Title 5—Administrative Personnel--Volume 3

§ 1.1 Positions and employees affected by the rules in this subchapter.

The rules in this subchapter shall apply to all positions in the competitive service and to all incumbents of such positions. Except as expressly provided in the rule concerned, the rules in this subchapter shall not apply to positions and employees in the excepted service.

§ 1.2 Extent of the competitive service.

The competitive service shall include: (a) All civilian positions in the executive branch of the Government unless specifically excepted therefrom by or pursuant to statute or by the Office of Personnel Management (hereafter referred to in this subchapter as OPM) under § 6.1 of this subchapter; and (b) all positions in the legislative and judicial branches of the Federal Government and in the Government of the District of Columbia which are specifically made subject to the civil service laws by statute. OPM is authorized and directed to determine finally whether a position is in the competitive service.

§ 1.3 Definitions.

As used in the rules in this subchapter:

(a) Competitive service shall have the same meaning as the words “classified service”, or “classified (competitive) service”, or “classified civil service” as defined in existing statutes and executive orders.

(b) Competitive position shall mean a position in the competitive service.

(c) Competitive status shall mean basic eligibility to be noncompetitively selected to fill a vacancy in a competitive position. A competitive status shall be acquired by career-conditional or career appointment through open competitive examination upon satisfactory completion of a probationary period, or may be granted by statute, executive order, or the Civil Service Rules without competitive examination. A person with competitive status may be promoted, transferred, reassigned, reinstated, or demoted without taking an open competitive examination, subject to the conditions prescribed by the Civil Service Rules and Regulations.

(d) An employee shall be considered as being in the competitive service when he has a competitive status and occupies a competitive position unless he is serving under a temporary appointment: Provided, that an employee who is in the competitive service with competitive status at the time his position is first listed under Schedule A, B, C, Policy/Career or G shall be in the excepted service but shall retain his competitive status.

(e) Tenure shall mean the period of time an employee may reasonably expect to serve under his current appointment. Tenure shall be granted and governed by the type of appointment under which an employee is currently serving without regard to whether he has a competitive status or whether his appointment is to a competitive position or an excepted position.

[28 FR 10022, Sept. 14, 1963, as amended by E.O. 14410, 91 FR 34893, June 10, 2026]

§ 1.4 Extent of the excepted service.

(a) The excepted service shall include all civilian positions in the executive branch of the Government which are specifically excepted from the requirements of the Civil Service Act or from the competitive service by or pursuant to statute or by OPM under § 6.1 of this subchapter.

(b) Excepted service shall have the same meaning as the words “unclassified service”, or “unclassified civil service”, or “positions outside the competitive civil service” as used in existing statutes and executive orders.

(c) Excepted position shall have the same meaning as “unclassified position”, or “position excepted by law”, or “position excepted by executive order”, or “position excepted by Civil Service Rule”, or “position outside the competitive service” as used in existing statutes and Executive orders.

§ 2.1 Competitive examinations and eligible registers; suitability and fitness for civil service employment.

(a) OPM shall be responsible for:

(i) Open competitive examinations for admission to the competitive service that will fairly test the relative capacity and fitness of the persons examined for the position to be filled.

(ii) Standards with respect to citizenship, age, education, training and experience, physical and mental fitness, and for residence or other requirements that applicants must meet to be admitted to or rated in examinations.

(iii) Standards of suitability based on character and conduct for appointment to a position in the competitive service, for appointment to a position in the excepted service where the incumbent can be noncompetitively converted to the competitive service, and for career appointment to a position in the Senior Executive Service.

(iv) Minimum standards of fitness based on character and conduct for appointment in any other position in the excepted service of the executive branch, except for (A) positions in any element of the intelligence community as defined in the National Security Act of 1947, as amended, to the extent they are not otherwise subject to OPM appointing authorities, and (B) positions where OPM is statutorily precluded from prescribing such standards.”

(b) In addition to the names of persons who qualify in competitive examinations, the names of persons who have lost eligibility on a career or career-conditional register because of service in the armed forces, and the names of persons who lost opportunity for certification or who have served under career or career-conditional appointment when OPM determines that they should be given certification, may also be entered at such places on appropriate registers and under such conditions as OPM may prescribe.

[28 FR 10023, Sept. 14, 1963, as amended by E.O. 13764, 82 FR 8115, Jan. 23, 2017; 91 FR 52478, Aug. 14, 2026]

§ 2.2 Appointments.

(a) OPM shall establish and administer a career-conditional appointment system for positions subject to competitive examinations which will permit adjustment of the career service to necessary fluctuations in Federal employment, and provide an equitable and orderly system for stabilizing the Federal work force. A competitive status shall be acquired by a career-conditional appointee upon satisfactory completion of a probationary period, but the appointee shall have career-conditional tenure for a period of service to be prescribed by regulation of OPM. When an employee has completed the required period of service his appointment shall be converted to a career appointment without time limitation: Provided, That his career-conditional appointment shall not be converted to a career appointment if the limitation on the number of permanent employees in the Federal civil service established under paragraph (b) of this section would be exceeded thereby. Persons selected from competitive civil service registers for other than temporary appointment shall be given career-conditional appointments: Provided, That career appointments shall be given to the following classes of eligibles:

(1) Persons whose appointments are required by statute to be made on a permanent basis;

(2) Employees serving under career appointments at the time of selection from such registers; and

(3) Former employees who have eligibility for career appointments upon reinstatement.

(b) Under the career-conditional appointment system there shall be a limit on the number of permanent employees in the Federal civil service which shall be the ceiling established by section 1310 of the Supplemental Appropriation Act, 1952 (65 Stat. 757), as amended. In the event section 1310, supra, is repealed, OPM is authorized to fix such limitation on the number of permanent employees in the Federal civil service as it finds necessary to meet the needs of the service.

(c) OPM may determine the types, duration, and conditions of indefinite and temporary appointments, and may prescribe the method for replacing persons holding such appointments.

[28 FR 10023, Sept. 14, 1963, as amended at 91 FR 52478, Aug. 14, 2026]

§ 3.1 Classes of persons who may noncompetitively acquire status.

(a) Upon recommendation by the agency concerned, and subject to such noncompetitive examination, time limits, or other requirements as OPM may prescribe the following classes of persons may acquire a competitive status without competitive examination:

(1) A person holding a permanent position when it is placed in the competitive service by statute or executive order or is otherwise made subject to competitive examination.

(2) A disabled veteran who, in a manner satisfactory to OPM, has completed a course of training in the executive branch of the Government prescribed by the Secretary of Veterans Affairs in accordance with 38 U.S.C. chapter 31.

(3) An employee who has served at least two years in the immediate office of the President or on the White House Staff and who is transferred to a competitive position at the request of an agency.

(4) An employee who was serving when his name was reached for certification on a civil service register appropriate for the position in which he was serving: Provided, That the recommendation for competitive status is made prior to expiration of the register on which his name appears or is made during a period of continuous service since his name was reached: Provided further, That the register was being used for appointments conferring competitive status at the time his name was reached.

(5) An employee whose initial appointment was to a Pathways Program position in Schedule D of the excepted service, and who was subsequently converted to a position in Schedule Policy/Career, with or without an intervening term appointment, and without a break in service of one day.

(b) Upon recommendation by the employing agency, and subject to such requirements as the Office of Personnel Management may prescribe, the following classes of employees with disabilities may acquire competitive status without competitive examination:

(1) An employee with a severe physical disability who completes at least two years of satisfactory service in a position excepted from the competitive service.

(2) An employee with an intellectual disability who completes at least two years of satisfactory service in a position excepted from the competitive service.

(3) An employee with a psychiatric disability who completes at least two years of satisfactory service in a position excepted from the competitive service.

[28 FR 10023, Sept. 14, 1963, as amended by E.O. 12125, 44 FR 16879, Mar. 20, 1979; 65 FR 41868, July 7, 2000; E.O. 14410, 91 FR 34893, June 10, 2026; 91 FR 52478, Aug. 14, 2026]

§ 3.2 Appointments without competitive examination in rare cases.

Subject to receipt of satisfactory evidence of the qualifications of the person to be appointed, OPM may authorize an appointment in the competitive service without competitive examination whenever it finds that the duties or compensation of the position are such, or that qualified persons are so rare, that, in the interest of good civil-service administration, the position cannot be filled through open competitive examination. Any person heretofore or hereafter appointed under this section shall acquire a competitive status upon completion of at least one year of satisfactory service and compliance with such requirements as OPM may prescribe. Detailed statements of the reasons for the noncompetitive appointments made under this section shall be published on OPM's website.

[28 FR 10023, Sept. 14, 1963, as amended at 91 FR 52478, Aug. 14, 2026]

§ 3.3 Conversion of appointments.

Any person who acquires a competitive status under this part shall have his appointment converted to career-conditional appointment unless he meets the service requirement for career appointment prescribed under § 2.2(a) of this subchapter.

§ 4.1 Prohibition against political activity.

No person employed in the executive branch of the Federal Government, or any agency or department thereof, shall use his official authority or influence for the purpose of interfering with an election or affecting the result thereof. No person occupying a position in the competitive service shall take any active part in political management or in political campaigns, except as may be provided by or pursuant to statute. All such persons shall retain the right to vote as they may choose and to express their opinions on all political subjects and candidates.

[28 FR 10024, Sept. 14, 1963]

§ 4.2 Prohibition against racial, political or religious discrimination.

No person employed in the executive branch of the Federal Government who has authority to take or recommend any personnel action with respect to any person who is an employee in the competitive service or any eligible or applicant for a position in the competitive service shall make any inquiry concerning the race, political affiliation, or religious beliefs of any such employee, eligible, or applicant. All disclosures concerning such matters shall be ignored, except as to such membership in political parties or organizations as constitutes by law a disqualification for Government employment. No discrimination shall be exercised, threatened, or promised by any person in the executive branch of the Federal Government against or in favor of any employee in the competitive service, or any eligible or applicant for a position in the competitive service because of his race, political affiliation, or religious beliefs, except as may be authorized or required by law.

[28 FR 10024, Sept. 14, 1963]

§ 4.3 Prohibition against securing withdrawal from competition.

No person shall influence another person to withdraw from competition for any position in the competitive service for the purpose of either improving or injuring the prospects of any applicant for appointment.

[28 FR 10024, Sept. 14, 1963, as amended at 45 FR 4337, Jan. 22, 1980]

§ 5.1 Civil Service regulations.

(a) The Director of the Office of Personnel Management shall promulgate and enforce regulations necessary to carry out the provisions of the Civil Service Act and the Veterans' Preference Act, as reenacted in title 5, United States Code, the Civil Service Rules, and all other statutes and Executive orders imposing responsibilities on the Office. The Director is authorized, whenever there are practical difficulties and unnecessary hardships in complying with the strict letter of the regulation, to grant a variation from the strict letter of the regulation if such a variation is within the spirit of the regulations, and the efficiency of the Government and the integrity of the competitive service are protected and promoted.

(b) Whenever a variation is granted, the Director shall note the official record to show:

(1) The particular practical difficulty or hardship involved;

(2) What is permitted in place of what is required by regulations;

(3) The circumstances which protect or promote the efficiency of the Government and the integrity of the competitive service; and

(4) A statement that the variation applies only while the conditions that gave rise to it continue.

(c) Like variations shall be granted whenever like conditions exist. All such decisions and information concerning variations noted in the official record shall be published promptly in the Federal Register or on the Office's website.

[91 FR 52478, Aug. 14, 2026]

§ 5.2 Investigation and evaluations.

The Director may secure effective implementation of the civil service laws, rules, and regulations, and all Executive orders imposing responsibilities on the Office by:

(a) Investigating the qualifications, suitability, and fitness of applicants for positions in the competitive service, positions in the excepted service where the incumbent can be noncompetitively converted to the competitive service, career appointments to positions in the Senior Executive Service, and any other positions in the excepted service of the executive branch for which the Director has standard-setting responsibility under Civil Service Rule II.

(i) The Director may require appointments to be made subject to investigation to enable the Director to determine, after appointment, that the requirements of law or the Civil Service Rules and Regulations have been met.

(ii) The Director may cause positions to be designated based on risk to determine the appropriate level of investigation, and may prescribe investigative standards, policies, and procedures.

(iii) The Director may prescribe standards for reciprocal acceptance by agencies of investigations and adjudications of suitability and fitness, except to the extent authority to apply additional fitness standards is vested by statute in an agency.

(b) Evaluating the effectiveness of: (1) Personnel policies, programs, and operations of Executive and other Federal agencies subject to the jurisdiction of the Office, including their effectiveness with regard to merit selection and employee development; (2) agency compliance with and enforcement of applicable laws, rules, regulations and office directives; and (3) agency personnel management evaluation systems.

(c) Investigating, or directing an agency to investigate and report on, apparent violations of applicable laws, rules, regulations, or directives requiring corrective action, found in the course of an evaluation.

[45 FR 4337, Jan. 22, 1980, as amended by E.O. 13197, 66 FR 7853, Jan. 25, 2001; E.O. 13764, 82 FR 8115, Jan. 23, 2017]

§ 5.3 Enforcement.

(a) The Director is authorized to ensure enforcement of the civil service laws, rules, and regulations, and all applicable Executive orders, by:

(1) Instructing an agency to separate or take other action against an employee serving an appointment subject to investigation when the Director finds that the employee is disqualified or unsuitable for Federal employment. Where the employee or the agency appeals the Director's finding that a separation or other action is necessary, the Director may instruct the agency as to whether or not the employee should remain on duty and continue to receive pay pending adjudication of the appeal: Provided, That when an agency separates or takes other action against an employee pursuant to the Director's instructions, and the Director, on the basis of new evidence, subsequently reverses the initial decision as to the employee's qualifications and suitability, the agency shall, upon request of the Director, restore the employee to duty or otherwise reverse any action taken.

(2) Reporting the results of evaluation or investigations to the head of the agency concerned with instructions for any corrective action necessary, including cancellation of personnel actions where appropriate. The Director's findings resulting from evaluations or investigations are binding unless changed as a result of agency evidence and arguments against them. If, during the course of any evaluation or investigation under this section, the Director finds evidence of matters which come within the investigative and prosecutorial jurisdiction of the Special Counsel of the Merit Systems Protection Board, the Director shall refer this evidence to the Special Counsel for appropriate disposition.

(b) Whenever the Director issues specific instructions as to separation or other corrective action with regard to an employee, including cancellation of a personnel action, the head of the agency concerned shall comply with the Director's instructions.

(c) If the agency head fails to comply with the specific instructions of the Director as to separation or other corrective action with regard to an employee, including cancellation of a personnel action, the Director may certify to the Comptroller General of the United States the agency's failure to act together with such additional information as the Comptroller General may require, and shall furnish a copy of such certification to the head of the agency concerned. The individual with respect to whom such separation or other corrective action was instructed shall be entitled thereafter to no pay or only to such pay as appropriate to effectuate the Director's instructions.

[45 FR 4337, Jan. 22, 1980, as amended by E.O. 13764, 82 FR 8115, Jan. 23, 2017]

§ 5.4 Information and testimony.

When required by the Office, the Merit Systems Protection Board, or the Special Counsel of the Merit Systems Protection Board, or by authorized representatives of these bodies, agencies shall make available to them, or to their authorized representatives, employees to testify in regard to matters inquired of under the civil service laws, rules, and regulations, and records pertinent to these matters. All such employees, and all applicants or eligibles for positions covered by these rules, shall give to the Office, the Merit Systems Protection Board, the Special Counsel, or to their authorized representatives, all information, testimony, documents, and material in regard to the above matters, the disclosure of which is not otherwise prohibited by law or regulation. These employees, applicants, and eligibles shall sign testimony given under oath or affirmation before an officer authorized by law to administer oaths. Employees are performing official duty when testifying or providing evidence pursuant to this section.

§ 6.1 Authority to except positions from the competitive service.

(a) OPM may except positions from the competitive service when it determines that (A) appointments thereto through competitive examination are not practicable, or (B) recruitment from among students attending qualifying educational institutions or individuals who have recently completed qualifying educational programs can better be achieved by devising additional means for recruiting and assessing candidates that diverge from the processes generally applicable to the competitive service. These positions shall be listed in the Federal Register or on OPM's website.

(b) OPM shall decide whether the duties of any particular position are such that it may be filled as an excepted position under the appropriate schedule.

(c) Notice of OPM's decision granting authority to make appointments to an excepted position under the appropriate schedule shall be published in the Federal Register.

[28 FR 10025, Sept. 14, 1963, as amended by E.O. 11315, 31 FR 14729, Nov. 19, 1966; E.O. 12043, 43 FR 9773, Mar. 10, 1978; E.O. 13562, 75 FR 82587, Dec. 30, 2010; 91 FR 52479, Aug. 14, 2026]

§ 6.2 Schedules of excepted positions.

OPM shall publish at least annually a list of the positions excepted from the competitive service in the following schedules, which constitute parts of this rule:

Schedule A. Positions other than those of a confidential or policy-determining character for which it is not practicable to examine shall be listed in Schedule A. Schedule B. Positions other than those of a confidential or policy-determining character for which it is not practicable to hold a competitive examination shall be listed in Schedule B. Appointments to these positions shall be subject to such noncompetitive examination as may be prescribed by OPM. Schedule C. Positions of a confidential or policy-determining character normally subject to change as a result of a Presidential transition shall be listed in Schedule C. Schedule D. Positions other than those of a confidential or policy-determining character for which the competitive service requirements make impracticable the adequate recruitment of sufficient numbers of students attending qualifying educational institutions or individuals who have recently completed qualifying educational programs. These positions, which are temporarily placed in the excepted service to enable more effective recruitment from all segments of society by using means of recruiting and assessing candidates that diverge from the rules generally applicable to the competitive service, shall be listed in Schedule D. Schedule E. Positions of administrative law judge appointed under 5 U.S.C. 3105 shall be listed in Schedule E. Conditions of good administration warrant that the position of administrative law judge be placed in the excepted service and that appointment to this position not be subject to the requirements of 5 CFR, part 302, including examination and rating requirements, though each agency shall follow the principle of veteran preference as far as administratively feasible. Schedule Policy/Career. Career positions of a confidential, policy-determining, policy-making, or policy-advocating character not normally subject to change as a result of a Presidential transition shall be listed in Schedule Policy/Career. In appointing an individual to a position in Schedule Policy/Career, each agency shall follow merit-based hiring procedures as may be prescribed by OPM and shall follow the principle of veteran preference as far as administratively feasible. Schedule G. Positions of a policy-making or policy-advocating character normally subject to change as a result of a Presidential transition shall be listed in Schedule G.

[E.O. 14317, 90 FR 34753, July 23, 2025, as amended by E.O. 14410, 91 FR 34893, June 10, 2026]

§ 6.3 Method of filling excepted positions and status of incumbents.

(a) The head of an agency may fill excepted positions by the appointment of persons without civil service eligibility or competitive status and such persons shall not acquire competitive status by reason of such appointment: Provided, That OPM, in its discretion, may by regulation prescribe conditions under which excepted positions may be filled in the same manner as competitive positions are filled and conditions under which persons so appointed may acquire a competitive status in accordance with the Civil Service Rules and Regulations.

(b) To the extent permitted by law and the provisions of this part, and subject to the suitability and fitness requirements of the applicable Civil Service Rules and Regulations, appointments and position changes in the excepted service shall be made in accordance with such regulations and practices as the head of the agency concerned finds necessary. These shall include, for the position of administrative law judge appointed under 5 U.S.C. 3105, the requirement that, at the time of application and any new appointment, the individual, other than an incumbent administrative law judge, must possess a professional license to practice law and be authorized to practice law under the laws of a State, the District of Columbia, the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, or any territorial court established under the United States Constitution. For purposes of this requirement, judicial status is acceptable in lieu of “active” status in States that prohibit sitting judges from maintaining “active” status to practice law, and being in “good standing” is also acceptable in lieu of “active” status in States where the licensing authority considers “good standing” as having a current license to practice law. This requirement shall constitute a minimum standard for appointment to the position of administrative law judge, and such appointments may be subject to additional agency requirements where appropriate.

[28 FR 10025, Sept. 14, 1963, as amended by E.O. 13764, 82 FR 8115, Jan. 23, 2017; E.O. 13843, 83 FR 32755, July 13, 2018]

§ 6.4 Removal of incumbents of excepted positions.

Except as required by statute, the Civil Service Rules and Regulations shall not apply to removals from positions listed in Schedules A, C, D, E, Policy/Career, or G, or from positions excepted from the competitive service by statute. The Civil Service Rules and Regulations shall apply to removals from positions listed in Schedule B of persons who have competitive status.

[E.O. 14317, 90 FR 34754, July 23, 2025]

§ 6.5 Assignment of excepted employees.

No person who is serving under an excepted appointment shall be assigned to the work of a position in the competitive service without prior approval of OPM.

§ 6.6 Revocation of exceptions.

OPM may remove any position from or may revoke in whole or in part any provision of Schedule A, B, C, or D. Notice of OPM's decision making these changes shall be published in the Federal Register.

[E.O. 11315, 3 CFR, 1966-1970 Comp., p. 597, as amended by E.O. 12043, 43 FR 9773, Mar. 10, 1978; E.O. 13562, 75 FR 82587, Dec. 30, 2010]

§ 6.7 Movement of persons between the civil service system and other merit systems.

Whenever OPM and any Federal agency having an established merit system determine it to be in the interest of good administration and consistent with the intent of the civil service laws and any other applicable laws, they may enter into an agreement prescribing conditions under which persons may be moved from one system to the other and defining the status and tenure that the persons affected shall acquire upon such movement.

§ 6.8 Specified exceptions.

(a) Effective on July 10, 2018, the position of administrative law judge appointed under 5 U.S.C. 3105 shall be listed in Schedule E for all levels of basic pay under 5 U.S.C. 5372(b). Incumbents of this position who are, on July 10, 2018, in the competitive service shall remain in the competitive service as long as they remain in their current positions.

(b) An employee in the competitive service serving a probationary period when his position is first listed under Schedule Policy/Career of the excepted service shall acquire competitive status upon satisfactorily completing 1 year of current continuous service in that position.

[E.O. 11839, 40 FR 7351, Feb. 19, 1975, as amended by E.O. 11887, 40 FR 51411, Nov. 5, 1975; E.O. 12021, 42 FR 61237, Dec. 2, 1977; 47 FR 4227, Jan. 29, 1982; E.O. 13843, 83 FR 32755, July 13, 2018; E.O. 14410, 91 FR 34894, June 10, 2026; 91 FR 52479, Aug. 14, 2026]

§ 7.1 Discretion in filling vacancies.

In his discretion, an appointing officer may fill any position in the competitive service either by competitive appointment from a civil service register or by noncompetitive selection of a present or former Federal employee, in accordance with the Civil Service Regulations. He shall exercise his discretion in all personnel actions solely on the basis of merit and fitness and without regard to political or religious affiliations, marital status, or race.

§ 7.2 Reemployment rights.

OPM, whenever it determines it to be necessary, shall prescribe regulations governing the release of employees (both within the competitive service and the excepted service) by any agency in the executive branch of the Government for employment in any other agency, and governing the establishment, granting, and exercise of rights to reemployment in the agencies from which employees are released.

[28 FR 10025, Sept. 14, 1963. Redesignated by E.O. 13197, 66 FR 7853, Jan. 25, 2001]

§ 7.3 Citizenship.

(a) No person shall be admitted to competitive examination unless such person is a citizen or national of the United States.

(b) No person shall be given any appointment in the competitive service unless such person is a citizen or national of the United States.

(c) OPM may, as an exception to this rule and to the extent permitted by law, authorize the appointment of aliens to positions in the competitive service when necessary to promote the efficiency of the service in specific cases or for temporary appointments.

[E.O. 11935, 41 FR 37301, Sept. 3, 1976. Redesignated by E.O. 13197, 66 FR 7853, Jan. 25, 2001]

§ 8.1 Additional authority of OPM.

In addition to authorizing the recruitment and appointment of persons to overseas positions under regulations issued under the preceding Rules, OPM may, by the regulations prescribed by it, authorize the recruitment and appointment of persons to such positions as provided in § 8.2. As used in this part, overseas positions means positions in foreign countries and in other areas beyond the continental limits of the United States, except as provided in § 8.4.

§ 8.2 Appointment of United States citizens.

United States citizens may be recruited overseas for appointment to overseas positions in the competitive service without regard to the competitive requirements of the Civil Service Act. Persons so recruited who meet the qualification standards and other requirements of OPM for overseas positions may be given appointments to be known as “overseas limited appointments.” Such appointments shall be of temporary or indefinite duration, and shall not confer the right to acquire a competitive status. OPM may authorize overseas limited appointments for United States citizens recruited within the continental limits of the United States whenever it determines that it is not feasible to appoint from a civil-service register. Persons serving under appointments made pursuant to this section are hereby excluded from the operation of the Civil Service Retirement Act of May 29, 1930, as amended, unless eligible for retirement benefits by continuity of service or otherwise.

§ 8.3 Appointment of persons not citizens of the United States.

Persons who are not citizens of the United States may be recruited overseas and appointed to overseas positions without regard to the Civil Service Act.

§ 8.4 Positions excepted from the application of this part.

This part shall not apply to positions in Hawaii, Puerto Rico, the Virgin Islands, and Alaska, and on the Isthmus of Panama.

§ 9.1 Definition.

As used in this rule, 'Executive agency' means an Executive department, a Government corporation, and an independent establishment, as those terms are defined in chapter 1 of title 5, United States Code, but does not include the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Central Intelligence Agency, the Defense Intelligence Agency, the National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency, the National Security Agency, and, as determined by the President, any Executive agency or unit within an Executive agency which has as its principal function the conduct of foreign intelligence or counterintelligence activities.

[E.O. 13197, 66 FR 7853, Jan. 25, 2001, as amended at 91 FR 52479, Aug. 14, 2026]

§ 9.2 Reporting workforce information.

The Director of the Office of Personnel Management may require all Executive agencies to report information relating to civilian employees, including positions and employees in the competitive, excepted, and Senior Executive services, in a manner and at times prescribed by the Director. The Director shall establish standards for workforce information submissions under this section, and agencies shall ensure that their submissions meet these standards consistent with the Privacy Act. The Director may exempt from this section a specific agency or group of employees when the Director determines that an exemption is appropriate because of special circumstances.

§ 10.1 Definitions.

For purposes of this rule—

(a) 'Agency' means an Executive agency as defined in Rule IX, but does not include a Government corporation or the Government Accountability Office; and

(b) 'Merit system principles' means the principles for Federal personnel management that are set forth in section 2301(b) of title 5, United States Code.

[E.O. 13197, 66 FR 7853, Jan. 25, 2001, as amended at 91 FR 52479, Aug. 14, 2026]

§ 10.2 Accountability systems.

The Director of the Office of Personnel Management may require an agency to establish and maintain a system of accountability for merit system principles that

(1) Sets standards for applying the merit system principles,

(2) Measures the agency's effectiveness in meeting these standards, and

(3) Corrects any deficiencies in meeting these standards.

§ 10.3 OPM authority to review personnel management programs and practices.

The Office of Personnel Management may review the human resources management programs and practices of any agency and report to the head of the agency and the President on the effectiveness of these programs and practices, including whether they are consistent with the merit system principles.

§ 11.1 Scope.

This rule applies to probationary periods in the competitive service and trial periods in the excepted service, except where provided otherwise by statute. It has no application to probationary periods in the Senior Executive Service.

§ 11.2 Probationary period; when required.

(a) The first year of service of an employee who is given a career or career-conditional appointment in the competitive service under the Civil Service Regulations is a probationary period when the employee:

(1) Was appointed from a competitive list of eligibles.

(2) Was reinstated (including reinstatement from a Reemployment Priority List), unless during any period of service that affords a current basis for reinstatement the employee completed a probationary period of at least 1 year or served with competitive status under an appointment that did not require a probationary period; provided that the date of reinstatement begins a new 12-month probationary period if one is required under paragraph (a) of this section.

(b) A person who is required to go through a probationary period and then is transferred, promoted, demoted, or reassigned in accordance with the Civil Service Regulations before he or she completes such period is required to complete the remainder of the probationary period in the new position.

(c) Upon noncompetitive appointment to the competitive service under the Postal Reorganization Act (39 U.S.C. 101 et seq.), an employee of the Postal Career Service (including a substitute or part-time flexible employee) who has not completed 1 year of Postal service must serve the remainder of a 1-year probationary period in the new agency.

(d) A person who is appointed to the competitive service either by a special appointing authority or by conversion to a career or career-conditional appointment under the Civil Service Regulations must serve a 1-year probationary period unless specifically exempt from such period by the special appointing authority itself.

(e) Employees promoted, transferred, or otherwise assigned, for the first time, to supervisory or managerial positions shall be required to serve a probationary period under terms and conditions prescribed by the Office of Personnel Management (OPM). If an employee is required to concurrently serve both a probationary period in a supervisory or managerial position under 5 CFR part 315, subpart I, and a probationary or trial period following initial appointment or reinstatement under this Civil Service Rule, the latter takes precedence and fulfills the requirements of this paragraph.

[E.O. 14284, 90 FR 17729, Apr. 29, 2025, as amended at 91 FR 49110, Aug. 3, 2026]

§ 11.3 Trial period; when required.

(a) The first year of continuous service in the same or similar position of a preference eligible in the excepted service, or the first 2 years of continuous service in the same or similar position of an individual in the excepted service (other than a preference eligible), is a trial period; provided that individuals appointed to positions in Schedule C, Schedule E, Schedule Policy/Career, and Schedule G are not subject to trial periods.

(b) A person who is required to go through a trial period and is transferred, promoted, demoted, or reassigned before he or she completes the trial period is required to complete the remainder of the trial period in the new position.

(c) An individual who separates from the Federal service for a period of more than 30 days after completing a trial period, and who subsequently is reappointed to an excepted service position, must complete a new trial period unless such individual is appointed to the same or a substantially similar position in the same agency as their most recently held position.

[E.O. 14284, 90 FR 17729, Apr. 29, 2025, as amended by E.O. 14410, 91 FR 34894, June 10, 2026]

§ 11.4 Crediting service.

(a) Prior Federal civilian service (including nonappropriated fund service) counts toward completion of a probationary or trial period, as applicable, when the prior service:

(1) Is in the same agency, e.g., Department of the Army;

(2) Is in the same line of work, as determined by the employee's actual duties and responsibilities; and

(3) Contains or is followed by no more than a single break in service that does not exceed 30 calendar days.

(b) Periods of absence while in a pay status count toward completion of a probationary or trial period. Absence in nonpay status while on the rolls (other than for compensable injury or military duty) is creditable up to a total of 22 workdays. Absence (whether on or off the rolls) due to compensable injury or military duty is creditable in full upon restoration to Federal service. Nonpay time in excess of 22 workdays extends the probationary period or trial period by an equal amount.

(c) The probationary or trial period for part-time employees is computed on the basis of calendar time, in the same manner as for full-time employees. For intermittent employees, i.e., those who do not have regularly scheduled tours of duty, each day or part of a day in pay status counts as one day of credit toward the 260 days or 520 days, as applicable, in a pay status required for completion of a probationary or trial period. Under no circumstances shall the probationary or trial period be completed in less than 1 year of calendar time.

§ 11.5 Completion of probationary or trial period.

(a) Agencies shall utilize probationary and trial periods required upon initial appointment or subsequent reinstatement to evaluate employees' fitness and whether their continuation of employment advances the public interest. If not terminated sooner, an employee's service terminates before the end of the tour of duty on the last day of their probationary or trial period unless their agency certifies within the 30 days prior to that date that finalizing their appointment advances the public interest.

(b) A probationary or trial period ends when the employee completes his or her scheduled tour of duty on the day before the anniversary date (or, as applicable, 2-year anniversary date) of the employee's appointment. For example, when the last workday is a Friday and the anniversary date is the following Monday, a probationer will be separated before the end of the tour of duty on Friday if their agency does not make the requisite certification that their continued appointment advances the public interest.

(c) An employee on a probationary or trial period bears the burden of demonstrating why their continuation in employment through the finalization of their appointment to the Federal service is in the public interest.

(d) In determining whether it is in the public interest to finalize the appointment to the Federal service of an employee in a probationary or trial period, the agency head, or his or her designee, may consider, in his or her sole and exclusive discretion:

(1) The employee's performance and conduct;

(2) The needs and interests of the agency;

(3) Whether the employee's continued employment would advance organizational goals of the agency or the Government; and

(4) Whether the employee's continued employment would advance the efficiency of the service.

(e) Each agency head shall designate, in writing, one or more agency officials responsible for evaluating the continued employment of employees serving an initial probationary or trial period in the Federal service. The agency head should limit such designations to officials who can properly assess the needs and interests of the agency, the organizational goals of the agency or the Federal Government, and the efficiency of the service.

(f) At least 60 days before the end of an employee's initial probationary or trial period, an official designated under paragraph (e) of this section shall meet with the employee to discuss the employee's performance and conduct, based in part on input from the employee's supervisor; the needs and interests of the agency; and whether the employee's continued employment would advance the public interest, the organizational goals of the agency or the Federal Government, and the efficiency of the service.

(g) Within 30 days before the end of an employee's initial probationary or trial period, the agency head or an official designated under paragraph (e) of this section shall determine, consistent with this section and other applicable law, whether to finalize the employee's appointment to the Federal service or terminate the employee's service.

(h) Before finalizing an employee's appointment to the Federal service at the conclusion of the probationary or trial period, the agency head or an official designated under paragraph (e) of this section must certify in writing that the employee's continued employment will advance the public interest.

(i) Before an agency terminates the service of an employee serving a probationary or trial period, it shall notify such employee in writing as to the effective date of the action.

(j) If an agency fails to make a certification under Civil Service Rule 11.5 due to an administrative error, the agency head may petition the Director of OPM within 30 days from the date of termination to reinstate the employee.

(k) This section shall not apply to an employee serving a probationary period due to being promoted, transferred, or otherwise assigned, for the first time, to a supervisory or managerial position, unless such employee is required to concurrently serve both a probationary period in a supervisory or managerial position and a probationary or trial period following initial appointment or reinstatement under this Civil Service Rule.

[E.O. 14284, 90 FR 17729, Apr. 29, 2025, as amended at 91 FR 49110, Aug. 3, 2026]

Effective Date Note:By E.O. 14284, 90 FR 17729, Apr. 29, 2025, § 11.5 was added, effective 90 days from the date of this order.

§ 11.6 Appeals.

(a) The Director of OPM may by regulation prescribe circumstances under and procedures by which employees terminated from a probationary or trial period may appeal such termination.

(b) Except as otherwise required by law, such appeals shall be the sole and exclusive means of appealing terminations during probationary or trial periods.

§ 110.101 What are OPM's Notice and Posting System responsibilities?

OPM will issue a notice that will provide information for Federal agencies, employees, managers, and other stakeholders on each of its new proposed, interim, and final regulations. Each notice will transmit:

(a) A posting notice that briefly explains the nature of the change, and provides a place for Federal agencies to indicate where the full text of the Federal Register notice will be available for review.

(b) A copy of the notice of rulemaking that appears in the Federal Register or a link to a Web site where the notice of rulemaking appears.

§ 110.102 What are Agency responsibilities?

(a) Agencies will make regulations available for review by employees, managers, and other interested parties. Federal agencies receiving the notices of rulemaking described in § 110.101(b) will make those regulations available for review upon request. Each agency will complete the posting notice described in § 110.101(a) indicating where and how requests to review these materials should be made.

