32 CFR § 1639.1 - Purpose; definitions.
---
identifier: "/us/cfr/t32/s1639.1"
source: "ecfr"
legal_status: "authoritative_unofficial"
title: "32 CFR § 1639.1 - Purpose; definitions."
title_number: 32
title_name: "National Defense"
section_number: "1639.1"
section_name: "Purpose; definitions."
chapter_name: "SELECTIVE SERVICE SYSTEM"
part_number: "1639"
part_name: "CLASSIFICATION OF REGISTRANTS PREPARING FOR THE MINISTRY"
positive_law: false
currency: "2026-04-05"
last_updated: "2026-04-05"
format_version: "1.1.0"
generator: "[email protected]"
authority: "Military Selective Service Act, 50 U.S.C. App. 451 E.O. 11623."
regulatory_source: "47 FR 4657, Feb. 1, 1982, unless otherwise noted."
cfr_part: "1639"
---
# 1639.1 Purpose; definitions.
(a) The provisions of this part shall govern the consideration of a claim by a registrant for classification in Class 2-D (§ 1630.26 of this chapter).
(b) The definitions of this paragraph shall apply to the interpretation of the provisions of this part:
(1) The term *ministry* refers to the vocation of a *duly ordained minister of religion* or *regular minister of religion* as defined in part 1645 of this chapter.
(2) The term *recognized church or religious organization* refers to a church or religious organization established on the basis of a community of faith and belief, doctrines and practices of a religious character, and which engages primarily in religious activities.
(3) The term *recognized theological or divinity school* refers to a theological or divinity school whose graduates are acceptable for ministerial duties either as an ordained or regular minister by the church or religious organization sponsoring a registrant as a ministerial student.
(4) The term *graduate program* refers to a program in which the registrant's studies are officially approved by his church or religious organization for entry into service as a regular or duly ordained minister of religion.
(5) The term *full-time intern* applies to a program that must run simultaneous with or immediately follow the completion of the theological or divinity training and is required by a recognized church or religious organization for entry into the ministry.
(6) The term *satisfactorily pursuing a full-time course of instruction* means maintaining a satisfactory academic record as determined by the institution while receiving full-time instructions in a structured learning situation. A full-time course of instruction does not include instructions received pursuant to a mail order program.