National Health Service Corps (NHSC)
This website provides information on the minimum Health Professional Shortage Area score for scholarship participants in the final year of health professions training.
Final
Issued by: Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA)
Issue Date: June 01, 2019
Health Professional Shortage Area (HPSA) Score - Class Year 2020
For class year 2020, priority for assignment of NHSC Scholarship-obligated Corps personnel (NHSC scholars) at NHSC-approved sites is as follows:
- Primary medical care HPSAs with scores of 19 and above are authorized for the assignment of NHSC scholars who are primary care physicians, primary care nurse practitioners, or primary care physician assistants; primary medical care HPSAs with scores of 16 and above are authorized for the assignment of NHSC scholars who are certified nurse midwives.
- Mental health HPSAs with scores of 21 and above are authorized for the assignment of NHSC scholars who are psychiatrists; mental health HPSAs with scores of 19 and above are authorized for the assignment of NHSC scholars who are mental health nurse practitioners or mental health physician assistants; and
- Dental HPSAs with scores of 19 and above are authorized for the assignment of NHSC scholars who are dentists.
The NHSC has determined that the minimum HPSA scores listed above for all service-ready NHSC scholars will enable it to meet its statutory obligation to identify a number of entities eligible for NHSC scholar assignment that is at least equal to, but not greater than, twice the number of NHSC scholars available to serve in the 2020 class year.
NHSC entities wishing to have a site’s HPSA score reevaluated in order to meet the minimum score requirement for NHSC scholar service must provide additional data and information in writing no later than June 30, 2019. Generally, a site can only hire one NHSC scholar in a class year. Entities wishing to request an additional scholar for one of their NHSC-approved sites must complete an Additional Scholar Request Form (PDF - 227 KB).
NHSC-approved sites that do not meet the HPSA score requirements for NHSC scholars may post job openings on the Health Workforce Connector, which connects sites with thousands of job seekers, including NHSC Loan Repayment Program and Nurse Corps participants. However, sites must be aware that such openings are not available for scholar placement in this class year.
DISCLAIMER: The contents of this database lack the force and effect of law, except as authorized by law (including Medicare Advantage Rate Announcements and Advance Notices) or as specifically incorporated into a contract. The Department may not cite, use, or rely on any guidance that is not posted on the guidance repository, except to establish historical facts.