Title 42, The Public Health and WelfareRelease 119-110

§295p Definitions

Title 42 › CHAPTER 6A — PUBLIC HEALTH SERVICE › SUBCHAPTER V — HEALTH PROFESSIONS EDUCATION › Part G — General Provisions › § 295p

Last updated Sep 23, 2026|Official source

Summary

Defines the key words used in this part of the law. It explains what kinds of schools and programs qualify, what counts as accredited, and who or what the other special terms mean. School of medicine, dentistry, osteopathic medicine, pharmacy, optometry, podiatric medicine, veterinary medicine, public health, and chiropractic — an accredited public or nonprofit school in a State that gives the listed professional degree and related advanced training. Graduate programs in health administration, clinical psychology, clinical social work, marriage and family therapy, and professional counseling — accredited graduate programs that lead to the named degrees or concentrations. Accredited — approved by a recognized accrediting body chosen by the Secretary of Education; a new program not yet eligible may be treated as accredited if the Secretary finds it will meet standards before the academic year after its first class would normally graduate. Teaching facilities — places used for clinical work, research, libraries, classrooms, offices, dining, student activities, and similar education needs; includes temporary facilities but not off-site land improvements or housing. Physician assistant education program — a program whose goal is to train primary care PAs who work under physician supervision and that is accredited by the Accreditation Review Commission on Education for the Physician Assistant. School of allied health — a public or nonprofit college or hospital program that trains allied health workers, trains at least 20 students (unless hospital-based), is linked to a teaching hospital, and is accredited or making satisfactory progress toward accreditation. Allied health professionals — trained health workers (not registered nurses or physician assistants) with certificates, degrees, or post-baccalaureate training who help deliver health-related services (like disease prevention, nutrition, health promotion, rehabilitation, or health systems management) and who do not hold advanced professional degrees such as MD, DO, DDS, DVM, OD, DPM, BS/Pharm or PharmD, graduate public health degrees, chiropractic, health administration, doctoral clinical psychology, social work, or counseling degrees. Medically underserved community — an urban or rural area or population that meets any of four criteria, such as being eligible as a health professional shortage area, eligible for certain community or migrant health center programs, having a shortage of personal health services under the Secretary’s rules, or being so designated by a State Governor after consulting the medical community. Department — the Department of Health and Human Services. Nonprofit — an entity whose earnings do not benefit private owners or shareholders. State — the 50 States plus the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, the Northern Mariana Islands, the Virgin Islands, Guam, American Samoa, and the Trust Territory of the Pacific Islands. Underrepresented minorities — racial and ethnic groups that are underrepresented in a health field compared to their share of the population; Asian persons are considered by subgroups. Psychologist — someone with a doctoral degree in psychology who is licensed or certified by the State to practice independently and provide diagnostic and therapeutic services. Area health education center and area health education center program — organizations and cooperative programs that run AHEC activities under awards in section 294a, identify workforce needs, and work with local workforce boards; eligible organizations include hospitals, accredited primary care training sites, accredited PA programs tied to colleges, and colleges without medical schools. Clinical social worker, cultural competency, federally qualified health center, rural health clinic, and several other terms — given either simple definitions here or defined by reference to the specific sections named in the law. Frontier health professional shortage area — an area with fewer than 6 persons per square mile and where travel distance or time to care is excessive. Health literacy — the ability to get, understand, and use health information and services to make good health choices. Mental health service professional — someone with a graduate or postgraduate degree in fields such as psychiatry, psychology, school psychology, behavioral pediatrics, psychiatric nursing, social work, substance abuse treatment, marriage and family counseling, school counseling, or professional counseling. Paraprofessional child and adolescent mental health worker — a nonprofessional first-contact worker who helps children and families seeking mental or behavioral health services, including substance abuse services. Racial and ethnic minority group/population and other cross-referenced terms — have the meanings given in the other sections cited.

Full Legal Text

Title 42, §295p

The Public Health and Welfare, Source: USLM XML via OLRC

For purposes of this subchapter:
(1)(A)The terms “school of medicine”, “school of dentistry”, “school of osteopathic medicine”, “school of pharmacy”, “school of optometry”, “school of podiatric medicine”, “school of veterinary medicine”, “school of public health”, and “school of chiropractic” mean an accredited public or nonprofit private school in a State that provides training leading, respectively, to a degree of doctor of medicine, a degree of doctor of dentistry or an equivalent degree, a degree of doctor of osteopathy, a degree of bachelor of science in pharmacy or an equivalent degree or a degree of doctor of pharmacy or an equivalent degree, a degree of doctor of optometry or an equivalent degree, a degree of doctor of podiatric medicine or an equivalent degree, a degree of doctor of veterinary medicine or an equivalent degree, a graduate degree in public health or an equivalent degree, and a degree of doctor of chiropractic or an equivalent degree, and including advanced training related to such training provided by any such school.
(B)The terms “graduate program in health administration” and “graduate program in clinical psychology” mean an accredited graduate program in a public or nonprofit private institution in a State that provides training leading, respectively, to a graduate degree in health administration or an equivalent degree and a doctoral degree in clinical psychology or an equivalent degree.
(C)The terms “graduate program in clinical social work” and “graduate program in marriage and family therapy” and “graduate program in professional counseling” mean an accredited graduate program in a public or nonprofit private institution in a State that provides training, respectively, in a concentration in health or mental health care leading to a graduate degree in social work and a concentration leading to a graduate degree in marriage and family therapy and a concentration leading to a graduate degree in counseling.
(D)The term “graduate program in behavioral health and mental health practice” means a graduate program in clinical psychology, behavioral health and mental health practice, clinical social work, professional counseling, or marriage and family therapy.
(E)The term “accredited”, when applied to a school of medicine, osteopathic medicine, dentistry, veterinary medicine, optometry, podiatry, pharmacy, public health, or chiropractic, or a graduate program in health administration, clinical psychology, clinical social work, professional counseling, or marriage and family therapy, means a school or program that is accredited by a recognized body or bodies approved for such purpose by the Secretary of Education, except that a new school or program that, by reason of an insufficient period of operation, is not, at the time of application for a grant or contract under this subchapter, eligible for accreditation by such a recognized body or bodies, shall be deemed accredited for purposes of this subchapter, if the Secretary of Education finds, after consultation with the appropriate accreditation body or bodies, that there is reasonable assurance that the school or program will meet the accreditation standards of such body or bodies prior to the beginning of the academic year following the normal graduation date of the first entering class in such school or program.
(2)The term “teaching facilities” means areas dedicated for use by students, faculty, or administrative or maintenance personnel for clinical purposes, research activities, libraries, classrooms, offices, auditoriums, dining areas, student activities, or other related purposes necessary for, and appropriate to, the conduct of comprehensive programs of education. Such term includes interim facilities but does not include off-site improvements or living quarters.
(3)Physician assistant education program.—
The term “physician assistant education program” means an educational program in a public or private institution in a State that—
(A)has as its objective the education of individuals who, upon completion of their studies in the program, be qualified to provide primary care medical services with the supervision of a physician; and
(B)is accredited by the Accreditation Review Commission on Education for the Physician Assistant.
(4)The term “school of allied health” means a public or nonprofit private college, junior college, or university or hospital-based educational entity that—
(A)provides, or can provide, programs of education to enable individuals to become allied health professionals or to provide additional training for allied health professionals;
(B)provides training for not less than a total of twenty persons in the allied health curricula (except that this subparagraph shall not apply to any hospital-based educational entity);
(C)includes or is affiliated with a teaching hospital; and
(D)is accredited by a recognized body or bodies approved for such purposes by the Secretary of Education, or which provides to the Secretary satisfactory assurance by such accrediting body or bodies that reasonable progress is being made toward accreditation.
(5)The term “allied health professionals” means a health professional (other than a registered nurse or physician assistant)—
(A)who has received a certificate, an associate’s degree, a bachelor’s degree, a master’s degree, a doctoral degree, or postbaccalaureate training, in a science relating to health care;
(B)who shares in the responsibility for the delivery of health care services or related services, including—
(i)services relating to the identification, evaluation, and prevention of disease and disorders;
(ii)dietary and nutrition services;
(iii)health promotion services;
(iv)rehabilitation services; or
(v)health systems management services; and
(C)who has not received a degree of doctor of medicine, a degree of doctor of osteopathy, a degree of doctor of dentistry or an equivalent degree, a degree of doctor of veterinary medicine or an equivalent degree, a degree of doctor of optometry or an equivalent degree, a degree of doctor of podiatric medicine or an equivalent degree, a degree of bachelor of science in pharmacy or an equivalent degree, a degree of doctor of pharmacy or an equivalent degree, a graduate degree in public health or an equivalent degree, a degree of doctor of chiropractic or an equivalent degree, a graduate degree in health administration or an equivalent degree, a doctoral degree in clinical psychology or an equivalent degree, or a degree in social work or an equivalent degree or a degree in counseling or an equivalent degree.
