Physician Assistant Prerequisites and Requirements

Prerequisites

In order to be eligible for entrance into the InterService Physician Assistant Program (IPAP), you must:

  1. Be a member of the Army National Guard with at least one year of service with the Army National Guard. Officer applicants are limited to company grade or lower (2LT - CPT) who will have 12 years or less total commissioned service when their class starts.  The Adjutant General can waive the one-year of service.
  2. Be projected to fill a valid PA vacancy upon completion of the program or completed a memorandum signed by the applicant and the applicant’s MILPO indicating that, upon graduation, if there are no vacancies in their state the individual will participate in the national cross-leveling program, ATTAIN.
  3. Not be older than 48 years of age at the time of commission. An approved age waiver is necessary prior to board review for any applicant over the age of 33. Certain states may have different age restrictions. Please check with your local recruiter.
  4. Achieve a general technical (GT) score of 110 or higher.
  5. Upon acceptance into the IPAP training program, extend your current enlistment for a period to expire not less than the projected completion date of the training program. Also, IAW AR 135-91, Table 2-1, graduates incur a six-year military service obligation.
  6. Meet all of the eligibility criteria for appointment as a commissioned officer IAW AR 135-100, AR 135-101, and NGR 600-100.

In addition:

  • All applicants with a P3 profile are ineligible to apply.
  • Personnel applying from other services and ROTC can only apply for Active Duty Army training seats and will be transferred to the Army upon acceptance to IPAP.
  • National Guard personnel selected for the IPAP are exempt from stop loss, stop movement, and life cycle unit requirements.
  • Civilian Personnel are not eligible to apply for IPAP.
  • Deferment is authorized, provided it will not cause the Soldier to lose eligibility to attend the course.  Soldiers must request Deferment in writing.
  • All applicants must be eligible for the granting of a security clearance at the SECRET level and must provide evidence of having initiated the application for a security clearance at the SECRET level with the application.
  • National Guard Soldiers are not eligible for the Requirements Completion Course (RCC) unless they apply for an Active Duty training slot.

Desired Experience

  • At least 24 months experience in a civilian, medically-oriented position.
  • All Soldiers who otherwise meet the basic eligibility criteria may apply, regardless of their enlisted MOS or branch.

Basic Education Requirements

  1. Applicants must have at least 60 transferable credit hours from an accredited college/university, of which a minimum of 30 credit hours must have been completed in-residence. Applicants should have maintained a Grade Point Average (GPA) of 2.5 in resident courses.
  2. The requirement for 60 credit hours includes completion of the courses listed below in-residence (including online courses) except the mandatory courses listed (1-8 below). All transcripts submitted for evaluation should be Original Official from every college attended. Only grades of "C" or better are transferable. Applicants must have a minimum cumulative grade point average (GPA) of 2.5 from all colleges and universities attended, and a minimum GPA of 2.5 for all science courses. The GPA requirement can not be waived.
  3. All applicants must complete an Academic Worksheet. Transfer credit awarded by another college/university other than the affiliate university will not be accepted. Correspondence courses, College Level Examination Program (CLEP), and credit granted for military experience from MOS training do not meet the criteria for in-resident semester hours. Coursework must have an associated letter grade (Pass/Fail will not be adequate to meet the requirement).

    The following are NOT ACCEPTED as in-residence hours:

