Your Guide to the Peace Corps Application Process

Applicants to the two-year program must be at least 18 years old and a U.S. citizen.

Apply 9 to 12 months before you want to leave.

Applying to the Peace Corps is simpler, faster, and more personalized than ever before. All eight steps to the application process—from filling out your application to leaving for your assignment—are listed below. Remember, talking with a recruiter beforehand can make the process much smoother.

Apply Online
Filling out the online application takes about an hour, which you can complete all at once, or save and return to it later.

Step 1: Start your application
Time to complete: 1 hour
There are some medical conditions that typically are not supported in Peace Corps service; review the important medical information for applicants.

Step 2: Complete the Health History form
Provide your health history so we can match you with countries that can support your medical needs.

Step 3: Make Some Choices
Browse current openings and pick a program where your skills can make the greatest impact. Be sure to select countries that are on your medical list. It is also important to check the website to make sure the countries and programs you select are being offered at this time.

If a country is listed as featured on the website that means that program needs more applicants. It could be highly specialized or asking for a large number of applicants. Take a look to see if you could be interested!

Step 4: Complete the Soft Skills Questionnaire
Give the Peace Corps an idea of your work style and the environment in which you excel.

Step 5: Interview
Not all applicants are selected for an interview. If selected to interview, you will have the chance to talk to a Peace Corps placement officer about your skills and interests. The interview will be a videoconference scheduled over email.

Step 6: Invitation
If chosen, receive and respond to your invitation to serve. If you aren't selected, that doesn't mean Peace Corps doesn't want you! Read the FAQs to find out more.

Step 7: Medical and Legal Clearance
Get the final OK from the Peace Corps Medical Office to serve abroad. The Peace Corps Medical Office will confirm that the Peace Corps can provide the individual medical support you need, and the Placement Office will confirm your legal eligibility for service.

Start this process as soon as possible to ensure there are no delays in starting your service!

Step 8: Departure
Embark on your Peace Corps service assignment, starting with training in the U.S.!

Peace Corps
207 Morrill Hall
University of Vermont
Burlington VT 05401

Tel. 802-656-8269
E-mail: peace.corps@uvm.edu