(6)The term “medically underserved community” means an urban or rural area or population that—
(A)is eligible for designation under section 254e of this title as a health professional shortage area;
(B)is eligible to be served by a migrant health center under section 254b of this title, a community health center under section 254c of this title, a grantee under section 254b(h) of this title (relating to homeless individuals), or a grantee under section 256a of this title (relating to residents of public housing);
(C)has a shortage of personal health services, as determined under criteria issued by the Secretary under section 1395x(aa)(2) of this title (relating to rural health clinics); or
(D)is designated by a State Governor (in consultation with the medical community) as a shortage area or medically underserved community.
(7)The term “Department” means the Department of Health and Human Services.
(8)The term “nonprofit” refers to the status of an entity owned and operated by one or more corporations or associations no part of the net earnings of which inures, or may lawfully inure, to the benefit of any private shareholder or individual.
(9)The term “State” includes, in addition to the several States, only the District of Columbia, the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, the Virgin Islands, Guam, American Samoa, and the Trust Territory of the Pacific Islands.
(10)(A)Subject to subparagraph (B), the term “underrepresented minorities” means, with respect to a health profession, racial and ethnic populations that are underrepresented in the health profession relative to the number of individuals who are members of the population involved.
(B)For purposes of subparagraph (A), Asian individuals shall be considered by the various subpopulations of such individuals.
(11)The term “psychologist” means an individual who—
(A)holds a doctoral degree in psychology; and
(B)is licensed or certified on the basis of the doctoral degree in psychology, by the State in which the individual practices, at the independent practice level of psychology to furnish diagnostic, assessment, preventive, and therapeutic services directly to individuals.
(12)Area health education center.—
The term “area health education center” means a public or nonprofit private organization that has a cooperative agreement or contract in effect with an entity that has received an award under subsection (a)(1) or (a)(2) of section 294a of this title, satisfies the requirements in section 294a(d)(1) of this title, and has as one of its principal functions the operation of an area health education center. Appropriate organizations may include hospitals, health organizations with accredited primary care training programs, accredited physician assistant educational programs associated with a college or university, and universities or colleges not operating a school of medicine or osteopathic medicine.
(13)Area health education center program.—
The term “area health education center program” means cooperative program consisting of an entity that has received an award under subsection (a)(1) or (a)(2) of section 294a of this title for the purpose of planning, developing, operating, and evaluating an area health education center program and one or more area health education centers, which carries out the required activities described in section 294a(c) of this title, satisfies the program requirements in such section, has as one of its principal functions identifying and implementing strategies and activities that address health care workforce needs in its service area, in coordination with the local workforce investment boards.
(14)Clinical social worker.—
The term “clinical social worker” has the meaning given the term in section 1395x(hh)(1) of this title.
(15)Cultural competency.—
The term “cultural competency” shall be defined by the Secretary in a manner consistent with section 300u–6(d)(3) of this title.
(16)Direct care worker.—
The term “direct care worker” has the meaning given that term in the 2010 Standard Occupational Classifications of the Department of Labor for Home Health Aides [31–1011], Psychiatric Aides [31–1013], Nursing Assistants [31–1014], and Personal Care Aides [39–9021].
(17)Federally qualified health center.—
The term “Federally qualified health center” has the meaning given that term in section 1395x(aa) of this title.
(18)Frontier health professional shortage area.—
The term “frontier health professional shortage area” means an area—
(A)with a population density less than 6 persons per square mile within the service area; and
(B)with respect to which the distance or time for the population to access care is excessive.
(19)Graduate psychology.—
The term “graduate psychology” means an accredited program in professional psychology.
(20)Health disparity population.—
The term “health disparity population” has the meaning given such term in section 299a–1(d)(1) of this title.
(21)Health literacy.—
The term “health literacy” means the degree to which an individual has the capacity to obtain, communicate, process, and understand health information and services in order to make appropriate health decisions.
(22)Mental health service professional.—
The term “mental health service professional” means an individual with a graduate or postgraduate degree from an accredited institution of higher education in psychiatry, psychology, school psychology, behavioral pediatrics, psychiatric nursing, social work, school social work, substance abuse disorder prevention and treatment, marriage and family counseling, school counseling, or professional counseling.
(23)One-stop delivery system center.—
The term “one-stop delivery system” means a one-stop delivery system described in section 3151(e) of title 29.
(24)Paraprofessional child and adolescent mental health worker.—
The term “paraprofessional child and adolescent mental health worker” means an individual who is not a mental or behavioral health service professional, but who works at the first stage of contact with children and families who are seeking mental or behavioral health services, including substance abuse prevention and treatment services.
(25)Racial and ethnic minority group; racial and ethnic minority population.—
The terms “racial and ethnic minority group” and “racial and ethnic minority population” have the meaning given the term “racial and ethnic minority group” in section 300u–6 of this title.
(26)Rural health clinic.—
The term “rural health clinic” has the meaning given that term in section 1395x(aa) of this title.