(b) Agencies will determine posting locations and, if desired, develop supplemental announcements. Agencies will display completed posting notices in a prominent place where the notices can be easily seen and read. Agencies will choose the posting location that best fits their physical layout. Agencies may supplement these postings with announcements in employee newsletters, agency Web sites, or other communication methods. The basic requirement to post the notice continues, however, even if supplemental announcement methods are used.

(c) Agencies will post notices of the new regulations even if the Federal Register comment date has passed. The public comment period on proposed regulations begins when a notice of proposed rulemaking is published in the Federal Register, not with the posting of the notice described in § 110.101(a). The purpose of posting notice is solely to inform agency personnel of changes. Agencies are required to post the posting notice even if the formal deadline for comments shown in the preamble of the Federal Register notice of rulemaking has passed. Agencies should make every reasonable effort to minimize delays in distributing the notice described in § 110.101 to their field offices.

(d) No fixed posting period. There are no minimum or maximum time limits on displaying the notice described in § 110.101(a). Each office receiving a notice for posting should choose the posting period which provides the best opportunity to inform managers and employees of regulatory changes based upon office layout, geographic dispersion of employees, and other local factors.

§ 151.101 Definitions.

In this part:

(a) State means a State or territory or possession of the United States.

(b) State or local agency means:

(1) The executive branch of a State, municipality, or other political subdivision of a State, or an agency or department thereof; or

(2) The executive branch of the District of Columbia, or an agency or department thereof.

(c) Federal agency means an executive agency or other agency of the United States, but does not include a member bank of the Federal Reserve System;

(d) State or local officer or employee means an individual employed by a State or local agency whose principal employment is in connection with an activity which is financed in whole or in part by loans or grants made by the United States or a Federal agency but does not include—

(1) An individual who exercises no functions in connection with that activity.

(2) An individual employed by an educational or research institution, establishment, agency, or system which is supported in whole or in part by—

(i) A State or political subdivision thereof;

(ii) The District of Columbia; or

(iii) A recognized religious, philanthropic, or cultural organization.

(e) Political party means a National political party, a State political party, and an affiliated organization.

(f) Election includes a primary, special, and general election.

(g) Nonpartisan election means an election at which none of the candidates is to be nominated or elected as representing a political party any of whose candidates for Presidential elector receives votes in the last preceding election at which Presidential electors were selected.

(h) Partisan when used as an adjective refers to a political party.

(i) Elective office means any office which is voted upon at an election as defined at § 151.101(f), above, but does not include political party office.

[40 FR 42733, Sept. 16, 1975, as amended at 79 FR 25484, May 5, 2014]

§ 151.111 Permissible activities.

(a) All State or local officers or employees are free to engage in political activity to the widest extent consistent with the restrictions imposed by law and this part. A State or local officer or employee may participate in all political activity not specifically restricted by law and this part, including candidacy for office in a nonpartisan election and candidacy for political party office.

[40 FR 42733, Sept. 16, 1975]

§ 151.121 Use of official authority; coercion; candidacy; prohibitions.

A State or local officer or employee may not—

(a) Use his official authority or influence for the purpose of interfering with or affecting the result of an election or a nomination for office; or

(b) Directly or indirectly coerce, attempt to coerce, command, or advise a State or local officer or employee to pay, lend, or contribute anything of value to a political party, committee, organization, agency, or person for a political purpose.

(c) Be a candidate for elective office if the salary of the employee is paid completely, directly or indirectly, by loans or grants made by the United States or a Federal agency.

[40 FR 42733, Sept. 16, 1975, as amended at 79 FR 25484, May 5, 2014]

§ 151.122 Candidacy; exceptions.

Section 151.121(c) does not apply to—

(a) The Governor or Lieutenant Governor of a State or an individual authorized by law to act as Governor;

(b) The Mayor of a city;

(c) A duly elected head of an executive department of a State, municipality, or the District of Columbia, who is not classified under a merit or civil service system of a State, municipality, or the District of Columbia;

(d) An individual holding elective office;

(e) Activity in connection with a nonpartisan election; or

(f) Candidacy for a position of officer of a political party, delegate to a political party convention, member of a National, State, or local committee of a political party, or any similar position.

[40 FR 42733, Sept. 16, 1975, as amended at 40 FR 47101, Oct. 8, 1975; 79 FR 25484, May 5, 2014]

§ 175.101 Policy.

The Office of Personnel Management bases its procedures for handling national security information on Executive Order 12065, “National Security Information,” and Information Security Oversight Office Directive No. 1 concerning national security information.

[45 FR 995, Jan. 4, 1980]

§ 175.102 Requests for the declassification of documents.

Any Federal agency, Government employee or member of the public has the right to request a mandatory review of any classified document, held by the Office of Personnel Management, which was classified for national security purposes by the Civil Service Commission. The Office of Personnel Management does not have the authority to classify documents.

(a) Requests for mandatory declassification review should be addressed to the Director, Office of Management, or the designee of the Director, who will act on requests within 60 days. Requests need not be made in any special form but shall, as specified in section 3-501 of the Executive order, reasonably describe the information.

(b) Based upon the review, the document, or any reasonably segregable portion thereof that no longer requires protection under the Executive order, shall be declassified and released unless withholding is otherwise warranted under applicable law.

(c) No OPM official will refuse to confirm the existence or non-existence of any document requested under the Freedom of Information Act or the mandatory review provisions of the Executive order, unless the fact of its existence or non-existence would itself be classifiable under the Executive order. OPM Administrative Manual chapter 22, covering OPM policies and procedures relating to classified information or material is available for inspection by the public in the OPM Library, room 5H27, 1900 E. St., NW., Washington, DC, or in one of the 10 OPM regional offices in the following cities: Atlanta, Boston, Chicago, Dallas, Denver, New York, Philadelphia, St. Louis, San Francisco and Seattle.

[45 FR 995, Jan. 4, 1980]

§ 177.101 Scope of regulations.

The regulations in this part apply only to claims presented or filed with the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) under the Federal Tort Claims Act, as amended, for money damages against the United States for injury to or loss of property or personal injury or death caused by the negligent or wrongful act or omission of an officer or employee of OPM while acting within the scope of his or her office or employment.

§ 177.102 Administrative claim; when presented; appropriate OPM office.

(a) For purposes of the provisions of 28 U.S.C. 2401(b), 2672, and 2675, a claim is deemed to have been presented when OPM receives from a claimant, his or her authorized agent or legal representative, an executed Standard Form 95 (Claim for Damage, Injury or Death), or other written notification of an incident, accompanied by a claim for money damages stating a sum certain (a specific dollar amount) for injury to or loss of property, personal injury, or death alleged to have occurred as a result of the incident.

(b) All claims filed under the Federal Tort Claims Act as a result of the alleged negligence or wrongdoing of OPM or its employees will be mailed or delivered to the Office of the General Counsel, United States Office of Personnel Management, 1900 E Street NW, Washington, DC 20415-1300.

(c) A claim must be presented to the Federal agency whose activities gave rise to the claim. A claim that should have been presented to OPM, but was mistakenly addressed to or filed with another Federal agency, is presented to OPM, as required by 28 U.S.C. 2401(b), as of the date the claim is received by OPM. When a claim is mistakenly presented to OPM, OPM will transfer the claim to the appropriate Federal agency, if ascertainable, and advise the claimant of the transfer, or return the claim to the claimant.

(d) A claimant whose claim arises from an incident involving OPM and one or more other Federal agencies, will identify each agency to which the claim has been submitted at the time the claim is presented to OPM. OPM will contact all other affected Federal agencies in order to designate the single agency that will investigate and decide the merits of the claim. In the event a designation cannot be agreed upon by the affected agencies, the Department of Justice will be consulted and will designate an agency to investigate and determine the merits of the claim. The designated agency will notify the claimant that all future correspondence concerning the claim must be directed to that Federal agency. All involved Federal agencies may agree to conduct their own administrative reviews and to coordinate the results, or to have the investigation conducted by the designated Federal agency. But, in either event, the designated agency will be responsible for the final determination of the claim.

(e) A claim presented in compliance with paragraph (a) of this section may be amended by the claimant at any time prior to final agency action or prior to the exercise of the claimant's option under 28 U.S.C. 2675(a). Amendments must be in writing and signed by the claimant or his or her authorized agent or legal representative. Upon timely filing of an amendment to a pending claim, OPM will have 6 months in which to make a final disposition of the claim as amended and claimant's option under 28 U.S.C. 2675 (a) will not accrue until 6 months after the filing of an amendment.

§ 177.103 Administrative claim; who may file.

(a) A claim for injury to or loss of property may be presented by the owner of the property, his or her authorized agent or legal representative.

(b) A claim for personal injury may be presented by the injured person, his or her authorized agent or legal representative.

(c) A claim based on death may be presented by the executor or administrator of the decedent's estate or by any other person legally entitled to assert a claim under the applicable State law.

(d) A claim for loss totally compensated by an insurer with the rights to subrogate may be presented by the insurer. A claim for loss partially compensated by an insurer with the rights to subrogate may be presented by the insurer or the insured individually, as their respective interests appear, or jointly. When an insurer presents a claim asserting the rights to subrogate, he or she will present with the claim appropriate evidence that he or she has the rights to subrogate.

(e) A claim presented by an agent or legal representative must be presented in the name of the claimant, be signed by the agent or legal representative, show the title or legal capacity of the person signing, and be accompanied by evidence of his or her authority to present a claim on behalf of the claimant as agent, executor, administrator, parent, guardian, or other representative.

§ 177.104 Investigations.

OPM may investigate, or may request any other Federal agency to investigate, a claim filed under this part.

§ 177.105 Administrative claim; evidence and information to be submitted.

(a) Death. In support of a claim based on death, the claimant may be required to submit the following evidence or information:

(1) An authenticated death certificate or other competent evidence showing cause of death, date of death, and age of the decedent.

(2) Decedent's employment or occupation at time of death, including his or her monthly or yearly salary or earnings (if any), and the duration of his or her last employment or occupation.

(3) Full names, addresses, birth date, kinship, and marital status of the decedent's survivors, including identification of those survivors who were dependent for support from the decedent at the time of death.

(4) Degree of support afforded by the decedent to each survivor dependent on him or her for support at the time of death.

(5) Decedent's general physical and mental condition before death.

(6) Itemized bills for medical and burial expenses incurred by reason of the incident causing death, or itemized receipts of payment for such expenses.

(7) If damages for pain and suffering before death are claimed, a physician's detailed statement specifying the injuries suffered, duration of pain and suffering, any drugs administered for pain, and the decedent's physical condition in the interval between injuries and death.

(8) Any other evidence or information which may have a bearing on either the responsibility of the United States for the death or the amount of damages claimed.

(b) Personal injury. In support of a claim for personal injury, including pain and suffering, the claimant may be required to submit the following evidence or information:

(1) A written report by the attending physician or dentist setting forth the nature and extent of the injury, nature and extent of treatment, any degree of temporary or permanent disability, the prognosis, period of hospitalization, and any diminished earning capacity. In addition, the claimant may be required to submit to a physical or mental examination by a physician employed by OPM or another Federal agency. On written request, OPM will make available to the claimant a copy of the report of the examining physician employed by the United States, provided the claimant has furnished OPM with the report referred to in the first sentence of this subparagraph. In addition, the claimant must have made or agrees to make available to OPM all other physician's reports previously or thereafter made of the physical or mental condition that is the subject matter of his or her claim.

(2) Itemized bills for medical, dental, and hospital expenses incurred, or itemized receipts of payment for such expenses.

(3) If the prognosis reveals the necessity for future treatment, a statement of expected expenses for such treatment.

(4) If a claim is made for loss of time from employment, a written statement from his or her employer showing actual time lost from employment, whether he or she is a full-or part-time employee, and wages or salary actually lost.

(5) If a claim is made for loss of income and the claimant is self-employed, documentary evidence showing the amount of earnings actually lost.

(6) Any other evidence or information which may have a bearing on either the responsibility of the United States for the personal injury or the damages claimed.

(c) Property damage. In support of a claim for injury to or loss of property, real or personal, the claimant may be required to submit the following evidence or information:

(1) Proof of ownership of the property.

(2) A detailed statement of the amount claimed with respect to each item of property.

(3) An itemized receipt of payment for necessary repairs or itemized written estimates of the cost of such repairs.

(4) A statement listing date of purchase, purchase price, and salvage value, where repair is economical.

(5) Any other evidence or information which may have a bearing on either the responsibility of the United States for the injury to or loss of property or the damages claimed.

§ 177.106 Authority to adjust, determine, compromise, and settle.

(a) The General Counsel of OPM, or his or her designee, is delegated authority to consider, ascertain, adjust, determine, compromise, and settle claims under the provisions of 28 U.S.C. 2672, and this part. The General Counsel, in his or her discretion, has the authority to further delegate the responsibility for adjudicating, considering, adjusting, compromising, and settling any claim submitted under the provisions of 28 U.S.C. 2672, and this part, that is based on the alleged negligence or wrongful act or omission of an OPM employee, with the exception of claims involving personal injury. All claims involving personal injury will be adjudicated, considered, adjusted, compromised and settled by the Office of the General Counsel.

§ 177.107 Limitations on authority.

(a) An award, compromise, or settlement of a claim under 28 U.S.C. 2672, and this part, in excess of $25,000 can be effected only with the prior written approval of the Attorney General or his or her designee. For purposes of this paragraph, a principal claim and any derivative or subrogated claim will be treated as a single claim.

(b) An administrative claim may be adjusted, determined, compromised, or settled under this part, only after consultation with the Department of Justice when, in the opinion of the General Counsel of OPM, or his or her designee:

(1) A new precedent or a new point of law is involved; or

(2) A question of policy is or may be involved; or

(3) The United States is or may be entitled to indemnity or contribution from a third party and OPM is unable to adjust the third party claim; or

(4) The compromise of a particular claim, as a practical matter, will or may control the disposition of a related claim in which the amount to be paid may exceed $25,000.

(c) An administrative claim may be adjusted, determined, compromised, or settled under 28 U.S.C. 2672, and this part, only after consultation with the Department of Justice when, OPM is informed or is otherwise aware that the United States or an employee, agent, or cost-type contractor of the United States is involved in litigation based on a claim arising out of the same incident or transaction.

§ 177.108 Referral to Department of Justice.

When Department of Justice approval or consultation is required, or the advice of the Department of Justice is otherwise to be requested, under § 177.107, the written referral or request will be transmitted to the Department of Justice by the General Counsel of OPM or his or her designee.

§ 177.109 Final denial of claim.

Final denial of an administrative claim must be in writing and sent to the claimant, his or her attorney, or legal representative by certified or registered mail. The notification of final denial may include a statement of the reasons for the denial. But, it must include a statement that, if the claimant is dissatisfied with the OPM action, he or she may file suit in an appropriate United States district court not later than 6 months after the date of mailing of the notification.

§ 177.110 Action on approved claim.

(a) Payment of a claim approved under this part is contingent on claimant's execution of a Standard Form 95 (Claim for Damage, Injury or Death); a claims settlement agreement; and a Standard Form 1145 (Voucher for Payment), as appropriate. When a claimant is represented by an attorney, the Voucher for Payment will designate both the claimant and his or her attorney as payees, and the check will be delivered to the attorney, whose address is to appear on the Voucher for Payment.

(b) Acceptance by the claimant, his or her agent, or legal representative, of an award, compromise, or settlement made under 28 U.S.C. 2672 or 28 U.S.C. 2677 is final and conclusive on the claimant, his or her agent or legal representative, and any other person on whose behalf or for whose benefit the claim has been presented, and constitutes a complete release of any claim against the United States and against any employee of the Federal Government whose act or omission gave rise to the claim, by reason of the same subject matter.

§ 178.101 Scope of subpart.

(a) Claims covered. This subpart prescribes general procedures applicable to claims against the United States that may be settled by the Director of the Office of Personnel Management pursuant to 31 U.S.C. 3702, 5 U.S.C. 5583 and 38 U.S.C. 5122. In general, these claims involve Federal employees' compensation and leave and claims for proceeds of canceled checks for veterans' benefits payable to deceased beneficiaries.

(b) Claims not covered. This subpart does not apply to claims that are under the exclusive jurisdiction of administrative agencies pursuant to specific statutory authority or claims concerning matters that are subject to negotiated grievance procedures under collective bargaining agreements entered into pursuant to 5 U.S.C. 7121(a). Also, these procedures do not apply to claims under the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA). Procedures for FLSA claims are set out in part 551 of this chapter.

§ 178.102 Procedures for submitting claims.

(a) Content of claims. Except as provided in paragraph (b) of this section, a claim must be submitted by the claimant or the claimant's representative and must be signed (in a verifiable manner, e.g., wet or digital signature) by the claimant or by the claimant's representative. The request should describe the basis for the claim and state the amount sought. The claim should also include:

(1) The name, address, telephone number, and email address of the claimant;

(2) The name, address, telephone number, and email address of the agency employee who denied the claim;

(3) A copy of the denial of the claim; and

(4) Any other information which the claimant believes OPM should consider.

(b) Agency submissions of claims. At the discretion of the agency, the agency may submit the claim to OPM on the claimant's behalf. The claimant is responsible for ensuring that OPM receives all the information requested in paragraph (a) of this section.

(c) Administrative report. At OPM's discretion, OPM may request the agency to provide an administrative report. This report should include:

(1) The agency's factual findings;

(2) The agency's conclusions of law with relevant citations;

(3) The agency's recommendation for disposition of the claim;

(4) A complete copy of any regulation, instruction, memorandum, or policy relied upon by the agency in making its determination;

(5) A statement that the claimant is or is not a member of a collective bargaining unit, and if so, a statement that the claim is or is not covered by a negotiated grievance procedure that specifically excludes the claim from coverage; and

(6) Any other information that the agency believes OPM should consider.

(d) Canceled checks for veterans' benefits. Claims for the proceeds of canceled checks for veterans' benefits payable to deceased beneficiaries must be accompanied by evidence that the claimant is the duly appointed representative of the decedent's estate and that the estate will not escheat.

(e) Filing a claim. An individual, or his or her authorized representative, seeking to file a claim under this part must use the electronic filing system available at https://opmefile.opm.gov/hc/en-us. Absent an exemption under paragraph (e)(2) of this section, OPM will not accept the filing of a claim, evidence, or other supporting documents via electronic mail or postal mail.

(1) Electronic filing (eFile) procedures. (i) All parties and their representatives to a claim must register as instructed by OPM on its website using a unique email address.

(ii) Registration as an eFiler constitutes consent to accept electronic service of all documents, records, notices, decisions filed by the agency, claimant, or issued by OPM. No party may electronically file any document with OPM or access a claim unless registered as an eFiler.

(iii) All notices, decisions, and other documents issued by OPM, as well as all documents filed by parties, will be made available for viewing and downloading at OPM's electronic filing system. Access to documents is limited to the parties and their representatives who are registered eFilers in the cases in which they were filed.

(iv) All parties and their representatives must follow the instructions on OPM's website for properly filing all claims, evidence, and other documents. OPM may strike a document where an eFiler repeatedly fails to follow these instructions subsequent to a show cause order.

(v) Each eFiler must promptly update their profile in OPM's electronic filing system. The electronic filing system will alert OPM, and other parties of any change made to their address, telephone number, or email address in each pending case with which they are associated. eFilers are also responsible for monitoring case activity regularly in OPM's electronic filing system to ensure that they have received all case-related documents and updates.

(vi) A party or representative may withdraw their registration as an eFiler pursuant to the requirements posted on OPM's website. Withdrawing registration in OPM's electronic filing system means that, effective upon OPM's processing of a proper withdrawal, all filings, evidence, orders, and other documents filed by a party or party's representative and OPM will no longer be made available to that person electronically and that person will no longer have electronic access to their case records through OPM's electronic filing system. OPM may still process a claim after a party or a party's representative withdraws as an eFiler. Withdrawal as a party or party's representative will not be considered good cause for staying a case.

(vii) Documents filed in OPM's electronic filing system are deemed received on the date of the electronic submission. The party submitting the claim or any documents will receive acknowledgement of receipt of the claim and submission of any documents to support the claim.

(2) OPM, in its sole and exclusive discretion, may exempt a party or representative from registering as an eFiler. A party or representative must promptly contact OPM as instructed on OPM's website to request an exemption from the eFiling requirements in this Part. OPM will not find good cause for failing to file a claim timely if the party or representative fails to contact OPM to request an exemption before any deadline to file.

(3) Submit FLSA claims as provided in subpart G of part 551 of this chapter.

[62 FR 68139, Dec. 31, 1997, as amended at 65 FR 40967, July 3, 2000; 91 FR 48233, July 31, 2026]

§ 178.103 Claim filed by a claimant's representative.

A claim filed by a claimant's representative must be supported by a duly executed power of attorney or other documentary evidence of the representative's right to act for the claimant.

§ 178.104 Statutory limitations on claims.

(a) Statutory limitations relating to claims generally. Except as provided in paragraphs (b) and (c) of this section or as otherwise provided by law, all claims against the United States Government are subject to the 6-year statute of limitations contained in 31 U.S.C. 3702(b). To satisfy the statutory limitation, a claim must be received by the Office of Personnel Management, or by the department or agency out of whose activities the claim arose, within 6 years from the date the claim accrued. The claimant is responsible for proving that the claim was filed within the applicable statute of limitations.

(b) Claims under the Fair Labor Standards Act. Claims arising under the FLSA, 29 U.S.C. 207, et seq., must be received by the Office of Personnel Management, or by the department or agency out of whose activity the claim arose, within the time limitations specified in the FLSA.

(c) Other statutory limitations. Statutes of limitation other than that identified in paragraph (a) of this section may apply to certain claims. Claimants are responsible for informing themselves regarding other possible statutory limitations.

§ 178.105 Basis of claim settlements.

The burden is upon the claimant to establish the timeliness of the claim, the liability of the United States, and the claimant's right to payment. The settlement of claims is based upon the written record only, which will include the submissions by the claimant and the agency. OPM will accept the facts asserted by the agency, absent clear and convincing evidence to the contrary.

§ 178.106 Form of claim settlements.

OPM will send a settlement to the claimant advising whether the claim may be allowed in whole or in part. If OPM requested an agency report or if the agency forwarded the claim on behalf of the claimant, OPM also will send the agency a copy of the settlement.

§ 178.107 Finality of claim settlements.

(a) The OPM settlement is final; no further administrative review is available within OPM.

(b) Nothing is this subpart limits the right of a claimant to bring an action in an appropriate United States court.

§ 178.201 Scope of subpart.

(a) Accounts covered. This subpart prescribes forms and procedures for the prompt settlement of accounts of deceased civilian officers and employees of the Federal Government and of the government of the District of Columbia (including wholly owned and mixed-ownership Government corporations), as stated in 5 U.S.C. 5581, 5582, 5583.

(b) Accounts not covered. This subpart does not apply to accounts of deceased officers and employees of the Federal land banks, Federal intermediate credit banks, or regional banks for cooperatives (see 5 U.S.C. 5581(1)). Also, these procedures do not apply to payment of unpaid balance of salary or other sums due deceased Senators or Members of the House of Representatives or their officers or employees (see 2 U.S.C. 36a, 38a).

§ 178.202 Definitions.

(a) The term deceased employees as used in this part includes former civilian officers and employees who die subsequent to separation from the employing agency.

(b) The term money due means the pay, salary, or allowances due on account of the services of the decedent for the Federal Government or the government of the District of Columbia. It includes, but is not limited to:

(1) All per diem instead of subsistence, mileage, and amounts due in reimbursement of travel expenses, including incidental and miscellaneous expenses which are incurred in connection with the travel and for which reimbursement is due;

(2) All allowances upon change of official station;

(3) All quarters and cost-of-living allowances and overtime or premium pay;

(4) Amounts due for payment of cash awards for employees' suggestions;

(5) Amounts due as refund of salary deductions for United States Savings bonds;

(6) Payment for all accumulated and current accrued annual or vacation leave equal to the pay the decedent would have received had he or she lived and remained in the service until the expiration of the period of such annual or vacation leave;

(7) The amounts of all checks drawn in payment of such compensation which were not delivered by the Government to the officer or employee during his or her lifetime or of any unnegotiated checks returned to the Government because of the death of the officer or employee; and

(8) Retroactive pay under 5 U.S.C. 5344(b)(2).

§ 178.203 Designation of beneficiary.

(a) Agency notification. The employing agency shall notify each employee of his or her right to designate a beneficiary or beneficiaries to receive money due, and of the disposition of money due if a beneficiary is not designated. An employee may change or revoke a designation at any time under regulations promulgated by the Director of the Office of Personnel Management or his or her designee.

(b) Designation Form. Standard Form 1152, Designation of Beneficiary, Unpaid Compensation of Deceased Civilian Employee, is prescribed for use by employees in designating a beneficiary and in changing or revoking a previous designation; each agency will furnish the employee a Standard Form 1152 upon request. In the absence of the prescribed form, however, any designation, change, or cancellation of beneficiary witnessed and filed in accordance with the general requirements of this part will be acceptable.

(c) Who may be designated. An employee may designate any person or persons as beneficiary. The term person or persons as used in this part includes a legal entity or the estate of the deceased employee.

(d) Executing and filing a designation of beneficiary form. The Standard Form 1152 must be executed in duplicate by the employee and filed with the employing agency where the proper officer will sign it and insert the date of receipt in the space provided on each part, file the original, and return the duplicate to the employee. When a designation of beneficiary is changed or revoked, the employing agency should return the earlier designation to the employee, keeping a copy of only the current designation on file.

(e) Effective period of a designation. A properly executed and filed designation of beneficiary will be effective as long as employment by the same agency continues. If an employee resigns and is reemployed, or is transferred to another agency, the employee must execute another designation of beneficiary form in accordance with paragraph (d) of this section. A new designation of beneficiary is not required, however, when an employee's agency or site, function, records, equipment, and personnel are absorbed by another agency.

§ 178.204 Order of payment precedence.

To facilitate the settlement of the accounts of the deceased employees, money due an employee at the time of the employee's death shall be paid to the person or persons surviving at the date of death, in the following order of precedence, and the payment bars recovery by another person of amounts so paid:

(a) First, to the beneficiary or beneficiaries designated by the employee in a writing received in the employing agency prior to the employee's death;

(b) Second, if there is no designated beneficiary, to the surviving spouse of the employee;

(c) Third, if none of the above, to the child or children of the employee and descendants of deceased children by representation;

(d) Fourth, if none of the above, to the parents of the deceased employee or the survivor of them;

(e) Fifth, if none of the above, to the duly appointed legal representative of the estate of the deceased employee; and

(f) Sixth, if none of the above, to the person or persons entitled under the laws of the domicile of the employee at the time of his or her death.

§ 178.205 Procedures upon death of employee.

(a) Claim form. As soon as practicable after the death of an employee, the agency in which the employee was last employed will request, in the order of precedence outlined in § 178.204, the appropriate person or persons to execute Standard Form 1153, Claim for Unpaid Compensation of Deceased Civilian Employee.

(b) Claims involving minors or incompetents. If a guardian or committee has been appointed for a minor or incompetent appearing entitled to unpaid compensation, the claim should be supported by a certificate of the court showing the appointment and qualification of the claimant in such capacity. If no guardian or committee has been or will be appointed, the initial claim should be supported by a statement showing:

(1) Claimant's relationship to the minor or incompetent, if any;

(2) The name and address of the person having care and custody of the minor or incompetent;

(3) That any moneys received will be applied to the use and benefit of the minor or incompetent; and

(4) That the appointment of a guardian or committee is not contemplated.

§ 178.206 Return of unnegotiated Government checks.

All unnegotiated United States Government checks drawn to the order of a decedent representing money due as defined in § 178.202, and in the possession of the claimant, should be returned to the employing agency concerned. Claimants should be instructed to return any other United States Government checks drawn to the order of a decedent, such as veterans benefits, social security benefits, or Federal tax refunds, to the agency from which the checks were received, with a request for further instructions from that agency.

§ 178.207 Claims settlement jurisdiction.

(a) District of Columbia and Government corporations. Claims for unpaid compensation due deceased employees of the government of the District of Columbia shall be paid by the District of Columbia, and those of Government corporations or mixed ownership Government corporations may be paid by the corporations.

(b) Office of Personnel Management. Each agency shall pay undisputed claims for the compensation due a deceased employee. Except as provided in paragraph (a) of this section, disputed claims for money due deceased employees of the Federal Government will be submitted to the Office of Merit Systems Oversight and Effectiveness, in accordance with § 178.102 of subpart A. For example:

(1) When doubt exists as to the amount or validity of the claim;

(2) When doubt exists as to the person(s) properly entitled to payment; or

(3) When the claim involves uncurrent checks. Uncurrent checks are unnegotiated and/or undelivered checks for money due the decedent which have not been paid by the end of the fiscal year after the fiscal year in which the checks were issued. The checks, if available, should accompany the claims.

(c) Payment of claim. Claims for money due will be paid by the appropriate agency only after settlement by the Office of Merit Systems Oversight and Effectiveness occurs.

[62 FR 68139, Dec. 31, 1997, as amended at 65 FR 40967, July 3, 2000]

§ 178.208 Applicability of general procedures.

When not in conflict with this subpart, the provisions of subpart A of this part relating to procedures applicable to claims generally are also applicable to the settlement of account of deceased civilian officers and employees.

§ 179.101 General collection standards.

The general standards and procedures governing the collection, compromise, termination, and referral to the Department of Justice of claims for money and property that are prescribed in the regulations issued jointly by the General Accounting Office and the Department of Justice pursuant to the Federal Claims Collection Act of 1966 (4 CFR part 101 et seq.), apply to the administrative claim collection activities of OPM.

[33 FR 12406, Sept. 4, 1968]

§ 179.102 Delegation of authority.

(a) The Chief Financial Officer and his or her delegates are designated by the Director and authorized to perform all the duties for which the Director is responsible under the Debt Collection Act of 1982 and Office of Personnel Management regulations with the exception of debts arising from the Civil Service Retirement and Disability Fund, the Employees' Life Insurance Fund, the Retired Federal Employees Health Benefits Act (74 Stat. 849), and the Employees Health Benefits Fund. However, the Chief Financial Officer and his or her delegates will request a review by the General Counsel or his or her designee for all claims processed (in amounts of $2500 or more) for compromise, suspension, and termination of collection action.

(b) The Associate Director for Retirement and Insurance and his or her delegates are designated by the Director and authorized to perform all the duties for which the Director is responsible under the Debt Collection Act of 1982 and Office of Personnel Management regulations on debts caused by payments from the Civil Service Retirement and Disability Fund (subchapter III of chapter 83 or chapter 84), claims under the provisions of the Federal Employees' Life Insurance Fund (chapter 87), the Retired Federal Employees Health Benefits Act (74 Stat. 849), the Employees Health Benefits Fund (chapter 89), the Panama Canal Construction Annuity Act (58 Stat. 257), and, the Lighthouse Service Widows' Annuity Act (64 Stat. 465).

[59 FR 35216, July 11, 1994]

§ 179.201 Purpose.

The purpose of the Debt Collection Act of 1982 (Pub. L. 97-365), is to provide a comprehensive statutory approach to the collection of debts due the Federal Government. These regulations implement section 5 of the Act which authorizes the collection of debts owed by Federal employees to the Federal Government by means of salary offset, except that no claim may be collected by such means if outstanding for more than 10 years after the agency's right to collect the debt first accrued, unless facts material to the Government's right to collect were not known, and could not reasonably have been known, by the official or officials who were charged with the responsibility for discovery and collection of such debts. These regulations are consistent with the regulations on salary offset published by the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) on July 3, 1984 (49 FR 27470) in 5 CFR part 550, subpart K.

§ 179.202 Scope.

(a) These regulations provide procedures for the collection of monies from a Federal employee's pay by salary offset to satisfy certain debts owed the Government.

(b) These regulations apply to all collections by the Director of OPM (except collections involving debts because of payments made from the Civil Service Retirement and Disability Fund, payments made under the Retired Federal Employees Health Benefits Act (74 Stat. 849), the Panama Canal Construction Annuity Act and the Lighthouse Service Widows' Annuity Act and payments or premiums relating to the Federal Employees' Life Insurance Fund or the Federal Employees Health Benefits Fund) from:

(1) Federal employees who owe debts to OPM; and

(2) OPM employees who owe debts to other agencies.

(c) These regulations do not apply to debts or claims arising under the Internal Revenue Code of 1954, as amended (26 U.S.C. 1 et seq.); the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 301 et seq.); the tariff laws of the United States; or to any case where collection of a debt by salary offset is explicitly provided for or prohibited by another statute (e.g., travel advances in 5 U.S.C. 5705 and employee training expenses in 5 U.S.C. 4108).

(d) Section 179.207 does not apply to any adjustment to pay arising from an employee's election of coverage or a change in coverage under a Federal benefits program requiring periodic deductions from pay, if the amount to be recovered was accumulated over four pay periods or less.

(e) Nothing in these regulations precludes the compromise, suspension, or termination of collection actions, where appropriate, under the standards implementing the Federal Claims Collection Act (31 U.S.C. 3711 et seq., 4 CFR parts 101-105, 38 CFR 1.900 et seq.).

(f) Nothing in these regulations precludes an employee from requesting a waiver of the debt under applicable statute; under the standards and procedures specified by the Federal Claims Collection Standards (FCCS); or waiver of salary overpayment under 5 U.S.C. 5584, 10 U.S.C. 2774, or 32 U.S.C. 716, by submitting a subsequent claim to the General Accounting Office in accordance with procedures established by the General Accounting Office.

§ 179.203 Definitions.

As used in this subpart the following definitions shall apply:

Agency means:

(1) An Executive Agency as defined by section 105 of title 5, United States Code;

(2) A military department as defined by section 102 of title 5, United States Code;

(3) An agency or court of the judicial branch including a court as defined in section 610 of title 28, United States Code, the District Court for the Northern Mariana Islands and the Judicial Panel and Multidistrict Litigation;

(4) An agency of the legislative branch, including the U.S. Senate and the U.S. House of Representatives; and

(5) Other independent establishments that are entities of the Federal Government.

Certification means a written debt claim, as prescribed by § 179.209, that is received from a creditor agency and which requests the paying agency to offset the salary of an employee.

Claim See debt.

Creditor agency means an agency of the Federal Government to which the debt is owed. For purposes of this part creditor agency includes OPM, unless otherwise noted.

Debt means money owed by an employee of the Federal Government to an agency of the Federal Government, from sources which include loans insured or guaranteed by the United States and all other amounts due the Government from fees, leases, rents, royalties, services, sales of real or personal property, overpayments, penalties, damages, interests, fines and forfeitures (except those arising under the Uniform Code of Military Justice) and all other similar sources.

Delinquent means the failure to pay an obligation or debt by the date specified in the initial notification or applicable contractual agreement, unless other payment arrangements have been agreed to by OPM and the debtor by that date, or if, at any time thereafter, the debtor fails to satisfy the obligations under a payment agreement with the creditor agency.

Director means the Director of OPM or his or her designee.

