32 CFR § 1645.1Chapter XVI

§ 1645.1 Purpose; definitions.

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Verbatim text below is from the Electronic Code of Federal Regulations (eCFR), a public-domain U.S. government work. Always verify the current version with the eCFR before relying on it for any legal matter.

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(a) The provisions of this part govern the consideration of a claim by a registrant for classification in Class 4-D (§ 1630.43 of this chapter).

(b) The definitions of this paragraph shall apply in the interpretation of the provisions of this part:

duly ordained minister of religion(1) The term means a person:

(i) Who has been ordained in accordance with the ceremonial ritual or discipline of a church, religious sect, or organization established on the basis of a community of faith and belief, doctrines and practices of a religious character; and

(ii) Who preaches and teaches the doctrines of such church, sect, or organization; and

(iii) Who administers the rites and ceremonies thereof in public worship; and

(iv) Who, as his regular and customary vocation, preaches and teaches the principles of religion; and

(v) Who administers the ordinances of public worship as embodied in the creed or principles of such church, sect, or organization.

regular minister of religion(2) The term means one who as his customary vocation preaches and teaches the principles of religion of a church, a religious sect, or organization of which he is a member, without having been formally ordained as a minister of religion, and who is recognized by such church, sect, or organization as a regular minister.

regular or duly ordained minister of religion(3) The term does not include:

(i) A person who irregularly or incidentally preaches and teaches the principles of religion of a church, religious sect, or organization; or

(ii) Any person who has been duly ordained a minister in accordance with the ceremonial rite or discipline of a church, religious sect or organization, but who does not regularly, as a bona fide vocation, teach and preach the principles of religion and administer the ordinances of public worship, as embodied in the creed or principles of his church, sect, or organization.

vocation(4) The term denotes one's regular calling or full-time profession.

eCFR data current as of: June 10, 2026

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