Legislative History

Notes & Related Subsidiaries

Editorial Notes

References in Text

The reference to section 254b of this title the first place appearing and the reference to section 254c of this title, referred to in par. (6)(B), were in the original references to section 329 and 330, meaning section 329 and 330 of act
July 1, 1944, which were omitted in the general amendment of subpart I (§ 254b et seq.) of part D of subchapter II of this chapter by Pub. L. 104–299, § 2, Oct. 11, 1996, 110 Stat. 3626. section 2 and 3(a) of Pub. L. 104–299 enacted new section 330 and 330A of act
July 1, 1944, which are classified, respectively, to section 254b and 254c of this title. section 256a of this title, referred to in par. (6)(B), was repealed by Pub. L. 104–299, § 4(a)(3), Oct. 11, 1996, 110 Stat. 3645.

Amendments

2014—Par. (23). Pub. L. 113–128 substituted “one-stop delivery system described in section 3151(e) of title 29” for “one-stop delivery system described in section 2864(c) of title 29”. 2010—Par. (3). Pub. L. 111–148, § 5002(b)(1), added par. (3) and struck out former par. (3) which defined “program for the training of physician assistants” by describing its objective, duration, minimum enrollment, and specific areas of instruction. Pars. (12) to (26). Pub. L. 111–148, § 5002(b)(2), added pars. (12) to (26). 2002—Par. (6)(B). Pub. L. 107–251 substituted “254b(h)” for “256”. 1998—Par. (1)(C). Pub. L. 105–392, § 108(b)(1)(A), inserted “and ‘graduate program in professional counseling’ ” before “mean an” and “and a concentration leading to a graduate degree in counseling” before period at end. Par. (1)(D). Pub. L. 105–392, § 108(a), (b)(1)(B), inserted “behavioral health and” before “mental”, “behavioral health and mental health practice,” before “clinical”, and “professional counseling,” after “social work,”. Par. (1)(E). Pub. L. 105–392, § 108(b)(1)(C), inserted “professional counseling,” after “social work,”. Par. (3). Pub. L. 105–392, § 108(d), amended par. (3) generally. Prior to amendment, par. (3) read as follows: “The term ‘program for the training of physician assistants’ means an educational program that— “(A) has as its objective the education of individuals who will, upon completion of their studies in the program, be qualified to provide primary health care under the supervision of a physician; and “(B) meets

Regulations

prescribed by the Secretary in accordance with section 293n(b) of this title.” Par. (5)(C). Pub. L. 105–392, § 108(b)(2), inserted “or a degree in counseling or an equivalent degree” before period at end. Par. (6)(D). Pub. L. 105–392, § 108(c), added subpar. (D). Par. (11). Pub. L. 105–392, § 108(e), added par. (11).

Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries

Effective Date

of 2014 AmendmentAmendment by Pub. L. 113–128 effective on the first day of the first full program year after
July 22, 2014 (
July 1, 2015), see section 506 of Pub. L. 113–128, set out as an

Effective Date

note under section 3101 of Title 29, Labor. Reference to Community, Migrant, Public Housing, or Homeless Health Center Considered Reference to Health CenterReference to community health center, migrant health center, public housing health center, or homeless health center considered reference to health center, see section 4(c) of Pub. L. 104–299, set out as a note under section 254b of this title.

Executive Documents

Termination of Trust Territory of the Pacific Islands For termination of Trust Territory of the Pacific Islands, see note set out preceding section 1681 of Title 48, Territories and Insular Possessions.

Reference

Citations & Metadata

Citation

42 U.S.C. § 295p

Title 42, The Public Health and Welfare

Last Updated

Sep 23, 2026

Release point: 119-110