Disposable pay means that part of current basic pay, special pay, incentive pay, retired pay, retainer pay, or, in the case of an employee not entitled to basic pay, other authorized pay remaining after the deduction of any amount required by law to be withheld. OPM shall allow the following deductions, and any others required by law to be withheld, in determining disposable pay subject to salary offset;

(1) Federal employment taxes;

(2) Amounts mandatorily withheld for the U.S. Soldiers' and Airmen's Home;

(3) Fines and forfeitures ordered by a court martial or by a commanding officer;

(4) Federal, state or local income taxes no greater than would be the case if the employee claimed all dependents to which he or she is entitled and such additional amounts for which the employee presents evidence of a tax obligation supporting the additional withholding;

(5) Amounts withheld from benefits payable under title II of the Social Security Act where the withholding is required by law;

(6) Amounts deducted for Medicare;

(7) Health insurance premiums;

(8) Normal retirement contributions as explained in 5 CFR 581.105(e) (e.g., Civil Service Retirement deductions, Survivor Benefit Plan or Retired Serviceman's Family Protection Plan); and

(9) Normal life insurance premiums (e.g., Serviceman's Group Life Insurance and basic Federal Employee's Group Life Insurance premiums) exclusive of optional life insurance premiums.

Employee means a current employee of OPM or other agency, including a current member of the Armed Forces or Reserve of the Armed Forces of the United States.

FCCS means the Federal Claims Collection Standards jointly published by the Department of Justice and the General Accounting Office of 4 CFR 101.1 et seq.

Hearing official means an individual (including an administrative law judge) responsible for conducting any hearing with respect to the existence or amount of a debt claimed, and rendering a decision on the basis of such hearing. A hearing official may not be under the supervision or control of the Director of OPM when OPM is the creditor agency.

Notice of intent to offset or notice of intent means a written notice from a creditor agency to an employee that states the creditor agency's determination that the employee owes a debt to the creditor agency and apprises the employee of certain administrative rights.

Notice of salary offset means a written notice from the paying agency to an employee after a certification has been issued by the creditor agency, informing the employee that salary offset will begin at the next officially established pay interval.

Office means the central and regional offices of the Office of Personnel Management.

Paying agency means the agency of the Federal Government which employs the individual who owes a debt to an agency of the Federal Government. In some cases, OPM may be both the creditor agency and the paying agency.

Payroll office means the payroll office in the paying agency which is primarily responsible for the payroll records and the coordination of pay matters with the appropriate personnel office with respect to an employee. Payroll office, with respect to OPM, means the central payroll office.

Salary offset means an administrative offset to collect a debt under 5 U.S.C. 5514 by deduction(s) at one or more officially established pay intervals from the current pay account of an employee, without his or her consent.

Salary Offset Coordinator means an official, designated by the Director of OPM, who is responsible for coordinating debt collection activities for OPM.

Waiver means the cancellation, remission, forgiveness, or non-recovery of a debt allegedly owed by an employee to OPM or another agency as permitted or required by 5 U.S.C. 5584, 10 U.S.C. 2774, 32 U.S.C. 716, or any other law.

§ 179.204 Applicability of regulations.

These regulations are to be followed for all OPM collections (except those involving retirement, life, and health insurance debts for recovery by the Associate Director for Retirement and Insurance) in instances where:

(a) OPM is owed a debt by an individual currently employed by another agency;

(b) OPM is owed a debt by an individual who is a current employee of OPM; or

(c) OPM currently employs an individual who owes a debt to another Federal agency. Upon receipt of proper certification from the creditor agency, OPM will offset the debtor-employee's salary in accordance with these regulations.

§ 179.205 Waiver requests and claims to the General Accounting Office.

These regulations do not preclude an employee from requesting waiver of an overpayment under 5 U.S.C. 5584, 10 U.S.C. 2774, 32 U.S.C. 716, or in any way questioning the amount or validity of a debt by submitting a subsequent claim to the General Accounting Office in accordance with the procedures prescribed by the General Accounting Office. These regulations do not preclude an employee from requesting a waiver pursuant to other statutory provisions pertaining to the particular debt being collected.

§ 179.206 Notice requirements before offset.

(a) Deductions under the authority of 5 U.S.C. 5514 shall not be made unless the creditor agency provides the employee with written notice that he/she owes a debt to the Federal government a minimum of 30 calendar days before salary offset is initiated. When OPM is the creditor agency, this notice of intent to offset an employee's salary shall be hand-delivered at work, or sent by registered mail, return receipt requested, to the employee's most current address that is available to the Office and will state:

(1) That the creditor agency has reviewed the records relating to the claim and has determined that a debt is owed, the amount of the debt, and the facts giving rise to the debt;

(2) The creditor agency's intention to collect the debt by means of deduction from the employee's current disposable pay account until the debt and all accumulated interest are paid in full;

(3) The amount, frequency, beginning date, and duration of the intended deductions;

(4) An explanation of OPM's policy concerning interest, penalties and administrative costs including a statement that such assessments must be made unless excused in accordance with the FCCS, 4 CFR 101.1 et seq. (§ 179.214);

(5) The employee's right to inspect and copy all records of the office pertaining to the debt claimed, or to request and to receive copies of such records if personal inspection is impractical;

(6) If not previously provided, the opportunity to establish a schedule for the voluntary repayment of the debt through offset or to enter into an agreement to establish a schedule for repayment of the debt in lieu of offset (4 CFR 102.2(e)). The agreement must contain terms agreeable to the Office and must be in such form that it is legally enforceable. The agreement must:

(i) Be in writing;

(ii) Be signed by both the employee and the creditor agency;

(iii) Specify all the terms of the arrangement for payment; and

(iv) Contain a provision accelerating the debt in the event of a default by the debtor, but such an increase may not result in a deduction that exceeds 15 percent of the employee's disposable pay unless the employee has agreed in writing to the deduction of a greater amount (5 CFR 550.1104(i)).

(7) The right to a hearing conducted by an impartial hearing official (an administrative law judge, or alternatively, a hearing official not under the supervision or control of the Director) with respect to the existence and amount of the debt claimed, or the repayment schedule (i.e., the percentage of disposable pay to be deducted each pay period), so long as a petition is filed by the employee as prescribed in § 179.207;

(8) The method and time period for requesting a hearing;

(9) The name, address and phone number of an official or employee of the Office who may be contacted concerning procedures for requesting a hearing;

(10) The name and address of the office to which the petition for a hearing should be sent;

(11) That a timely and properly filed petition for hearing will stay the commencement of collection proceedings (a timely filing must be received in the office specified under paragraph (a)(10) of this section within 15 calendar days after receipt of such notice of intent to offset);

(12) That the Office will initiate certification procedures to implement a salary offset (which may not exceed 15 percent of the employee's disposable pay) not less than 30 days from the date of receipt of the notice of debt, unless the employee files a timely petition for a hearing;

(13) That a final decision on the hearing (if a hearing is requested) will be issued at the earliest practical date, but not later than 60 days after the filing of the petition requesting the hearing, unless the employee requests and the hearing official grants a delay in the proceedings;

(14) That any knowingly false or frivolous statements, representations, or evidence may subject the employee to;

(i) Disciplinary procedures appropriate under chapter 75 of title 5, United States code; part 752 of title 5, Code of Federal Regulations; or any other applicable statute or regulations;

(ii) Penalties under the False Claims Act, sections 3729 through 3731 of title 31, United States Code, or any other applicable statutory authority; and

(iii) Criminal penalties under sections 286, 287, 1001, and 1002 of title 18, United States code, or any other applicable statutory authority;

(15) Any other rights and remedies available to the employee under statutes or regulations governing the program for which the collection is being made;

(16) That unless there are applicable contractual or statutory provisions to the contrary, amounts paid on or deducted for the debt, which are later waived or found not owed to the United States, will be promptly refunded to the employee; and

(17) That proceedings with respect to such debt are governed by section 5 of the Debt Collection Act of 1982 (5 U.S.C. 5514).

(b) The Office is not required to comply with paragraph (a) of this section for any adjustment to pay arising from:

(1) An employee's selection of coverage or a change in coverage under a Federal benefits program requiring periodic deductions from pay, if the amount to be recovered was accumulated over four pay periods or less; or

(2) An employee's consent to make voluntary withholdings from his or her current pay account.

§ 179.207 Hearing.

(a) Request for hearing. Except as provided in paragraph (b) of this section, an employee who desires a hearing concerning the existence or amount of the debt or the proposed offset schedule must send such a request to the office designated in the notice of intent (§ 179.207(a)(10)). The request (or petition) for hearing must be received by the designated office not later than 15 calendar days following the employee's receipt of the notice. The employee's request (or petition) must:

(1) Be signed by the employee;

(2) Fully identify and explain with reasonable specificity all the facts, evidence and witnesses, if any, that the employee believes support his or her position; and

(3) Specify whether an oral or paper hearing is requested. If an oral hearing is desired, the request should explain why the matter cannot be resolved by review of the documentary evidence alone (4 CFR 102.3(c)).

(b) Failure to timely submit. (1) If the employee files a petition for a hearing after the expiration of the 15 calendar day period provided for in paragraph (a) of this section, the Office may accept the request if the employee can show that the delay was the result of circumstances beyond his of her control or failure to receive actual notice of the filing deadline (unless the employee had actual notice of the filing deadline).

(2) An employee waives the right to a hearing, and will have his or her disposable pay offset in accordance with the Office offset schedule, if the employee:

(i) Fails to file a timely request for a hearing unless such failure is excused; or

(ii) Fails to appear at an oral hearing of which he or she was notified unless the hearing official determines that failure to appear was due to circumstances beyond the employee's control.

(c) Representation at the hearing. The creditor agency may be represented by legal counsel. The employee may represent himself or herself or may be represented by an individual of his or her choice and at his or her expense.

(d) Review of Office records related to the debt. (1) An employee who intends to inspect or copy creditor agency records related to the debt, as provided by § 179.207(a)(5), must send a letter to the official designated in the notice of intent to offset stating his or her intention. The letter must be received within 15 calendar days after the employee's receipt of the notice.

(2) In response to a timely request submitted by the debtor, the designated official will notify the employee of the location and time when the employee may inspect and copy records related to the debt.

(3) If personal inspection is impractical, arrangements shall be made to end copies of such records to the employee.

(e) Hearing official. The Office may request an administrative law judge to conduct the hearing, or the Office may obtain a hearing official who is not under the supervision or control of the Director of OPM.

(f) Obtaining the services of a hearing official when OPM is the creditor agency. (1) When the debtor is not an OPM employee and the Office cannot provide a prompt and appropriate hearing before a hearing official furnished pursuant to another lawful arrangement, the Office may contact an agent of the paying agency designated in 5 CFR part 581, appendix A, or other individual designated by the paying agency, and request a hearing official.

(2) When the debtor is an OPM employee, the Office may contact any agent of another agency designated in 5 CFR part 581, appendix A, or otherwise designated by that agency, to request a hearing official.

(g) Procedure—(1) General. After the employee requests a hearing, the hearing official shall notify the employee of the form of the hearing to be provided. If the hearing will be oral, the notice shall set forth the date, time and location of the hearing. If the hearing will be paper, the employee shall be notified that he or she should submit arguments in writing to the hearing official by a specified date after which the record shall be closed. This date shall give the employee reasonable time to submit documentation.

(2) Oral hearing. An employee who requests an oral hearing shall be provided an oral hearing if the hearing official determines that the matter cannot be resolved by review of documentary evidence alone (e.g., when an issue of credibility or veracity is involved). The hearing is not an adversarial adjudication and need not take the form of an evidentiary hearing. Oral hearings may take the form of, but are not limited to:

(i) Informal conferences with the hearing official, in which the employee and agency representative will be given full opportunity to present evidence, witnesses, and argument;

(ii) Informal meetings with an interview of the employee; or

(iii) Formal written submissions with an opportunity for oral presentation.

(3) Paper hearing. If the hearing official determines that an oral hearing is not necessary, he or she will make a determination based upon a review of the available written record (4 CFR 102.3(c) (2) and (3)).

(4) Record. The hearing official must maintain a summary record of any hearing provided by this subpart (4 CFR 102.3(c)(1)(ii)). Witnesses who testify in oral hearings will do so under oath or affirmation.

(h) Date of decision. The hearing official shall issue a written opinion stating his or her decision, based upon documentary evidence and information developed at the hearing, as soon as practicable after the hearing, but not later than 60 days after the date on which the petition was received by the creditor agency, unless the employee requests a delay in the proceedings. In such case the 60-day decision period shall be extended by the number of days by which the hearing was postponed.

(i) Content of decision. The written decision shall include:

(1) A statement of the facts presented to support the origin, nature, and amount of the debt;

(2) The hearing official's findings, analysis, and conclusions including a determination whether the debtor's petition for hearing was baseless and resulted from an intent to delay creditor agency collection activity and whether the Office should pursue other actions against the debtor as provided by 5 CFR 550.1104(d)(11); and

(3) The terms of any repayment schedules, if applicable.

(j) Failure to appear. In the absence of good cause shown (e.g., illness), an employee who fails to appear at a hearing shall be deemed, for the purpose of this subpart, to admit the existence and amount of the debt as described in the notice of intent. If the representative of the creditor agency fails to appear, the hearing official shall proceed with the hearing as scheduled and make his/her determination based upon the oral testimony presented and the documentary evidence submitted by both parties. With the agreement of both parties, the hearing official shall schedule a new hearing date. Both parties shall be given reasonable notice of the time and place of the new hearing.

§ 179.208 Certification.

(a) OPM salary offset coordinator shall provide a certification to the paying agency in all cases where:

(1) The hearing official determines that a debt exists;

(2) The employee fails to contest the existence and amount of the debt by failing to request a hearing; or

(3) The employee fails to contest the existence of the debt by failing to appear at a hearing.

(b) The certification must be in writing and must state:

(1) That the employee owes the debt;

(2) The amount and basis of the debt;

(3) The date the Government's right to collect the debt first accrued;

(4) That the Office's regulations have been approved by OPM pursuant to 5 CFR part 550, subpart K;

(5) The date on which payment(s) is due;

(6) If the collection is to be made in installments, the number of installments to be collected, the amount of each installment or percentage of disposable pay, and the commencement date of the first installment, if a date other than the next officially established pay period is required; and

(7) The date(s) of any action(s) taken under 5 U.S.C. 5514(b).

§ 179.209 Voluntary repayment agreement as alternative to salary offset.

(a)(1) In response to a notice of intent, an employee may propose to repay the debt by making voluntary installment payments as an alternative to salary offset. An employee who wishes to repay a debt without salary offset shall submit in writing a proposed agreement to repay the debt. The proposal shall admit the existence of the debt, and the agreement must be in such form that it is legally enforceable. The agreement must:

(i) Be in writing;

(ii) Be signed by both the employee and the creditor agency;

(iii) Specify all the terms of the arrangement for payment; and

(iv) Contain a provision accelerating the debt in the event of default by the debtor, but such an increase may not result in a deduction that exceeds 15 percent of the employee's disposable pay unless the employee has agreed in writing to deduction of a greater amount (5 CFR 550.1104(i)).

(2) Any proposal under paragraph (a) of this section must be received by the official designated in the notice of intent within 30 calendar days after receipt of the notice.

(b) The creditor agency will review a timely and properly submitted repayment proposal by the employee debtor and notify the employee whether the proposed written agreement for repayment is acceptable. It is within the creditor agency's discretion to accept a repayment agreement instead of proceeding by offset.

(c) If the creditor agency decides that the proposed repayment agreement is unacceptable, the employee will have 15 days from the date he or she received notice of that decision to file a petition for a hearing or a special review as provided by § 179.210.

(d) If the creditor agency decides that the proposed repayment agreement is acceptable, the alternative arrangement must be in writing, signed by both the employee and the creditor agency designee and meet the other requirements of this section for a voluntary repayment agreement.

§ 179.210 Special review.

(a) An OPM employee subject to salary offset or a voluntary repayment agreement, may, at any time, request a special review by the Office of the amount of the salary offset or voluntary payment, based on materially changed circumstances such as, but not limited to, catastrophic illness, divorce, death, or disability.

(b) In determining whether an offset would prevent the employee from meeting essential subsistence expenses (food, housing, clothing, transportation and medical care), the employee shall submit a detailed statement and supporting documents for the employee, his or her spouse, and dependents indicating:

(1) Income from all sources;

(2) Assets;

(3) Liabilities;

(4) Number of dependents;

(5) Expenses for food, housing, clothing and transportation;

(6) Medical expenses; and

(7) Exceptional expenses, if any.

If an OPM employee requests a special review under this section, the employee shall file an alternative proposed offset or payment schedule and a statement, with supporting documents (§ 179.210(b)), stating why the current salary offset or payments result in an extreme financial hardship to the employee.

(c) The Director shall evaluate the statement and supporting documents, and determine whether the original offset or repayment schedule imposes an extreme financial hardship on the employee. The Director shall notify the employee in writing of such determination, including, if appropriate, a revised offset or repayment schedule.

(d) If the special review results in a revised offset or repayment schedule, the OPM salary offset coordinator shall provide a new certification to the payroll office.

§ 179.211 Notice of salary offset.

(a) Upon receipt of proper certification from a creditor agency, the OPM payroll office will send the OPM employee, identified in the certification as the debtor, a written notice of salary offset. Such notice shall, at a minimum:

(1) State that OPM has received a properly certified debt claim from a creditor agency;

(2) Contain a copy of the certification received from the creditor agency;

(3) Advise the employee that salary offset will be initiated at the next officially established pay interval; and

(4) State the amount of the claim and amount of deductions.

(b) The payroll office shall provide a copy of the notice to the creditor agency and advise such agency of the dollar amount to be offset and the pay period when the offset will begin.

§ 179.212 Procedures for salary offset.

(a) The Director or his or her designee shall coordinate salary deductions under this subpart.

(b) OPM payroll office shall determine the amount of an employee's disposable pay and implement the salary offset.

(c) Deductions shall begin effective the pay period following receipt by OPM's payroll office of proper certification of the debt (§ 179.208).

(d) Types of collection—(1) Lump-sum payment. A debt will be collected in a lump sum if possible. If an employee is financially unable to pay in one lump sum or the amount of the debt exceeds 15 percent of disposable pay for an officially established pay interval, collection must be made in installments.

(2) Installment deductions. Installment deductions will be made over a period not greater than the anticipated period of employment and, except in rare circumstances, not to exceed 3 years. The size and frequency of installment deductions will bear a reasonable relation to the size of the debt and the employee's ability to pay. The amount deducted for any period will not exceed 15 percent of the disposable pay from which the deduction is made unless the employee has agreed in writing to the deduction of a greater amount.

(3) Lump-sum deductions from final check. A lump-sum deduction exceeding the 15 percent disposable pay limitation may be made from any final salary payment pursuant to 31 U.S.C. 3716 in order to liquidate the debt, whether the employee is being separated voluntarily or involuntarily.

(4) Lump-sum deductions from other sources. When an employee subject to salary offset is separated from OPM and the balance of the debt cannot be liquidated by offset of the final salary check, the Office, pursuant to 31 U.S.C. 3716, the FCCS and OPM's implementing regulations, may offset the balance of the debt against any financial payment due the employee from the U.S. Government.

(e) Multiple debts. In instances where two or more creditor agencies are seeking salary offset, or where two or more debts are owed to a single creditor agency, OPM payroll office may, at its discretion, determine whether one or more debts should be offset simultaneously within the 15 percent limitation.

(f) Precedence of debts owed to OPM. For OPM employees, debts owed to the Office generally take precedence over debts owed to other agencies. In the event that a debt to the Office is certified while an employee is subject to a salary offset to repay another agency, the OPM payroll office may decide whether to have that debt repaid in full before collecting its claim or whether changes should be made in the salary deduction being sent to the other agency. If debts owed the Office can be collected in one pay period, the payroll office may suspend the salary offset to the other agency for that pay period in order to liquidate the office debt.

(g) When an employee owes two or more debts, the best interests of the Government shall be the primary consideration in determining the order of debt collection. The OPM payroll office, in making this determination, will be guided primarily by the statute of limitations that affects the collection of the debt(s).

§ 179.213 Coordinating salary offset with other agencies.

(a) Responsibility of OPM as the creditor agency. (1) The Director or his or her designee shall coordinate debt collections with other agencies and shall, as appropriate:

(i) Arrange for a hearing or special review upon proper petitioning by a Federal employee; and

(ii) Prescribe, upon consultation with the General Counsel, such additional practices and procedures as may be necessary to carry out the intent of this regulation.

(2) The designated salary offset coordinator will be responsible for:

(i) Ensuring that each notice of intent to offset is consistent with the requirements of § 179.206;

(ii) Ensuring that each certification of debt that is sent to a paying agency is consistent with the requirements of § 179.208;

(iii) Obtaining hearing officials from other agencies pursuant to § 179.207(f); and

(iv) Ensuring that hearings are properly scheduled.

(3) Requesting recovery from current paying agency. Upon completion of the procedures established in these regulations and pursuant to 5 U.S.C. 5514, the Office must:

(i) Certify, in writing, to the paying agency that the employee owes the debt, the amount and basis of the debt, the date on which payment(s) is due, the date the Government's right to collect the debt first accrued, and that the Office's regulations implementing 5 U.S.C. 5514 have been approved by the Office of Personnel Management;

(ii) Advise the paying agency of the amount or percentage of disposable pay to be collected in each installment and the number and commencing date of the installments (if a date other than the next officially established pay period is required);

(iii) Advise the paying agency of the action(s) taken under 5 U.S.C. 5514(b) and give the date(s) and action(s) was taken (unless the employee has consented to the salary offset in writing or signed a statement acknowledging receipt of the required procedures and the written consent or statement is forwarded to the paying agency);

(iv) Submit a debt claim certification containing the information specified in paragraphs (a)(3)(i), (a)(3)(ii) and (a)(3)(iii) of this section and an installment agreement (or other instruction on the payment schedule), if applicable, to the employee's paying agency; and

(v) Submit the debt claim, as provided in § 179.208, to the employee's paying agency for collection if the employee is in the process of separating, and has not received a final salary check, or other final payment(s) from the paying agency. The paying agency must certify the total amount of its collection on the debt and send a copy of the certification to the employee and another copy to the creditor agency. If the paying agency's collection does not fully satisfy the debt, and the paying agency is aware that the debtor is entitled to payments from the Civil Service Retirement and Disability Fund or other similar payments that may be due the debtor employee from other Federal Government sources, the paying agency will provide written notification of the outstanding debt to the agency responsible for making such other payments to the debtor employee. The written notification shall state that the employee owes a debt (including the amount) and that the provisions of this section have been fully complied with. The Office must submit a properly certified claim to the agency responsible for making such payments before the collection can be made.

(4) Separated employee. If the employee is already separated and all payments due from his or her former paying agency have been paid, the Office may request, unless otherwise prohibited, that money due and payable to the employee from the Civil Service Retirement and Disability Fund (5 CFR 831.1801 et seq. or 5 CFR 845.401 et seq.) or other similar funds, be administratively offset to collect the debt (31 U.S.C. 3716 and the FCCS).

(5) Employee transfer. When an employee transfers from one paying agency to another paying agency, the Office is not required to repeat the due process procedures described in 5 U.S.C. 5514 and this subpart to resume the collection. The Office will submit a properly certified claim to the new paying agency and will subsequently review the debt to make sure the collection is resumed by the new paying agency.

(b) Responsibility of the Office as the paying agency—(1) Complete claim. When the Office receives a certified claim from a creditor agency, deductions should be scheduled to begin at the next officially established pay interval. Before deductions can begin, the employee must receive written notice from the Office including:

(i) A statement that the Office has received a certified debt claim from the creditor agency;

(ii) The amount of the debt claim;

(iii) The date salary offset deductions will begin, and

(iv) The amount of such deductions.

(2) Incomplete claim. When the Office receives an incomplete certification of debt from a creditor agency, the Office must return the debt claim with notice that procedures under 5 U.S.C. 5514 and 5 CFR 550.1101 et seq. must be followed and a properly certified debt claim received before action will be taken to collect from the employee's current pay account.

(3) Review. The Office is not authorized to review the merits of the creditor agency's determination with respect to the amount or validity of the debt certified by the creditor agency.

(4) Employees who transfer from one paying agency to another. If, after the creditor agency has submitted the debt claim to the Office, the employee transfers from OPM to a different paying agency before the debt is collected in full, the Office will certify the total amount collected on the debt. One copy of the certification will be furnished to the employee and one copy to the creditor agency along with notice of the employee's transfer.

§ 179.214 Interest, penalties and administrative costs.

The office shall assess interest, penalties and administrative costs on debts owed pursuant to 31 U.S.C. 3717 and 4 CFR part 101.1 et seq. Penalties and administrative costs will be assessed on all delinquent debts.

(a) In cases of default on a previous repayment agreement, the Office reserves the right to set a new interest rate which reflects the current value of funds to the Treasury at the time a new repayment agreement is executed.

(b) The Office, on a case-by-case basis, may waive all interest accrued on debts paid in full within 60 days of the due date if there is no indication of fault or lack of good faith on the part of the debtor.

(c) The Office may waive, in whole or in part, the collection of interest, penalties, and/or administrative costs assessed under this section under the criteria specified in part 103 of 4 CFR, chapter II, relating to the compromise of claims (without regard to the amount of the debt).

(d) The Office may waive, in whole or in part, the collection of interest, penalties, and/or administrative costs assessed under this section if the Office determines that collection of these charges would be against equity and good conscience or not in the best interests of the United States.

(e) The Office shall waive the accrual of interest pending consideration of a request for reconsideration, administrative review, or waiver of the underlying debt under provisions of a permissive statute providing for such review related to the debt.

(f) The Office shall waive interest on repayment agreements when the amount of interest accruing equals or exceeds the amount of installments the debtor can reasonably afford and there is no indication of fault or lack of good faith on the part of the debtor.

§ 179.215 Refunds.

(a) The Office shall promptly refund any amounts deducted under the authority of 5 U.S.C. 5514 when:

(1) The debt is waived or otherwise found not to be owing the United States (unless expressly prohibited by statute or regulation); or

(2) An administrative or judicial order directs the Office to make a refund.

(b) Unless required or permitted by law or contract, refunds under this subsection shall not bear interest.

§ 179.216 Request for the services of a hearing official when the creditor agency is not OPM.

(a) The Office will provide a hearing official upon request of the creditor agency when the debtor is employed by the Office and the creditor agency cannot provide a prompt and appropriate hearing before a hearing official furnished pursuant to another lawful arrangement.

(b) The salary offset coordinator will secure qualified personnel to serve as hearing officials.

(c) Services rendered under this section will be provided on a fully reimbursable basis pursuant to the Economy Act of 1932, as amended, 31 U.S.C. 1535.

§ 179.217 Non-waiver of rights by payments.

An employee's involuntary payment of all or any portion of a debt collected under this subpart must not be construed as a waiver of any rights which the employee may have under 5 U.S.C. 5514 or any other provision of contract or law unless there are statutory or contractual provisions to the contrary.

§ 179.218 Additional administrative collection action.

Nothing contained in this subpart is intended to preclude the use of any other administrative remedy which may be appropriate.

§ 179.301 Scope of regulations.

These regulations apply to the collection of debts owed to the United States arising from transactions with OPM other than those involving payments made from the Civil Service Retirement and Disability Fund (the Fund), or where a request for an offset from OPM's administrative accounts—other than the Fund—is received by OPM from another Federal agency. Regulations for other agencies to request OPM's Retirement and Insurance Group to recover a debt from the Fund are provided at subpart R of part 831 and subpart D of part 845 of title 5, Code of Federal Regulations. These regulations are consistent with the Federal Claims Collection Standards on Administrative Offset issued jointly by the Department of Justice and the General Accounting Office as set forth in 4 CFR 102.3.

§ 179.302 Definitions.

Administrative offset, as defined in 31 U.S.C. 3701(a)(1), means withholding money payable by the United States Government to, or held by the Government for, a person to satisfy a debt the person owes the Government.

Person, includes a natural person or persons, profit or non-profit corporation, partnership, association, trust, estate, consortium, or other entity which is capable of owing a debt to the United States Government except that agencies of the United States, or of any State or local government, shall be excluded.

§ 179.303 General.

(a) The Director or his or her designee, after attempting to collect a debt from a person under section 3(a) of the Federal Claims Collection Act of 1966, as amended (31 U.S.C. 3711(a)), may collect the debt by administrative offset subject to the following:

(1) The debt is certain in amount; and

(2) It is in the best interest of the United States to collect the debt by administrative offset because it is less costly and speeds payment of the debt;

(b) The Director, or his or her designee, may initiate administrative offset with regard to debts owed by a person to another agency of the United States Government, upon receipt of a request from the head of another agency, or his or her designee, and a certification that the debt exists and that the person has been afforded the necessary due process rights.

(c) The Director, or his or her designee, may request another agency that holds funds payable to an OPM debtor to offset the debt against the funds held and will provide certification that:

(1) The debt exists; and

(2) The person has been afforded the necessary due process rights.

(d) If the 6-year period for bringing action on a debt provided in 28 U.S.C. 2415 has expired, then administrative offset may be used to collect the debt only if the costs of bringing such action are likely to be less than the amount of the debt.

(e) No collection by administrative offset shall be made on any debt that has been outstanding for more than 10 years unless facts material to the Government's right to collect the debt were not known, and reasonably could not have been known, by the official or officials responsible for discovering and collecting such debt.

(f) These regulations do not apply to:

(1) A case in which administrative offset of the type of debt involved is explicitly provided for or prohibited by another statute.

(2) Debts owed to OPM by other agencies of the United States or by any State or local government.

§ 179.304 Notification procedures.

Before collecting any debt through administrative offset, a notice of intent to offset shall be sent to the debtor by certified mail, return receipt requested, at the most current address that is available to OPM. The notice shall provide:

(a) A description of the nature and amount of the debt and the intention of OPM to collect the debt through administrative offset;

(b) An opportunity to inspect and copy the records of OPM with respect to the debt;

(c) An opportunity for review within OPM concerning OPM's determinations with respect to the debt; and

(d) An opportunity to enter into a written agreement for the repayment of the amount of the debt.

§ 179.305 Agency review.

(a) A debtor may dispute the existence of the debt, the amount of the debt, or the terms of repayment. The request to review a disputed debt must be received by the OPM official identified in the notification within 30 calendar days of the debtor's receipt of the written notice described in § 179.304.

(b) If the debtor requests an opportunity to inspect or copy OPM's records concerning the disputed claim, 10 business days will be granted for the review. The time period will be measured from the time the request for inspection is granted or from the time the copy of the records is received by the debtor.

(c) Pending the resolution of a dispute initiated by the debtor, transactions in any of the debtor's account(s) maintained in OPM may be temporarily suspended to the extent of the debt that is owed. Depending on the type of transaction, the suspension could preclude payment, removal, or transfer, as well as prevent the payment of interest or discount due thereon. Should the dispute be resolved in the debtor's favor, the suspension will be lifted immediately.

(d) During the review period, interest, penalties, and administrative costs authorized under the Federal Claims Collection Act of 1966, as amended, will continue to accrue.

§ 179.306 Written agreement for repayment.

A debtor who admits liability but elects not to have the debt collected by administrative offset will be afforded an opportunity to negotiate a written agreement for the repayment of the debt. If the financial condition of the debtor does not support the ability to pay in one lump-sum, reasonable installments may be considered. No installment arrangement will be considered unless the debtor submits a financial statement, executed under penalty of perjury, reflecting the debtor's assets, liabilities, income, and expenses. The financial statement must be submitted within 10 business days of OPM's request for the statement. At OPM's option, a confess-judgment note or bond of indemnity with surety may be required for the installment agreement. Notwithstanding the provisions of this section, any reduction or compromise of a claim will be governed by 4 CFR part 103 and 31 U.S.C. 3711.

§ 179.307 Administrative offset.

(a) If the debtor does not exercise the right to request a review within the time specified in § 179.305 or, if as a result of the review, it is determined that the debt is due and no written agreement is executed, then administrative offset shall be ordered in accordance with these regulations without further notice.

(b) Request for offset to a Federal agency: The Director or his or her designee may request that funds due and payable to a debtor by a Federal agency be administratively offset in order to collect a debt owned to OPM by that debtor. In requesting administrative offset OPM, as creditor, will certify in writing to the Federal agency holding funds of the debtor:

(1) That the debtor owes the debt;

(2) The amount and basis of the debt; and

(3) That OPM has complied with the requirements of 31 U.S.C. 3716, its own administrative offset regulations, and the applicable provisions of 4 CFR part 102 with respect to providing the debtor with due process.

(c) Request for offset from a Federal agency: When administrative offset is authorized, any Federal creditor agency may request OPM to make an administrative offset from any OPM funds that are due and payable to a creditor agency's debtor. OPM shall initiate the requested administrative offset only upon:

(1) Receipt of written certification from the creditor agency:

(i) That the debtor owes the debt;

(ii) The amount and basis of the debt;

(iii) That the agency has prescribed regulations for the exercise of administrative offset; and

(iv) That the agency has complied with its own administrative offset regulations and with the applicable provisions of 4 CFR part 102, including providing any required hearing or review.

(2) A determination by OPM that collection by offset against funds payable by OPM would not otherwise be contrary to law.

§ 179.308 Accelerated procedures.

OPM may make an administrative offset against a payment to be made to the debtor prior to the completion of the procedures required by §§ 179.304 and 179.305 if failure to take the offset would substantially jeopardize OPM's ability to collect the debt, and the time before the payment is to be made does not reasonably permit the completion of those procedures. Such prior offset shall be promptly followed by the completion of those procedures. Amounts recovered by offset but later found not to be owed to OPM shall be promptly refunded.

§ 179.309 Additional administrative procedures.

Nothing contained in this chapter is intended to preclude the use of any other administrative remedy which may be available.

§ 179.401 Administrative wage garnishment.

General. OPM may use administrative wage garnishment to collect debts in accordance with the requirements of 31 U.S.C. 3720D and 31 CFR 285.11, including debts it refers to the Bureau of the Fiscal Service, Department of the Treasury, for cross-servicing pursuant to 31 U.S.C. 3711. This part adopts and incorporates all of the provisions of 31 CFR 285.11 concerning administrative wage garnishment, including the hearing procedures described in 31 CFR 285.11(f). This section does not apply to collection of debt by Federal salary offset, under 5 U.S.C. 5514, the process by which OPM collects debts from the salaries of Federal employees.

[79 FR 29072, May 21, 2014]

§ 180.101 Scope and purpose.

(a) The Military Personnel and Civilian Employees' Claims Act of 1964, 31 U.S.C. 240 to 243, authorizes the Director, Office of Personnel Management to settle and pay (including replacement in kind) claims of officers and employees of OPM, amounting to not more than $15,000, for damage to or loss of personal property incident to their service. Claims are payable only for such types, quantities, or amounts of tangible personal property (including money) as the approving authority shall determine to be reasonable, useful, or proper under the circumstances existing at the time and place of the loss. In determining what is reasonable, useful, or proper, the approving authority will consider the type and quantity of property involved, circumstances attending acquistion and use of the property, and whether possession or use by the claimant at the time of damage or loss was incident to service.

(b) The Government does not underwrite all personal property losses that a claimant may sustain and it does not underwrite individual tastes. While the Government does not attempt to limit possession of property by an individual, payment for damage or loss is made only to the extent that the possession of the property is determined to be reasonable, useful, or proper. If individuals possess excessive quantities of items, or expensive items, they should have such property privately insured.

§ 180.102 Claimants.

(a) The following are proper claimants:

(1) Officers and employees of OPM;

(2) Former officers and employees of OPM whose claims arose out of incidents which occurred before their separation;

(3) The authorized agent or legal representative of persons in §§ 180.102(a)(1) and 180.102(a)(2);

(4) Survivors of persons in §§ 180.102(a)(1) and 180.102(a)(2) in the following order of precedence:

(i) Spouse,

(ii) Children,

(iii) Father or mother, or both,

(iv) Brothers or sisters, or both.

(b) A claim may not be presented by or for the benefit of a subrogee, assignee, conditional vendor, or other third party.

§ 180.103 Time limitations.

A claim must be presented in writing within 2 years after it accrues, except during war or armed conflict. If war or armed conflict occurs within the 2-year period following accrual, when claimant shows good cause, the claim may be presented within 2 years after the cause ceases to exist but not more than 2 years after termination of the war or armed conflict. A claim accrues when loss or damage is or should have been discovered by claimant even though such loss or damage occurred at a prior time.

§ 180.104 Allowable claims.

(a) A claim may be allowed only if:

(1) The damage or loss was not caused wholly or partly by the negligent or wrongful act of the claimant, claimant's agent, a member of claimant's family, or claimant's private employee (the standard to be applied is that of reasonable care under the circumstances);

(2) The possession of the property damaged or lost and the quantity possessed is determined to have been reasonable, useful, or proper under the circumstances; and

(3) The claim is substantiated by proper and convincing evidence.

(b) Claims which are otherwise allowable under this part shall not be disallowed solely because the property was not in the possession of the claimant at the time of the damage or loss or solely because the claimant was not legal owner of the property for which the claim is made. For example, borrowed property may be the subject of a claim.

(c) Subject to the conditions in § 180.104(a) and the other provisions of this part, any claim for damage to or loss of personal property incident to service with OPM may be considered and allowed. The following are examples of the principal types of claims which may be allowed. These examples are not exclusive and other types of claims may be allowed unless excluded by § 180.106:

(1) Property damaged or lost in quarters. Claims may be allowed for damage to or loss of property located at:

(i) Quarters within the 50 States and the District of Columbia that were assigned to the claimant or otherwise provided in kind by the United States;

(ii) Quarters outside the 50 States and the District of Columbia that were occupied by the claimant, whether or not they were assigned or otherwise provided in kind by the United States, except when the claimant is a local inhabitant; or

(iii) Any warehouse, office, working area, or other place (except quarters) authorized or apparently authorized for the reception or storage of property.

(2) Transportation or travel losses. Claims may be allowed for damage to or loss of property incident to transportation or storage pursuant to orders, or in connection with travel under orders, including property in custody of a carrier, an agent or agency of the Government, or the claimant.

(3) Motor vehicles. Claims may be allowed for automobiles and other motor vehicles damaged or lost in oversea shipments provided by the Government. “Shipments provided by the Government” means via Government vessels, charter of commercial vessels, or by Government bills of lading on commercial vessels, and includes storage, unloading, and off-loading incident thereto. Other claims for damage to or loss of automobiles and other motor vehicles may be allowed only when use of the vehicle on a non-reimbursable basis was required by the claimant's supervisor.

(4) Mobile homes. Claims may be allowed for damage to or loss of mobile homes and their contents under the provisions of § 180.104(c)(2). Claims for structural damage to mobile homes, other than that caused by collision, and damage to contents of mobile homes resulting from such structural damage must contain conclusive evidence that the damage was not caused by structural deficiency of the mobile home and that it was not overloaded. Claims for damage to or loss of tires mounted on mobile homes may be allowed only in cases of collision, theft, or vandalism.

(5) Money. Claims for money in an amount that is determined to be reasonable for the claimant to possess at the time of the loss are payable:

(i) Where personal funds were accepted by responsible Government personnel with apparent authority to receive them for safekeeping deposit, transmittal, or other authorized disposition, but were neither applied as directed by the owner nor returned;

(ii) When lost incident to a marine or aircraft disaster;

(iii) When lost by fire, flood, hurricane, or other natural disaster;

(iv) When stolen from the quarters of the claimant where it is conclusively shown that the money was in a locked container and that the quarters themselves were locked;

(v) When taken by force from the claimant's person.

(6) Clothing. Claims may be allowed for clothing and accessories worn on the person which are damaged or lost:

(i) During the performance of official duties in an unusual or extraordinary-risk situation;

(ii) In cases involving emergency action required by natural disaster such as fire, flood, hurricane, or by enemy or other belligerent action;

(iii) In cases involving faulty equipment or defective furniture maintained by the Government and used by the claimant as required by the job situation; or

(iv) When using a motor vehicle.

(7) Property used for benefit of the Government. Claims may be allowed for damage to or loss of property (except motor vehicles) used for the benefit of the Government at the request of, or with the knowledge and consent of, superior authority or by reason of necessity.

(8) Enemy action or public service. Claims may be allowed for damage to or loss of property as a direct consequence of:

(i) Enemy action or threat thereof, or combat, guerilla, brigandage, or other belligerent activity, or unjust confiscation by a foreign power or its nationals;

(ii) Action by the claimant to quiet a civil disturbance or to alleviate a public disaster; or

(iii) Efforts by the claimant to save human life or Government property.

(9) Marine or aircraft disaster. Claims may be allowed for personal property damaged or lost as a result of marine or aircraft disaster or accident.

(10) Government property. Claims may be allowed for property owned by the United States only when the claimant is financially responsible to an agency of the Government other than OPM.

(11) Borrowed property. Claims may be allowed for borrowed property that has been damaged or lost.

§ 180.105 Claims not allowed.

(a) A claim is not allowable if:

(1) The damage or loss was caused wholly or partly by the negligent or wrongful act of the claimant, claimant's agent, claimant's employee, or a member of claimant's family;

(2) The damage or loss occurred in quarters occupied by the claimant within the 50 States and the District of Columbia that were not assigned to the claimant or otherwise provided in kind by the United States;

(3) Possession of the property lost or damaged was not incident to service or not reasonable or proper under the circumstances.

(b) In addition to claims falling within the categories of § 180.105(a), the following are examples of claims which are not payable:

(1) Claims not incident to service. Claims which arose during the conduct of personal business are not payable.

(2) Subrogation claims. Claims based upon payment or other consideration to a proper claimant are not payable.

(3) Assigned claims. Claims based upon assignment of a claim by a proper claimant are not payable.

(4) Conditional vendor claims. Claims asserted by or on behalf of a conditional vendor are not payable.

(5) Claims by improper claimants. Claims by persons not designated in § 180.102(a) are not payable.

(6) Small items of substantial value. Claims are not payable for money or for small articles of substantial value, such as watches or expensive jewelry, when shipped with household goods or as unaccompanied baggage.

(7) Articles of extraordinary value. Claims are not payable for expensive articles of gold, silver, other precious metals, paintings, antiques other than bulky furnishings, relics, and other articles of extraordinary value when shipped with household goods by ordinary means or as unaccompanied baggage at normal released valuation. Claims for such articles are payable when their loss is incident to shipment by expedited mode in accordance with current joint travel regulations. This prohibition does not apply to articles in the personal custody of the claimant or articles properly checked, provided that reasonable protection or security measures have been taken by the claimant.

(8) Articles acquired for other persons. Claims are not payable for articles intended directly or indirectly for persons other than the claimant or members of the claimant's immediate household. This prohibition includes articles acquired at the request of others and articles for sale.

(9) Property used for business. Claims are not payable for property normally used for business or profit.

(10) Unserviceable property. Claims are not payable for wornout or unserviceable property.

(11) Violation of law or directive. Claims are not payable for property acquired, possessed, or transported in violation of law, regulation, or other directive. This does not apply to limitations imposed on the weight of shipments of household goods.

(12) Intangible property. Claims are not payable for intangible property such as bank books, checks, promissory notes, stock certificates, bonds, bills of lading, warehouse receipts, baggage checks, insurance policies, money order, and traveler's checks.

(13) Government property. Claims are not payable for property owned by the United States unless the claimant is financially responsible for the property to an agency of the Government other than OPM.

(14) Motor vehicles. Claims for motor vehicles, except as provided for by § 180.104(c)(3), will ordinarily not be paid. However, in exceptional cases, meritorius claims for damage to or loss of motor vehicles may be recommended to the Office of the General Counsel for consideration and approval for payment.

(15) Enemy property. Claims are not payable for enemy property, including war trophies.

(16) Losses recoverable from carrier. Claims are not payable for losses, or any portion thereof, which have been recovered or are recoverable from a carrier, except as permitted under § 180.106.

(17) Losses recoverable from insurer. Claims are not payable for losses, or any portion thereof, which have been recovered or are recoverable from an insurer, except as permitted under § 180.106.

(18) Losses recoverable from contractor. Claims are not payable for losses, or any portion thereof, which have been recovered or are recoverable under contract, except as permitted under § 180.106.

(19) Fees for estimates. Claims are not normally payable for fees paid to obtain estimates of repair in conjuction with submitting a claim under this part. However, where, in the opinion of the approving authority, the claimant could not obtain an estimate without paying a fee, such a claim may be considered in an amount reasonable in relation to the value or the cost of repairs of the articles involved, provided that the evidence furnished clearly indicates that the amount of the fee paid will not be deducted from the cost of repairs if the work is accomplished by the estimator.

(20) Items fraudulently claimed. Claims are not payable for items fraudulently claimed. When investigation discloses that a claimant, claimant's agent, claimant's employee, or member of claimant's family has intentionally misrepresented an item claimed as to cost, condition, cost to repair, etc., the item will be disallowed in its entirety even though some actual damage has been sustained. However, if the remainder of the claim is proper it will be paid. This does not preclude appropriate disciplinary action if warranted.

§ 180.106 Claims involving carriers and insurers.

(a) Claimants must comply with the following before presenting claims involving a carrier or insurer:

(1) Whenever property is damaged or lost while being shipped pursuant to authorized travel orders, the owner must file a written claim for reimbursement with the carrier according to the terms of its bill of lading or contract before submitting a claim against the Government. The claimant may present a claim to the Government immediately after making demand on the carrier.

(2) Whenever property which is damaged or lost incident to the claimant's service is insured in whole or in part, the claimant must make a written demand against the insurer for reimbursement under the terms and conditions of the insurance coverage. Such demand should be made within the time limit provided in the policy and prior to the filing of a claim against the Government. The claimant may present a claim to the Government immediately after making demand on the insurer.

(b) If the claimant fails to make the required demand on the carrier or insurer or make reasonable efforts to collect the amount recoverable, the amount payable under the provisions of these regulations shall be reduced by the maximum amount recoverable. However, no deduction will be made if the circumstances of the claimant's service were such as to preclude timely filing of the claim with the carrier or insurer and it is determined that a demand would have been impracticable or unavailing in any event.

(c) When a claim is paid by OPM, the claimant will assign to the United States, to the extent of any payment on the claim accepted by claimant, all rights, title, and interest in any claim against any carrier, insurer, or other party arising out of the incident on which the claim against the United States is based. On request, the claimant also will furnish such evidence as may be required to enable the United States to enforce the claim.

(d) After payment of a claim by the United States, if the claimant receives any payment from a carrier, contractor, insurer, or other third party, the claimant will pay the proceeds to the United States to the extent of the payment received by the claimant from the United States.

§ 180.107 Claims procedure.

(a) Filing a claim. Claims not exceeding $500 shall be filed with the appropriate bureau or regional director. Claims in excess of $500 shall be filed with the Office of the General Counsel, Office of Personnel Management, 1900 E Street NW., Washington, DC 20415. Claims shall be in writing, using G.C. Form 33 when available, and shall contain as a minimum:

(1) Name, address, and place of employment of the claimant;

(2) Place and date of the damage or loss;

(3) A brief statement of the facts and circumstances surrounding the damage or loss;

(4) Cost, date, and place of acquisition of each piece of property damaged or lost;

(5) Two itemized repair estimates, or value estimates, whichever is applicable;

(6) Copies of police reports, if applicable;

(7) A statement from the claimant's supervisor that the loss was incident to service;

(8) A statement that the property was or was not insured;

(9) With respect to claims involving thefts or losses in quarters or other places where the property was reasonably kept, a statement as to what security precautions were taken to protect the property involved;

(10) With respect to claims involving property being used for the benefit of the Government, a statement by the claimant's supervisor that the claimant was required to provide such property or that the claimant's providing it was in the interest of the Government; and

(11) Other evidence as may be required.

(b) Single claim. A single claim shall be presented for all lost or damaged property resulting from the same incident. If this procedure causes a hardship, the claimant may present an initial claim with notice that it is a partial claim, an explanation of the circumstances causing the hardship, and an estimate of the balance of the claim and the date it will be submitted. Payment may be made on a partial claim if the approving authority determines that a genuine hardship exists.

(c) Claims investigator. When a claim is filed, the appropriate associate or regional director, or the General Counsel, shall appoint a claims investigator to evaluate the claim and make a recommendation as to its disposition. Where the cost to repair damaged property does not exceed $100 per item and the claims investigator has inspected the damaged property, the claimant and the approving authority may agree upon a reasonable amount to be claimed for repair of an individual item in lieu of an independent estimate by a qualified repairman. In such a case, the claims investigator and the approving authority will certify that the property has been examined and that the amount claimed is a reasonable allowance for the cost of the repairs.

(d) Loss in quarters. Claims for property loss in quarters or other authorized places should be accompanied by a statement indicating:

(1) Geographical location;

(2) Whether the quarters were assigned or provided in kind by the Government;

(3) Whether the quarters are regularly occupied by the claimant;

(4) Name of the authority, if any, who designated the place of storage of the property if other than quarters;

(5) Measures taken to protect the property; and

(6) Whether the claimant is a local inhabitant.

(e) Loss by theft or robbery. Claims for property loss by theft or robbery should be accompanied by a statement indicating:

(1) Geographical location;

(2) Facts and circumstances surrounding the loss, including evidence of the crime such as breaking and entering, capture of the thief or robber, or recovery of part of the stolen goods; and

(3) Evidence that the claimant exercised due care in protecting the property prior to the loss, including information as to the degree of care normally exercised in the locale of the loss due to any unusual risks involved.

(f) Transportation losses. Claims for transportation losses should be accompanied by the following:

(1) Copies of orders authorizing the travel, transportation, or shipment or a certificate explaining the absence of orders and stating their substance;

(2) Statement in cases where property was turned over to a shipping officer, supply officer, or contract packer indicating:

(i) Name (or designation) and address of the shipping officer, supply officer, or contract packer;

(ii) Date the property was turned over;

(iii) Inventoried condition when the property was turned over;

(iv) When and where the property was packed and by whom;

(v) Date of shipment;

(vi) Copies of all bills of lading, inventories, and other applicable shipping documents;

(vii) Date and place of delivery to the claimant;

(viii) Date the property was unpacked by the carrier, claimant, or Government;

(ix) Statements of disinterested witnesses as to the condition of the property when received and delivered, or as to handling or storage;

(x) Whether the negligence of any Government employee acting within the scope of his employment caused the damage or loss;

(xi) Whether the last common carrier or local carrier was given a clear receipt, except for concealed damages;

(xii) Total gross, tare, and net weight of shipment;

(xiii) Insurance certificate or policy if losses are privately insured;

(xiv) Copy of the demand on carrier or insured, or both, when required, and the reply, if any;

(xv) Action taken by the claimant to locate missing baggage or household effects, including related correspondence.

(g) Marine or aircraft disaster. Claims for property losses due to marine or aircraft disaster should be accompanied by a copy of orders or other evidence to establish the claimant's right to be, or to have property, on board.

(h) Enemy action, public disaster, or public service. Claims for property losses due to enemy action, public disaster, or public service should be accompanied by:

(1) Copies of orders or other evidence establishing the claimant's required presence in the area involved, and

(2) A detailed statement of facts and circumstances showing an applicable case enumerated in § 180.104(c)(8).

(i) Property used for benefit of Government. Claims for property loss when the property was used for the benefit of the Government should be accompanied by:

(1) A statement from the proper authority that the property was supplied by the claimant in the performance of official business at the request of, or with the knowledge and consent of, superior authority or by reason of necessity; and

(2) If the property being used for the benefit of the Government was damaged or lost while not in use, evidence that the loss occurred in an authorized storage area.

(j) Money. Claims for loss of money deposited for safekeeping, transmittal, or other authorized disposition, should be accompanied by:

(1) Name, grade, and address of the person or persons who received the money and any others involved;

(2) Name and designation of the authority who authorized such person or persons to accept personal funds, and the disposition required; and

(3) Receipts and written sworn statements explaining the failure to account for funds or return them to the claimant.

(k) Motor vehicles in transit. Claims for damage to motor vehicles in transit should be accompanied by a copy of orders or other available evidence to establish the claimant's lawful right to have the property shipped and evidence to establish damage in transit.

[43 FR 47163, Oct. 13, 1978, as amended at 44 FR 76747, Dec. 28, 1979]

§ 180.108 Settlement of claims.

(a) Authority. Associate Directors and Regional Directors are authorized to settle and pay any claim not exceeding $500 and arising under this part. The General Counsel is authorized to settle and pay any claim not exceeding $15,000 and arising under this part. Unless cognizable under § 180.104(c)(3), claims for damage to or loss of motor vehicles may be settled and paid only by the General Counsel.

(b) Redelegation. The approving authorities may establish such procedures and make such redelegations as may be required to fulfill the objectives of this part.

(c) Cost or value. The amount awarded on any item of property will not exceed the cost of the item (either the price paid in cash or property) or the value at the time of acquisition if not acquired by purchase or exchange. The amount payable will be determined by applying the principles of depreciation to the adjusted dollar value or other base price of property lost or damaged beyond economical repair; by allowing the cost of repairs when an item is economically repairable, provided the cost of repairs does not exceed the depreciated value of the item; and by deducting salvage value, if appropriate.

(d) Depreciation. Depreciation in value of an item is determined by considering the type of article involved, its cost, condition when damaged beyond economical repair or lost, and the time elapsed between the date of acquisition and the date of damage or loss.

(e) Appreciation. There will be no allowance for appreciation in the value of the property except that the cost of the item may be adjusted to reflect changes in the purchasing power of the dollar before depreciation is computed. Appreciation will not be allowed solely because the loss occurred or the claimant now resides in an area remote from the place of purchase of the property.

(f) Expensive articles. Allowance for expensive items (including heirlooms and antiques) or for items purchased at unreasonably high prices will be based on the fair and reasonable purchase price for substitute articles of a similar nature.

(g) Acquisition. Allowance for articles acquired by barter will not exceed the cost of the articles tendered in barter. No reimbursement will be made for articles acquired in black market or other prohibited activities.

(h) Replacement. Replacement of damaged or lost property may be made in kind whenever appropriate.

(i) Amount allowable. Subject to the limitations of §§ 180.108(c) through 180.108(h), the amount allowable in settlement of a claim is either:

(1) The depreciated value immediately prior to damage or loss of property damaged beyond economical repair or lost, less any salvage value; or

(2) The reasonable cost of repairs when property is economically repairable, provided that the cost of repairs does not exceed the depreciated value.

(j) Notification. The approving authority shall notify the claimant in writing of the action taken on the claim and, if the claim is disapproved or only partially approved, the reasons therefor.

(k) Carrier or insurer. In the event a claim submitted against a carrier or insurer under § 180.106 had not been settled before settlement of a claim against the Government under this part, the approving authority shall notify such carrier or insurer to pay the proceeds of the claim to OPM to the extent OPM has made payment to the claimant.

(l) Review. The action of the approving authority is final; however, the decision may be reconsidered if the claimant so requests and submits a written explanation why reconsideration is appropriate.

(m) Attorney's fees. No more than 10 per centum of the amount paid in settlement of each individual claim submitted and settled under this subpart shall be paid or delivered to or received by any agent or attorney on account of services rendered in connection with that claim and the same shall be unlawful, any contract to the contrary notwithstanding. Any person violating this or any other provision of sections 240 to 243 of title 31, United States Code, shall be deemed guilty of a misdemeanor and upon conviction thereof shall be fined in any sum not exceeding $1000.

[43 FR 47163, Oct. 13, 1978, as amended at 44 FR 76747, Dec. 28, 1979]

§ 185.101 Purpose.

This subpart implements the Program Fraud Civil Remedies Act of 1986, Public Law 99-509, 6101-6104, 100 Stat. 1874 (October 21, 1986), codified at 31 U.S.C. 3801-3812. Section 3809 requires each authority head to promulgate regulations necessary to implement the provisions of the statute. The subpart establishes administrative procedures for imposing civil penalties and assessments against persons who make, submit, or present, or cause to be made, submitted, or presented, false, fictitious, or fraudulent claims or written statements to authorities or to their agents, and specifies the hearing and appeal rights of persons subject to allegations of liability for such penalties and assessments. The moneys collected as a result of these procedures are deposited as miscellaneous receipts in the Treasury of the United States.

§ 185.102 Definitions.

For the purposes of this part—

ALJ means an Administrative Law Judge in the authority appointed pursuant to 5 U.S.C. 3105 or detailed to the authority pursuant to 5 U.S.C. 3344.

Authority means the Office of Personnel Management (OPM).

Authority head means the Director of the Office of Personnel Management or the Director's designee.

Benefit is very broad, and is intended to cover anything of value, including but not limited to any advantage, preference, privilege, license, permit, favorable decision, ruling, status or loan guarantee.

Claim means any request, demand, or submission—

(a) Made to the authority for property, services, or money (including money representing benefits, grants, loans or insurance);

(b) Made to a recipient of property, services, or money from the authority or to a party to a contract with the authority:

(1) For property or services if the United States—

(i) Provided such property or services;

(ii) Provided any portion of the funds for the purchase of such property or services; or

(iii) Will reimburse such recipient or party for the purchase of such property or services; or

(2) For the payment of money (including money representing grants, loans, insurance, or benefits) if the United States:

(i) Provided any portion of the money requested or demanded; or

(ii) Will reimburse such recipient or party for any portion of the money paid on such request or demand; or

(c) Made to the authority which has the effect of decreasing an obligation to pay or account for property, services, or money.

Complaint means the administrative complaint served by the reviewing official on the defendant under § 185.107.

Defendant means any person alleged in a complaint under § 185.107 to be liable for a civil penalty or assessment under § 185.103.

Government means the United States Government.

Individual means a natural person.

Initial decision means the written decision of the ALJ required by § 185.110 or § 185.137, and includes a revised initial decision issued following a remand or a motion for reconsideration.

Investigating Official means the Inspector General or the Inspector General's designee.

Knows or has reason to know means that a person, with respect to a claim or statement:

(a) Has actual knowledge that the claim or statement is false, fictitious, or fraudulent;

(b) Acts in deliberate ignorance of the truth or falsity of the claim or statement; or

(c) Acts in reckless disregard of the truth or falsity of the claim or statement.

Makes shall include the terms presents, submits, and causes to be made, presented, or submitted. As the context requires, making or made, shall likewise include the corresponding forms of such terms.

Person means any individual, partnership, corporation, association, or private organization, and includes the plural of that term.

Representative means an attorney who is in good standing of the bar of any State, Territory, or possession of the United States or of the District of Columbia or the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico or other individual designated in writing by the defendant.

Reviewing Official means the General Counsel of OPM or the General Counsel's designee. For the purposes of § 185.105 of these rules, the General Counsel personally, or members of the General Counsel's immediate staff, shall perform the functions of the reviewing official provided that such person or persons serve in a position for which the rate of basic pay is not less than the minimum rate payable under section 5376 of title 5 of the United States Code. All other functions of the reviewing official, including administrative prosecution under these rules, shall be performed on behalf of the General Counsel by members of the Office of the General Counsel.

Statement means any representation, certification, affirmation, document, record, or accounting or bookkeeping entry made:

(a) With respect to a claim or to obtain the approval or payment of a claim (including relating to eligibility to make a claim); or

(b) With respect to (including relating to eligibility for):

(1) A contract with, or a bid or proposal for a contract with; or

(2) A grant, loan, or benefit from, the authority, or any State, political subdivision of a State, or other party, if the United States Government provides any portion of the money or property under such contract or for such grant, loan, or benefit, or if the Government will reimburse such State, political subdivision, or party for any portion of the money or property under such contract or for such grant, loan, or benefit.

§ 185.103 Basis for civil penalties and assessments.

(a) In addition to any other remedy that may be prescribed by law, any person shall be subject to a civil penalty of not more than $14,308, where the person makes a claim and knows or has reason to know that the claim:

(1) In false, fictitious, or fraudulent;

(2) Includes, or is supported by, any written statement which asserts a material fact which is false, fictitious, or fraudulent;

(3) Includes, or is supported by, any written statement that:

(i) Omits a material fact;

(ii) Is false, fictitious, or fraudulent as a result of such omission; and

(iii) Is a statement in which the person making such statement has a duty to include such material fact; or

(4) Is for payment for the provision of property or services which the person has not provided as claimed.

(b) Each voucher, invoice, claim form, or other individual request or demand for property, services, or money constitutes a separate claim.

(c) A claim shall be considered made to the authority, recipient, or party when such claim is actually made to an agent, fiscal intermediary, or other entity, including any State or political subdivision thereof, acting for or on behalf of the authority, recipient, or party.

(d) Each claim for property, services, or money is subject to a civil penalty regardless of whether such property, services, or money is actually delivered or paid.

(e) If the Government has made any payment (including transferred property or provided services) on a claim, a person subject to a civil penalty under paragraph (a)(1) of this section may also be subject to an assessment of not more than twice the amount of such claim or that portion thereof that is determined to be in violation of paragraph (a)(1) of this section. Such assessment shall be in lieu of damages sustained by the Government because of such claim.

(f) Any person who makes a written statement that:

(1) The person knows or has reason to know:

(i) Asserts a material fact which is false, fictitious, or fraudulent; or

(ii) Is false, fictitious, or fraudulent because it omits a material fact that the person making the statement has a duty to include in such statement; and

(2) Contains, or is accompanied by, an express certification or affirmation of the truthfulness and accuracy of the contents of the statement may be subject, in addition to any other remedy that may be prescribed by law, to a civil penalty of not more than $14,308 for each such statement.

(g) Each written representation, certification, or affirmation constitutes a separate statement.

(h) A statement shall be considered made to the authority when such statement is actually made to an agent, fiscal intermediary, or other entity, including any State or political subdivision thereof, acting for or on behalf of the authority.

(i) No proof of specific intent to defraud is required to establish liability under this section.

(j) In any case in which it is determined that more than one person is liable for making a claim or statement under this section, each such person may be held liable for a civil penalty under this section.

(k) In any case in which it is determined that more than one person is liable for making a claim under this section on which the Government has made payment (including transferred property or provided services), an assessment may be imposed against any such person or jointly and severally against any combination of such persons.

[60 FR 7891, Feb. 10, 1995, as amended at 81 FR 46828, July 19, 2016; 83 FR 34935, July 24, 2018; 84 FR 51938, Oct. 1, 2019; 85 FR 42300, July 14, 2020; 87 FR 16094, Mar. 22, 2022; 88 FR 5246, Jan. 27, 2023; 89 FR 3878, Jan. 22, 2024; 90 FR 21688, May 21, 2025]

§ 185.104 Investigation.

(a) If an investigating official concludes that a subpoena pursuant to the authority conferred by 31 U.S.C. 3804(a) is warranted, he or she may issue a subpoena.

(1) The subpoena so issued shall notify the person to whom it is addressed of the authority under which the subpoena is issued and shall identify the records or documents sought;

(2) The investigating official may designate a person to act on his or her behalf to receive the documents sought; and

(3) The person receiving such subpoena shall be required to tender to the investigating official, or the person designated to receive the documents, a certification that

(i) The documents sought have been produced;

(ii) Such documents are not available and the reasons therefor; or

(iii) Such documents, suitably identified, have been withheld based upon the assertion of an identified privilege.

(b) If the investigating official concludes that an action under the Program Fraud Civil Remedies Act may be warranted, the investigating official shall submit a report containing the findings and conclusions of such investigation to the reviewing official.

(c) Nothing in this section shall preclude or limit an investigating official's discretion to refer allegations directly to the Department of Justice for suit under the False Claims Act or other civil relief, or to defer or postpone a report or referral to the reviewing official to avoid interference with a criminal investigation or prosecution.

(d) Nothing in this section modifies any responsibility of an investigating official to report violations of criminal law to the Attorney General.

§ 185.105 Review by the reviewing official.

If, based on the report of the investigating official under § 185.104(b), the reviewing official determines that there is adequate evidence to believe that a person is liable under § 185.103, the reviewing official shall transmit to the Attorney General a written notice of the reviewing official's intention to have a complaint issued under § 185.107. Such notice shall include:

(a) A statement of the reviewing official's reasons for issuing a complaint;

(b) A statement specifying the evidence that supports the allegations of liability;

(c) A description of the claims or statements upon which the allegations of liability are based;

(d) An estimate of the amount of money, or the value of property, services, or other benefits, requested or demanded in violation of § 185.103;

(e) A statement of any exculpatory or mitigating circumstances that may relate to the claims or statements known by the reviewing official or the investigating official; and

(f) A statement that there is a reasonable prospect of collecting an appropriate amount of penalties and assessments.

§ 185.106 Prerequisites for issuing a complaint.

(a) The reviewing official may issue a complaint under § 185.107 only if:

(1) The Department of Justice approves the issuance of a complaint in a written statement described in section 3803(b)(1) of title 31 of the United States Code, and

(2) In the case of allegations of liability under § 185.103(a) with respect to a claim, the reviewing official determines that, with respect to such claim or a group of related claims submitted at the same time such claim is submitted (as defined in paragraph (b) of this section), the amount of money, or the value of property or services, demanded or requested in violation of § 185.103(a) does not exceed $150,000.

(b) For the purposes of this section, a related group of claims submitted at the same time shall include only those claims arising from the same transaction (e.g., grant, loan, application, or contract) that are submitted simultaneously as part of a single request, demand, or submission.

(c) Nothing in this section shall be construed to limit the reviewing official's authority to join in a single complaint against a person, claims that are unrelated or were not submitted simultaneously, regardless of the amount of money, or the value of property or services, demanded or requested.

§ 185.107 Complaint.

(a) On or after the date the Department of Justice approves the issuance of a complaint in accordance with section 3803(b)(1) of title 31 of the United States Code, the reviewing official may serve a complaint on the defendant, as provided in § 185.108.

(b) The complaint shall state the following:

(1) The allegations of liability against the defendant, including the statutory basis for liability, an identification of the claims or statements that are the basis for the alleged liability, and the reasons why liability allegedly arises from such claims or statements;

(2) The maximum amount of penalties and assessments for which the defendant may be held liable;

(3) Instructions for filing an answer, including a specific statement of the defendant's right to request a hearing and to be represented by a representative; and

(4) The fact that failure to file an answer within 30 days of service of the complaint will result in the imposition of the maximum amount of penalties and assessments without right to appeal, as provided in § 185.110.

(c) At the same time the reviewing official serves the complaint, he or she shall serve the defendant with a copy of these regulations.

§ 185.108 Service of complaint.

(a) Service of a complaint must be made by certified or registered mail or by delivery in any manner authorized by Rule 4 of the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure. Service is complete upon receipt.

(b) Proof of service, stating the name and address of the person on whom the complaint was served, and the manner and date of service, may be made by:

(1) Affidavit of the individual serving the complaint by delivery;

(2) A United States Postal Service return receipt card acknowledging receipt; or

(3) Written acknowledgment of receipt by the defendant or his or her representative.

§ 185.109 Answer.

(a) The defendant may request a hearing in the answer filed with the reviewing official within 30 days of service of the complaint.

(b) In the answer, the defendant:

(1) Shall admit or deny each of the allegations of liability made in the complaint;

(2) Shall state any defense on which the defendant intends to rely;

(3) May state any reasons why the defendant contends that the penalties and assessments should be less than the statutory maximum; and

(4) Shall state the name, address, and telephone number of the person authorized by the defendant to act as defendant's representative, if any.

(c) If the defendant is unable to file an answer meeting the requirements of paragraph (b) of this section within the time provided, the defendant may, before the expiration of 30 days from service of the complaint, file with the reviewing official a general answer denying liability and requesting a hearing, and a request for an extension of time within which to file an answer meeting the requirements of paragraph (b) of this section. The reviewing official shall file promptly with the ALJ the complaint, the general answer denying liability, and the request for an extension of time as provided in § 185.110. For good cause shown, the ALJ may grant the defendant up to 30 additional days within which to file an answer meeting the requirements of paragraph (b) of this section. The ALJ shall decide expeditiously whether the dependent shall be granted an additional period of time to file such answer.

§ 185.110 Default upon failure to file an answer.

(a) If the defendant does not file an answer within the time prescribed in § 185.109(a), the reviewing official may refer the complaint to the ALJ.

(b) Upon the referral of the complaint, the ALJ shall promptly serve on the defendant in the manner prescribed in § 185.108, a notice that an initial decision will be issued under this section.

(c) The ALJ shall assume the facts alleged in the complaint to be true and, if such facts establish liability under § 185.103, the ALJ shall issue an initial decision imposing the maximum amount of penalties and assessments allowed under the statute.

(d) Except as otherwise provided in this section, by failing to file a timely answer the defendant waives any right to further review of the penalties and assessments imposed under paragraph (c) of this section and the initial decision shall become final and binding upon the parties 30 days after it is issued.

(e) If, before such an initial decision becomes final, the defendant files a motion with the ALJ seeking to reopen on the grounds that extraordinary circumstances prevented the defendant from filing an answer, the initial decision shall be stayed pending the ALJ's decision on the motion.

(f) If, on such motion, the defendant can demonstrate extraordinary circumstances excusing the failure to file a timely answer, the ALJ shall withdraw the initial decision in paragraph (c) of this section, if such a decision has been issued, and shall grant the defendant an opportunity to answer the complaint.

(g) A decision of the ALJ denying a defendant's motion under paragraph (e) of this section is not subject to reconsideration under § 185.138.

(h) The defendant may appeal to the authority head the decision denying a motion to reopen by filing a notice of appeal with the authority head within 15 days after the ALJ denies the motion. The timely filing of a notice of appeal shall stay the initial decision until the authority head decides the issue.

(i) If the defendant files a timely notice of appeal with the authority head, the ALJ shall forward the record of the proceeding to the authority head.

(j) The authority head shall decide expeditiously whether extraordinary circumstances excuse the defendant's failure to file a timely answer based solely on the record before the ALJ.

(k) If the authority head decides that extraordinary circumstances excused the defendant's failure to file a timely answer, the authority head shall remand the case to the ALJ with instructions to grant the defendant an opportunity to answer.

(l) If the authority head decides that the defendant's failure to file a timely answer is not excused, the authority head shall reinstate the initial decision of the ALJ, which shall become final and binding upon the parties 30 days after the authority head issues such decision.

§ 185.111 Referral of complaint and answer to the ALJ.

Upon receipt of an answer, the reviewing official shall file the complaint and answer with the ALJ.

§ 185.112 Notice of hearing.

(a) When the ALJ receives the complaint and answer, the ALJ shall promptly serve a notice of hearing upon the defendant in the manner prescribed by § 185.108. At the same time, the ALJ shall send a copy of such notice to the reviewing official or his or her designee.

(b) Such notice shall include:

(1) The tentative time and place, and the nature of the hearing;

(2) The legal authority and jurisdiction under which the hearing is to be held;

(3) The matters of fact and law to be asserted;

(4) A description of the procedures for the conduct of the hearing;

(5) The name, address, and telephone number of the representative of the Government and of the defendant, if any; and

(6) Such other matters as the ALJ deems appropriate.

