Commissioned Corps
Commissioned Corps officers of the Public Health Service, including those who are professionally boarded, can apply for Federal Government jobs without competing with the general public. However, this doesn't guarantee a job. You still need to meet job qualifications, go through the selection, and satisfy other requirements like background checks.
For active Commissioned Corps officers applying for a job
If you want to stay as a Commissioned Corps officer and apply for NIH jobs, you can get what's called a "courtesy referral." This means you can be considered for the position without having to compete with the general public and does not provide civil service status.
| Grade | Rank | Civilian Equivalent |
|---|---|---|
| O-2 | Lieutenant Jr. Grade (LTJG) | GS-7 |
| O-3 | Lieutenant (LT) | GS-9/10/11 |
| O-4 | Lieutenant Commander (LCDR) | GS-12 |
| O-5 | Commander (CDR) | GS-13 |
| O-6 | Captain (CAPT) | GS-14/15 |
Professional categories of public health service:
Dentist, Dietician, Engineer, Environmental Health, Health Services, Medical, Nurse, Pharmacist, Scientist, Therapist, Veterinarian.
More details can be found on the Public Health Service Career Fields page.
Required documentation
- For Active Duty USPHS Officers: Your latest Personnel Order (PHS-7063).
- For USPHS CAD Candidates: Medical and Professional Boarding notifications instead of PHS-7063.
- A professional resume (not PHS CV). Follow NIH Resume guidelines.
- Transcripts, licenses, or certifications if requested. Unofficial transcripts or course lists are acceptable, but official ones are needed if selected.
- A cover letter is optional but recommended.
- Submit all documents by the announcement's closing date. Incomplete applications might not be considered.
For questions, contact the NIH Commissioned Corps Liaison Team.
Last Updated: