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Emergency System for Advance Registration of Volunteer Health Professionals (ESAR-VHP)

During and after disasters and public health emergencies, states, territories and freely associated states often need assistance from medical volunteers. Only providers with verified credentials can help, but hospitals and other health care facilities may be unable to verify basic licensing or credentialling information, including training, skills, competencies, and employment. Further, the loss of telecommunications may prevent contact with sources that provide credential or privileged information.

The Emergency System for Advance Registration of Volunteer Health Professionals (ESAR-VHP), created by Congress in 2002 and managed by ASPR's Office of Health Care Readiness, streamlines the volunteer registration process to address these challenges. ESAR-VHP provides a system to verify health professionals' identification, credentials, and other key information before disasters and public health emergencies to reduce challenges to mobilizing volunteer health professionals in a response. 

If you are a licensed and credentialed health professional, you can register with ESAR-VHP for your jurisdiction. You may also be eligible to register with ESAR-VHP if you are a student in a health-related profession, if you have been clinically active in the past, or if you are retired and have lapsed credentials. 

Register with ESAR-VHP

Make sure you are ready to help out when disaster strikes. Register with your state to become a part of ESAR-VHP.

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ESAR-VHP - The Stories and Experience of Volunteer Health Professionals

Frequently Asked Questions

ESAR-VHP is made up of professionals so that they can more readily volunteer for disaster and public health and medical emergencies. By registering through their state or territory's ESAR-VHP program, volunteers' identities, licenses, credentials, accreditations, and hospital privileges are all verified in advance of an emergency.

At the federal level, ESAR-VHP is administered by ASPR. ASPR assists each state and territory in establishing a standardized, volunteer registration program.

ASPR develops guidelines, policy, and requirements for states and territories to use in developing and implementing their ESAR-VHP programs. The states and territories have the flexibility to develop an ESAR-VHP program, which best meets the state or territory's needs while enabling a national system of mutual aid for an optimal operation.

Use of vacation/sick days will differ from employer to employer. Contact your human resource representative for organization policies and procedures.

Currently licensed and credentialed health professionals can volunteer with ESAR-VHP. The state or territory may register additional health professions occupations, so if your profession is not included in the list below, please consult with your state/territory ESAR-VHP coordinator:

  • Advanced practice nurses (nurse practitioners, nurse anesthetists, certified nurse midwives, clinical nurse specialists)

  • Behavioral health professionals (marriage and family therapists, medical and public health social workers, mental health and substance abuse social workers, psychologists, and mental health counselors)

  • Cardiovascular technologist and technicians

  • Dentists

  • Diagnostic medical sonographers

  • Emergency medical technicians (EMTs) and paramedics

  • Licensed practical nurses and licensed vocational nurses

  • Medical and clinical laboratory technicians (includes phlebotomists)

  • Medical and clinical laboratory technologists

  • Pharmacists

  • Physicians

  • Physician assistants

  • Radiologic technologists and technicians

  • Registered nurses

  • Respiratory therapists

  • Veterinarians

The way in which volunteer registration information is collected differs by state and territory Some states/territories use an online, electronic registration system while other states/territories may require volunteers to register via paper applications. Some states/territories may accept both electronic and paper registrations. Visit the ESAR-VHP registration page to find out how you can register with your state or territory.

There are no enrollment or membership fees. ESAR-VHP registration is a free service.

Yes, you can request that your name be removed from the registry at any time.

Your personal information is maintained and utilized in a manner consistent with all federal, state, territory, and local laws governing security and confidentiality.

Only authorized personnel will have access to your personal information.

No, you will not be adversely impacted if you choose to decline a volunteer opportunity. Volunteering is just that—volunteering. You are free to opt in or out if called to serve. You are not obligated in any way to respond, and you are not obligated to provide a reason why you are unable to participate in response.

A volunteer may be entitled to workers' compensation if injured while participating in an emergency response. Since workers' compensation eligibility is controlled by state or territorial law, you should consult your state or territorial program coordinator to discuss the coverage available to you.

Liability protections will vary by state and territory. The state/territory may protect health volunteers participating in ESAR-VHP from exposure to civil liability due to allegations of malpractice or other medical negligence by identifying and establishing proper legal protections. Legal protections from civil liability can arise through state/territory laws and regulations. Visit your state or territory's ESAR-VHP site, or call your state or territory program coordinator for more information.

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