The Harbor General Hospital Torrance California initiated a 20-week Family Planning Specialist Training Program (lecture and clinical experience) for 17 trainees including 10 registered nurses 1 licensed vocational nurse 2 medical assistants and 4 individuals with no previous medical experience. Clinical experience with 5599 patients included physical examination of the breasts and pelvis along with cancer screening and use of specialized gynecologic procedures. Competence in examination techniques was documented by successive comparative physician-trainee examinations. Overall accuracy for all trainees was at least 89% in 6 of 9 tested categories with recognition of uterine midposition uterine size and adnexal masses considerably more difficult. No significant difference in level or rate of skill attainment was found between registered nurses and other trainees. Patient acceptance of family planning specialists as primary providers of family planning services documented by questionnaire was high (99%). A 700% increase in patient visits to the clinic after trainee program initiation was found. 1500 Dalkon shields were uneventually inserted by trainees under physician supervision. Properly motivated family planning specialists skilled in the recognition of the normal and abnormal are considered effective and safe front-line providers of direct services to well patients and can refer patients with abnormalities to a physician.