42 CFR § 21.26 - Eligibility; assistant grade.

---
identifier: "/us/cfr/t42/s21.26"
source: "ecfr"
legal_status: "authoritative_unofficial"
title: "42 CFR § 21.26 - Eligibility; assistant grade."
title_number: 42
title_name: "Public Health"
section_number: "21.26"
section_name: "Eligibility; assistant grade."
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"
---


# 21.26 Eligibility; assistant grade.

(a) *Requirements; all candidates.* Except as otherwise provided in this section every candidate for examination for appointment in the grade of assistant:

(1) Shall meet the requirements for eligibility for examination for appointment in the grade of junior assistant;

(2) Shall be at least 21 years of age; and

(3) Shall have had at least 7 years of educational and professional training or experience subsequent to high school, except that a candidate who applies for examination for appointment in the Reserve Corps to serve as a medical or dental intern may be examined for such appointment upon the completion of 6 years of such education, training, or experience.

(b) *Additional requirements; dietitians.* Every candidate for examination for appointment as a dietitian shall have successfully completed an approved training course for dietetic interns.