How to Apply for Site Recertification

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We've closed this year's NHSC-approved Sites Recertification Application Cycle, but be sure to:

Sign up to be notified when the next application cycle opens.

Read our Site Reference Guide (PDF - 808 KB) for the details on what we expect of NHSC-approved sites.
Visit Auto-Approved NHSC Sites to determine if your site is an eligible auto-approved NHSC site, and if so, what you need to do to maintain status as such. Sites eligible for auto-approval can request to become approved at any time.
Check out the information on how to maintain your NHSC-approved site status.

We require National Health Service Corps (NHSC)-approved sites—with the exception of auto-approved NHSC sites—to submit a Site Recertification Application every three years.

How to prepare for site recertification

Begin with a review of the NHSC Site Agreement (PDF - 291 KB) and the Site Reference Guide (PDF - 808 KB) to familiarize yourself with the NHSC site eligibility requirements, required documentation, and site recertification process. If you have questions about NHSC site eligibility, contact your Division of Regional Operations State/Territorial Lead.

NHSC site application sections and required documents

The NHSC site application contains eleven sections, and site applicants must provide the following required documents and information. If a required document/item is missing, we will consider the application incomplete and may not approve it. For details and additional information about these requirements, review the Site Reference Guide (PDF - 808 KB) or check out NHSC Site Eligibility Requirements. A site application is considered incomplete, and may be disapproved, if it does not contain each of the following required supporting documents.

Sliding fee discount program documents
- Policy
- Patient application
- Sliding fee schedule
- Posted signage
  - Two photographs
  - Screenshot and link to published online statement
Policies on non-discrimination
Clinician recruitment and retention plan
Proof of access to comprehensive care
Behavioral health services checklist and supporting documentation
Substance Use Disorder (SUD)/Medications for Opioid Use Disorder (MOUD) documentation (if providing these services)
Site data tables

How to submit an NHSC site recertification application

Follow these steps in the Bureau of Health Workforce (BHW) Customer Service Portal:

Log into the BHW Program Portal during an open recertification cycle.
Under “My Sites,” select the site name.
Select the option to apply for recertification.
Start the NHSC Site Recertification Application.

The NHSC Site Recertification follows the same process steps as the NHSC New Site Application.

For guidance during this process, use the Site Points of Contact User Guide (PDF).

Remember: You can only submit a recertification application if your site is currently active with an upcoming expiration date and a site recertification cycle is open.

Related resources

Site Guidance

Site Reference Guide (PDF - 808 KB)
Site Opt-In Instructions (PDF - 808 KB)
NHSC Site Agreement (PDF - 291 KB)
Behavioral Health Services Checklist (PDF - 542 KB)*
Site Data Tables (PDF - 833 KB)
Site Points of Contact User Guide (PDF)

Provider recruitment

Fact sheets

NHSC LRP Fact Sheet (PDF - 229 KB)
NHSC SUD Workforce LRP Fact Sheet (PDF - 217 KB)
NHSC Rural Community LRP Fact Sheet (PDF - 205 KB)
NHSC S2S LRP Fact Sheet (PDF)

Spanish fact sheets

NHSC S2S LRP Fact Sheet - Spanish (PDF - 76 KB)

Support network

Posters

NHSC Program Poster 11x17 Poster (PDF - 1 MB)
NHSC Program Poster 8.5x11 Poster (PDF - 932 KB)

*If you use assistive technology, you may not be able to access information in this file. For help, contact us at 800-221-9393.