Interservice Physician Assistant Program (IPAP)

The Interservice Physician Assistant Program (IPAP), is an accredited program dedicated to those serving in the United States military to further their medical education and become a Physician Assistant (PA)

 

Program Details: 

The IPAP program has 3 class dates each FY (JAN/APR/AUG) and is a full-time program with a duration of 29 months.

It is comprised of two phases:

• Phase I is a 16-month long academic training phase that is conducted at Fort Sam Houston, Texas.

• Phase II is a 13-month clinical phase and will be at one of 23 Army, Navy, and Air Force military medical treatment facilities.

• IPAP is affiliated with the University of Nebraska Medical Center (UNMC). Successful completion of Phase II culminates in the award of a Master of Physician Assistant Studies (MPAS) degree from UNMC.

• Upon successful completion of the program, you will be accessed into the Army Medical Specialist Corps (SP Corps) as a Physician Assistant (65D).

Course Prerequisites   

  • Minimum 60 Semester Hours (SH) of college course work.
  • 30 SH can be any classes or credit for military training (ex. JST transcripts)
  • Enlisted applicants must submit their official JST to the University of Nebraska
  • The following 30 Semester Hours (SH) must be in residence with an accredited institution classroom or online course.
  • A letter grade of C or better must be obtained. (C- or lower will not count)
    • 6 hours of English (3 SH writing/composition) - CLEP is authorized.
    • 6 hours of Humanities - Any government, history, foreign language, art, social science and religion
    • 3 hours of Psychology- Any type, introductory courses WILL count
    • 6 hours of Chemistry (courses completed Fall 2020 and after)
      • Must be General Chemistry or higher
      • Introduction to Chemistry will NOT count.
      • Must be within 8 years of starting school, recommend within 5 years and lab is not required but highly recommended.
    • 3 hours of Human Anatomy (courses completed Fall 2019 and after)
      • This can be a combined Anatomy & Physiology I class.
      • Must be within 8years of starting school, recommend within 5 years and lab is not required but highly recommended.
    • 3 hours of Human Physiology (courses completed Fall 2019 and after)
      • This can be a combined Anatomy & Physiology II class.
      • Must be within 8years of starting school, recommend within 5 years and lab is not required but highly recommended.
    • 3 hours of College Algebra or higher math – Statistics, Intro or Intermediate algebra will NOT count - CLEP authorized.
    • Medical Terminology course within 5 years (Fall 2021 and after) – can take on ATIS (Search Basic Medical Technology)
    • There is no waiver available for these required courses.

Tuition Assistance Memos

  • The University of Nebraska completes the Tuition Assistance Memos
  • Complete the University of Nebraska's online IPAP Transcript Evaluation/TA Memo Request Form.  The following information is needed on the form:
    • Full Name
    • Contact Information
    • Branch of the US Military
    • Separate transcript for each institution attended (official transcripts aren't needed for this request)
    • JST (Joint Services Transcript)
    • DO NOT send transcripts and JST as emails.  They need to be uploaded in the form.
  • Use the link to complete the IPAP Transcript Evaluation/TA Memo Request Form: 

                            IPAP Transcript Evaluation/ TA Memo Request Form

  • TA memos are completed in the order they are received.  It may take 2 weeks before you receive your completed memo.
  • For more information see your local education center

MOS Related Course Credit

  • 68K (Medical Laboratory Specialist) and 68Q (Pharmacy Specialist) will receive 6 hours of General Chemistry credit.
  • 68X (Behavioral Health Specialist) will receive 3 hours of Psychology credit
  • 18D (Special Forces Medic), 68WM6/68C (Licensed Practical Nurse), 38BW4 (Special Operations Civil Affairs Medical Sergeant), and 68W with the W1 skill identifier after completion of the Special Operations Combat Medic (SOCM) course will receive 3 hours of Human Anatomy and Physiology I or Human Anatomy and Physiology II credit, as applicable.
  •  66S (Critical Care Nurse) and 66T (Emergency Medicine Nurse) will receive 6 hours of Human Anatomy and Physiology credit. 
  • These applicants must have completed their training within 8 years of IPAP (Fall 2019 and after) to be accepted.

