this section, you must upload all remaining supporting documents.
Site types and document exemptions/requirements
The following information lists the various required documents for NHSC site approval by site type and shows when each document may be required.
Sliding fee discount program documents
| ICE/Federal Prison | FQHC/LAL | ITU | Free Clinic | State Prison | SAMHSA OTP | All other site types** | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Application/Recertification | EXEMPT | EXEMPT | EXEMPT | Other* | EXEMPT | Required | Required |
| Site Visits or Upon Request | Other* | Required | Other* | Other* | Other* | Required | Required |
Non-discrimination policy
| ICE/Federal Prison | FQHC/LAL | ITU | Free Clinic | State Prison | SAMHSA OTP | All other site types** | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Application/Recertification | EXEMPT | EXEMPT | EXEMPT | Required | EXEMPT | Required | Required |
| Site Visits or Upon Request | Required | Required | EXEMPT | Required | Required | Required | Required |
Clinician recruitment and retention plan
| ICE/Federal Prison | FQHC/LAL | ITU | Free Clinic | State Prison | SAMHSA OTP | All other site types** | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Application/Recertification | EXEMPT | EXEMPT | EXEMPT | Required | EXEMPT | Required | Required |
| Site Visits or Upon Request | Required | Required | Required | Required | Required | Required | Required |
Proof of access to comprehensive care
| ICE/Federal Prison | FQHC/LAL | ITU | Free Clinic | State Prison | SAMHSA OTP | All other site types** | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Application/Recertification | EXEMPT | EXEMPT | EXEMPT | Required | EXEMPT | Required | Required |
| Site Visits or Upon Request | Required | Required | Required | Required | Required | Required | Required |
Behavioral health services checklist and supporting documentation
| ICE/Federal Prison | FQHC/LAL | ITU | Free Clinic | State Prison | SAMHSA OTP | All other site types** | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Application/Recertification | EXEMPT | EXEMPT | EXEMPT | Required | EXEMPT | EXEMPT | Required |
| Site Visits or Upon Request | EXEMPT | EXEMPT | EXEMPT | Required | EXEMPT | EXEMPT | Required |
Substance use disorder (SUD)/medications for opioid use disorder (MOUD) documentation
| ICE/Federal Prison | FQHC/LAL | ITU | Free Clinic | State Prison | SAMHSA OTP | All other site types** | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Application/Recertification | EXEMPT | EXEMPT | EXEMPT | Required | Required | EXEMPT | Required |
| Site Visits or Upon Request | Required | Required | Required | Required | Required | Required | Required |
Data reporting
| ICE/Federal Prison | FQHC/LAL | ITU | Free Clinic | State Prison | SAMHSA OTP | All other site types** | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Application/Recertification | EXEMPT | EXEMPT | EXEMPT | Required | EXEMPT | Required | Required |
| Site Visits or Upon Request | Required | UDS Report | Required | Required | Required | Required | Required |
*Other: These sites need to provide the NHSC with proof that no one is charged or billed for services, and people are not denied service because they are unable to pay.
**All other site types: critical access hospitals, state or local health departments, community outpatient facilities, private practices, school-based clinics, mobile units, office-based opioid treatment facilities, and non-opioid outpatient substance use disorder treatment facilities.
In the last section of the online NHSC Site Application, a POC with express authority must review and sign the NHSC Site Agreement (PDF - 291 KB) certifying compliance with the program.
Use the Site Points of Contact User Guide (PDF - 5 MB) to assist you with your application.
Can I make edits to my application?
You can make edits before you submit your application. We encourage you to review your application with your state or territorial primary care office before you submit it to us. Before you submit, you can edit, upload new documents, or even cancel your application.
What edits can I make after the application cycle closes?
If NHSC staff need additional information, they may return the application to you for revision. You must resubmit it within 30 calendar days, or we will deem the application non-compliant.
What happens after I apply?
After you submit your application, we typically review it within six to eight weeks.
How do you determine whether to approve my site?
We base NHSC approval of your site on your site's ability to meet the eligibility criteria outlined in the NHSC Site Reference Guide (PDF - 672 KB) and NHSC Site Agreement (PDF - 291 KB). Your information is evaluated by the primary care office and NHSC. NHSC makes the final decision on whether to approve your NHSC site application. We may disapprove your application if it does not meet NHSC site eligibility requirements, is incomplete, or contains illegible documents.
How will I find out if you approved my site?
We notify you through the BHW Customer Service Portal.
We will also send you information on how to post job positions on the Health Workforce Connector.
Does the approval period expire?
The approval period is valid for three years. However, your site must remain in a HPSA and continue to meet the NHSC eligibility requirements and qualification factors throughout the approval period.
Eligible auto-approved NHSC sites do not expire.
Related resources
Site guidance
- Site Reference Guide (PDF - 672 KB)
- Site SUD Opt-In Instructions (PDF - 672 KB)
- NHSC Site Agreement (PDF - 291 KB)
- Comprehensive Behavioral Health Services Checklist (PDF - 206 KB)
- Site Data Tables (PDF - 203 KB)
- Site Points of Contact User Guide (PDF - 5 MB)
HPSAs
Date Last Reviewed: