42 CFR § 21.1 - Meaning of terms.
---
identifier: "/us/cfr/t42/s21.1"
source: "ecfr"
legal_status: "authoritative_unofficial"
title: "42 CFR § 21.1 - Meaning of terms."
title_number: 42
title_name: "Public Health"
section_number: "21.1"
section_name: "Meaning of terms."
chapter_name: "PUBLIC HEALTH SERVICE, DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES"
subchapter_number: "B"
subchapter_name: "PERSONNEL"
part_number: "21"
part_name: "COMMISSIONED OFFICERS"
positive_law: false
currency: "2026-03-24"
last_updated: "2026-03-24"
format_version: "1.1.0"
generator: "[email protected]"
cfr_part: "21"
---
# 21.1 Meaning of terms.
As used in this part, the term:
(a) *Act* means the Public Health Service Act, 58 Stat. 682, as now or hereafter amended.
(b) *Department* means the Department of Health and Human Services.
(c) *Secretary* means the Secretary of Health and Human Services.
(d) *Service* means the Public Health Service.
(e) *Surgeon General* means the Surgeon General of the Public Health Service.
(f) *Commissioned officer* or *officer,* unless otherwise indicated, means either an officer of the Regular Corps or an officer of the Reserve Corps.
[21 FR 9806, Dec. 12, 1956]