§ 185.113 Location of hearing.

(a) The hearing may be held:

(1) In any judicial district of the United States in which the defendant resides or transacts business;

(2) In any judicial district of the United States in which the claim or statement in issue was made; or

(3) In such other place as may be agreed upon by the parties and the ALJ.

(b) Each party shall have the opportunity to present argument with respect to the location of the hearing.

(c) The hearing shall be held at the place and at the time ordered by the ALJ.

§ 185.114 Parties to the hearing.

(a) The parties to the hearing shall be the defendant and OPM.

(b) Except where the authority head designates another, OPM shall be represented by the members of the Office of the General Counsel.

(c) Pursuant to section 3730(c)(5) of title 31, United States Code, a private plaintiff under the False Claims Act may participate in these proceedings to the extent authorized by the provisions of that Act.

§ 185.115 Separation of functions.

(a) The investigating official, the reviewing official, and any employee or agent of the authority who takes part in investigating, preparing, or presenting a particular case may not, in such case or a factually related case:

(1) Participate in the hearing as the ALJ;

(2) Participate or advise in the initial decision or the review of the initial decision by the authority head, except as a witness or a representative in public proceedings; or

(3) Make the collection of penalties and assessments under section 3806 of title 31, United States Code.

(b) The ALJ shall not be responsible to or subject to the supervision or direction of the investigating official or the reviewing official.

§ 185.116 Ex parte contacts.

No party or person (except employees of the ALJ's office) shall communicate in any way with the ALJ on any matter at issue in a case, unless on notice and opportunity for all parties to participate. This provision does not prohibit a person or party from inquiring about the status of a case or asking routine questions concerning administrative functions or procedures.

§ 185.117 Disqualification of reviewing official or ALJ.

(a) A reviewing official or ALJ in a particular case may disqualify himself or herself at any time.

(b) A party may file with the ALJ a motion for disqualification of a reviewing official or an ALJ. Such motion shall be accompanied by an affidavit alleging personal bias or other reason for disqualification.

(c) Such motion and affidavit shall be filed promptly upon the party's discovery of reasons requiring disqualification, or such objections shall be deemed waived.

(d) Such affidavit shall state specific facts that support the party's belief that personal bias or other reason for disqualification exists and the time and circumstances of the party's discovery of such facts. It shall be accompanied by a certificate of the representative of record that it is made in good faith.

(e) Upon the filing of such a motion and affidavit, the ALJ shall proceed no further in the case until he or she resolves the matter of disqualification in accordance with this section.

(1) If the ALJ determines that a reviewing official is disqualified, the ALJ shall dismiss the complaint without prejudice.

(2) If the ALJ disqualifies himself or herself, the case shall be reassigned promptly to another ALJ.

(3) If the ALJ denies a motion to disqualify, the authority head may determine the matter only as part of his or her review of the initial decision upon appeal, if any.

§ 185.118 Rights of parties.

Except as otherwise limited by this part, all parties may:

(a) Be accompanied, represented, and advised by a representative;

(b) Participate in any conference held by the ALJ;

(c) Conduct discovery as provided under § 185.122;

(d) Agree to stipulations of fact or law, which shall be made a part of the record;

(e) Present evidence relevant to the issues at the hearing;

(f) Present and cross-examine witnesses;

(g) Present oral arguments at the hearing as permitted by the ALJ; and

(h) Submit written briefs and proposed findings of fact and conclusions of law after the hearing.

§ 185.119 Authority of the ALJ.

(a) The ALJ shall conduct a fair and impartial hearing, avoid delay, maintain order, and assure that a record of the proceeding is made.

(b) The ALJ has the authority to:

(1) Set and change the date, time, and place of the hearing upon reasonable notice to the parties;

(2) Continue or recess the hearing in whole or in part for a reasonable period of time;

(3) Hold conferences to identify or simplify the issues, or to consider other matters that may aid in the expeditious disposition of the proceeding;

(4) Administer oaths and affirmations;

(5) Issue subpoenas requiring the attendance of witnesses and the production of documents at depositions or at hearings;

(6) Rule on motions and other procedural matters;

(7) Regulate the scope and timing of discovery;

(8) Regulate the course of the hearing and the conduct of representatives and parties;

(9) Examine witnesses;

(10) Receive, rule on, exclude, or limit evidence;

(11) Upon motion of a party, take official notice of facts;

(12) Upon motion of a party, decide cases, in whole or in part, by summary judgment where there is no disputed issue of material fact;

(13) Conduct any conference, argument, or hearing on motions in person or by telephone; and

(14) Exercise such other authority as is necessary to carry out the responsibilities of the ALJ under this part.

(c) The ALJ does not have the authority to find Federal statutes or regulations invalid.

§ 185.120 Prehearing conferences.

(a) The ALJ may schedule prehearing conferences as appropriate.

(b) Upon the motion of any party, the ALJ shall schedule at least one prehearing conference at a reasonable time in advance of the hearing.

(c) The ALJ may use prehearing conferences to discuss the following:

(1) Simplification of the issues;

(2) The necessity or desirability of amendments to the pleadings, including the need for a more definite statement;

(3) Stipulations and admissions of fact or as to the contents and authenticity of documents;

(4) Whether the parties can agree to submission of the case on a stipulated record;

(5) Whether a party chooses to waive appearance at an oral hearing and to submit only documentary evidence (subject to the objection of other parties) and written argument;

(6) Limitation of the number of witnesses;

(7) Scheduling dates for the exchange of witness lists and of proposed exhibits;

(8) Discovery;

(9) The time and place for the hearing; and

(10) Such other matters as may tend to expedite the fair and just disposition of the proceedings.

(d) The ALJ may issue an order containing all matters agreed upon by the parties or ordered by the ALJ at a prehearing conference.

§ 185.121 Disclosure of documents.

(a) Upon written request to the reviewing official, generally prior to the filing of an answer, the defendant may review any relevant and material documents, transcripts, records, and other materials that relate to the allegations set out in the complaint and upon which the findings and conclusions of the investigating official under § 185.104(b) are based, unless such documents are subject to a privilege under Federal law. Upon payment of fees for duplication, the defendant may obtain copies of such documents.

(b) Upon written request to the reviewing official, the defendant, may also obtain a copy of all exculpatory information in the possession of the reviewing official or investigating official relating to the allegations in the complaint, even if it is contained in a document that would otherwise be privileged. If the document would otherwise be privileged, only that portion containing exculpatory information must be disclosed.

(c) The notice sent to the Attorney General from the reviewing official as described in § 185.105 is not discoverable under any circumstances.

(d) The defendant may file a motion to compel disclosure of the documents subject to the provisions of this section. Such a motion may only be filed with the ALJ following the filing of an answer pursuant to § 185.109.

§ 185.122 Discovery.

(a) The following types of discovery are authorized:

(1) Requests for production of documents for inspection and copying;

(2) Requests for admissions of the authenticity of any relevant document or of the truth of any relevant fact;

(3) Written interrogatories; and

(4) Depositions.

(b) For the purpose of this section and § 185.123, the term documents includes information, documents, reports, answers, records, accounts, papers, and other data and documentary evidence. Nothing contained herein shall be interpreted to require the creation of a document.

(c) Unless mutually agreed to by the parties, discovery is available only as ordered by the ALJ. The ALJ shall regulate the timing of discovery.

(d) Motions for discovery are to be handled according to the following procedures:

(1) A party seeking discovery may file a motion with the ALJ. Such a motion shall be accompanied by a copy of the requested discovery, or in the case of depositions, a summary of the scope of the proposed deposition.

(2) Within 10 days of service, a party may file an opposition to the motion and/or a motion for protective order as provided in § 185.125.

(3) The ALJ may grant a motion for discovery only if he or she finds that the discovery sought:

(i) Is necessary for the expeditious, fair, and reasonable consideration of the issues;

(ii) Is not unduly costly or burdensome;

(iii) Will not unduly delay the proceeding; and

(iv) Does not seek privileged information.

(4) The burden of showing that discovery should be allowed is on the party seeking discovery.

(5) The ALJ may grant discovery subject to a protective order under § 185.125.

(e) Depositions are to be handled in the following manner:

(1) If a motion for deposition is granted, the ALJ shall issue a subpoena for the deponent, which may require the deponent to produce documents. The subpoena shall specify the time and place at which the deposition will be held.

(2) The party seeking to depose shall serve the subpoena in the manner prescribed in § 185.108.

(3) The deponent may file with the ALJ within 10 days of service a motion to quash the subpoena or a motion for a protective order.

(4) The party seeking to depose shall provide for the taking of a verbatim transcript of the deposition, which it shall make available to all other parties for inspection and copying.

(f) Each party shall bear its own costs of discovery.

§ 185.123 Exchange of witness lists, statements and exhibits.

(a) At least 15 days before the hearing or at such other time as may be ordered by the ALJ, the parties shall exchange witness lists, copies of prior statements of proposed witnesses, and copies of proposed hearing exhibits, including copies of any written statements that the party intends to offer in lieu of live testimony in accordance with § 185.133(b). At the time the above documents are exchanged, any party that intends to rely on the transcript or deposition testimony in lieu of live testimony at the hearing, if permitted by the ALJ, shall provide each party with a copy of the specific pages of the transcript it intends to introduce into evidence.

(b) If a party objects, the ALJ may not admit into evidence the testimony of any witness whose name does not appear on the witness list or any exhibit not provided to the opposing party as provided above unless the ALJ finds good cause for the failure or that there is no prejudice to the objecting party.

(c) Unless another party objects within the time set by the ALJ, documents exchanged in accordance with paragraph (a) of this section shall be deemed to be authentic for the purpose of admissibility at the hearing.

§ 185.124 Subpoenas for attendance at hearing.

(a) A party wishing to procure the appearance and testimony of any individual at the hearing may request that the ALJ issue a subpoena.

(b) A subpoena requiring the attendance and testimony of an individual may also require the individual to produce documents at the hearing.

(c) A party seeking a subpoena shall file a written request therefor not less than 15 days before the date fixed for the hearing unless otherwise allowed by the ALJ upon a showing of good cause. Such request shall specify any documents to be produced and shall designate the witnesses and describe the address and location thereof with sufficient particularity to permit such witnesses to be found.

(d) The subpoena shall specify the time and place at which the witness is to appear and any documents the witness is to produce.

(e) The party seeking the subpoena shall serve it in the manner prescribed in § 185.108. A subpoena on a party or upon an individual under the control of a party may be served by first class mail.

(f) A party or the individual to whom the subpoena is directed may file with the ALJ a motion to quash the subpoena within 10 days after service or on or before the time specified in the subpoena for compliance if it is less than 10 days after service.

§ 185.125 Protective order.

(a) A party or a prospective witness or deponent may file a motion for a protective order with respect to discovery sought by an opposing party or with respect to the hearing, seeking to limit the availability or disclosure of evidence.

(b) In issuing a protective order, the ALJ may make any order which justice requires to protect a party or person from annoyance, embarrassment, oppression, or undue burden or expense, including one or more of the following:

(1) That the discovery not be had;

(2) That the discovery may be had only on specified terms and conditions, including a designation of the time or place;

(3) That the discovery may be had only through a method of discovery other than that requested;

(4) That certain matters not be the subject of inquiry, or that the scope of discovery be limited to certain matters;

(5) That discovery be conducted with no one present except persons designated by the ALJ;

(6) That the contents of discovery or evidence be sealed;

(7) That a sealed deposition be opened only by order of the ALJ;

(8) That a trade secret or other confidential research, development, commercial information, or facts pertaining to any criminal investigation, proceeding, or other administrative investigation not be disclosed or be disclosed only in a designated way; or

(9) That the parties simultaneously file specified documents or information enclosed in sealed envelopes to be opened as directed by the ALJ.

§ 185.126 Evidence.

(a) The ALJ shall determine the admissibility of evidence.

(b) Except as provided in this part, the ALJ shall not be bound by the Federal Rules of Evidence. However, the ALJ may apply the Federal Rules of Evidence where appropriate, e.g. to exclude unreliable evidence.

(c) The ALJ shall exclude irrelevant and immaterial evidence.

(d) Although relevant, evidence may be excluded if its probative value is substantially outweighed by the danger of unfair prejudice, confusion of the issues, or by considerations of undue delay or needless presentation of cumulative evidence.

(e) Although relevant, evidence may be excluded if it is privileged under Federal law.

(f) Evidence concerning offers of compromise or settlement shall be inadmissible to the extent provided in Rule 408 of the Federal Rules of Evidence.

(g) The ALJ shall permit the parties to introduce rebuttal witnesses and evidence.

(h) All documents and other evidence offered or taken for the record shall be open to examination by all parties, unless otherwise ordered by the ALJ pursuant to § 185.125.

§ 185.127 Fees.

The party requesting a subpoena shall pay the cost of the fees and mileage of any witness subpoenaed in the amounts that would be payable to a witness in a proceeding in United States District Court. A check for witness fees and mileage shall accompany the subpoena when served, except that when a subpoena is issued on behalf of the authority, a check for witness fees and mileage need not accompany the subpoena.

§ 185.128 Form, filing and service of papers.

(a) Form. Documents filed with the ALJ shall include an original and two copies. Every pleading and paper filed in the proceeding shall contain a caption setting forth the title of the action, the case number assigned by the ALJ, and a designation of the paper (e.g., motion to quash subpoena). Every pleading and paper shall be signed by, and shall contain the address and telephone number of the party or the person on whose behalf the paper was filed, or his or her representative.

(b) Filing. Papers are considered filed when they are mailed. Date of mailing may be established by a certificate from the party or its representative or by proof that the document was sent by certified or registered mail.

(c) Service. A party filing a document with the ALJ shall, at the time of filing, serve a copy of such document on every other party. Service upon any party of any document other than those required to be served as prescribed in § 185.108 shall be made by delivering a copy or by placing a copy of the document in the United States mail, postage prepaid and addressed, to the party's last known address. When a party is represented by a representative, service shall be made upon such representative in lieu of the actual party.

(d) Proof of service. A certificate of the individual serving the document by personal delivery or by mail, setting forth the manner of service, shall be proof of service.

§ 185.129 Computation of time.

(a) In computing any period of time under this part or in an order issued thereunder, the time begins with the day following the act, event, or default, and includes the last day of the period, unless it is a Saturday, Sunday, or legal holiday observed by the Federal Government, in which event it includes the next business day.

(b) When the period of time allowed is less than 7 days, intermediate Saturdays, Sundays, and legal holidays observed by the Federal Government shall be excluded from the computation.

(c) Where a document has been served or issued by placing it in the mail, an additional 5 days will be added to the time permitted for any response.

§ 185.130 Motions.

(a) Any application to the ALJ for an order or ruling shall be by motion. Motions shall state the relief sought, the authority relied upon, and the facts alleged, and shall be filed with the ALJ and served on all other parties.

(b) Except for motions made during a prehearing conference or at the hearing, all motions shall be in writing. The ALJ may require that oral motions be reduced to writing.

(c) Within 15 days after a written motion is served, or such other time as may be fixed by the ALJ, any party may file a response to such motion.

(d) The ALJ may not grant a written motion before the time for filing responses thereto has expired, except upon consent of the parties or following a hearing on the motion, but may overrule or deny such motion without awaiting a response.

(e) The ALJ shall make a reasonable effort to dispose or all outstanding motions prior to the beginning of the hearing.

§ 185.131 Sanctions.

(a) The ALJ may sanction a person including any party or representative for the following reasons:

(1) Failure to comply with an order, rule, or procedure governing the proceeding;

(2) Failure to prosecute or defend an action; or

(3) Engaging in other misconduct that interferes with the speedy, orderly, or fair conduct of the proceeding.

(b) Any such sanction, including but not limited to those listed in paragraphs (c), (d), and (e) of this section, shall reasonably relate to the severity and nature of the failure or misconduct.

(c) When a party fails to comply with an order, including an order for taking a deposition, the production of evidence within the party's control, or a request for admission, the ALJ may

(1) Draw an inference in favor of the requesting party with regard to the information sought;

(2) In the case of requests for admission, deem each matter of which an admission is requested to be admitted;

(3) Prohibit the party failing to comply with such order from introducing evidence concerning, or otherwise relying upon, testimony relating to the information sought; and

(4) Strike any part of the pleadings or other submissions of the party failing to comply with such request.

(d) If a party fails to prosecute or defend an action under this part commenced by service of a notice of hearing, the ALJ may dismiss the action or may issue an initial decision imposing penalties and assessments.

(e) The ALJ may refuse to consider any motion, request, response, brief or other document which is not filed in a timely fashion.

§ 185.132 The hearing and burden of proof.

(a) Where requested in accordance with § 185.109 the ALJ shall conduct a hearing on the record in order to determine whether the defendant is liable for a civil penalty or assessment under § 185.103 and, if so, the appropriate amount of any such civil penalty or assessment considering any aggravating or mitigating factors.

(b) The authority shall prove defendant's liability and any aggravating factors by a preponderance of the evidence.

(c) The defendant shall prove any affirmative defenses and any mitigating factors by a preponderance of the evidence.

(d) The hearing shall be open to the public unless otherwise closed by the ALJ for good cause shown.

§ 185.133 Determining the amount of penalties and assessments.

(a) In determining an appropriate amount of civil penalties and assessments, the ALJ and the authority head, upon appeal, should evaluate any circumstances that mitigate or aggravate the violation and should articulate in their opinions the reasons that support the penalties and assessments they impose. Because of the intangible costs of fraud, the expense of investigating such conduct, and the need to deter others who might be similarly tempted, double damages and a significant civil penalty ordinarily should be imposed.

(b) Although not exhaustive, the following factors are among those that may influence the ALJ and the authority head in determining the amount of penalties and assessments to impose with respect to the misconduct (i.e., the false, fictitious, or fraudulent claims or statements) charged in the complaint;

(1) The number of false, fictitious or fraudulent claims or statements;

(2) The time period over which such claims or statements were made;

(3) The degree of the defendant's culpability with respect to the misconduct;

(4) The amount of money or the value of the property, services, or benefit falsely claimed;

(5) The value of the Government's actual loss as a result of the misconduct, including foreseeable consequential damages and the costs of investigation;

(6) The relationship of the amount imposed as civil penalties to the amount of the Government's loss;

(7) The potential or actual impact of the misconduct upon public confidence in the management of Government programs and operations;

(8) Whether the defendant has engaged in a pattern of the same or similar misconduct;

(9) Whether the defendant attempted to conceal the misconduct;

(10) The degree to which the defendant has involved others in the misconduct or in concealing it;

(11) Where the misconduct of employees or agents is imputed to the defendant, the extent to which the defendant's practices fostered or attempted to preclude such misconduct;

(12) Whether the defendant cooperated in or obstructed an investigation of the misconduct;

(13) Whether the defendant assisted in identifying and prosecuting other wrongdoers;

(14) The complexity of the program or transaction, and the degree of the defendant's sophistication with respect to it, including the extent of the defendant's prior participation in the program or in similar transactions;

(15) Whether the defendant has been found, in any criminal, civil, or administrative proceeding to have engaged in similar misconduct or to have dealt dishonestly with the Government of the United States or of a State, directly or indirectly;

(16) The need to deter the defendant and others from engaging in the same or similar misconduct; and

(17) The potential impact of the misconduct on the rights of others.

(c) Nothing in this section shall be construed to limit the ALJ or the authority head from considering any other factors that in any given case may mitigate or aggravate the offense for which penalties and assessments are imposed.

§ 185.134 Witnesses.

(a) Except as provided in paragraph (b) of this section, testimony at the hearing shall be given orally by witnesses under oath or affirmation.

(b) At the discretion of the ALJ, testimony may be admitted in the form of a written statement or deposition. Any such written statement must be provided to all others parties along with the last known address of such witness, in a manner which allows sufficient time for other parties to subpoena such witness for cross-examination at the hearing. Prior written statements of witnesses proposed to testify at the hearing and deposition transcripts shall be exchanged as provided in § 185.123(a).

(c) The ALJ shall exercise reasonable control over the mode and order of interrogating witnesses and presenting evidence so as to—

(1) Make the interrogation and presentation effective for the ascertainment of the truth,

(2) Avoid needless consumption of time, and

(3) Protect witnesses from harassment or undue embarrassment.

(d) The ALJ shall permit the parties to conduct such cross-examination as may be required for a full and true disclosure of the facts.

(e) At the discretion of the ALJ, a witness may be cross-examined on matters relevant to the proceedings without regard to the scope of his or her direct examination. To the extent permitted by the ALJ, cross-examination on matters outside the scope of direct examination shall be conducted in the manner of direct examination and may proceed by leading questions only if the witness is a hostile witness, an adverse party, or a witness identified with an adverse party.

(f) Upon motion of any party, the ALJ shall order witnesses excluded so that they cannot hear the testimony of other witnesses. This rule does not authorize exclusion of the following:

(1) A party who is an individual;

(2) In the case of a party that is not an individual, an officer or employee of the party designated by the party's representative; or

(3) An individual whose presence is shown by a party to be essential to the presentation of its case, including an individual employed by the Government engaged in assisting the representative for the Government.

§ 185.135 The record.

(a) The hearing shall be recorded and transcribed. Transcripts may be obtained following the hearing from the ALJ at a cost not to exceed the actual cost of duplication.

(b) The transcript of testimony, exhibits and other evidence admitted at the hearing, and all papers and requests filed in the proceeding constitute the record for the decision by the ALJ and the authority head.

(c) The record may be inspected and copied (upon payment of a reasonable fee) by anyone, unless otherwise ordered by the ALJ pursuant to § 185.125.

§ 185.136 Post-hearing briefs.

The ALJ may require the parties to file post-hearing briefs. In any event, any party may file a post-hearing brief. The ALJ shall fix the time for filing such briefs, not to exceed 60 days from the date the parties receive the transcript of the hearing or, if applicable, the stipulated record. Such briefs may be accompanied by proposed findings of fact and conclusions of law. The ALJ may permit the parties to file reply briefs.

§ 185.137 Initial decision.

(a) The ALJ shall issue an initial decision based only on the record, which shall contain findings of fact, conclusions of law, and the amount of any penalties and assessments imposed.

(b) The findings of fact shall include a finding on each of the following issues:

(1) Whether the claims or statements identified in the complaint, or any portions thereof, violate § 185.103.

(2) If the person is liable for penalties or assessments, the appropriate amount of any such penalties or assessments considering any mitigating or aggravating factors that he or she finds in the case, such as those described in § 185.133.

(c) The ALJ shall promptly serve the initial decision on all parties within 90 days after the time for submission of post-hearing briefs and reply briefs (if permitted) has expired. The ALJ shall at the same time serve all parties with a statement describing the right of any defendant determined to be liable for a civil penalty or assessment to file a motion for reconsideration with the ALJ or a notice of appeal with the authority head. If the ALJ fails to meet the deadline contained in this paragraph, he or she shall notify the parties of the reason for the delay and shall set a new deadline.

(d) Unless the initial decision of the ALJ is timely appealed to the authority head, or a motion for reconsideration of the initial decision is timely filed, the initial decision shall constitute the final decision of the authority head and shall be final and binding on the parties 30 days after it is issued by the ALJ.

§ 185.138 Reconsideration of initial decision.

(a) Except as provided in paragraph (d) of this section, any party may file a motion for reconsideration of the initial decision within 20 days of receipt of the initial decision. If service was made by mail, receipt will be presumed to be 5 days from the date of mailing in the absence of contrary proof.

(b) Every such motion must set forth the matters claimed to have been erroneously decided and the nature of the alleged errors. Such motion shall be accompanied by a supporting brief.

(c) Responses to such motions shall be allowed only upon request of the ALJ.

(d) No party may file a motion for reconsideration of an initial decision that has been revised in response to a previous motion for reconsideration.

(e) The ALJ may dispose of a motion for reconsideration by denying it or by issuing a revised initial decision.

(f) If the ALJ denies a motion for reconsideration, the initial decision shall constitute the final decision of the authority head and shall be final and binding on all parties 30 days after the ALJ denies the motion, unless the initial decision is timely appealed to the authority head in accordance with § 185.139.

(g) If the ALJ issues a revised initial decision, that decision shall constitute the final decision of the authority head and shall be final and binding on the parties 30 days after it is issued, unless it is timely appealed to the authority head in accordance with § 185.139.

§ 185.139 Appeal to authority head.

(a) Any defendant who has filed a timely answer and who is determined in an initial decision to be liable for a civil penalty or assessment may appeal such decision to the authority head by filing a notice of appeal with the authority head in accordance with this section.

(1) A notice of appeal may be filed at any time within 30 days after the ALJ issues an initial decision. However, if another party files a motion for reconsideration under § 185.138, consideration of the appeal shall be stayed automatically pending resolution of the motion for reconsideration.

(2) If a motion for reconsideration is timely filed, a notice of appeal shall be filed within 30 days after the ALJ denies the motion or issues a revised initial decision, whichever applies.

(3) If no motion for reconsideration is timely filed, a notice of appeal must be filed within 30 days after the ALJ issues the initial decision.

(4) The authority head may extend the initial 30-day period for an additional 30 days if the defendant files with the authority head a request for an extension within the initial 30-day period and shows good cause.

(b) If the defendant files a timely notice of appeal with the authority head and the time for filing motions for reconsideration under § 185.138 has expired, the ALJ shall forward the record of the proceeding to the authority head.

(c) A notice of appeal shall be accompanied by a written brief specifying exceptions to the initial decision and reasons supporting the exceptions.

(d) The representative for OPM may file a brief in opposition to exceptions within 30 days of receiving the notice of appeal and accompanying brief.

(e) There is no right to appear personally before the authority head.

(f) There is no right to appeal an interlocutory ruling by the ALJ.

(g) In reviewing the initial decision, the authority head shall not consider any objection that was not raised before the ALJ unless the objecting party can demonstrate extraordinary circumstances causing the failure to raise the objection.

(h) If any party demonstrates to the satisfaction of the authority head that additional evidence not presented at such hearing is material and that there were reasonable grounds for the failure to present such evidence at such hearing, the authority head shall remand the matter to the ALJ for consideration of such additional evidence.

(i) The authority head may affirm, reduce, reverse, compromise, remand or settle any penalty or assessment determined by the ALJ in any initial decision.

(j) The authority head shall promptly serve each party to the appeal with a copy of the decision of the authority head and a statement describing the right of any person determined to be liable for a penalty or assessment to seek judicial review.

(k) Unless a petition for review is filed as provided in section 3805 of title 31, United States Code, after a defendant has exhausted all administrative remedies under this part and within 60 days after the date on which the authority head serves the defendant with a copy of the authority head's decision, a determination that a defendant is liable under § 185.103 is final and not subject to judicial review.

[60 FR 7891, Feb. 10, 1995; 60 FR 22249, May 5, 1995]

§ 185.140 Stays ordered by the Department of Justice.

If, at any time, the Attorney General or an Assistant Attorney General designated by the Attorney General transmits to the authority head a written finding that continuation of the administrative process described in this part with respect to a claim or statement may adversely affect any pending or potential criminal or civil action related to such claim or statement, the authority head shall stay the process immediately. The authority head may order the process resumed only upon receipt of the written authorization of the Attorney General or of the Assistant Attorney General who ordered the stay.

§ 185.141 Stay pending appeal.

(a) An initial decision is stayed automatically pending disposition of a motion for reconsideration or of an appeal to the authority head.

(b) No administrative stay is available following a final decision of the authority head.

§ 185.142 Judicial review.

Section 3805 of title 31, United States Code, authorizes judicial review by an appropriate United States District Court of a final decision of the authority head imposing penalties and/or assessments under this part and specifies the procedures for such review.

§ 185.143 Collection of civil penalties and assessments.

Sections 3806 and 3808(b) of title 31, United States Code, authorize actions for collection of civil penalties and assessments imposed under this part and specify the procedures for such actions.

§ 185.144 Right to administrative offset.

The amount of any penalty or assessment which has become final, or for which a judgment has been entered under § 185.142 or § 185.143, or any amount agreed upon in a compromise or settlement under § 185.146, may be collected by administrative offset under section 3716 of title 31, United States Code, except that an administrative offset may not be made under section 3716 against a refund of an overpayment of Federal taxes, then or later owing by the United States to the defendant.

§ 185.145 Deposit in Treasury of the United States.

All amounts collected pursuant to this part shall be deposited as miscellaneous receipts in the Treasury of the United States, except as provided in section 3806(g) of title 31, United States Code.

§ 185.146 Compromise or settlement.

(a) Parties may make offers of compromise or settlement at any time.

(b) The reviewing official has the exclusive authority to compromise or settle a case under this part at any time after the date on which the reviewing official is permitted to issue a complaint and before the date on which the ALJ issues an initial decision.

(c) The authority head has exclusive authority to compromise or settle a case under this part at any time after the date on which the ALJ issues an initial decision, except during the pendency of any review under § 185.142 or during the pendency of any action to collect penalties and assessments under § 185.143.

(d) The Attorney General has exclusive authority to compromise or settle a case under this part during the pendency of any review under § 185.142 or of any action to recover penalties and assessments under section 3806 to title 31, United States Code.

(e) The investigating official may recommend settlement terms to the reviewing official, the authority head, or the Attorney General, as appropriate. The reviewing official may recommend settlement terms to the authority head, or the Attorney General, as appropriate.

(f) Any compromise or settlement must be in writing.

§ 185.147 Limitations.

(a) The notice of hearing with respect to a claim or statement must be served in the manner specified in § 185.108 within 6 years after the date on which such a claim or statement is made.

(b) If the defendant fails to file a timely answer, service of a notice under § 185.110(b) shall be deemed a notice of hearing for purposes of this section.

(c) the statute of limitations may be executed by written agreement of the parties.

§ 210.101 Applicability of various parts of regulations.

(a) General. In most parts, the applicability of the part is stated specifically in the part or is otherwise apparent from the substance of the part.

(b) Parts 315 through 339. Parts 315 through 339 of this chapter apply to all positions in the competitive service and to all incumbents of those positions; and, except as specified by or in an individual part, these parts do not apply to positions in the excepted service or to incumbents of those positions.

[33 FR 12407, Sept. 4, 1968, as amended at 44 FR 45587, Aug. 3, 1979]

§ 210.102 Definitions.

(a) The definitions in paragraph (b) of this section apply throughout this chapter, except when a defined term is specifically modified in or specifically defined for the purpose of a particular part.

(b) In this chapter:

(1) Appointing officer means a person having power by law, or by lawfully delegated authority, to make appointments to positions in the service of the Federal Government or the government of the District of Columbia.

(2) OPM means the Office of Personnel Management.

(3) Days, unless otherwise defined or limited, means calendar days and not workdays. In computing a period of time prescribed in this chapter, the day of the action or event after which the designated period of time begins to run is not to be included. The last day of the period so computed is to be included unless it is a Saturday, a Sunday, or a legal holiday in which event the period runs until the end of the next day which is neither a Saturday, a Sunday, nor a legal holiday.

(4) Demotion means a change of an employee, while serving continuously within the same agency:

(i) To a lower grade when both the old and the new positions are under the General Schedule or under the same type graded wage schedule; or

(ii) To a position with a lower rate of pay when both the old and the new positions are under the same type ungraded wage schedule, or are in different pay method categories.

(5) Eligible means an applicant who meets the minimum requirements for entrance to an examination and is rated 70 or more in the examination by OPM.

(6) Employee means a civilian officer or employee.

(7) Metropolitan area of Washington, DC., means the District of Columbia; Alexandria, Fairfax, and Falls Church Cities, Va.; Arlington, Fairfax, Loudoun, and Prince William Counties, Va.; and Charles, Montgomery, and Prince Georges Counties, Md.

(8) Noncompetitive action means a promotion, demotion, reassignment, transfer, reinstatement, or an appointment based on prior service.

(9) Overseas means outside the continental United States, but does not include Alaska, Guam, Hawaii, the Isthmus of Panama, Puerto Rico, or the Virgin Islands.

(10) Position change means a promotion, demotion, or reassignment.

(11) Promotion means a change of an employee, while serving continuously within the same agency:

(i) To a higher grade when both the old and the new positions are under the General Schedule or under the same type graded wage schedule; or

(ii) To a position with a higher rate of pay when both the old and the new positions are under the same type ungraded wage schedule, or are in different pay method categories.

(12) Reassignment means a change of an employee, while serving continuously within the same agency, from one position to another without promotion or demotion.

(13) Reemployed annuitant means an employee whose annuity under subchapter III of chapter 83 of title 5, United States Code, was continued on reemployment in an appointive position on or after October 1, 1956.

(14) Register means a list of qualified applicants compiled in order of relative standing for certification.

(15) Reinstatement means the noncompetitive reemployment for service as a career or career-conditional employee of a person formerly employed in the competitive service who had a competitive status or was serving probation when he was separated from the service.

(16) Status quo employee means an employee who failed to acquire a competitive status when the position in which he was serving was placed in the competitive service by a statute, Executive order, or Civil Service rule, which permitted his retention without the acquisition of status.

(17) Tenure means the period of time an employee may reasonably expect to serve under his current appointment. It is granted and governed by the type of appointment under which an employee is currently serving without regard to whether he has a competitive status or whether his appointment is in a competitive position or in an excepted position.

(18) Transfer means a change of an employee, without a break in service of 1 full workday, from a position in one agency to a position in another agency.

[33 FR 12407, Sept. 4, 1968, as amended at 34 FR 19495, Dec. 10, 1969; 38 FR 22535, Aug. 22, 1973; 89 FR 25045, Apr. 9, 2024; 91 FR 5653, Feb. 6, 2026]

§ 211.101 Purpose.

The purpose of this part is to define veterans' preference and the administration of preference in Federal employment. (5 U.S.C. 2108, 2108a)

§ 211.102 Definitions.

For the purposes of preference in Federal employment, the following definitions apply:

(a) Veteran means a person who has been discharged or released from active duty in the armed forces under honorable conditions, or who has a certification as defined in paragraph (h) of this section, if the active duty service was performed:

(1) In a war;

(2) In a campaign or expedition for which a campaign badge has been authorized;

(3) During the period beginning April 28, 1952, and ending July 1, 1955;

(4) For more than 180 consecutive days, other than for training, any part of which occurred during the period beginning February 1, 1955, and ending October 14, 1976;

(5) During the period beginning August 2, 1990, and ending January 2, 1992; or

(6) For more than 180 consecutive days, other than for training, any part of which occurred during the period beginning September 11, 2001, and ending on August 31, 2010, the last day of Operation Iraqi Freedom.

(b) Disabled veteran means a person who has been discharged or released from active duty in the armed forces under honorable conditions performed at any time, or who has a certification as defined in paragraph (h) of this section, and who has established the present existence of a service-connected disability or is receiving compensation, disability retirement benefits, or a pension because of a statute administered by the Department of Veterans Affairs or a military department.

(c) Sole survivor veteran means a person who was discharged or released from a period of active duty after August 29, 2008, by reason of a sole survivorship discharge (as that term is defined in 10 U.S.C. 1174(i)), and who meets the definition of a “veteran” in paragraph (a) of this section, with the exception that he or she is not required to meet any of the length of service requirements prescribed by paragraph (a).

(d) Preference eligible means a veteran, disabled veteran, sole survivor veteran, spouse, widow, widower, or parent who meets the definition of “preference eligible” in 5 U.S.C. 2108.

