Are You Eligible for an IHS Commissioned Corps Career?
If you are considering a career with the Indian Health Service as a Commissioned Corps officer with the US Public Health Service (USPHS), you must meet all of these requirements:
- Proof of US citizenship.
- A medical physical.
- Willingness to make a minimum two-year commitment to IHS (or a four-year commitment if you are a dentist accepting the Accession Bonus).
- Be under age 44 at the time of your commission. If you are applying with active-duty time in any uniformed service, the age limit will be extended by the amount of active-duty time served. For example, if you have served three years of active duty in the Armed Forces, you may enter USPHS any time prior to your 47th birthday.
- Have a valid license from any US state; Washington, DC; Commonwealth of Puerto Rico; U.S. Virgin Islands; or Guam.
- Registered dental hygienists must hold a fully accredited bachelor’s degree in any subject and valid licensure from any US state; Washington, DC; Commonwealth of Puerto Rico; U.S. Virgin Islands; or Guam.
A desire to excel and grow as a health care provider while delivering much-needed dental care is essential to an IHS career.
