§303b Waiver of Board Certification Requirements

Operation Desert Storm Duty Assignments Pub. L. 102–25, title III, § 305, Apr. 6, 1991, 105 Stat. 82, provided that: “(a) Certification Interrupted by Operation Desert Storm.—A member of the Armed Forces described in subsection (b) who completes the board certification or recertification requirements specified in section 302(a)(5), 302b(a)(5), 302c(c)(3), or 302c(d)(4) of title 37, United States Code, before the end of the period established for the member in subsection (c) shall be paid special pay under section 302(a)(5), 302b(a)(5), 302c(c)(3), or 302c(d)(4) of such title (whichever applies) for active duty performed after November 5, 1990, and before the date of that certification and recertification if the Secretary of Defense determines that the member was unable to schedule or complete that certification or recertification earlier because of a duty assignment in connection with Operation Desert Storm. “(b) Eligible Members Described.—A member of the Armed Forces referred to in subsection (a) is a member who—“(1) is a medical or dental officer or a nonphysician health care provider; “(2) has completed any required residency training; and “(3) was, except for the board certification requirement, otherwise eligible for special pay under section 302(a)(5), 302b(a)(5), 302c(c)(3), or 302c(d)(4) of such title during the duty assignment in connection with Operation Desert Storm. “(c) Period for Certification.—The period referred to in subsection (a) for completion of board certification or recertification requirements with respect to a member of the Armed Forces is the 180-day period (extended for such additional time as the Secretary of Defense determines to be appropriate) beginning on the date that the member is released from the duty to which the member was assigned in connection with Operation Desert Storm.”