You must be:
- A United States (U.S) citizen or U.S. national.
- Pursuing a Doctor of Medicine (M.D.), Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine (D.O.), Doctor of Dental Surgery (D.D.S.), Doctor of Medicine in Dentistry (D.M.D.), Nurse Practitioner (NP), Certified Nurse Midwife (CNM) or Physician Assistant (PA) degree in a state, the District of Columbia, or a U.S. territory at:
- A school of allopathic medicine accredited by the Liaison Committee on Medical Education (sponsored by the American Medical Association and the Association of American Medical Colleges);
- A school of osteopathic medicine accredited by the American Osteopathic Association Commission on Osteopathic College Accreditation; or
- A school of dentistry accredited by the American Dental Association Commission on Dental Accreditation;
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A school or program of nurse practitioner education accredited by the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing or the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education;
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At a school or program of nurse-midwifery education accredited by the American College of Nurse-Midwives, Division of Accreditation; or
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A school or program of physician assistant education accredited by the Accreditation Review Commission on Education for the Physician Assistant at a college, university, or educational institution that is accredited by a U.S. Department of Education nationally recognized accrediting body or organization.
- Enrolled as a full-time student in the last year of medical, physician assistant, nursing, or dental school with a graduation date during the application year*
- On or before July 1 for physicians and dentists, and
- On or before August 31 for nurse practitioners, certified nurse midwives or physician assistants.
Note: Any classes that are not required or unrelated courses to the qualifying degree program will not count towards the hours required for full-time status.
*The application year applies to the fiscal year noted in the Application and Program Guidance (APG).
- Eligible for federal employment.
You should expect to serve your commitment as a salaried, non-federal employee of a public or private entity approved by the NHSC.
However, there may be vacancies that require federal employment, including a security clearance.
Note: There are additional, specific requirements for both medical students and dental students—you can find them in the NHSC S2S LRP Application and Program Guidance.
Are military reservists eligible?
Yes. Find out about specific guidelines and requirements for military reservists.
Following medical, nursing, or dental school, you must plan to train and become licensed to provide patient care in one of these disciplines and specialties:
Physicians
- Allopathic (MD)
- Osteopathic (DO)
- Family Medicine
- General Internal Medicine
- General Pediatrics
- Geriatrics
- Obstetrics/Gynecology
- Psychiatry (including Child and Adolescent Psychiatrists)
Nurse Practitioner (NP)
- Adult Practice
- Family Practice
- Pediatrics
- Women’s Health
- Psychiatry
- Geriatrics
Certified Nurse-Midwife (CNM)
Dentists
- Doctor of Dental Surgery (DDS)
- Doctor of Medicine in Dentistry (DMD)
- General Dentistry
- Pediatric Dentistry
Physician Assistant (PA)
- Adult
- Family
- Pediatric
- Women's Health
- Geriatrics