    • MOS or other military service training
    • AARTS (Army/American Council on Education Registry Transcript System)
    • College Level Examination Program (CLEP)
    • Defense Activity for Nontraditional Education Support (DANTES)
    • Correspondence courses
    • ACT-Proficiency Examination Program
    • Regents or Excelsior College credit for examination, other examination for credit, or other programs that do not award semester or quarter hours of credit and a letter grade of “C” or better
  4. Transfer credits listed on a college transcript from any of the preceding also do not qualify as in-residence hours. The prerequisite courses must be complete and presented on an official transcript prior to being submitted to the board. Online courses are considered as in-residence.
  5. Applicants are strongly encouraged to repeat any of the mandatory science courses (Anatomy, Physiology and Chemistry) that were completed greater than 5 years ago, but they will be accepted as long as they are not older than 10 years. Other coursework can be older than 10 years. In-residence hours are defined as academic work completed by class attendance or by a graded distance learning course that is an accredited college or university recognized by the affiliate university. The applicant must have completed the following mandatory, non-waiverable, courses in-residence:
    1. Three (3) semester hours of English Composition I (CLEP will be considered for English I)
    2. Three (3) semester hours of English Composition II (CLEP will be considered for English II)
    3. Six (6) semester hours of Humanities/Social Sciences, i.e. History (including Western Civilization), Ethics, government, political science, art, and language courses. The affiliate university is the factor.
    4. Three (3) semester hours of Human Anatomy (lab not required)
    5. Three (3) semester hours of Human Physiology (lab not required). The combination of Anatomy and Physiology courses is acceptable.
      NOTE: A single 4 SH A&P I course is equivalent to 2 SH Anatomy and 2 SH of Physiology. Therefore applicants must take the follow-on A&P II course to gain a minimum of 3 SH in Anatomy and 3SH in Physiology. If you take a 3-4 SH course in Human Anatomy, then take a 3-4 SH course in Human Physiology separately.
    6. Six (6) semester hours of General Chemistry, Organic, Inorganic, or Biochemistry (lab not required). Introductory courses are not acceptable.
    7. Three (3) semester hours of Algebra (or other higher level math course, i.e. Statistics)
    8. Three (3) semester hours of Psychology (any Psychology-acceptable course, including Intro to Psychology, Behavioral Psychology, etc.)
  6. Historically, academic failures in the IPAP were due to students lacking a fundamental knowledge base in anatomy/ physiology, chemistry, and mathematics. Therefore, applications will not be accepted from those who lack criteria as listed above.
  7. Applications will not be accepted from Soldiers who are currently enrolled in school, or attempting to complete the mandatory civilian education requirements. All requirements must be met prior to submission of packet. The remaining 30 semester hours may be derived from examinations offered by:
    • the CLEP general and subject examinations
    • DANTES
    • ACT-Proficiency Examination Program
    • Correspondence courses
    • AARTS
    • MOS or other military training
    • Regents or examination-for-credit or in-resident attendance
  8. All applicants without a BS degree must submit an official AARTS transcript. To request an institutional AARTS transcript, mail or fax a written, signed request or completed DA Form 5454-R and forward to:
    • AARTS Operations Center
    • 415 McPherson Avenue
    • Fort Leavenworth, KS 66027-1373.
    • Fax: (913) 684-2011.
    • Applicants can also request a transcript online at: http://aarts.army.mil/.
    • Military training and experience may be evaluated for award of credit by submission of an official AARTS transcript.
  9. Credit for MOS-related training and experience may not be applied to the 30 SH of specific prerequisite coursework, except in the following cases:
    • 68WK (Lab Technicians) will receive 6 hours of Chemistry Credit
    • 18D Special Forces Medics and 68WM6 (LPN) will receive 3 Hours of Anatomy credit
    No other MOS training will be accepted. The actual credit will be determined by the University of Nebraska at the time of official review. Other credit may be applied to the 30 SH of additional coursework as determined by the degree-issuing institution. An official record or transcript must be provided from the examining agency. For example, the applicant must provide an official CLEP score report for verification of CLEP scores.
  10. All applicants, regardless of degree status, must take the Scholastic Aptitude Test (SAT) within five years of the fiscal year of application (1 Mar). The minimum score must be 500 in each section of the exam and the applicant must have a combined Critical Reading and Math score of no less than 1000. The SAT may not be substituted with another college aptitude exam, i.e. GRE, MCAT or ACT. Scholastic Aptitude Test (SAT)—Version One is the test of choice. Allow a minimum of 8 weeks for the College Board to grade the examination. Army Education Centers can assist with the completion of the SAT requirement, and in many cases, offer the examination for free.

Application Packet Assembly

  1. Assemble application packets in an any color two-sided folder. Secure a label on a blank sheet of white paper with the Soldier’s Name, SSN and National Guard State affiliation, along with the email address of the AMEDD Recruiter who is forwarding the packet to NGB, on the left side of the two-sided folder with a two-prong fastener. Notebooks will not be used.
  2. Assemble packets using the IPAP Checklist  on top, with all documents/tabs on the right side of the folder. Documents printed landscape should be so oriented that the paper's top edge is toward the center of the folder.
  3. The packet should be set up as outlined in enclosure 2, using tabs lettered as shown (A-U). Only the appropriate materials will be under each tab. If the indicated information does not apply, indicate under the tab, "This Tab is Not Applicable" on a sheet of plain white paper. By doing so, you will communicate to the board that the tab was not used, nor overlooked.
  4. Certify copies of professional certifications or licenses as "true copies".
  5. Utilize a one- to two-page Biographical Sketch/Summary (IAW NGR [AR] 600-200 or NGR [AR] 600-100, as applicable), only to provide the board with more detail about the applicant's experience.
  6. F.    An official DA photograph (if deployed and an official DA Photo is not available in the U.S., you may submit a 5"X8" photo in ACU/DCUS).                    

Waivers

ALL waivers must be approved prior to submitting application packets. Request for waivers must be sent to NGB-ASM-O (AMEDD).