(1) Preference eligibles other than sole survivor veterans are entitled to have 5 or 10 points added to their earned score on a civil service examination in accordance with 5 U.S.C. 3309.

(2) Under numerical ranking and selection procedures for competitive service hiring, preference eligibles are entered on registers in the order prescribed by § 332.401 of this chapter.

(3) Under excepted service examining procedures in part 302 of this chapter, preference eligibles are listed ahead of persons with the same ratings who are not preference eligibles, or listed ahead of non-preference eligibles if numerical scores have not been assigned.

(4) Under alternative ranking and selection procedures, i.e., category rating, preference eligibles are listed ahead of individuals who are not preference eligibles in accordance with 5 U.S.C. 3319.

(5) Preference eligibles, other than those who have not yet been discharged or released from active duty, are accorded a higher retention standing than non-preference eligibles in the event of a reduction in force in accordance with 5 U.S.C. 3502.

(6) Veterans' preference does not apply, however, to inservice placement actions such as promotions.

(e) Armed forces means the United States Army, Navy, Air Force, Marine Corps, and Coast Guard.

(f) Active duty or active military duty:

(1) For veterans defined in paragraphs (a)(1) through (3) and disabled veterans defined in paragraph (b) of this section, means active duty with military pay and allowances in the armed forces, and includes training, determining physical fitness, and service in the Reserves or National Guard; and

(2) For veterans defined in paragraphs (a)(4) through (6) of this section, means full-time duty with military pay and allowances in the armed forces, and does not include training, determining physical fitness, or service in the Reserves or National Guard.

(g) Discharged or released from active duty means with either an honorable or general discharge from active duty in the armed forces. The Department of Defense is responsible for administering and defining military discharges.

(h) Certification means any written document from the armed forces that certifies the service member is expected to be discharged or released from active duty service in the armed forces under honorable conditions not later than 120 days after the date the certification is submitted for consideration in the hiring process, at the time and in the manner prescribed by the applicable job opportunity announcement. Prior to appointment, the service member's character of service and qualifying discharge or release must be verified through a DD form 214 or equivalent documentation.

[81 FR 83109, Nov. 21, 2016, as amended at 81 FR 94909, Dec. 27, 2016; 83 FR 63042, Dec. 7, 2018]

§ 211.103 Administration of preference.

Agencies are responsible for making all preference determinations except for preference based on a common law marriage. Such a claim must be referred to OPM's General Counsel for decision.

§ 212.101 Definitions.

In this chapter:

(a) Competitive service has the meaning given that term by section 2102 of title 5, United States Code, and includes:

(1) All civilian positions in the executive branch of the Federal Government not specifically excepted from the civil service laws by or pursuant to statute, by the President, or by the Office of Personnel Management, and not in the Senior Executive Service; and

(2) All positions in the legislative and judicial branches of the Federal Government and in the government of the District of Columbia specifically made subject to the civil service laws by statute.

(b) Competitive position means a position in the competitive service.

(5 U.S.C. 2102)

[33 FR 12408, Sept. 4, 1968, as amended at 45 FR 62413, Sept. 19, 1980]

§ 212.102 Authority to make determinations.

OPM determines finally whether a position is in the competitive service.

§ 212.301 Competitive status defined.

In this chapter, competitive status means an individual's basic eligibility for noncompetitive assignment to a competitive position. Competitive status is acquired by completion of a probationary period under a career-conditional or career appointment, or under a career executive assignment in the former executive assignment system, following open competitive examination, or by statute, Executive order, or the Civil Service rules, without open competitive examination. An individual with competitive status may be, without open competitive examination, reinstated, transferred, promoted, reassigned, or demoted, subject to conditions prescribed by the Civil Service rules and regulations.

[33 FR 12408, Sept. 4, 1968, as amended at 57 FR 10123, Mar. 24, 1992]

§ 212.401 Effect of competitive status on position.

(a) An employee is in the competitive service when he has competitive status and is in a competitive position under a nontemporary appointment.

(b) Unless expressly stated otherwise in 5 CFR Chapter I, Subchapter A, an employee with competitive status at the time that his or her position is first listed in an excepted service schedule, or that the employee moved to a position in the excepted service, is no longer in the competitive service but retains competitive status.

[33 FR 12408, Sept. 4, 1968, as amended at 89 FR 25046, Apr. 9, 2024; 91 FR 5653, Feb. 6, 2026]

§ 213.101 Definitions.

(a) In this chapter:

(1) Excepted service has the meaning given that term by section 2103 of title 5, United States Code, and includes all positions in the Executive Branch of the Federal Government which are specifically excepted from the competitive service by or pursuant to statute, by the President, or by the Office of Personnel Management, and which are not in the Senior Executive Service. An employee encumbering an excepted position is in the excepted service, irrespective of whether the employee possesses competitive status.

(2) Excepted position means a position in the excepted service.

(b) In this part:

(1) Career position means a position that is not a noncareer position.

(2) Noncareer position means a position associated with an appointment that carries no expectation of continued employment beyond the Presidential administration during which the appointment occurred and whose occupant is normally, as a matter of practice, expected to resign upon a Presidential transition. This phrase encompasses all positions whose appointments involve preclearance by the White House Office of Presidential Personnel.

[91 FR 5653, Feb. 6, 2026]

§ 213.102 Identification of positions in Schedule A, B, C, D, or Policy/Career.

(a) As provided in 5 U.S.C. 3302, the President may prescribe rules governing the competitive service. The rules shall provide, as nearly as conditions of good administration warrant, for—

(1) Necessary exceptions of positions from the competitive service; and

(2) Necessary exceptions from the provisions of sections 2951, 3304(a), 3321, 7202, and 7203 of title 5, U.S. Code.

(b) The President delegated authority to the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) in Civil Service Rule VI to except positions from the competitive service when OPM determines that:

(1) Appointments thereto through competitive examination are not practicable; or

(2) Recruitment from among students attending qualifying educational institutions or individuals who have recently completed qualifying educational programs can better be achieved by devising additional means for recruiting and assessing candidates that diverge from the processes generally applicable to the competitive service.

(3)(i) Upon determining that any position or group of positions, as defined in § 302.101(c), should be excepted indefinitely or temporarily from the competitive service, the Office of Personnel Management will authorize placement of the position or group of positions into Schedule A, B, C, or D, as applicable. Unless otherwise specified in a particular appointing authority, an agency may make Schedule A, B, C, or D appointments on either a permanent or nonpermanent basis, with any appropriate work schedule (i.e., full-time, part-time, seasonal, on-call, or intermittent).

(ii) When OPM establishes eligibility requirements (e.g., residence, family income) for appointment under particular Schedule A, B, or D exceptions, an individual's eligibility for appointment must be determined before appointment and without regard to any conditions that will result from the appointment.

(c) For purposes of making any such determinations, positions includes:

(1) Those that are intended to be removed indefinitely from the competitive service because the nature of the position itself precludes it from being in the competitive service (e.g., because it is impracticable to examine for the knowledge, skills, and abilities required for the job); and

(2) Those that are intended to be removed temporarily from the competitive service to allow for targeted recruiting and hiring from among a particular class of persons, as defined by the Office of Personnel Management, with the opportunity for the persons selected for those positions to convert to the competitive service at a later date.

(d) The President may directly place positions in Schedule Policy/Career.

[77 FR 28213, May 11, 2012, as amended at 91 FR 5653, Feb. 6, 2026]

§ 213.103 Publication of excepted appointing authorities in Schedules A, B, C, D, and Policy/Career.

(a) Schedule A, B, C, D, and Policy/Career appointing authorities available for use by all agencies will be published as regulations in the Federal Register and the Code of Federal Regulations.

(b) Establishment and revocation of Schedule A, B, C, and Policy/Career appointing authorities applicable to a single agency shall be published monthly in the Notices section of the Federal Register.

(c) A consolidated listing of all Schedule A, B, C, and Policy/Career authorities current as of June 30 of each year, with assigned authority numbers, shall be published annually as a notice in the Federal Register.

[91 FR 5653, Feb. 6, 2026]

§ 213.104 Special provisions for temporary, time-limited, intermittent, or seasonal appointments in Schedule A, B, C, D, or Policy/Career.

(a) When OPM specifies that appointments under a particular Schedule A, B, C, D, or Policy/Career authority must be temporary, intermittent, or seasonal, or when agencies elect to make temporary, intermittent, or seasonal appointments in Schedule A, B, C, D, or Policy/Career, those terms have the following meaning:

(1) Temporary appointments, unless otherwise specified in a particular Schedule A, B, C, D, or Policy/Career exception, are made for a specified period not to exceed 1 year and are subject to the time limits in paragraph (b) of this section. Time-limited appointments made for more than 1 year are not considered to be temporary appointments and are not subject to the time limits.

(2) Intermittent positions are positions in which work recurs at sporadic or irregular intervals so that an employee's tour of duty cannot be scheduled in advance of the administrative workweek.

(3) Seasonal positions involve annually recurring periods of employment lasting less than 12 months each year.

(b) Temporary appointments, as defined in paragraph (a)(1) of this section, are subject to the following limits:

(1) Service limits. Agencies may make temporary appointments for a period not to exceed 1 year, unless the applicable Schedule A, B, C, D, or Policy/Career authority specifies a shorter period. Except as provided in paragraph (b)(3) of this section, agencies may extend temporary appointments for no more than 1 additional year (24 months of total service). Appointment to a successor position (i.e., a position that replaces and absorbs the original position) is considered to be an extension of the original appointment. Appointment to a position involving the same basic duties, in the same major subdivision of the agency, and in the same local commuting area, is also considered to be an extension of the original appointment.

(2) Restrictions on refilling positions under temporary appointments. Except as provided in paragraph (b)(3) of this section, an agency may not fill any position (or its successor) by a temporary appointment in Schedule A, B, C, D, or Policy/Career if that position had previously been filled by temporary appointment(s) in either the competitive or excepted service for an aggregate of 2 years, or 24 months, within the preceding 3-year period. This limitation does not apply to programs established to provide for systematic exchange between a Federal agency and non-Federal organizations.

(3) Exceptions to the general limits. The service limits and restrictions on refilling positions set out in this section do not apply when:

(i) Positions involve intermittent or seasonal work, and employment in the same or a successor position under one or more appointing authorities totals less than 6 months (1,040 hours), excluding overtime, in a service year. The service year is the calendar year that begins on the date of the employee's initial appointment in the agency. Should employment in a position filled under this exception total 6 months or more in any service year, the general limits set out in this section will apply to subsequent extension or reappointment unless OPM approves continued exception under this section. An individual may be employed for training for up to 120 days following initial appointment and up to 2 weeks a year thereafter without regard to the service year limitation.

(ii) Positions are filled under an authority established for the purpose of enabling the appointees to continue or enhance their education, or to meet academic or professional qualification requirements. These include the authorities set out in § 213.3102(r) and (s) and § 213.3402(a), (b), and (c), and authorities granted to individual agencies for use in connection with internship, fellowship, residency, or student programs.

(iii) OPM approves extension of specific temporary appointments beyond 2 years (24 months total service) when necessitated by major reorganizations or base closings or other rare and unusual circumstances. Requests based on major reorganization, base closing, restructuring, or other unusual circumstances that apply agencywide must be made by an official at the headquarters level of the Department or agency. Requests involving extension of appointments to a specific position or project based on other unusual circumstances may be submitted by the employing office to the appropriate OPM service center.

[59 FR 46897, Sept. 13, 1994, as amended at 59 FR 64841, Dec. 16, 1994; 62 FR 18505, Apr. 16, 1997; 62 FR 55725, Oct. 28, 1997; 62 FR 63628, Dec. 2, 1997; 77 FR 28213, May 11, 2012; 91 FR 5654, Feb. 6, 2026]

§ 213.3101 Positions other than those of a confidential or policy-determining character for which it is impracticable to examine.

Upon specific authorization by OPM, agencies may make appointments under this section to positions which are not of a confidential or policy-determining character, and which are not in the Senior Executive Service, for which it is not practicable to examine. Examining for this purpose means application of the qualification standards and requirements established for the competitive service. Positions filled under this authority are excepted from the competitive service and constitute Schedule A. For each authorization under this section, OPM shall assign an identifying number from 213.3102 through 213.3199 to be used by the appointing agency in recording appointments made under that authorization.

[46 FR 20147, Apr. 3, 1981, as amended at 46 FR 45323, Sept. 11, 1981, 59 FR 64841, Dec. 16, 1994; 62 FR 19900, Apr. 24, 1997]

§ 213.3102 Entire executive civil service.

(a) Positions of Chaplain and Chaplain's Assistant.

(b) [Reserved]

(c) Positions to which appointments are made by the President without confirmation by the Senate.

(d) Attorneys.

(e) Law clerk trainee positions. Appointments under this paragraph shall be confined to graduates of recognized law schools or persons having equivalent experience and shall be for periods not to exceed 14 months pending admission to the bar. No person shall be given more than one appointment under this paragraph. However, an appointment which was initially made for less than 14 months may be extended for not to exceed 14 months in total duration.

(f)-(h) [Reserved]

(i) Temporary and less-than-full time positions for which examining is impracticable. These are:

(1) Positions in remote/isolated locations where examination is impracticable. A remote/isolated location is outside the local commuting area of a population center from which an employee can reasonably be expected to travel on short notice under adverse weather and/or road conditions which are normal for the area. For this purpose, a population center is a town with housing, schools, health care, stores and other businesses in which the servicing examining office can schedule tests and/or reasonably expect to attract applicants. An individual appointed under this authority may not be employed in the same agency under a combination of this and any other appointment to positions involving related duties and requiring the same qualifications for more than 1,040 workings hour in a service year. Temporary appointments under this authority may be extended in 1-year increments, with no limit on the number of such extensions, as an exception to the service limits in § 213.104.

(2) Positions for which a critical hiring need exists. This includes both short-term positions and continuing positions that an agency must fill on an interim basis pending completion of competitive examining, clearances, or other procedures required for a longer appointment. Appointments under this authority may not exceed 30 days and may be extended for up to an additional 30 days if continued employment is essential to the agency's operations. The appointments may not be used to extend the service limit of any other appointing authority. An agency may not employ the same individual under this authority for more than 60 days in any 12-month period.

(3) Other positions for which OPM determines that examining is impracticable.

(j) Positions filled by current or former Federal employees eligible for placement under special statutory provisions. Appointments under this authority are subject to the following conditions.

(1) Eligible employees. (i) Persons previously employed as National Guard Technicians under 32 U.S.C. 709(a) who are entitled to placement under § 353.110 of this chapter, or who are applying for or receiving an annuity under the provisions of 5 U.S.C. 8337(h) or 8456 by reason of a disability that disqualifies them from membership in the National Guard or from holding the military grade required as a condition of their National Guard employment.

(ii) Executive branch employees (other than employees of intelligence agencies) who are entitled to placement under § 353.110 but who are not eligible for reinstatement or noncompetitive appointment under the provisions of part 315 of this chapter.

(iii) Legislative and judicial branch employees and employees of the intelligence agencies defined in 5 U.S.C. 2302(a)(2)(C)(ii) who are entitled to placement under § 353.110.

(2) Employees excluded. Employees who were last employed in Schedule C or under a statutory authority that specified the employee served at the discretion, will, or pleasure of the agency are not eligible for appointment under this authority.

(3) Position to which appointed. Employees who are entitled to placement under § 353.110 will be appointed to a position that OPM determines is equivalent in pay and grade to the one the individual left, unless the individual elects to be placed in a position of lower grade or pay. National Guard Technicians whose eligibility is based upon a disability may be appointed at the same grade, or equivalent, as their National Guard Technician position or at any lower grade for which they are available.

(4) Conditions of appointment. (i) Individuals whose placement eligibility is based on an appointment without time limit will receive appointments without time limit under this authority. These appointees may be reassigned, promoted, or demoted to any position within the same agency for which they qualify.

(ii) Individuals who are eligible for placement under § 353.110 based on a time-limited appointment will be given appointments for a time period equal to the unexpired portion of their previous appointment.

(k) Positions without compensation provided appointments thereto meet the requirements of applicable laws relating to compensation.

(l) Positions requiring the temporary or intermittent employment of professional, scientific, or technical experts for consultation purposes.

(m) [Reserved]

(n) Any local physician, surgeon, or dentist employed under contract or on a part-time or fee basis.

(o) Positions of a scientific, professional, or analytical nature when filled by bona fide members of the faculty of an accredited college or university who have special qualifications for the positions to which appointed. Employment under this provision shall not exceed 130 working days a year.

(p)-(q) [Reserved]

(r) Positions established in support of fellowship and similar programs that are filled from limited applicant pools and operate under specific criteria developed by the employing agency and/or a non-Federal organization. These programs may include: internship or fellowship programs that provide developmental or professional experiences to individuals who have completed their formal education; training and associateship programs designed to increase the pool of qualified candidates in a particular occupational specialty; professional/industry exchange programs that provide for a cross-fertilization between the agency and the private sector to foster mutual understanding, an exchange of ideas, or to bring experienced practitioners to the agency; residency programs through which participants gain experience in a Federal clinical environment; and programs that require a period of Government service in exchange for educational, financial or other assistance. Appointments under this authority may not exceed 4 years.

(s) Positions with compensation fixed under 5 U.S.C. 5351-5356 when filled by student-employees assigned or attached to Government hospitals, clinics or medical or dental laboratories. Employment under this authority may not exceed 4 years.

(t) [Reserved]

(u) Appointment of persons with intellectual disabilities, severe physical disabilities, or psychiatric disabilities—(1) Purpose. An agency may appoint, on a permanent, time-limited, or temporary basis, a person with an intellectual disability, a severe physical disability, or a psychiatric disability according to the provisions described below.

(2) Definition. “Intellectual disabilities” means only those disabilities that would have been encompassed by the term “mental retardation” in previous iterations of this regulation and the associated Executive order, Executive Order 12125, dated March 15, 1979.

(3) Proof of disability. (i) An agency must require proof of an applicant's intellectual disability, severe physical disability, or psychiatric disability prior to making an appointment under this section.

(ii) An agency may accept, as proof of disability, appropriate documentation (e.g., records, statements, or other appropriate information) issued by a licensed medical professional (e.g., a physician or other medical professional duly certified by a State, the District of Columbia, or a U.S. territory, to practice medicine); a licensed vocational rehabilitation specialist (State or private); or any Federal agency, State agency, or an agency of the District of Columbia or a U.S. territory that issues or provides disability benefits.

(4) Permanent or time-limited employment options. An agency may make permanent or time-limited appointments under this paragraph (u)(4) where an applicant supplies proof of disability as described in paragraph (u)(3) of this section and the agency determines that the individual is likely to succeed in the performance of the duties of the position for which he or she is applying. In determining whether the individual is likely to succeed in performing the duties of the position, the agency may rely upon the applicant's employment, educational, or other relevant experience, including but not limited to service under another type of appointment in the competitive or excepted services.

(5) Temporary employment options. An agency may make a temporary appointment when:

(i) The agency determines that it is necessary to observe the applicant on the job to determine whether the applicant is able or ready to perform the duties of the position. When an agency uses this option to determine an individual's job readiness, the hiring agency may convert the individual to a permanent appointment in the excepted service whenever the agency determines the individual is able to perform the duties of the position; or

(ii) The work is of a temporary nature.

(6) Noncompetitive conversion to the competitive service. (i) An agency may noncompetitively convert to the competitive service an employee who has completed 2 years of satisfactory service under this authority in accordance with the provisions of Executive Order 12125, as amended by Executive Order 13124, and § 315.709 of this chapter, except as provided in paragraph (u)(6)(ii) of this section.

(ii) Time spent on a temporary appointment specified in paragraph (u)(5)(ii) of this section does not count towards the 2-year requirement.

(v)-(w) [Reserved]

(x) Positions for which a local recruiting shortage exists when filled by inmates of Federal, District of Columbia and State (including the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, the Virgin Islands, Guam, American Samoa, and the Trust Territory of the Pacific Islands) penal and correctional institutions under work-release programs authorized by the Prisoner Rehabilitation Act of 1965, the District of Columbia Work Release Act, or under work-release programs authorized by the States. Initial appointments under the authority may not exceed 1 year. An initial appointment may be extended for one or more periods not to exceed 1 additional year each upon a finding that the inmate is still in a work-release status and that a local recruiting shortage still exists. No person may serve under this authority longer than 1-year beyond the date of that person's release from custody.

(y) [Reserved]

(z) Not to exceed 30 positions of assistants to top-level Federal officials when filled by persons designated by the President as White House Fellows.

(aa) Scientific and professional research associate positions at GS-11 and above when filled on a temporary basis by persons having a doctoral degree in an appropriate field of study for research activities of mutual interest to appointees and their agencies. Appointments are limited to persons referred by the National Research Council under its post-doctoral research associate program, may not exceed 2 years, and are subject to satisfactory outcome of evaluation of the associate's research during the first year.

(bb) Positions when filled by aliens in the absence of qualified citizens. Appointments under this authority are subject to prior approval of the Office except when the authority is specifically included in a delegated examining agreement with the Office.

(cc)-(ee) [Reserved]

(ff) Not to exceed 24 positions when filled in accordance with an agreement between OPM and the Department of Justice by persons in programs administered by the Attorney General of the United States under Public Law 91-452 and related statutes. A person appointed under this authority may continue to be employed under it after he ceases to be in a qualifying program only as long as he remains in the same agency without a break in service.

(gg)-(kk) [Reserved]

(ll) Positions as needed of readers for blind employees, interpreters for deaf employees and personal assistants for handicapped employees, filled on a full time, part-time, or intermittent basis.

(5 U.S.C. 3301, 3307, 8337(h); 5 U.S.C. 3301, 3302; E.O. 12364, 47 FR 22931)

[47 FR 28902, July 2, 1982]

Editorial Note:For Federal Register citations affecting § 213.3102, see the List of CFR Sections Affected, which appears in the Finding Aids section of the printed volume and at www.govinfo.gov.

§ 213.3199 Temporary organizations.

Positions on the staffs of temporary organizations, as defined in 5 U.S.C. 3161(a). Appointments may not exceed 3 years, but temporary organizations may extend the appointments for 2 additional years if the conditions for extension are related to the completion of the study or project.

[68 FR 24605, May 8, 2003]

§ 213.3201 Positions other than those of a confidential or policy-determining character for which it is not practicable to hold a competitive examination.

(a) Upon specific authorization by OPM, agencies may make appointments under this section to positions which are not of a confidential or policy-determining character, and which are not in the Senior Executive Service, for which it is impracticable to hold open competition or to apply usual competitive examining procedures. Appointments under this authority are subject to the basic qualification standards established by the Office of Personnel Management for the occupation and grade level. Positions filled under this authority are excepted from the competitive service and constitute Schedule B. For each authorization under this section, OPM shall assign a number from 213.3202 through 213.3299 to be used by the appointing agency in recording appointments made under that authorization.

(b) [Reserved]

[46 FR 20147, Apr. 3, 1981, as amended at 47 FR 57655, Dec. 28, 1982; 53 FR 15353, Apr. 29, 1988]

§ 213.3202 Entire executive civil service.

(a)-(i) [Reserved]

(j) Special executive development positions established in connection with Senior Executive Service candidate development programs which have been approved by OPM. A Federal agency may make new appointments under this authority for any period of employment not exceeding 3 years for one individual.

(k)-(l) [Reserved]

(m) Positions when filed under any of the following conditions:

(1) Appointment at grades GS-15 and above, or equivalent, in the same or a different agency without a break in service from a career appointment in the Senior Executive Service (SES) of an individual who:

(i) Has completed the SES probationary period;

(ii) Has been removed from the SES because of less than fully successful executive performance, failure to be recertified, or a reduction in force; and

(iii) Is entitled to be placed in another civil service position under 5 U.S.C. 3594(b).

(2) Appointment in a different agency without a break in service of an individual originally appointed under paragraph (m)(l).

(3) Reassignment, promotion, or demotion within the same agency of an individual appointed under this authority.

(n) Positions when filled by preference eligibles or veterans who have been separated from the armed forces under honorable conditions after 3 years or more of continuous active military service and who, in accordance with the provisions of Pub.L. 105-339, applied for these positions under merit promotion procedures when applications were being accepted from individuals outside its own workforce. These veterans may be promoted, demoted, or reassigned, as appropriate, to other positions within the agency but would remain employed under this excepted authority as long as there is no break in service. No new appointments may be made under this authority after November 30, 1999.

(o) [Reserved]

[47 FR 28904, July 2, 1982]

Editorial Note:For Federal Register citations affecting § 213.3202, see the List of CFR Sections Affected, which appears in the Finding Aids section of the printed volume and at www.govinfo.gov.

§ 213.3301 Positions of a confidential or policy-determining character normally subject to change as a result of a Presidential transition.

(a) Upon specific authorization by OPM, agencies may make appointments under this section to noncareer positions that are of a confidential or policy-determining character and are normally subject to change as a result of a Presidential transition. Positions filled under this authority are excepted from the competitive service and constitute Schedule C. Each position will be assigned a number from 213.3302 through 213.3399, or other appropriate number, to be used by the agency in recording appointments made under that authorization.

(b) When requesting Schedule C exception, agencies must submit to OPM a statement signed by the agency head certifying that the position was not created solely or primarily for the purpose of detailing the incumbent to the White House.

(c) The exception from the competitive service for each position listed in Schedule C by OPM is revoked immediately upon the position becoming vacant. An agency shall notify OPM within 3 working days after a Schedule C position has been vacated.

[60 FR 35120, July 6, 1995, as amended at 89 FR 25046, Apr. 9, 2024; 91 FR 5654, Feb. 6, 2026]

§ 213.3302 Temporary transitional Schedule C positions.

(a) An agency may establish temporary transitional Schedule C positions necessary to assist a department or agency head during the 1-year period immediately following a change in presidential administration, when a new department or agency head has entered on duty, or when a new department or agency is created. These positions may be established only to meet legitimate needs of the agency in carrying out its mission during the period of transition associated with such changeovers. They must be of a confidential or policy-determining character and are subject to instructions issued by OPM.

(b) The number of temporary transitional Schedule C positions established by an agency cannot exceed either 50 percent of the highest number of permanent Schedule C positions filled by that agency at any time over the previous 5 years, or three positions, whichever is higher. In the event a new department or agency is created, the number of temporary transitional positions should reasonable in light of the size and program responsibility of that department or agency. OPM may approve an increase in an agency's quota to meet a critical need or in unusual circumstances.

(c) Individual appointments under this authority may be made for 120 days, with one extension of an additional 120 days. They may be deemed provisional appointments for purposes of the regulations set out in parts 351, 831, 842, 870, and 890 of this chapter if they meet the criteria set out in §§ 316.401 and 316.403 of this chapter.

(d) An agency shall notify OPM within 5 working days after a temporary transitional Schedule C position has been encumbered and within 3 working days when it has been vacated. The agency must also submit to OPM a statement signed by the agency head certifying that the position was not created solely or primarily for the purpose of detailing the incumbent to the White House.

[60 FR 35120, July 6, 1995]

§ 213.3401 Positions other than those of a confidential or policy determining character for which the competitive service requirements make impracticable the adequate recruitment of sufficient numbers of students attending qualifying educational institutions or individuals who have recently completed qualifying educational programs.

As authorized by OPM, agencies may make appointments under this section to positions other than those of a confidential or policy-determining character for which the competitive service requirements make impracticable the adequate recruitment and selection of sufficient numbers of students attending qualifying educational institutions or individuals who have recently completed qualifying educational programs. These positions, which may be filled in the excepted service to enable more effective recruitment from all segments of society by using means of recruiting and assessing candidates that diverge from the rules generally applicable to the competitive service, constitute Schedule D Pathways Programs. Appointments under this authority are subject to the basic qualification standards established by the Office of Personnel Management for the occupation and grade level unless otherwise stated.

§ 213.3402 Entire executive civil service; Pathways Programs.

(a) Internship Program; Positions in the Internship Program. Agencies may make initial appointments of Interns under this authority at any grade level, depending on the candidates' qualifications. Appointments must be made in accordance with the provisions of subpart B of part 362 of this chapter.

(b) Recent Graduates Program; Positions in the Recent Graduates Program. (1) Agencies may make initial appointments of Recent Graduates at any grade level, not to exceed GS-09 (or equivalent level under another pay and classification system, including the Federal Wage System (FWS)), depending on the candidates' qualifications, and the position's requirements except that:

(i) Initial appointments to positions for science, technology, engineering, or mathematics (STEM) occupations may be made at the GS-11 level, if the candidate possesses a Ph.D. or equivalent degree directly related to the STEM position the agency is seeking to fill.

(ii) Initial appointments to scientific and professional research positions at the GS-11 level for which the classification and qualification criteria for research positions apply, if the candidate possesses a master's degree or equivalent graduate degree directly related to the position the agency is seeking to fill.

(iii) Initial appointments to scientific and professional research positions at the GS-12 level for which the classification and qualification criteria for research positions apply, if the candidate possesses a Ph.D. or equivalent degree directly related to the position the agency is seeking to fill.

(2) Appointments must be made in accordance with the provisions of subpart C of part 362 of this chapter.

[77 FR 28213, May 11, 2012, as amended at 90 FR 38606, Aug. 11, 2025]

§ 213.3601 Career positions of a confidential, policy-determining, policy-making, or policy-advocating character.

(a) As authorized by the President, agencies may make appointments under this section to career positions of a confidential, policy-determining, policy-making, or policy-advocating character that are not in the Senior Executive Service. Positions filled under this authority are excepted from the competitive service and constitute Schedule Policy/Career. For positions covered by this section, OPM will assign a number from 213.3602 through 213.3699, or other appropriate number, to be used by the appointing agency in recording appointments made under this section.

(b) Except as provided in paragraph (c) of this section, agencies must make appointments to positions in Schedule Policy/Career of the excepted service in the same manner as to positions in the competitive service, to include:

(1) Public notification of job opportunities;

(2) Applicant evaluation based on valid, job-related assessments; and

(3) Selections of highly qualified individuals based on merit.

(c) Agencies must make appointments to positions in Schedule Policy/Career of the excepted service that, but for their placement in Schedule Policy/Career, would be listed in another excepted service schedule pursuant to the rules applicable to such positions in the corresponding schedule.

(d) In making appointments under paragraphs (b) and (c) of this section, agencies must follow the principles of veterans' preference as far as administratively feasible based on the rating, ranking, and selection processes used for making appointments. Except as otherwise authorized in part 302 of this chapter, where numerical ratings are used in the evaluation and referral of candidates, agencies shall follow the regulations related to veterans' preference in part 302 and subpart A of part 337 of this chapter, as applicable. When category rating is used, agencies shall follow the procedures related to veterans' preference in subpart C of part 337 of this chapter. Where another process is used, veteran status must be considered a positive factor.

(e) Employees in or applicants for Schedule Policy/Career positions are not required to personally or politically support the current President or the policies of the current administration. Employees in Schedule Policy/Career positions must faithfully implement administration policies to the best of their ability, consistent with their constitutional oath and the vesting of executive authority solely in the President. Failure to do so is grounds for dismissal.

(f) Individuals appointed to positions in Schedule Policy/Career are subject to trial periods as required by 5 CFR part 11. If they are appointed in the same manner as appointments in the competitive service, they acquire competitive status after completing two years of continuing service in the same or similar positions.

[91 FR 5654, Feb. 6, 2026]

§ 214.201 Definitions.

For the purposes of this part:

Agency, Senior Executive Service position, career appointee, limited term appointee, limited emergency appointee, and noncareer appointee have the meanings set forth in section 3132(a) of title 5, United States Code.

Equivalent position as used in section 3132(a)(2) of title 5, United States Code, means a position under any pay system where the level of the duties and responsibilities of the position and the rate of pay are comparable to that of a position above GS-15 or at Executive Level IV or V.

Senior Executive Service has the meaning given that term by section 2101a of title 5, United States Code, and includes all positions which meet the definition in section 3132(a)(2) of title 5.

[45 FR 62414, Sept. 19, 1980, as amended at 56 FR 18661, Apr. 23, 1991]

§ 214.202 Authority to make determinations.

(a) Each agency is responsible for determining, in accordance with Office of Personnel Management guidelines, which of its positions should be included in the Senior Executive Service.

(b) Agency determinations may be reviewed by the Office of Personnel Management to ensure adherence with law and regulation.

§ 214.203 Reporting requirements.

Agencies shall report such information as may be requested by OPM relating to positions and employees in the Senior Executive Service.

[60 FR 6385, Feb. 2, 1995]

§ 214.204 Interchange agreements.

(a) In accordance with 5 CFR 6.7, OPM and any agency with an executive personnel system essentially equivalent to the Senior Executive Service (SES) may, pursuant to legislative and regulatory authorities, enter into an agreement providing for the movement of persons between the SES and the other system. The agreement shall define the status and tenure that the persons affected shall acquire upon the movement.

(b) Persons eligible for movement must be serving in permanent, continuing positions with career or career-type appointments. They must meet the qualifications requirements of any position to which moved.

(c) An interchange agreement may be discontinued by either party under such conditions as provided in the agreement.

[60 FR 6385, Feb. 2, 1995]

§ 214.301 Exclusions.

If not excluded from the Senior Executive Service by section 3132(a) (1) or (2) of title 5, United States Code, an agency, or unit thereof, may be excluded only under the provisions of section 3132 (c) through (f) of title 5.

§ 214.401 Types of positions.

There are two types of positions in the Senior Executive Service:

(a) General positions, which may be filled by a career, noncareer, limited emergency, or limited term appointee.

(b) Career reserved positions, which may be filled only by a career appointee.

§ 214.402 Career reserved positions.

(a) The head of each agency is responsible for designating career reserved positions in accordance with the regulations in this section.

(b) A position shall be designated as a career reserved position if:

(1) The position (except a position in the Executive Office of the President):

(i) Was under the Executive Schedule, or the rate of basic pay was determined by reference to the Executive Schedule, on October 12, 1978;

(ii) Was specifically required under section 2102 of title 5, United States Code, or otherwise required by law to be in the competitive service; and

(iii) Entailed direct responsibility to the public for the management or operation of particular government programs or functions; or

(2) The position must be filled by a career appointee to ensure impartiality, or the public's confidence in the impartiality, of the Government.

(c) The head of an agency shall use the following criteria in determining whether paragraph (b)(2) of this section is applicable to an individual position:

(1) Career reserved positions include positions the principal duties of which involve day-to-day operations, without responsibility for or substantial involvement in the determination or public advocacy of the major controversial policies of the Administration or agency, in the following occupational disciplines:

(i) Adjudication and appeals;

(ii) Audit and inspection;

(iii) Civil or criminal law enforcement and compliance;

(iv) Contract administration and procurement;

(v) Grants administration;

(vi) Investigation and security matters; and

(vii) Tax liability, including the assessment or collection of taxes and the preparation or review of interpretative opinions.

(2) Career reserved positions also include:

(i) Scientific or other highly technical or professional positions where the duties and responsibilities of the specific position are such that it must be filled by a career appointee to insure impartiality, of the Government.

(ii) Other positions requiring impartiality, or the public's confidence in impartiality, as determined by an agency in light of its mission.

(d) The Office of Personnel Management may review agency designations of general and career reserved positions. If the Office finds that an agency has designated any position as general that should be career reserved, it shall direct the agency to make the career reserved designation.

(e) The minimum number of positions in the Senior Executive Service Governmentwide that must be career reserved is 3,571 as determined by the Director of the Office of Personnel Management under section 3133(e) of 5 U.S.C. To assure that this figure is met, the Office may establish a minimum number of career reserved positions for individual agencies. An agency must maintain or exceed this number unless it is adjusted by the Office.

[45 FR 62414, Sept. 19, 1980; 45 FR 83471, Dec. 19, 1980]

§ 214.403 Change of position type.

An agency may not change the designation of an established position from career reserved to general, or from general to career reserved, without the prior approval of the Office of Personnel Management.

§ 230.401 Agency authority to take personnel actions in a national emergency disaster.

(a) Upon an attack on the United States, agencies are authorized to carry out whatever personnel activities may be necessary to the effective functioning of their organizations during a period of disaster without regard to any regulation or instruction of OPM, except those which become effective upon or following an attack on the United States. This authority applies only to actions under OPM jurisdiction.

(b) Actions taken under this section shall be consistent with affected regulations and instructions as far as possible under the circumstances and shall be discontinued as soon as conditions permit the reapplication of the affected regulations and instructions.

(c) An employee may not acquire a competitive civil service status by virtue of any action taken under this section.

(d) Actions taken, and authority to take actions, under this section may be adjusted or terminated in whole or in part by OPM.

(e) Agencies shall maintain records of the actions taken under this section.

[35 FR 5173, Mar. 27, 1970]

§ 230.402 Agency authority to make emergency-indefinite appointments in a national emergency.

(a) When a national emergency exists—(1) Definition. A national emergency must meet all of the following conditions:

(i) It was declared by the President or Congress.

(ii) It involves a danger to the United States' safety, security, or stability that results from specified circumstances or conditions and that is national in scope.

(iii) It requires a national program specifically intended to combat the threat to national safety, security, or stability.

(2) Termination of a national emergency. A national emergency no longer exists if it is officially terminated by the President or Congress, or if the specific circumstances, conditions, or program cited in the original declaration are terminated or corrected.

(b) Basic authority. Agencies may make emergency-indefinite appointments without OPM approval during any national emergency as defined in paragraph (a) of this section. The head of an agency with a defense-related mission may request OPM's approval to make emergency-indefinite appointments without a declared national emergency when the President has authorized the call-up of some portion of the military reserves for some military purpose. The request must demonstrate that normal hiring procedures cannot meet surge employment requirements and that use of emergency-indefinite appointments is necessary for economy and efficiency. Except as provided by paragraphs (c) and (d) of this section, agencies must make emergency-indefinite appointments from appropriate registers of eligibles as long as there are available eligibles.

(c) Appointment under direct-hire authority. An agency may make emergency-indefinite appointments under this section using the direct-hire procedures in part 337 of this chapter.

(d) Appointment noncompetitively. An agency may give emergency-indefinite appointments under this section to the following classes of persons without regard to registers of eligibles and the provisions in § 332.102 of this chapter:

(1) Persons who were recruited on a standby basis prior to the national emergency;

(2) Members of the National Defense Executive Reserve, designated in accordance with section 710(e) of the Defense Production Act of 1950, Executive Order 11179 of September 22, 1964, and applications issued by the agency authorized to implement the law and Executive Order; and

(3) Former Federal employees eligible for reinstatement.

(e) Tenure of emergency-indefinite employees. (1) Emergency-indefinite employees do not acquire a competitive status on the basis of their emergency-indefinite appointments.

(2) An emergency-indefinite appointment may be continued for the duration of the emergency for which it is made.

(f) Probationary period. (1) The first year of service of an emergency-indefinite employee is a probationary period.

(2) The agency may terminate the appointment of an emergency-indefinite employee at any time during the probationary period. The employee is entitled to the procedures set forth in part 751 of this chapter as appropriate.

(g) Eligibility for within-grade increases. An emergency-indefinite employee serving in a position subject to the General Schedule is eligible for within-grade increases in accordance with subpart D of part 531 of this chapter.

(h) Applications of other regulations. (1) The term indefinite employee includes an emergency-indefinite employee or an employee under an emergency appointment as used in the following: parts 351, 353 of this chapter, subpart G of part 550 of this chapter, and part 752 of this chapter.

(2) The selection procedures of part 337 of this chapter apply to emergency-indefinite appointments that use the direct-hire authority under paragraph (c) of this section.

(3) Despite the provisions in § 831.201(a)(11) of this chapter, an employee serving under an emergency-indefinite appointment under authority of this section is excluded from retirement coverage, except as provided in paragraph (b) of § 831.201 of this chapter.

(i) Promotion, demotion, or reassignment. An agency may promote, demote, or reassign an emergency-indefinite employee to any position for which it is making emergency-indefinite appointments.

(5 U.S.C. 1104; Pub. L. 95-454, sec. 3(5))

[44 FR 54691, Sept. 21, 1979, as amended at 60 FR 3057, Jan. 13, 1995; 68 FR 35268, June 13, 2003; 69 FR 33275, June 15, 2004; 91 FR 49111, Aug. 3, 2026]

§ 250.101 Standards and requirements for agency personnel actions.

When taking a personnel action authorized by this chapter, an agency must comply with qualification standards and regulations issued by the Office of Personnel Management (OPM), the instructions OPM has published in the Guide to Processing Personnel Actions, and the provisions of any delegation agreement OPM has made with the agency. When taking a personnel action that results from a decision or order of OPM, the Merit Systems Protection Board, Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, or Federal Labor Relations Authority, as authorized by the rules and regulations of those agencies, or as the result of a court order, a judicial or administrative settlement agreement, or an arbitral award under a negotiated agreement, the agency must follow the instructions in the Guide to Processing Personnel Actions and comply with all other relevant substantive and documentary requirements, including those applicable to retirement, life insurance, health benefits, and other benefits provided under this chapter.

§ 250.102 Delegated authorities.

Link to an amendment published at 91 FR 68024, Oct. 29, 2026.

OPM may delegate its authority, including authority for competitive examinations, to agencies, under 5 U.S.C. 1104(a)(2), through a delegation agreement. The delegation agreement developed with the agency must specify the conditions for applying the delegated authorities. The agreement must also set minimum standards of performance and describe the system of oversight by which the agency and OPM will monitor the use of each delegated authority.

§ 250.103 Consequences of improper agency actions.

If OPM finds that an agency has taken an action contrary to a law, rule, regulation, or standard that OPM administers, OPM may require the agency to take corrective action. OPM may suspend or revoke a delegation agreement established under § 250.102 at any time if it determines that the agency is not adhering to the provisions of the agreement. OPM may suspend or withdraw any authority granted under this chapter to an agency, including any authority granted by delegation agreement, when OPM finds that the agency has not complied with qualification standards OPM has issued, instructions OPM has published, or the regulations in this chapter. OPM also may suspend or withdraw these authorities when it determines that doing so is in the interest of the civil service for any other reason.

§ 250.201 Coverage and purpose.

Link to an amendment published at 91 FR 68024, Oct. 29, 2026.

Pursuant to 5 U.S.C. 1103(c), this subpart defines a set of systems, including standards and metrics, for assessing the management of human capital by Federal agencies. These regulations apply to agencies covered by 31 U.S.C. 901(b) of the Chief Financial Officers (CFO) Act of 1990 (Pub. L. 101-576), as well as 5 U.S.C. 1401 and support the performance planning and reporting that is required by sections 1115(a)(3) and (f) and 1116(d)(5) of title 31, United States Code.

[83 FR 55931, Nov. 9, 2018]

§ 250.202 Definitions.

Link to an amendment published at 91 FR 68024, Oct. 29, 2026.

Chief Human Capital Officer (CHCO) is the agency's senior leader whose primary duty is to:

(1) Advise and assist the head of the agency and other agency officials in carrying out the agency's responsibilities for selecting, developing, training, and managing a high-quality, productive workforce in accordance with merit system principles; and

(2) Implement the rules and regulations of the President, the Office of Personnel Management (OPM), and the laws governing the civil service within the agency.

CHCO agency is an Executive agency, as defined by 5 U.S.C. 105, which is required by 5 U.S.C. 1401 and 31 U.S.C. 901(b)(1) to appoint a CHCO.

Director of OPM is, among other things, the President's advisor on actions that may be taken to promote an efficient civil service and a systematic application of the merit system principles, including recommending policies relating to the selection, promotion, transfer, performance, pay, conditions of service, tenure, and separation of employees. The Director of OPM provides governmentwide leadership and direction in the strategic management of the Federal workforce.

Evaluation system is an agency's overarching system for evaluating the results of all human capital planning and implementation of human capital strategies to inform the agency's continuous process improvement efforts. This system is also used for ensuring compliance with all applicable statutes, rules, regulations, and agency policies.

Federal Workforce Priorities Report (FWPR) is a strategic human capital report, published by OPM by the first Monday in February of any year in which the term of the President commences. OPM may extend the date of publication if needed. The report communicates key Governmentwide human capital priorities and suggested strategies. The report also informs agency strategic and human capital planning.

Focus areas are areas that agencies and human capital practitioners must focus on to achieve a system's standard.

HRStat is a strategic human capital performance evaluation process that identifies, measures, and analyzes human capital data to inform the impact of an agency's human capital management on organizational results with the intent to improve human capital outcomes. HRStat, which is a quarterly review process, is a component of an agency's strategic planning and alignment and evaluation systems that are part of the Human Capital Framework.

Human Capital Evaluation Framework underlies the three human capital evaluation mechanisms (i.e., HRStat, Audits, and Human Capital Reviews) to create a central evaluation framework that integrates the outcomes from each to provide OPM and agencies with an understanding of how human capital policies and programs are supporting missions.

Human Capital Framework (HCF) provides comprehensive guidance on the principles of strategic human capital management in the Federal Government. The framework, as described in § 250.203 below, provides direction on human capital planning, implementation, and evaluation in the Federal environment.

Human Capital Operating Plan (HCOP) is an agency's human capital implementation document, which describes how an agency will execute the human capital elements stated within Agency Strategic Plan and Annual Performance Plan (APP). Program specific workforce investments and strategies (e.g., hiring, closing skill gaps, etc.) should be incorporated into the APPs as appropriate. The HCOP should clearly execute each of the four systems of the HCF. The HCOP should align with the Government Performance and Results Act (GPRA) Modernization Act of 2010, annual performance plans and timelines.

Human Capital Review (HCR) is OPM's annual, evidence-based review of an agency's design and implementation of its HCOP, independent audit, and HRStat programs to support mission accomplishment and human capital outcomes.

Independent audit program is a component of an agency's evaluation system designed to review all human capital management systems and select human resources transactions to ensure efficiency, effectiveness, and legal and regulatory compliance.

Skill gap is a variance between the current and projected workforce size and skills needed to ensure an agency has a cadre of talent available to meet its mission and make progress towards achieving its goals and objectives now and into the future.

Standard is a consistent practice within human capital management in which agencies strive towards in each of the four HCF systems. The standards ensure that an agency's human capital management strategies, plans, and practices:

(1) Are integrated with strategic plans, annual performance plans and goals, and other relevant budget, finance, and acquisition plans;

(2) Contain measurable and observable performance targets;

(3) Are communicated in an open and transparent manner to facilitate cross-agency collaboration to achieve mission objectives; and

(4) Inform the development of human capital management priority goals for the Federal Government.

§ 250.203 Strategic human capital management systems and standards.

Link to an amendment published at 91 FR 68024, Oct. 29, 2026.

Strategic human capital management systems, standards, and focus areas are defined within the Human Capital Framework (HCF). The four systems described below provide definitions and standards for human capital planning, implementation, and evaluation. The HCF systems and standards are:

(a) Strategic planning and alignment. A system that ensures agency human capital programs are aligned with agency mission, goals, and objectives through analysis, planning, investment, and measurement. The standards for the strategic planning and alignment system require an agency to ensure their human capital management strategies, plans, and practices—

(1) Integrate strategic plans, annual performance plans and goals, and other relevant budget, finance, and acquisition plans;

(2) Contain measurable and observable performance targets; and

(3) Communicate in an open and transparent manner to facilitate cross-agency collaboration to achieve mission objectives.

(b) Talent management. A system that promotes a high-performing workforce, identifies and closes skill gaps, and implements and maintains programs to attract, acquire, develop, promote, and retain quality and diverse talent. The standards for the talent management system require an agency to—

(1) Plan for and manage current and future workforce needs;

(2) Design, develop, and implement proven strategies and techniques and practices to attract, hire, develop, and retain talent; and

(3) Make progress toward closing any knowledge, skill, and competency gaps throughout the agency.

(c) Performance culture. A system that engages, develops, and inspires a diverse, high-performing workforce by creating, implementing, and maintaining effective performance management strategies, practices, and activities that support mission objectives. The standards for the performance culture system require an agency to have—

(1) Strategies and processes to foster a culture of engagement and collaboration;

(2) A diverse, results-oriented, high-performing workforce; and

(3) A performance management system that differentiates levels of performance of staff, provides regular feedback, and links individual performance to organizational goals.

(d) Evaluation. A system that contributes to agency performance by monitoring and evaluating outcomes of its human capital management strategies, policies, programs, and activities by meeting the following standards—

(1) Ensuring compliance with merit system principles; and

(2) Identifying, implementing, and monitoring process improvements.

§ 250.204 Agency roles and responsibilities.

Link to an amendment published at 91 FR 68024, Oct. 29, 2026.

(a) An agency must use the systems and standards established in this part, and any metrics that OPM subsequently provides in guidance, to plan, implement, evaluate and improve human capital policies and programs. These policies and programs must—

(1) Align with Executive branch policies and priorities, as well as with individual agency missions, goals, and strategic objectives. Agencies must align their human capital management strategies to support the Federal Workforce Priorities Report, agency strategic plan, agency performance plan, and agency budget;

(2) Be based on comprehensive workforce planning and analysis;

(3) Monitor and address skill gaps within governmentwide and agency-specific mission-critical occupations by using comprehensive data analytic methods and gap closure strategies;

(4) Recruit, hire, develop, and retain an effective workforce, especially in the agency's mission-critical occupations;

(5) Ensure leadership continuity by implementing and evaluating recruitment, development, and succession plans for leadership positions;

(6) Implement a knowledge management process to ensure continuity in knowledge sharing among employees at all levels within the organization;

(7) Sustain an agency culture that engages employees by defining, valuing, eliciting, and rewarding high performance; and

(8) Hold the agency head, executives, managers, human capital officers, and human capital staff accountable for efficient and effective strategic human capital management, in accordance with merit system principles.

(b) Each agency must meet the statutory requirements of the Government Performance and Results Act (GPRA) Modernization Act of 2010, by including within the Annual Performance Plan (APP) human capital practices that are aligned to the agency strategic plan. The human capital portion of the APP must include performance goals and indicators.

(c) An agency's Deputy Secretary, equivalent, or designee is responsible for ensuring that the agency's strategic plan includes a description of the operational processes, skills and technology, and human capital information required to achieve the agency's goals and objectives. Specifically, the Deputy Secretary, equivalent, or designee will—

(1) Allocate resources;

(2) Ensure the agency incorporates applicable priorities identified within the Federal Workforce Strategic Priorities Report and is working to close governmentwide and agency-specific skill gaps; and

(3) Remain informed about the progress of their agency's quarterly HRStat reviews, which are led by the CHCO, in collaboration with the PIO.

(d) The Chief Human Capital Officer must design, implement and monitor agency human capital policies and programs that—

(1) Ensure human capital activities support merit system principles;

(2) Use the OPM designated method to identify governmentwide and agency-specific skill gaps;

(3) Demonstrate how the agency is using the principles within the HCF to address strategic human capital priorities and goals;

(4) Establish and maintain an Evaluation System to evaluate human capital outcomes that is—

(i) Formal and documented; and

(ii) Approved by OPM;

(5) Maintain an independent audit program, subject to full OPM participation and evaluation, to review periodically all human capital management systems and the agency's human resources transactions to ensure legal and regulatory compliance. An agency must—

(i) Take corrective action to eliminate deficiencies identified by OPM, or through the independent audit, and to improve its human capital management programs and its human resources processes and practices; and

(ii) Based on OPM or independent audit findings, issue a report to its leadership and OPM containing the analysis, results, and corrective actions taken; and

(6) Improve strategic human capital management by adjusting strategies and practices, as appropriate, after assessing the results of performance goals, indicators, and business analytics.

(7) The agency's human capital policies and programs must support the implementation and monitoring of the Federal Workforce Priorities Report, which is published by OPM every four years, and—

(i) Improve strategic human capital management by using performance goals, indicators, and business analytics to assess results of the human capital management strategies planned and implemented;

(ii) Ensure human capital activities support merit system principles;

(iii) Adjust human capital management strategies and practices in response to outcomes identified during HRStat quarterly data-driven reviews of human capital performance to improve organizational processes; and

(iv) Use the governmentwide and agency-specific human capital strategies to inform resource requests (e.g., staff full-time equivalents, training, analytical software, etc.) into the agency's annual budget process.

§ 250.205 Human Capital Operating Plan (HCOP).

Link to an amendment published at 91 FR 68024, Oct. 29, 2026.

Each agency must develop a Human Capital Operating Plan (HCOP) that aligns with an agency's Strategic Plan and Annual Performance Plan. The HCOP is to be reviewed and approved annually, and updated as needed. The HCOP must demonstrate how an agency's human capital implementation strategies follow the principles and standards of the HCF while including an explanation of how human capital policies, initiatives, objectives, and resources will be used to achieve agencies' human capital goals. The HCOP will be made available to OPM upon request. The HCOP must—

(a) Be established by the CHCO, in collaboration with the agency's senior management team;

(b) Be used to support the execution of an agency's strategic plan, as an agency's human capital can affect whether or not a strategy or strategic goal is achieved;

(c) Explicitly describe the agency-specific skill and competency gaps that must be closed through the use of agency selected human capital strategies;

(d) Include annual human capital performance goals and measures that will support the evaluation of the agency's human capital strategies, through HRStat quarterly reviews, and that are aligned to support mission accomplishment;

(e) Reflect the systems and standards defined in § 250.203 above, consistent with their agency strategic plan and annual performance plan, to address strategic human capital priorities and goals; and

(f) Address the governmentwide priorities identified in the Federal Workforce Strategic Priorities Report.

§ 250.206 Human Capital Reviews.

Link to an amendment published at 91 FR 68025, Oct. 29, 2026.

Each agency must participate with OPM in a Human Capital Review (HCR). The HCR will be conducted during the evaluation phase and OPM will issue guidance about the HCR requirements.

§ 250.207 HRStat.

Link to an amendment published at 91 FR 68025, Oct. 29, 2026.

The Chief Human Capital Officer must design, implement and monitor agency human capital policies and programs that—

(a) Use the HRStat quarterly reviews, in coordination with the agency Performance Improvement Officer (PIO), to assess the agency's progress toward meeting its strategic and performance goals;

(b) Implement the HRStat Maturity guidelines specified by OPM; and

(c) Use HRStat quarterly reviews to evaluate their agency's progress.

§ 250.208 System metrics.

OPM reserves the right to provide additional guidance regarding metrics.

§ 250.209 Consequences of improper agency actions.

If OPM finds that an agency has taken an action contrary to a law, rule, regulation, or standard that OPM administers, OPM may require the agency to take corrective action. OPM may suspend or revoke a delegation agreement established under 5 U.S.C. 1104(a)(2) at any time if it determines that the agency is not adhering to the provisions of the agreement. OPM may suspend or withdraw any authority granted under this chapter to an agency, including any authority granted by delegation agreement, when OPM finds that the agency has not complied with qualification standards OPM has issued, instructions OPM has published, or the regulations in this chapter of the regulation. OPM also may suspend or withdraw these authorities when it determines that doing so is in the interest of the civil service for any other reason.

§ 250.301 Definitions.

Agency means an Executive agency, as defined in 5 U.S.C. 105.

§ 250.302 Survey requirements.

Link to an amendment published at 91 FR 68025, Oct. 29, 2026.

(a) Each executive agency must conduct an annual survey of its employees to assess topics outlined in the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2004, Public Law 108-136, sec. 1128, codified at 5 U.S.C. 7101.

(1) Each executive agency may include additional survey questions unique to the agency in addition to the employee survey questions prescribed by OPM under paragraph (a)(2) of this section.

(2) The 16 prescribed survey questions are listed in the following table:

(i) Leadership and Management practices that contribute to agency performance

My work unit has the job-relevant skills necessary to accomplish organizational goals.

Managers communicate the goals of the organization.

I believe the results of this survey will be used to make my agency a better place to work.

(ii) Employee Satisfaction with—

(A) Leadership Policies and Practices:

How satisfied are you with your involvement in decisions that affect your work?

How satisfied are you with the information you receive from management on what is going on in your organization?

Considering everything, how satisfied are you with your organization?

(B) Work Environment:

The people I work with cooperate to get the job done.

My workload is reasonable.

Considering everything, how satisfied are you with your job?

I can disclose a suspected violation of any law, rule or regulation without fear of reprisal.

(C) Rewards and Recognition:

In my work unit, differences in performance are recognized in a meaningful way.

How satisfied are you with the recognition you receive for doing a good job?

(D) Opportunities for professional development and growth:

I am given a real opportunity to improve my skills in my organization.

My talents are used well in the workplace.

(E) Opportunity to contribute to achieving organizational mission:

I know how my work relates to the agency's goals.

I recommend my organization as a good place to work.

§ 250.303 Availability of results.

Link to an amendment published at 91 FR 68025, Oct. 29, 2026.

(a) Each agency will make the results of its annual survey available to the public and post the results on its Web site unless the agency head determines that doing so would jeopardize or negatively impact national security. The posted survey results will include the following:

(1) The agency's evaluation of its survey results;

(2) How the survey was conducted;

(3) Description of the employee sample, unless all employees are surveyed;

(4) The survey questions and response choices with the prescribed questions identified;

(5) The number of employees surveyed and number of employees who completed the survey; and

(6) The number of respondents for each survey question and each response choice.

(b) Data must be collected by December 31 of each calendar year. Each agency must post the beginning and ending dates of its employee survey and either the survey results described in paragraph (a) of this section, or a statement noting the decision not to post, no later than 120 days after the agency completes survey administration. OPM may extend this date under unusual circumstances.

§ 251.101 Introduction.

(a) The regulations in this part apply to all Federal executive branch departments and agencies and their officers and employees.

(b) This part provides a framework for consulting and communicating with non-labor organizations representing Federal employees and with other organizations on matters related to agency operations and personnel management.

(c) The purposes of consultation and communication are: the improvement of agency operations, personnel management, and employee effectiveness; the exchange of information (e.g., ideas, opinions, and proposals); and the establishment of policies that best serve the public interest in accomplishing the mission of the agency.

(d) An agency's consultation and communication with organizations representing Federal employees and with other organizations under this part may not take on the character of negotiations or consultations regarding conditions of employment of bargaining unit employees, which is reserved exclusively to labor organizations as provided for in Chapter 71 of title 5 of the U.S. Code or comparable provisions of other laws. The regulations in this part do not authorize any actions inconsistent with Chapter 71 of the U.S. Code or comparable provisions of other laws.

(e) The head of a Federal agency may determine that it is in the interest of the agency to consult, from time to time, with organizations other than labor organizations and associations of management officials and/or supervisors to the extent permitted by law. Under section 7(d)(2) and (3) of Executive Order 11491, as amended, recognition of a labor organization does not preclude an agency from consulting or dealing with a veterans organization, or with a religious, social, fraternal, professional, or other lawful association, not qualified as a labor organization, with respect to matters or policies which involve individual members of the organization or association or are of particular applicability to it or its members.

(f) Federal employees, including management officials and supervisors, may communicate with any Federal agency, officer, or other Federal entity on the employee's own behalf. However, Federal employees should be aware that 18 U.S.C. 205, in pertinent part, restricts Federal employees from acting, other than in the proper discharge of their official duties, as agents or attorneys for any person or organization other than a labor organization, before any Federal agency or other Federal entity in connection with any matter in which the United States is a party or has a direct and substantial interest. An exception to the prohibition found in 18 U.S.C. 205 permits Federal employees to represent certain nonprofit organizations before the Government except in connection with specified matters. Agency officials and employees are therefore advised to consult with their designated agency ethics officials for guidance regarding any conflicts of interest that may arise.

[61 FR 32915, June 26, 1996, as amended at 63 FR 2306, Jan. 15, 1998]

§ 251.102 Coverage.

To be covered by this part, an association or organization:

(a) Must be a lawful, nonprofit organization whose constitution and bylaws indicate that it subscribes to minimum standards of fiscal responsibility and employs democratic principles in the nomination and election of officers;

(b) Must not discriminate in terms of membership or treatment because of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, or handicapping condition;

(c) Must not assist or participate in a strike, work stoppage, or slowdown against the Government of the United States or any agency thereof or impose a duty or obligation to conduct, assist, or participate in such strike, work stoppage, or slowdown; and

(d) Must not advocate the overthrow of the constitutional form of Government of the United States.

§ 251.103 Definitions.

(a) Organization representing Federal employees and other organizations means an organization other than a labor organization that can provide information, views, and services which will contribute to improved agency operations, personnel management, and employee effectiveness. Such an organization may be an association of Federal management officials and/or supervisors, a group representing minorities, women or persons with disabilities in connection with the agencies' EEO programs and action plans, a professional association, a civic or consumer group, and organization concerned with special social interests, and the like.

(b) Association of management officials and/or supervisors means an association comprised primarily of Federal management officials and/or supervisors, which is not eligible for recognition under Chapter 71 of title 5 of the U.S. Code or comparable provisions of other laws, and which is not affiliated with a labor organization or federation of labor organizations.

(c) Labor organization means an organization as defined in 5 U.S.C. 7103(a)(4), which is in compliance with 5 U.S.C. 7120, or as defined in comparable provisions of other laws.

§ 251.201 Associations of management officials and/or supervisors.

(a) As part of agency management, supervisors and managers should be included in the decision-making process and notified of executive-level decisions on a timely basis. Each agency must establish and maintain a system for intra-management communication and consultation with its supervisors and managers. Agencies must also establish consultative relationships with associations whose membership is primarily composed of Federal supervisory and/or managerial personnel, provided that such associations are not affiliated with any labor organization and that they have sufficient agency membership to assure a worthwhile dialogue with executive management. Consultative relationships with other non-labor organizations representing Federal employees are discretionary.

(b) Consultations should have as their objectives the improvement of managerial effectiveness and the working conditions of supervisors and managers, as well as the identification and resolution of problems affecting agency operations and employees, including supervisors and managers.

(c) The system of communication and consultation should be designed so that individual supervisors and managers are able to participate if they are not affiliated with an association of management officials and/or supervisors. At the same time, the voluntary joining together of supervisory and management personnel in groups of associations shall not be precluded or discouraged.

§ 251.202 Agency support to organizations representing Federal employees and other organizations.

(a) An agency may provide support services to an organization when the agency determines that such action would benefit the agency's programs or would be warranted as a service to employees who are members of the organization and complies with applicable statutes and regulations. Examples of such support services are as follows:

(1) Permitting employees, in appropriate cases, to use agency equipment or administrative support services for preparing papers to be presented at conferences or symposia or published in journals;

(2) Using the authority under 5 U.S.C. 4109 and 4110, as implemented by 5 CFR part 410, to pay expenses of employees to attend professional organization meetings when such attendance is for the purpose of employee development or directly concerned with agency functions or activities and the agency can derive benefits from employee attendance at such meetings; and

(3) Following a liberal policy in authorizing excused absence for other employees who are willing to pay their own expenses to attend a meeting of a professional association or other organization from which an agency could derive some benefits.

(b) Agencies may provide Government resources support to organizations (such as space in Government facilities for meeting purposes and the use of agency bulletin boards, internal agency mail distribution systems, electronic bulletin boards and other means of informing agency employees about meetings and activities) in accordance with appropriate General Services Administration regulations contained in title 41 of the Code of Federal Regulations. The mere provision of such support to any organization is not to be construed as Federal sponsorship, sanction, or endorsement of the organization or its activities.

§ 251.301 Associations of management officials and/or supervisors.

Dues withholding for associations of management officials and/or supervisors is covered in 5 CFR 550.331.

§ 251.302 All other organizations.

Under 5 CFR 550.311(b), an agency may permit an employee to make an allotment for any legal purpose deemed appropriate by the head of the agency. Agencies may provide for the allotment of dues for organizations representing Federal employees under that section.

§ 293.101 Purpose and scope.

(a) This subpart sets forth basic policies governing the creation, development, maintenance, processing, use, dissemination, and safeguarding of personnel records which the Office of Personnel Management requires agencies to maintain in the personnel management or personnel policy setting process.

(b) Agencies in the Executive Branch of the Federal Government are subject to specific Office of Personnel Management recordkeeping requirements to varying degrees, pursuant to statute, Office regulation, or formal agreements between the Office and agencies. This subpart applies to any department or independent establishment in the Executive Branch of the Federal Government, including a government corporation or Government controlled corporation, except those specifically excluded from Office recordkeeping requirements by statute, Office regulation, or formal agreement between the Office and that agency.

§ 293.102 Definitions.

In this part:

Agency means any executive department, military department, Government corporation, Government controlled corporation, or other establishment in the Executive Branch of the Government (including the Executive Office of the President), or any independent regulatory agency;

Data subject means the individual about whom the Office or agency is maintaining information in a system of records;

Individual means a citizen of the United States or an alien lawfully admitted for permanent residence;

Information means papers, records, photographs, magnetic storage media, micro storage media, and other documentary materials regardless of physical form or characteristics, containing data about an individual and required by the Office in pursuance of law or in connection with the discharge of official business, as defined by statute, regulation, or administrative procedure;

Maintain includes collect, use, or disseminate;

Office means the Office of Personnel Management;

Personnel record means any record concerning an individual which is maintained an used in the personnel management or personnel policysetting process. (For purposes of this part, this term is not limited just to those personnel records in a system of records and subject to the Privacy Act);

Record means any item, collection, or grouping of information about an individual that is maintained by an agency, including, but not limited to, his or her education, financial transactions, medical history, criminal history, or employment history;

System of records means a group of records under the control of any agency from which information is retrieved by the name of the individual or by some identifying number, symbol, or other identifying particular assigned to the individual.

§ 293.103 Recordkeeping standards.

(a) The head of each agency shall ensure that persons having access to or involved in the creation, development, processing, use, or maintenance of personnel records are informed of pertinent recordkeeping regulations and requirements of the Office of Personnel Management and the agency. Authority to maintain personnel records does not constitute authority to maintain information in the record merely because it may be useful; both Government-wide and internal agency personnel records shall contain only information concerning an individual that is relevant and necessary to accomplish the Federal personnel management purposes required by statute, Executive order, or Office regulation.

(b) The Office is responsible for establishing minimum standards of accuracy, relevancy, necessity, timeliness, and completeness for personnel records it requires agencies to maintain. These standards are discussed in appropriate chapters of the Guide to Personnel Recordkeeping. Before approval of any agency requests for changes in recordkeeping practices governed by the Guide to Personnel Recordkeeping, the Office will examine the proposal or request in the context of such standards set forth by the agency in support of the proposal and in light of the personnel program area that requires these records.

[44 FR 65033, Nov. 9, 1979, as amended at 66 FR 66709, Dec. 27, 2001]

§ 293.104 Collection of information.

(a) Any information in personnel records whether or not those records are in a system of records, used in whole or in part in making a determination about an individual's rights, benefits, or privileges under Federal personnel programs should, to the greatest extent practicable, be collected directly from the individual concerned. Factors to be considered in determining whether to collect the data from the individual concerned or a third party are when:

(1) The nature of the information is such that it can only be obtained from another party;

(2) The cost of collecting the information directly from the individual is unreasonable when compared with the cost of collecting it from another party;

(3) There is virtually no risk that information collected from other parties, if inaccurate, could result in a determination adverse to the individual concerned;

(4) The information supplied by an individual must be verified by another party; or

(5) There are provisions made, to the greatest extent practicable, to vertify information collected from another party with the individual concerned.

§ 293.105 Restrictions on collection and use of information.

(a) First Amendment. Personnel records describing how individuals exercise rights guaranteed by the First Amendment are prohibited unless expressly authorized by statute, or by the individual concerned, or unless pertinent to and within the scope of an authorized law enforcement activity. These rights include, but are not limited to, free exercise of religious and political beliefs, freedom of speech and the press, and freedom to assemble and to petition the government.

(b) Social Security Number.

(1) Agencies may not require individuals to disclose their Social Security Number unless disclosure would be required;

(i) Under Federal statute; or

(ii) Under any statute, Executive order, or regulation that authorizes any Federal, State, or local agency maintaining a system of records that was in existence and operating prior to January 1, 1975, to request the Social Security Number as a necessary means of verifying the identity of an individual.

(2) Individuals asked to voluntarily (circumstances not covered by paragraph (b)(1) of this section) provide their Social Security Number shall suffer no penalty or denial of benefits for refusing to provide it.

§ 293.106 Safeguarding information about individuals.

(a) To ensure the security and confidentiality of personnel records, in whatever form, each agency shall establish administrative, technical, and physical controls to protect information in personnel records from unauthorized access, use, modification, destruction, or disclosure. As a minimum, these controls shall require that all persons whose official duties require access to and use of personnel records be responsible and accountable for safeguarding those records and for ensuring that the records are secured whenever they are not in use or under the direct control of authorized persons. Generally, personnel records should be held, processed, or stored only where facilities and conditions are adequate to prevent unauthorized access.

(b) Personnel records must be stored in metal filing cabinets which are locked when the records are not in use, or in a secured room. Alternative storage facilities may be employed provided they furnish an equivalent or greater degree of security than these methods. Except for access by the data subject, only employees whose official duties require access shall be allowed to handle and use personnel records, in whatever form or media the records might appear. To the extent feasible, entry into personnel record storage areas shall be similarly limited. Documentation of the removal of records from storage areas must be kept so that adequate control procedures can be established to assure that removed records are returned on a timely basis.

(c) Disposal and destruction of personnel records shall be in accordance with the General Record Schedule issued by the General Services Administration for the records or, alternatively, with Office or agency records control schedules approved by the National Archives and Records Service of the General Services Administration.

§ 293.107 Special safeguards for automated records.

(a) In addition to following the security requirements of § 293.106 of this part, managers of automated personnel records shall establish administrative, technical, physical, and security safeguards for data about individuals in automated records, including input and output documents, reports, punched cards, magnetic tapes, disks, and on-line computer storage. The safeguards must be in writing to comply with the standards on automated data processing physical security issued by the National Bureau of Standards, U.S. Department of Commerce, and, as a minimum, must be sufficient to:

(1) Prevent careless, accidental, or unintentional disclosure, modification, or destruction of identifiable personal data;

(2) Minimize the risk that skilled technicians or knowledgeable persons could improperly obtain access to, modify, or destroy identifiable personnel data;

(3) Prevent casual entry by unskilled persons who have no official reason for access to such data;

(4) Minimize the risk of an unauthorized disclosure where use is made of identifiable personal data in testing of computer programs;

(5) Control the flow of data into, through, and from agency computer operations;

(6) Adequately protect identifiable data from environmental hazards and unneccessary exposure; and

(7) Assure adequate internal audit procedures to comply with these procedures.

(b) The disposal of identifiable personal data in automated files is to be accomplished in such a manner as to make the data unobtainable to unauthorized personnel. Unneeded personal data stored on reusable media such as magnetic tapes and disks must be erased prior to release of the media for reuse.

§ 293.108 Rules of conduct.