GPA Requirements

  • A Minimum Science GPA of 3.0 is required in all sciences
    • The Science Courses included in the Science GPA will be completed within 8  years of the start of IPAP (Fall 2018 and after).
    • See the link to the right under Additional Resources for a list of eligible Science Courses.
  • A Minimum Cumulative GPA of 2.5.
  • Applicants must meet GPA requirements by application deadline 1 March 2026. Coursework completed after 1 March 2026 will NOT count toward the GPA.
  • There is NO grade replacement for FY26 Applicants.
  • The University of Nebraska will do the GPA calculations for us after the application deadline.
  • If you want to calculate your GPA early you are welcome to find a GPA calculator online, or you can use the one available in the IPAP online application Help Center: 

SAT Requirement

  • SAT required within 5 years of application (1 March 2021or after)
  • Minimum score of 450 in reading and math
  • Minimum cumulative score of 1000 is required in the reading and math sections.
  • Enter code “3994” on SAT test form.
  • USAREC MUST receive your official scores for your packet to board.
  • REQUIRED FOR ALL APPLICANTS REGARDLESS OF PREVIOUS DEGREE
          • GRE, ACT, MCAT, etc WILL NOT COUNT

PA-CAT (Physician Assistant College Admissions Test)

  • All Applicants must submit scores by selecting US Army Reserves, US Army Active Duty or US Army National Guard when completing registration
  • No minimum score requirement
  • ​​​​Take the PA-CAT by application deadline of 1 March 2026
  • The PA-CAT website offers a virtual option for testing when you register
  • Exam Master has been added to Army COOL so Credentialing Assistance (CA) Funds can be used to pay for the PA-CAT.
    • You will need to be eligible for CA funds use and submit a request for funds.
    • Funds will not reimburse you for a test you have already registered and/or paid for.

 

Shadowing Requirement 

  • A minimum of 80 hours of Shadowing required with a Physician Assistant
  • Annotated on USAREC Form 601-37.11
  • More is recommended. Ensure recommenders state the actual number of hours completed rather than stating "over 80 hours".

Application window:

TXARNG Soldiers:

Packets due to Specialty Branch office between 1 October 2025 - 1 February 2026

Waivers MUST be APPROVED PRIOR to final packet submission to the Specialty Branch office. Incomplete or late packets will not be accepted. 

IPAP Board: June 2026 

IPAP Results Release: July 2026

IPAP Application Documents

Points of Contact

Specialty Branch NCOIC

SFC Kassidy A Palmer

(512) 673-0517

kassidy.a.palmer.mil@army.mil 

Specialty Branch Distro

ng.tx.txarng.mbx.rr-osm-sb@army.mil

Army Physician Assistant (IPAP) General Information

https://recruiting.army.mil/armypa/

FAQs

The PA-CAT is the Physician Assistant College Admission Test.  The purpose of the exam is to demonstrate knowledge in PA school prerequisite courses.  There is no minimum score required for IPAP applicants because the test is relatively new, however the test developers have demonstrated a correlation between high scores on this exam and success in PA school.  The SP Corps is hoping to decrease the attrition rate in Phase 1 of IPAP by selecting those students most well prepared.  The PA-CAT is one of the tools being used to assist in that endeavor

Yes, All the services who send students to IPAP (Coast Guard, Navy, Army and Air Force) have an agreement that requires the SAT be taken within 5 years of IPAP.  Because of this agreement, we cannot do away with the SAT requirement

The program length is 29 months. The first 66 weeks is a didactic phase in Fort Sam Houston.  Phase 2 is a clinical phase for 57 weeks at one of several clinical sites.

Army National Guard IPAP Service Obligation is 6 years SELRES, 2 years IRR for a total of 8 years. 

No, the Service Obligations are paid back “first incurred, first served” and IPAP will not count towards payback, for another ADSO.

Yes, graduates of IPAP are required to take the PA National Certifying Exam (PANCE).  This is the same exam civilian graduates take.  Upon completion of the Service Obligation, the IPAP degree and PANCE certification would allow you to work Nationwide.

Yes, the SAT is required for all applicants.

No, all applicants must have an SAT score that meets the minimum requirements within 5 years of the board.

No – The only courses with a time limit are Anatomy and Physiology I & II (or Human Anatomy and Human Physiology) and General Chemistry 1 & 2.  These must be completed within 8 years and cannot be waivered.