Screening

Prior to submission of an application packet, the state will subject each applicant to a screening process to ensure Federal Recognition eligibility and appointment into a MTOE/TDA assignment, upon course completion. A memorandum signed by the State Personnel Officer will be placed in the applicant's packet under the appropriate tab, indicating the applicant was screened and is eligible to be commissioned, upon completion of the course. A statement similar to the following should be included in the memorandum:

"This memorandum is written to certify that, if selected, SSG Applicant is eligible for appointment as a First Lieutenant in the Army Medical Specialist Corps (SP) as a 65D, Physician Assistant upon completion of IPAP, Interservice Physician Assistant Program. SSG Applicant understands that prior to the start of the program, he/she must meet all requirements to make application for this program, as well as meeting the administrative prerequisites for appointment upon completion of the school IAW all applicable regulations and references. (NGB-ART memo, AR 135-100, AR 135-101, Chapter 2, AR 40-501, and NGR 600-100). SSG Applicant also agrees to contact their state 45 days prior to completion of Phase II to ensure that proper coordination has been made for the completion of the federal recognition process. "

or

"This memorandum is written to certify that, if selected, Officer Applicant is eligible for appointment in the Army Medical Specialist Corps (SP) as a 65D, Physician Assistant upon completion of IPAP, Interservice Physician Assistant Program. Officer Applicant understands that prior to the start of the program, he/she will be conditionally re-appointed as an Army Medical Specialist Corps Officer, AOC OOE65, and that he/she meets all requirements to make application for this program, as well as meeting the administrative prerequisites for appointment upon completion of the school IAW all applicable regulations and references. (NGB-ART memo, AR 135-100, AR 135-101, Chapter 2, AR 40-501, and NGR 600-100)."

  1. Enlisted Soldiers (E1-E5) will attend the program in a commissioned officer candidate status (SGT/E-5). However, they are neither enrolled in nor participants in the Army Officer Candidate School (OCS) Program (AR 351-5). Rather, it ensures equality among students during training and identifies students as future officers in training. SGT/E-5 and above will attend in their current grade. Upon successful completion of Phase 2 training, an eligible graduate may be tendered an appointment as a commissioned officer in the Army Medical Specialist (SP) Corps. The appointment includes the designation in the area of concentration (AOC) 65D, SP.  Each SP officer will then be required to complete the AMEDD Officer Basic Course (OBC) at Fort Sam Houston, Texas. Soldiers attending IPAP incur a six-year ARNG service obligation following successful completion of Phase 2. Applicants cannot attend the Army National Guard IPAP program with the intention of requesting an Active Duty assignment in the Regular Army upon completion of the IPAP program.
  2. Warrant officers will attend the program in their current warrant officer grade.
    1. Upon successful completion of Phase 2 training, an eligible graduate will be tendered an appointment as a commissioned officer (1LT/02) in the Army Medical Specialist (SP) Corps. The appointment includes the designation in the area of concentration (AOC) 65D. Each SP officer will then be required to complete the AMEDD Officer Basic Course (OBC) at Fort Sam Houston, Texas.
    2. Upon appointment, the officer incurs a six year Army National Guard Service Obligation beyond the date of successful completion of Phase 2. Any calculated service obligation remaining from prior warrant officer appointment will be served consecutively with service obligations incurred as a result of IPAP participation and it will be served “First incurred, first served." Time spent in the IPAP will not be used to satisfy any outstanding service obligation. Applicants cannot attend the Army National Guard IPAP program with the intention of requesting an Active Duty assignment in the Regular Army upon completion of the IPAP program.
  3. Commissioned Officers attending IPAP must be conditionally re-appointed to the SP Corps (Primary AOC OOE65) no earlier than 30 days prior to the start of their class. Officers will report with the Army Medical Specialist Corps Branch insignia on their uniform. They will also report with their new rank after calculation of their constructive credit, per DoDI 6000.13. Date of rank for re-appointment will be the first day of the time period on PCS ADT orders to IPAP or no earlier than 30 days prior to the scheduled start date of course. IAW AR 135-91, Table 2-1, ARNG graduates of the IPAP course incur a 6-year ARNG military service obligation. The examples provided below demonstrate the phase lines for re-appointment:

    2LT with a total of 2 years commissioned service:

    • ½ credit = 1 year commissioned service
    • Would remain a 2LT with 1 year time in grade

    1LT with a 3 total years of commissioned service:

    • ½ credit = 18 months commissioned service
    • Would remain a 1LT but would have no time in grade

    CPT with 3 years time in grade and a total of 7 years commissioned service:

    • ½ credit = 3.5 years commissioned service
    • Would be conditionally re-appointed as a 1LT with 1½ years time in grade

    Phase Lines for Appointment for Specialist Corps

    • Under 18 months - 2LT
    • 18 months credit - 1LT
    • 7 years credit – CPT

IAW AR 135-91, Table 2-1, ARNG graduates of the IPAP course incur a 6-year ARNG military service obligation.  Applicants cannot attend the Army National Guard IPAP program with the intention of requesting an Active Duty assignment in the Regular Army upon completion of the IPAP program.

Promotion:

  1. Enlisted:  Enlisted Soldiers will attend the program in a commissioned officer candidate status. However, they are neither enrolled in, nor participants of, the Army Officer Candidate School (OCS) Program and subsequently are not eligible for promotion while attending IPAP.
  2. Officers:  Commissioned officers attend IPAP as conditional appointees (00E65/SP). Promotion from 2LT to CPT while attending IPAP as a conditional appointee is authorized provided the officer has met the time in grade requirements (24 months) and has graduated from an Officer Basic Course (OBC).
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