Direct Commission Physician Assistant (DCPA)

Licensed physician assistants can serve full-time in the USCG Direct Commission Physician Assistant (DCPA)program.

• Career path: Your assignments joining through DCPA will be as a Physician Assistant.
• Starting rank: Up to the rank of lieutenant (O-3).
• Commitment: Three years of active duty for DCPA

Eligibility Requirements

Officer: Direct Commission Physician Assistant (DCPA)

Age:

21–41*

*on 30 Sept. of the fiscal year the selection panel convenes.

Citizenship:

Must be a U.S. citizen.

Dependents:

• Single: Any primary custody dependents require a waiver and dependent care plan.
• Married: No more than three dependents, including spouse.

GPA:

No requirement.

Education:

Must have a bachelor's degree or higher, and have successfully completed a physician associate or assistant program course approved by the Accreditation Review Commission on Education for the Physician Assistant (ARC-PA).

Military Service:

No more than 12 years of non-Coast Guard active-duty (or 14 years cumulative) military service. Members currently in another military service (or Reserve) must have an approved DD368 (conditional release).

Medical Requirements:

Must meet commissioning physical standards, including normal color vision.

Program Specific Requirements:

Must be certified by the National Commission on Certification of Physician Assistants (NCCPA), and be able to receive a state license within six months of commissioning.