The medical terminology course must be within 5 years of IPAP.  This course can be done on A by searching for “Basic Medical Terminology”.  Include your completion certificate in your application.

Yes. 

No, your education center and COC can help you raise your score.

No

Your IPAP application to USAREC should have unofficial copies of ALL transcripts from any college and or university attended. You must complete the academic evaluation via UNMC online and request all official transcripts for their use.

Yes, all the prerequisite requirements can be completed online through an accredited University (ex. American Military University, University of Phoenix, Thomas Edison State College etc.)  None of the prerequisites require a lab, but it is highly recommended.  There are several colleges that offer A&P and Chemistry online.  UNMC does not count chemistry courses taken from Kaplan or Sophia!!

You must take the College Composition Exam and score over 50 to get credit for 6 hours of English.  Official scores must be sent to USAREC and UNMC.

No AP credits will be applied. You may CLEP College Algebra as well.  You must submit the CLEP grade evaluation with your application packet to USAREC and UNMC. 

No, academic delay allows soldiers to apply to IPAP, if they are only missing 9 SH or less (of any of the pre-requisite courses) and they can complete the course work NLT 1 Oct, (of the board year in which applying). An academic delay status doesn't decrease your chances of being selected.  In fact, many primary selectees are academic delays.  The application is the same, except for the fact that you must submit a memo in your packet identifying the school, course and timeline that you plan on completing the course work by. It is always better to be fully qualified, but this is an option that will still allow you to compete for this year's board!

Yes, GPA is only one element of your packet.  The board looks at everything to include, letters of recommendation, previous performance, SAT Scores etc. The average GPA of personnel boarded and selected is generally a 3.4, but several Soldiers were selected with 2.75, with a VERY STRONG SAT!  The PA-CAT scores can also be a great way to show the board you have an understanding of the science subjects even if your GPA is not as high.

No, only the AP I & II and general chemistry I and II courses have a time requirement.

No, college Algebra or higher math will work.

We do not have the staff to follow up on all individual documents received. Once your full packet is received and processed, we will send out an email with missing documents.

 

Foreign transcripts need to be evaluated by a company that translates credit.  Examples are World Education Services (WES) or Educational Credential Evaluators.

Yes, all applicants must complete these forms.  Examples of the forms are on the website.

You must submit ALL documentation with your initial packet, which is due at USAREC NLT 1 March of each year.  Don't wait to submit your packet if you have all documents complete.  Send it in ASAP, so that our Team can start reviewing and providing you with feedback. The earlier that you submit your application - the better! 

Consider asking your COC to conduct unofficial OER/NCOER's or provide counseling that address leadership.  We recommended enlisted applicants without any NCOER’s get a letter of character from their 1SG.

Officers receive constructive credit for their Commissioned Service IAW DODI 6000.13 upon successful completion of IPAP.  Essentially day for day credit, while in IPAP and One-half day of credit for each day of active commissioned service (AD and full-time National Guard duty) as a commissioned officer but not in the profession in which the person is being appointed.

To improve your chances of acceptance, consider the following: 

1) Ensure your combined, (Critical Reading and Math Score) on the SAT score is > 1000. 

2) If you are not medical, take the CLS course, CPR Course, EMT, volunteer at your local clinic, Etc.... 

3) All soldiers must have a PA Letter of recommendation. Consider having more than one PA write you a letter of recommendation, if possible.  Additionally try to have more than the minimum shadowing hours.

4) Follow the instructions with the annual FY message and check your WORK! 

5) SIGN all of the documents in your application packet and have someone proof read the packet, (especially the letter of intent). 

6) Get an Army PA to be your mentor and help you through the application process but ensure to follow up with the USAREC program manager, if there are any questions.

7) Ensure you complete the University of Nebraska application online as instructed in the FY MILPER message.

No, USAR/NG Soldiers can only apply for a USAR training slots and Active-Duty Soldiers can only apply for AD training slots.

No

Yes, all officers, warrant officers and enlisted Soldiers are eligible to apply for IPAP.  Each year the board selected many different AOC/MOS’s.

Applicants must commission by the age of 42 for active duty and 47 for Reservists.  Waivers are considered on a case-by-case basis.  Once a complete application is received at USAREC, the waiver request is submitted.