---
kind: "section"
citation: "42 U.S.C. § 247"
title: "42"
title_heading: "The Public Health and Welfare"
number: "247"
heading: "Assisting veterans with military emergency medical training to meet requirements for becoming civilian health care professionals"
release: "119-102"
date: "2026-07-12"
url: "https://uscodex.org/usc/42/247"
units:
  - "Chapter 6A — Public Health Service"
  - "Subchapter II — General Powers and Duties"
  - "Part B — Federal-State Cooperation"
---

# §247. Assisting veterans with military emergency medical training to meet requirements for becoming civilian health care professionals

- (a) **Program—**
  - (1) **In general—** The [Secretary](/usc/42/201.md?p=c) may establish a [program](/usc/42/274l–1.md?p=4), in consultation with the [Secretary](/usc/42/201.md?p=c) of Labor, consisting of awarding demonstration grants to [States](/usc/42/201.md?p=f) to streamline [State](/usc/42/201.md?p=f) requirements and procedures in order to assist veterans who held certain military occupational specialties related to [medical care](/usc/42/300gg–91.md?p=a-2) or who have completed certain medical training while serving in the Armed Forces of the United States to meet certification, licensure, and other requirements applicable to civilian health care professions (such as emergency medical technician, paramedic, licensed practical nurse, registered nurse, physical therapy assistant, or physician assistant professions) in the [State](/usc/42/201.md?p=f).
  - (2) **Consultation and collaboration—** In determining the eligible military occupational specialties or training courses and the assistance required as described in [paragraph (1)](#a-1), the [Secretary](/usc/42/201.md?p=c) shall consult with the [Secretary](/usc/42/201.md?p=c) of Defense, the [Secretary](/usc/42/201.md?p=c) of Veterans Affairs, and the Assistant [Secretary](/usc/42/201.md?p=c) of Labor for Veterans’ Employment and Training, and shall collaborate with the initiatives carried out under [section 4114 of title 38](/usc/38/4114.md) and sections 1142 through 1144 of title 10.
- (b) **Use of funds—** Amounts received as a demonstration grant under this section shall be used to—
  - (1) prepare and implement a plan to streamline [State](/usc/42/201.md?p=f) requirements and procedures as described in [subsection (a)](#a), including by—
    - (A) determining the extent to which the requirements for the education, training, and skill level of civilian health care professions (such as emergency medical technicians, paramedics, licensed practical nurses, registered nurses, physical therapy assistants, or physician assistants) in the [State](/usc/42/201.md?p=f) are equivalent to requirements for the education, training, and skill level of veterans who served in medical related fields while a member of the Armed Forces of the United States; and
    - (B) identifying methods, such as waivers, for veterans who served in medical related fields while a member of the Armed Forces of the United States to forgo or meet any such equivalent [State](/usc/42/201.md?p=f) requirements; and
  - (2) if necessary to meet workforce shortages or address gaps in education, training, or skill level to meet certification, licensure or other requirements applicable to becoming a civilian health care professional (such as an emergency medical technician, paramedic, licensed practical nurse, registered nurse, physical therapy assistant, or physician assistant professions) in the [State](/usc/42/201.md?p=f), develop or expand career pathways at institutions of higher education to support veterans in meeting such requirements.
- (c) **Report—** Upon the completion of the demonstration [program](/usc/42/274l–1.md?p=4) under this section, the [Secretary](/usc/42/201.md?p=c) shall submit to Congress a report on the [program](/usc/42/274l–1.md?p=4).
- (d) **Funding—** No additional funds are authorized to be appropriated for the purpose of carrying out this section. This section shall be carried out using amounts otherwise available for such purpose.
- (e) **Sunset—** The demonstration [program](/usc/42/274l–1.md?p=4) under this section shall not exceed 5 years.

## Source credit

(July 1, 1944, ch. 373, title III, § 315, as added Pub. L. 114–198, title I, § 105, July 22, 2016, 130 Stat. 701.)

## Notes

### Editorial Notes

### Prior Provisions

A prior section 247, act July 1, 1944, ch. 373, title III, § 315, as added Oct. 4, 1988, Pub. L. 100–471, § 1, 102 Stat. 2284, which related to grants for treatment drugs for acquired immune deficiency syndrome, ceased to exist Mar. 31, 1989, pursuant to subsec. (d) thereof.

Another prior section 247, act July 1, 1944, ch. 373, title III, § 315, as added Nov. 10, 1978, Pub. L. 95–626, title II, § 203, 92 Stat. 3578; amended July 10, 1979, Pub. L. 96–32, § 6(h), 93 Stat. 83, related to formula grants to States for preventive health service programs, prior to repeal by Pub. L. 99–117, § 12(b), Oct. 7, 1985, 99 Stat. 495.

Another prior section 247, acts July 1, 1944, ch. 373, title III, § 315, 58 Stat. 695; Oct. 30, 1970, Pub. L. 91–515, title II, § 282, 84 Stat. 1308, provided for publication of health educational information, prior to repeal by Pub. L. 93–353, title I, § 102(a), July 23, 1974, 88 Stat. 362. See section 242o(b) of this title.