IN THE CASE OF: BOARD DATE: 28 September 2023 DOCKET NUMBER: AR20230001685 APPLICANT REQUESTS: entitlement to payment of Non-Physician Health Professions Officer (HPO) Board Certification Pay (BCP) effective January 2022. APPLICANT'S SUPPORTING DOCUMENT(S) CONSIDERED BY THE BOARD: * DD Form 149 (Application for Correction of Military Record) * Diploma, University, 31 August 2021 * Memorandum – Subject: Area of Concentration (AOC) Reclassification, 6 January 2022 * Memorandum – Subject: 66P (Family Nurse Practitioner) AOC Reclassification, 20 January 2022 * Board of Nursing – Primary Source License Verification, 2 December 2022 * Email communication FACTS: 1. The applicant states in pertinent part that she was required to submit an Exception to Policy in conjunction with her request for HPO BCP because she had exceeded the 120 days post credentialing requirement. She contests that when she initiated the process, she was advised by the Special Pay Officer that she would attempt to obtain payment of HPO BCP effective January 2022, the date that she was reclassified into the 66P AOC. However, she was later advised that they were precluded from obtaining the retroactive payment beyond the current fiscal year. She notes that she obtained her Master of Science in Nursing – Family Nurse Practitioner in August 2021 and became board certified in December 2021. After becoming board certified, she requested to be reclassified from 66H (Medical Surgical Nurse) to 66P. In January 2022, she was awarded the 66P AOC. In July 2022, she was reassigned to Fort Hood, TX, with duty as a Nurse Practitioner and began the Transition to Practice Program in August 2022 ultimately completing the program on 10 December 2022. 2. A review of the applicant's available service records reflects the following: a. On 22 August 2014, the applicant was awarded a Bachelor's in Nursing degree. b. On 21 January 2015, the applicant was appointed a Regular Army commission within the Army Nurse Corps. c. On 24 May 2018, the U.S. Army Installation Management Command issued Orders Number 144-86 reassigning the applicant to the U.S. Army Medical Department Activity (MEDDAC), Fort Polk, LA, to serve as a 66H, effective 15 August 2018. d. On 31 August 2021, the applicant was awarded a Master of Science in Nursing degree with a concentration in Family Nurse Practitioner. e. On 7 December 2021, the applicant obtained board certification as a Family Nurse Practitioner as recognized by the American Academy of Nurse Practitioners. f. On 24 March 2022, Headquarters, Joint Readiness Training Center and Fort Polk issued Orders Number 083-083 reassigning the applicant to Headquarters Company, Carl Darnall Hospital, Fort Hood, TX, to serve as a 66P, effective 31 August 2022. 3. The applicant provides: a. Memorandum – Subject: AOC Reclassification dated 6 January 2022, reflective of the approval of the applicant's submitted request to be reclassified as a 66P, effective 1 February 2022. b. Memorandum – Subject: 66P AOC Reclassification dated 20 January 2022, reflective of the Office of the Surgeon General, Family Nurse Practitioner Consultant's recommendation that the applicant participate in the Transition to Practice Program if she was going to be reassigned or realigned to serve as a 66P. c. Board of Nursing – Primary Source License Verification dated 2 December 2022, reflective of the applicant being licensed as a Registered Nurse, effective 28 July 2020. The applicant was further licensed as a Nurse Practitioner, effective 30 December 2021. d. Email communication, reflective of the applicant being advised to seek relief (payment of HPO BCP backdated to January 2022) through the Pentagon's Special Pay office; they were only permitted to provide retroactive payment back to October 2022. 4. On 24 May 2023, the Department of the Army Office of the Surgeon General provided an advisory opinion noting that the applicant is eligible to receive HPO BCP effective 1 February 2022, the effective date of her reclassification to 66P. The applicant is eligible to receive HPO BCP ($6,000.00 per year) in the amount of $4,000.00 for the 1 February 2022 – 30 September 2022 timeframe. The exact arrears payment would be determined by the Defense Finance and Accounting Service. 5. On 25 May 2023, the applicant was provided a copy of the advisory opinion and afforded 15 days to provide comments. As of 6 September 2023, the applicant had not responded. BOARD DISCUSSION: 1. After reviewing the application, all supporting documents, and the evidence found within the military record, the Board found partial relief is warranted. 2. The Board concurred with the conclusion of the advisory official that the applicant became eligible for HPO BCP on 1 February 2022, the effective date of her reclassification to AOC 66P. The Board determined she should be paid HPO BCP at the applicable rate for the period 1 February 2022 through 20 September 2022. BOARD VOTE: Mbr 1 Mbr 2 Mbr 3 : : : GRANT FULL RELIEF :X :X :X GRANT PARTIAL RELIEF : : : GRANT FORMAL HEARING : : : DENY APPLICATION ? BOARD DETERMINATION/RECOMMENDATION: 1. The Board determined the evidence presented is sufficient to warrant a recommendation for partial relief. As a result, the Board recommends that all Department of the Army records of the individual concerned be corrected by showing a request for HPO BCP was approved effective 1 February 2022. As a result of this correction the applicant should receive HPO BCP at the applicable rate for the period 1 February 2022 through 30 September 2022. 2. The Board further determined the evidence presented is insufficient to warrant a portion of the requested relief. As a result, the Board recommends denial of so much of the application that pertains to any relief in excess of that described above. I certify that herein is recorded the true and complete record of the proceedings of the Army Board for Correction of Military Records in this case. REFERENCES: 1. Title 37 United States Code, section 335 states the Secretary concerned may HPO BCP under this section to an officer in a Regular or Reserve component of a uniformed service who is entitled to basic pay under section 204 of this title or compensation under section 206 of this title; and is serving on active duty in a designated health profession specialty or skill. To receive a bonus under this section, an officer determined to be eligible for the bonus shall enter into a written agreement with the Secretary concerned that specifies, the amount of the bonus; the method of payment of the bonus under subsection (e)(2) (lump sum or installments); the period of obligated service; whether the service will be performed on active duty in an active status in or in a Reserve Component. HPO BCP under subsection (c) may not exceed $6,000.00 for each 12- month period an officer remains certified in the designated health profession specialty or skill. 2. Department of Defense 7000.14-R (Financial Management Regulation) provides that to be eligible for Board Certification Pay (BCP) payable at a rate of $6,000.00 annually (prorated monthly), Health Professions Officers must: * meet the eligibility criteria itemized in paragraph 050204 * be serving in an Active Component (AC) or a Reserve Component (RC) of a Military Service and entitled to basic pay under Title 37, USC, section 204 or compensation pursuant to 37 USC, Section 206 * be serving on active duty or in an active Reserve status in a designated health professional clinical specialty * have a post-baccalaureate degree in a clinical specialty (a post Master's certificate acceptable to the Secretary concerned can satisfy this requirement) * be certified by a professional board in a designated health profession clinical specialty //NOTHING FOLLOWS// ABCMR Record of Proceedings (cont) AR20230001685 1 ARMY BOARD FOR CORRECTION OF MILITARY RECORDS RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS 1