(a) Scope. These rules of conduct apply to all Office and agency employees responsible for creation, development, maintenance, processing, use, dissemination, and safeguarding of personnel records. The Office and agencies shall require that such employees are familiar with these and appropriate supplemental agency internal regulations.

(b) Standards of conduct. Office and agency employees whose official duties involve personnel records shall be sensitive to individual rights to personal privacy and shall not disclose information from any personnel record unless disclosure is part of their official duties or required by executive order, regulation, or statute (e.g., required by the Freedom of Information Act, 5 U.S.C. 552).

(c) Improper uses of personnel information. Any Office or agency employee who makes a disclosure of personnel records knowing that such disclosure is unauthorized, or otherwise knowingly violates these regulations, shall be subject to disciplinary action and may also be subject to criminal penalties where the records are subject to the Privacy Act (5 U.S.C. 552a). Employees are prohibited from using personnel information not available to the public, gained through official duties, for commercial solicitation or sale, or for personal gain.

§ 293.201 Purpose.

The purpose of this subpart is to set forth the criteria to be used to determine when personnel records on individuals are subject both to the regulations contained in this part and to Office or agency regulations implementing the Privacy Act of 1974, 5 U.S.C. 552a. When personnel records are maintained within a system of records, the records are deemed to be within the scope of both the regulations in this part and Office or agency regulations implementing the Privacy Act.

§ 293.202 Records subject to Office or agency Privacy Act regulations.

When the Office of Personnel Management publishes in the Federal Register a notice of system of records for personnel records which are maintained by the agencies or by the Office, that system of records will be subject to the regulations in this part and also to the regulations in part 297 of this chapter. When agencies publish a notice of system of records for personnel records required by the Office that are not included in the Office's notices, those agency systems of records will be subject both to the regulations contained in this part and to agency promulgated regulations that implement the Privacy Act.

§ 293.203 Review of Office or agency practices.

Reviews of agency personnel management policies and practices will be conducted to insure compliance with Office regulations. The Office may direct agencies to take whatever corrective action is necessary. Office or agency officials who have knowledge of violations of these regulations shall take whatever corrective action is necessary. Agencies shall list officials of the Office of Personnel Management as a routine user for personnel records to assist the Office in its oversight responsibilities.

§ 293.301 Applicability of regulations.

Except for those agencies specifically excluded from Office of Personnel Management (OPM) recordkeeping requirements by statute, OPM regulation, or formal agreement between OPM and the agency, this subpart applies to—and within this subpart agency means—each executive department and independent establishment of the Federal Government; each corporation wholly owned or controlled by the United States; and, with respect to positions subject to civil service rules and regulations, the legislative and judicial branches of the Federal Government. OPM will list agencies to which this subpart does not apply in the Guide to Personnel Recordkeeping, and will amend the Guide from time to time to update that list.

[76 FR 52537, Aug. 23, 2011]

§ 293.302 Establishment of Official Personnel Folder.

Each agency shall establish an Official Personnel Folder (OPF) for each employee occupying a position subject to this part, except as provided in § 293.306. Except as provided in the Guide to Personnel Recordkeeping, there will be only one OPF maintained for each employee regardless of service in various agencies.

[50 FR 3309, Jan. 24, 1985, as amended at 66 FR 66709, Dec. 27, 2001]

§ 293.303 The roles and responsibilities of the Office, agencies, and custodians.

(a) The Official Personnel Folder (OPF) of each employee in a position subject to civil service rules and regulations and of each former employee who held such a position is part of the records of the Office of Personnel Management (Office).

(b) The Office has Government-wide responsibility for developing regulations, practices and procedures for the establishment, maintenance, and transfer of OPFs.

(c) Agencies shall be responsible for the following:

(1) The establishment of the OPF for a new appointee or a new employee for whom no OPF has previously been established; and

(2) The maintenance of a previously existing OPF during the period any new appointee or employee remains an agency's employee.

(d)(1) Custodian means the agency in physical possession of an OPF. In the case of an electronic OPF (eOPF), the custodian is the agency that has primary access to an eOPF contained within a document management system approved by the Office.

(2) A custodian shall be responsible for the maintenance and transfer of the OPF or eOPF, and the costs associated with these activities.

(3) An agency is the custodian of an OPF it requests from the National Personnel Records Center (NPRC), for any temporary use, from the date that the OPF is transmitted by the NPRC to the agency until the date that the NPRC receives the OPF back from the agency.

(4) An agency is no longer the custodian of an OPF once the OPF has been transferred to and accepted by the NPRC.

(5) Once NPRC has approved the transfer, the Office is the custodian of the OPF until the destruction date established for the file pursuant to the National Archive and Records Administration's General Records Schedule, unless another agency requests the OPF from the NPRC in the interim.

(e) Agencies and custodians shall carry out their responsibilities with respect to the OPF or eOPF in accordance with this subpart and the Office's Guide to Personnel Recordkeeping.

[76 FR 52537, Aug. 23, 2011]

§ 293.304 Maintenance and content of folder.

The head of each agency shall maintain in the Official Personnel Folder the reports of selection and other personnel actions named in section 2951 of title 5, United States Code. The folder shall contain long-term records affecting the employee's status and service as required by OPM's instructions and as designated in the Guide to Personnel Recordkeeping.

[58 FR 65533, Dec. 15, 1993]

§ 293.305 Type of folder to be used.

Each agency shall use only OPFs from Office of Federal Supply and Services stock (Standard Form 66) for the folders required by this part.

§ 293.306 Use of existing folders upon transfer or reemployment.

When an agency hires a person who has served on or after April 1, 1947, in a position subject to this part, it shall request the transfer of the OPF pertaining to the person's employment. The folder so obtained shall be used in lieu of establishing a new OPF. In the event that the prior service occurred wholly before April 1, 1947, the agency shall request any files or records that may be located in the Federal records storage center. The request shall note that because of the dates of service there will likely be no OPF. Any such file or record found for this individual shall be incorporated into the OPF being established for the employee.

(a) When a person for whom an OPF has been established transfers from one agency to another, the last employing (losing) agency shall, on request, transfer the OPF to the new employing agency.

(b) Before transferring the Official Personnel Folder, the losing agency shall:

(1) Remove those records of a temporary nature filed on the left side of the folder, except for PMRS employees' performance ratings of record including the performance plan on which the most recent rating was based;

(2) Transfer performance ratings of record and the performance plan on which the most recent rating was based from the Employee Performance File of PMRS employees to their Official Personnel Folder, if the ratings and plans are not maintained by the agency in the Official Personnel Folder; and

(3) Ensure that all permanent documents of the folder are complete, correct, and present in the folder in accordance with the Guide to Personnel Recordkeeping.

[50 FR 3309, Jan. 24, 1985, as amended at 50 FR 35494, Aug. 30, 1985; 66 FR 66709, Dec. 27, 2001]

§ 293.307 Disposition of folders of former Federal employees.

(a) Folders of persons separated from Federal employment must be retained by the losing agency for 30 working days after separation, and may be retained for additional 60 days (90 days where administratively necessary, e.g., where an appeal or an allegation of discrimination is made or where an employee retires or dies in service). Thereafter, the OPF must be transferred to the General Services Administration, National Personnel Records Center (Civilian Personnel Records), 111 Winnebago Street, St. Louis, Missouri 63118.

(b) When a former Federal employee is reappointed in the Federal service, the National Personnel Records Center (Civilian Personnel Records) shall, upon request, transfer the OPF to the new employing agency.

(c) Agencies are responsible for all costs associated with the establishment and maintenance of OPFs and the transfer of OPFs to the National Personnel Records Center.

(d) Agencies are responsible for all costs associated with agency-initiated requests for OPFs or services from the National Personnel Records Center.

[50 FR 3309, Jan. 24, 1985; 50 FR 8993, Mar. 6, 1985, as amended at 76 FR 52537, Aug. 23, 2011]

§ 293.308 Removal of temporary records from OPFs.

The employing agency having possession of an OPF shall remove temporary records from the OPF before it is transferred to another agency. For these and also for temporary records of their current employees, maintenance of the records shall be in accordance with General Records Schedule 1, promulgated by the General Services Administration.

§ 293.309 Reconstruction of lost OPFs.

Agencies will take necessary precautions to safeguard all OPFs. In the event of a lost or destroyed OPF, the current (or last, in the case of a former Federal employee) employing agency shall take the necessary action to reconstruct the essential portions of the OPF as specified in the Guide to Personnel Recordkeeping or other Office instructions.

[50 FR 3309, Jan. 24, 1985, as amended at 66 FR 66709, Dec. 27, 2001]

§ 293.310 Response to requests for information.

The Office, or an agency in physical possession of an OPF in response to a third party Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) request may disclose information as provided in this subpart. A current employee's request for access to his/her own OPF (also included are employee performance file system folders and files) that cites the FOIA, as with all stated Privacy Act requests made by current employees, shall be processed in accordance with agency Privacy Act procedures consistent with Office regulations in part 297 of this chapter. All requests for their OPFs from former employees, and FOIA requests for former employee OPFs, shall be referred to the Office's regional or area office nearest to the location of the requester.

§ 293.311 Availability of information.

(a) The following information from both the OPF and employee performance file system folders, their automated equivalent records, and from other personnel record files that constitute an agency record within the meaning of the FOIA and which are under the control of the Office, about most present and former Federal employees, is available to the public:

(1) Name;

(2) Present and past position titles and occupational series;

(3) Present and past grades;

(4) Present and past annual salary rates (including performance awards or bonuses, incentive awards, merit pay amount, Meritorious or Distinguished Executive Ranks, and allowances and differentials);

(5) Present and past duty stations (includes room numbers, shop designations, or other identifying information regarding buildings or places of employment); and

(6) Position descriptions, identification of job elements, and those performance standards (but not actual performance appraisals) that the release of which would not interfere with law enforcement programs or severely inhibit agency effectiveness. Performance elements and standards (or work expectations) may be withheld when they are so interwined with performance appraisals that their disclosure would reveal an individual's performance appraisal.

(b) The Office or agency will generally not disclose information where the data sought is a list of names, present or past position titles, grades, salaries, performance standards, and/or duty stations of Federal employees which, as determined by the official responsible for custody of the information:

(1) Is selected in such a way that would reveal more about the employee on whom information is sought than the six enumerated items, the disclosure of which would constitute a clearly unwarranted invasion of personal privacy; or

(2) Would otherwise be protected from mandatory disclosure under an exemption of the FOIA.

(c) In addition to the information described in paragraph (a) of this section, a Government official may provide other information from these records (or automated equivalents) of an employee, to others outside of the agency, under a summons, warrant, subpoena, or other legal process; as provided by the Privacy Act (5 U.S.C. 552a(b)(4) through (b)(11)), under those Privacy Act routine uses promulgated by the Office, and as required by the FOIA.

§ 293.401 Applicability of regulations.

This subpart applies to Executive agencies as defined in sections 105, 3132(a)(1) and 4301(1) of title 5, U.S. Code, including Military Departments (but not non-appropriated fund employees) as defined in section 102 of title 5, U.S. Code, and independent establishments as defined in section 104 of title 5, U.S. Code. Within those agencies, the requirements of this subpart apply to all employees occupying positions subject to civil service rules and regulations, including Senior Executive Service positions as defined in 5 U.S.C. 3132(a)(2).

§ 293.402 Establishment of separate employee performance record system.

(a) Copies of employees' performance ratings of record, including the performance plans on which the ratings are based, must be placed in either the employee's Official Personnel Folder (OPF) or in the Employee Performance File (EPF). However, other performance-related documents may be retained in the OPF only when the agency prescribes the use of a separate envelope, temporarily located in the OPF, and removed whenever the OPF (except as required in § 293.404(b)) is transferred to another agency. Performance ratings of record, including the performance plans on which the ratings are based, shall be retained on the left (temporary) side of the OPF. No other performance-related record shall be retained on the left (temporary) or right (long term) side of the OPF or shall be transferred to the National Personnel Records Center (except as required by § 293.404(b)).

(b) Except for performance records maintained in the OPF consistent with paragraph (a) of this section, each agency having employees occupying a position described in § 293.401 shall provide for maintenance of performance-related records for such employees in this EPF system. The agency may elect to retain records in a separate file that is located in the same office with the OPF, or in an envelope kept in the OPF itself. If the agency determines that a separate EPF is cost-effective, such a file may be located in another designated agency office (as specified in the agency's performance appraisal plan) including with supervisors or managers (hereinafter referred to as rating officials) or with Performance Review Boards. Any supporting documents that the agency may prescribe as necessary for agency officials in performance of their duties shall be kept in these files.

(c)(1) Agencies shall provide their employees access to their performance files (automated and manual). Such a request for access shall be processed in accordance with established agency procedures, consistent with Office of Personnel Management regulations regarding access to records contained in part 297 of this chapter. Such access shall be provided to the employee or to the employee's designated representative, and such records may also be disclosed to other officials of the agency who have a need for the documents in the performance of their duties.

(2) All other requests for performance documents made to agency officials (e.g., Freedom of Information Act requests or requests made under the “routine use” provisions of the Privacy Act) shall be processed by the responsible agency official in accordance with agency procedures consistent with Office of Personnel Management regulations regarding disclosures of such records contained in parts 293 and 297 of this chapter.

(3) Privacy Act requests for amendment of records maintained in this system shall be processed by the responsible agency official in accordance with agency procedures consistent with Office of Personnel Management regulations regarding amendment of records contained in part 297 of this chapter.

(d) Agencies maintaining the EPF in an automated or microform system shall issue instructions that contain necessary procedures to ensure that the same requirements as in paragraph (c) of this section, relating to all manual records, are met.

[47 FR 3080, Jan. 22, 1982, as amended at 51 FR 8410, Mar. 11, 1986]

§ 293.403 Contents of employee performance files.

(a) A decision on what constitutes a performance-related document within the meaning of this subpart rests with the agency. Agency implementing instructions, for both incumbents of the Senior Executive Service and other positions, shall provide specific written guidance of the description of what constitutes the agency's official performance-related forms and documents.

(b) Agency implementing instructions describing such records shall indicate where and for how long they are retained and how and when they are to be destroyed. Such instructions shall also describe what records are considered to be performance-related (as specifically as is feasible) and shall include all performance-related records maintained as a system of records within the meaning of the Privacy Act. Such records would generally include:

(1) Any form or other document which records the performance appraisal, including appraisals leading to merit pay determinations.

(2) Any form or other document used by rating officials to recommend a personnel action affecting an employee (including a request for personnel action document, but only when the action is not effected) when the basis for the action (e.g., removal, reassignment, demotion, promotion, or merit pay or other performance award) is performance-related.

(3) Recommendations for training that are performance-related.

(4) Any form or other document furnished in support of recommended actions such as those listed in paragraph (b)(2) of this section and the agency's final decision on the matter (e.g., a recommendation for merit pay or an agency decision to grant only one-half the comparability pay adjustment).

(5) Any form or other document which the rating official is required by the agency to keep during an appraisal period (e.g., quality control records, production records, or similar records used to track employee performance during the appraisal period.)

(6) Any form or other document regarding Performance Review Board decisions, including supporting documentation and any transcript of hearings or testimony from witnesses.

(7) Any form or other document regarding decisions or recommendations of agency Executive Resources Boards related to performance appraisal or actions resulting from performance appraisals.

(8) Appraisals of potential (e.g., in connection with an agency's merit promotion procedures) if agency implementing instructions specifically require or permit retention of a copy.

(9) Individual development plans.

(10) Copies of licenses, certificates of proficiency, or similar documents required of the position.

(c) General information about the employee, i.e., identification data, information concerning Federal and non-Federal employment experience, and information about any training programs the employee participated in may, if an agency deems it appropriate, be retained in this system.

[47 FR 3080, Jan. 22, 1982, as amended at 63 FR 43867, Aug. 17, 1998]

§ 293.404 Retention schedule.

(a)(1) Except as provided in § 293.405(a), performance ratings or documents supporting them are generally not permanent records and shall, except for appointees to the SES and including incumbents of executive positions not covered by SES, be retained as prescribed below:

(i) Performance ratings of record, including the performance plans on which they are based, shall be retained for 4 years;

(ii) Supporting documents shall be retained for as long as the agency deems appropriate (up to 4 years);

(iii) Performance records superseded (e.g., through an administrative or judicial procedure) and performance-related records pertaining to a former employee (except as prescribed in § 293.405(a)) need not be retained for a minimum of 4 years. Rather, in the former case they are to be destroyed and in the latter case agencies shall determine the retention schedule; and

(iv) Except where prohibited by law, retention of automated records longer than the maximum prescribed here is permitted for purposes of statistical analysis so long as the data are not used in any action affecting the employee when the manual record has been or should have been destroyed.

(2) When an employee is reassigned within the employing agency, disposition of records in this system, including transfer with the employee who changes positions, shall be as agencies prescribe and consistent with § 293.405(a).

(3) Appraisals of unacceptable performance, where a notice of proposed demotion or removal is issued but not effected, and all documents related thereto, manual and automated, pursuant to 5 U.S.C. 4303(d) must be destroyed after the employee completes one year of acceptable performance from the date of the written advance notice of the proposed removal or reduction in grade notice. Under conditions specified by an agency, and earlier destruction date is permitted and destruction must be no later than 30 days after the year is up.

(b) Performance records for Senior Executive Service appointees, including those serving under a Presidential appointment under 5 U.S.C. 3392(c), are to be retained as follows:

(1) Pursuant to 5 U.S.C. 4314(b) (3) and (4), Senior Executive Service appointees shall have their performance-related records maintained for five consecutive years (from the date the appraisal is issued) beginning with the effective date of appointment, including individuals receiving appointments pursuant to 5 U.S.C. 3593(b).

(2) When an appointee of the Senior Executive Service moves to another position in the Service, either with the same or a different agency, all appropriate performance-related documents five years old or less shall be forwarded in the Employee Performance File along with the individual's OPF.

(3) When an employee in the Senior Executive Service accepts a Presidential appointment pursuant to 5 U.S.C. 3392(c), the employee's performance file shall be retained as long as the employee remains employed under that Presidential appointment. When the appointment ends, and the individual does not return to the Senior Executive Service, the employee's performance file shall be destroyed in accordance with agency procedures.

(c) Where any performance-related document is needed in connection with an ongoing administrative, negotiated, quasi-judicial, or judicial proceeding, and it continues to be retained in this system rather than another system, it may be retained for as long as necessary beyond the retention schedules identified in paragraphs (a) and (b) of this section.

(d) Screening and purging of folders/envelopes and rating official's work files for the purpose of compliance with these retention schedules shall be through any agency process insuring consistency with the requirements.

[47 FR 3080, Jan. 22, 1982, as amended at 51 FR 8411, Mar. 11, 1986; 56 FR 65416, Dec. 17, 1991]

§ 293.405 Disposition of records.

(a) When the OPF of a non-SES employee is sent to another servicing office in the employing agency, to another agency, or to the National Personnel Records Center, the “losing” servicing office shall include in the OPF all performance ratings of record that are 4 years old or less, including the performance plan on which the most recent rating was based, and the summary rating prepared when the employee changes positions, as prescribed in part 430 of this chapter. Also, the “losing” office will purge from the OPF all performance ratings and performance plans that are more than 4 years old, and other performance-related records, according to agency policy established under § 293.404(a)(2) and in accordance with the Guide to Personnel Recordkeeping.

(b) Consistent with transfer instructions pertaining to SES positions contained in this part, employee performance files shall be forwarded to gaining agencies at the same time as the OPF (5 CFR 293.207).

(c) Consistent with retention schedules promulgated in § 293.404, destruction of performance-related records shall be in accordance with agency procedures (e.g., by shredding or burning).

(d) If a former employee returns to an agency, a new employee performance file will be created unless the prior file for this employee is still available. The original file may be reactivated provided that, consistent with the retention schedules and destruction requirements promulgated in this subpart, the contents are properly disposed of.

(e)(1) It is the responsibility of the agency Personnel Director to insure the maintenance of employee performance files in accordance with this subpart and subparts A and B of this part, part 297 of this title, and with Office of Personnel Management guidance.

(2) This responsibility may be delegated in writing to other agency officials as appropriate. Implementing guidelines for agency performance appraisal systems shall provide written instructions for compliance with Office rules and procedures as well as descriptions of the documents and where they are retained, and shall ensure that records are retained in accordance with the provisions of § 293.402.

[47 FR 3080, Jan. 22, 1982, as amended at 51 FR 8411, Mar. 11, 1986; 56 FR 65416, Dec. 17, 1991; 66 FR 66709, Dec. 27, 2001]

§ 293.406 Disclosure of records.

Disclosure as used here means the furnishing of the record to someone other than the individual to whom the record pertains, his/her designated representative, or to an agency official who needs the information in the performance of official duties. Disclosure of information from this file system shall be made only as permitted by the Privacy Act (5 U.S.C. 552a(b)) and, with regard to the routine use provisions of that section, only under a routine use published by the Office for the system of records covering these records. However, to the extent that this system contains the data identified as being available to the public in § 293.311, for most Federal employees and under the same restrictions listed in that section, that information shall also be made available to the public from this system.

§ 293.501 Applicability of regulations.

The applicability of this subpart is identical to that described in § 293.301.

§ 293.502 Definitions.

For the purpose of this Subpart—

Employee is defined at 5 U.S.C. 2105 and excludes student volunteers and contractor employees.

Employee Assistance and Counseling Record means the record created when an employee participates in an agency assistance/counseling program (e.g., drug or alcohol abuse or personal counseling programs under Pub. L. 91-616, 92-255, and 79-658, respectively).

Employee Exposure Record (which is to be interpreted consistent with the term as it is defined at 29 CFR 1910.20(c)(8)) means a record containing any of the following kinds of information concerning employee exposure to toxic substances or harmful physical agents (as defined at 29 CFR 1910.20(c)(11)):

(a) Environmental (workplace) monitoring or measuring, including personal, area, grab, wipe, or other form of sampling, as well as related collection and analytical methodologies, calculations, and other background data relevant to interpretation of the results obtained;

(b) Biological monitoring results which directly assess the absorption of a substance or agent by body systems (e.g., the level of a chemical in the blood, urine, breath, hair, fingernails, etc.) but not including results which assess the biological effect of a substance or agent;

(c) Material safety data sheets; or

(d) Any other record, in the absence of the above, which reveals the identity (e.g., chemical, common, or trade name) of a toxic substance of harmful physical agent.

Employee Medical File System (EMFS) means the agency's complete system (automated, microformed, and paper records) for employee occupational medical records.

Employee Medical Folder (EMF) means a separate file folder (normally SF 66-D) established to contain all of the occupational medical records (both long-tern and short-term records) designated for retention, which will be maintained by the employing agency during the employee's Federal service.

Epidemiological Record means a record maintained by an agency or subelement thereof as a result of an official medical research study conducted under the authority of the agency.

Implementing instructions means any form of internal agency issuance that provides the guidance required in § 293.503 and any other guidance the agency deems appropriate.

Occupational Medical Record means an occupation-related, chronological, cumulative record, regardless of the form or process by which it is maintained (e.g., paper document, microfiche, microfilm, or automatic data processing media), of information about health status developed on an employee, including personal and occupational health histories and the opinions and written evaluations generated in the course of diagnosis and/or employment-related treatment/examination by medical health care professionals and technicians. This definition includes the definition of medical records at 29 CFR 1910.20(c)(6); when the term “Occupational Medical Record” is used in these regulations, it includes “Employee Exposure Records” (as that term is defined in this section) and occupational illness, accident, and injury records.

Non-occupational/Patient Record means a record of treatment or examination, created and maintained by a health care facility, when the person is admitted to or voluntarily seeks treatment at the health care facility for non-job-related reasons. Records maintained by an agency dispensary are patient records for the purposes of these regulations except when such records result as a condition of employment or relate to an on-the-job occurrence. In these cases, the records are “Occupational Medical Records” as defined herein.

Non-personal Record means any agency aggregate or statistical record or report resulting from studies covering employees or resulting from studies or the work-site environment.

§ 293.503 Implementing instructions.

Agencies must issue written internal instructions describing how their EMFS is to be implemented. These instructions must—

(a) Describe overall operation of the system within the agency including the designation of the agency official who will be responsible for overall system management. When the agency has a medical officer, that individual must be named the system manager. The system manager may then designate others within the agency to handle the day-to-day management of the records, e.g., the custodian of the records at the site where they are maintained;

(b) Be prepared with joint participation by agency medical, health, and safety, and personnel officers;

(c) Describe where and under whose custody employee occupational medical records will be physically maintained;

(d) Designate which agency office(s) will be responsible for deciding when and what occupational medical records are to be disclosed either to other agency officials or outside the agency;

(e) Ensure proper records retention and security, and preserve confidentiality of doctor/patient relationships;

(f) Provide that when the agency is requesting an EMF from the National Personnel Records Center (NPRC), the request form will show the name, title, and address of that agency's system manager or designee, who is the only official authorized to receive the EMF;

(g) Be consistent with Office regulations relating to personnel actions when medical evidence is a factor (5 CFR parts 339, 432, 630, 752, and 831);

(h) Provide guidance on how an accounting of any record disclosure, as required by the Privacy Act (5 U.S.C. 552a(c)), will be done in a way that ensures that the accounting will be available for the life of the EMF;

(i) When long-term occupational medical records exist, provide for the creation of an EMF for an employee transferring to another agency or leaving Government service, and whether an EMF is to be established at the time an employee is being reassigned within the agency;

(j) Ensure a right of access (consistent with any special Privacy Act handling procedures invoked) to the records, in whatever format they are maintained, by the employee or a designated representative;

(k) Ensure that a knowledgeable official determines that all appropriate long-term occupational medical records are in an EMF prior to its transfer to another agency, to the NPRC, or to another office within the same employing agency;

(l) Ensure that all long-term occupational medical records an agency receives in an EMF are maintained, whether in that same EMF or by some other agency procedure, and forwarded to a subsequent employing agency or to NPRC;

(m) Ensure that, if occupational medical records are to be physically located in the same office as the Official Personnel Folder (OPF), the records are maintained physically apart from each other;

(n) Sets forth a policy that distinguishes, particularly for purposes of records disclosure, records in the nature of physician treatment records (which are generally not appropriate for disclosure to non-medical officials) from other medical reports properly available to officials making management decisions concerning the employee;

(o) Provide guidance that distinguishes records properly subject to this part from those (e.g., Postal Service or Foreign Service employee medical records) subject to different rules, particularly in Privacy Act and Freedom of Information Act matters;

(p) Ensure that guidance regarding the processing of Privacy Act matters is consistent with Office regulations implementing the Privacy Act at 5 CFR parts 293 and 297; and

(q) Ensure that no security classification is assigned to an EMF by including therein any occupational medical record that has such a classification. In this regard, the agency creating the classified medical record is required to retain it separately from the EMF while placing a notice in the EMF of its existence and describing where requests for this record are to be submitted.

§ 293.504 Composition of, and access to, the Employee Medical File System.

(a) All employee occupational medical records (which exclude employee assistance/counseling, patient, non-personal, and epidemiological records) whether they are maintained in an automated, microform, or paper mode, and wherever located in the agency, are part of the EMFS. The records maintained in the EMFS are part of a Governmentwide Privacy Act system of records established by the Office. Agencies have the responsibility to ensure that such documents are maintained in accordance with the Office's Privacy Act regulations in part 297 of this chapter, with the agency's instructions implementing those regulations, and with the retention schedule for employee medical records stipulated in § 293.511. While non-occupational/patient records pertaining to an employee are not required to be included as a record within the EMFS, under certain conditions to be discussed in subsequent OPM guidance, copies of such records are occupationally-related and, in those cases, may be included in the system.

(b) Agencies must provide employees access to their own EMFS records consistent with Office regulations contained in § 297.204(c) of this chapter. When unexcepted access can be provided directly to the employee, such unexcepted access must also be provided to any representative specifically designated in writing by the employee to receive the record. Disclosure of an employee's occupational medical records to agency officials (both medical and non-medical) will be granted only when the specific information sought is needed for the performance of official duties.

(c) Other agencies for employee occupational medical records made to the custodian of the records must be processed in accordance with the disclosure provisions of the Privacy Act (5 U.S.C. 552a(b)) and the Office's regulations at part 297 of this chapter.

(d) Processing of a Privacy Act request for amendment of any EMFS record must be consistent with the Office's regulations contained in part 297 of this chapter regarding amendment of records.

[51 FR 33235, Sept. 19, 1986, as amended at 66 FR 66709, Dec. 27, 2001]

§ 293.505 Establishment and protection of Employee Medical Folder.

(a) As required by these rules, agencies must establish an EMF when the employee leaves the employing agency and occupational medical records for that employee exist; agencies may also establish an EMF (if none presently exists) for active employees if the agency chooses. An agency must request the transfer of an existing EMF (and maintain that EMF as received) at the same time it requests the transfer of an employee's OPF using the procedures contained in § 293.306.

(b) Neither the original occupational medical record nor duplicates are to be retained in the OPF. Prior to the establishment of an EMF for a separating employee, when such records are created, they must be maintained physically apart from the OPF, although they may be kept in the same office.

(c) Records in an EMF, whether or not located in an office other than where the OPF is maintained, must be properly safeguarded using procedures ensuring equal or greater levels of protection as those in § 293.106. Disclosures must be made only to those authorized to receive them, as described in § 293.504(b), and employees must be able to ascertain from agency implementing instructions the location of all of their medical records. An EMF must be under the control of a specifically designated medical, health, safety, or personnel officer as prescribed in the agency's implementing internal procedures.

§ 293.506 Ownership of the Employee Medical Folder.

The EMF of each employee in a position subject to civil service rules and regulations is part of the records of the Office. When the EMF also contains occupational medical records created during employment in a position not subject to the civil service (e.g., with the Postal Service), the EMF is then part of the records of both the Office and the employing agency.

§ 293.507 Maintenance and content of the Employee Medical Folder.

The agency head must maintain all appropriate employee occupational medical records in the EMFS. When an EMF is established for an employee, as required in § 293.504, the agency's EMFS must be searched to obtain all records designated for retention in the EMF.

§ 293.508 Type of folder to be used.

Each agency must use a folder that (a) has been specifically identified as the EMF and issued through Federal Supply Service contracts (Standard Form 66 D); (b) has been authorized as an exception to this form by the Office for use by a specific agency; or (c) in the case of an EMF containing records under joint control of the Office and another agency, an exception to the use of this form that has been jointly authorized.

§ 293.509 Use of existing Employee Medical Folders upon transfer or reemployment.

The requirements of § 293.306, regarding the use of existing OPFs, apply to the use of existing EMFs upon the employee's transfer to or reemployment in a new employing agency.

§ 293.510 Disposition of Employee Medical Folders.

(a) When an employee transfers to another Federal agency, the EMF must be transferred to the gaining agency at the same time as the employee's OPF. The EMF is to be addressed only to the gaining agency's designated manager (medical, health, safety, or personnel officer, or other designee) of the EMFS.

(b) When an employee is separated from the Federal service, the EMF must be forwarded to the NPRC with the OPF, using the instructions in § 293.307 of this part.

(c) When a former Federal employee is re-employed by an agency, and that agency believes that an EMF exists, either at the last employing agency or at the NPRC, the agency will request the EMF, but no sooner than 30 days after the date of the new appointment. No EMFs will be routinely retrieved during the initial review process (as is done with the OPF) except when authority exists for the agency to require a medical evaluation prior to reaching a decision on employability. EMFs are to be transferred by the NPRC only to the agency-designated manager (medical, health, safety, or personnel, or other designee) shown on the request form.

§ 293.511 Retention schedule.

(a) Temporary EMFS records must not be placed in a newly-created EMF for a separating employee and must be removed from an already existing EMF before its transfer to another agency or to the NPRC. Such records must be disposed of in accordance with General Records Schedule (GRS) 1, item 21, issued by the National Archives and Records Administration (NARA).

(b) Occupational Medical Records considered to be long-term records must be maintained for the duration of employment, plus 30 years or for as long as the OPF is maintained, whichever is longer. Therefore, upon separation, the records must be provided to the employee's new agency, or they must be transferred to the NPRC, which will dispose of them in accordance with GRS 1, item 21, issued by NARA.

§ 294.101 Purpose.

This subpart contains the regulations of the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) implementing the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552. Except as provided by § 294.105, OPM will use the provisions of this subpart to process all requests for records.

§ 294.102 General definitions.

All of the terms defined in the Freedom of Information Act, and the definitions included in the “Uniform Freedom of Information Act Fee Schedule and Guidelines” issued by the Office of Management and Budget apply, regardless of whether they are defined in this subpart.

Direct costs means the expenditures that an agency actually incurs in searching for, duplicating, and reviewing documents to respond to an FOIA request. Overhead expenses (such as the cost of space, and heating or lighting the facility in which the records are stored), are not included in direct costs.

Disclose or disclosure means making records available, on request, for examination and copying, or furnishing a copy of records.

Duplication means the process of making a copy of a document necessary to respond to an FOIA request. Among the forms that such copies can take are paper, microform, audiovisual materials, or machine readable documentation (e.g., magnetic tape or disk).

Records, information, document, and material have the same meaning as the term agency records in section 552 of title 5, United States Code.

Review means the process of initially examining documents located in response to a request to determine whether any portion of any document located may be withheld. It also includes processing documents for disclosure; e.g., doing all that is necessary to excise them and otherwise prepare them for release. Review does not include time spent resolving general legal and policy issues regarding the application of exemptions.

Search means the time spent looking for material that is responsive to a request, including page-by-page or line-by-line identification of material within documents.

[54 FR 25094, June 13, 1989, as amended at 58 FR 32043, June 8, 1993]

§ 294.103 Definitions of categories and assignment of requests and requesters to categories.

OPM will apply the definitions and procedures contained in this section to assign requesters to categories. The four categories established by 5 U.S.C. 552(a) are requests for commercial use, requests for non-commercial use made by educational or non-commercial scientific institutions, requests for non-commercial use made by representatives of the news media, and all others.

(a) Request for commercial use. A “commercial use request” is from or on behalf of one who seeks information for a use or purpose that furthers the commercial, trade, or profit interests of the requester or the person or institution on whose behalf the request is made. In determining whether a request properly belongs in this category, OPM will look first to the intended use of the documents being requested.

(b) Request for non-commercial use made by an educational or non-commercial scientific institution. OPM will include requesters in one of the two categories described in paragraphs (b) (1) and (2) of this section when the request is being made as authorized by, and under the auspices of, a qualifying institution; and the records are sought, not for a commercial use, but in furtherance of scholarly or scientific research.

(1) Educational institution refers to any public or private, preschool, elementary, or secondary school, institution of undergraduate or graduate higher education, or institution of professional or vocational education, which operates a program or programs of scholarly or scientific research.

(2) A non-commercial scientific institution refers to an institution that is not operated on a commercial basis as that term is referenced in paragraph (a) of this section, and which is operated solely to conduct scientific or scholarly research, the results of which are not intended to promote any particular product or industry.

(c) Request from a representative of the news media. “Representative of the news media” refers to any person actively gathering news for an entity that is organized and operated to publish, broadcast, or otherwise disseminate news to the public. The term “news” means information that is about current events or that would be of current interest to the public. Examples of news media entities include television or radio stations broadcasting to the public at large, and publishers of periodicals who make their products available for purchase or subscription by the general public. Free-lance journalists may be regarded as representatives of the news media if they demonstrate a solid basis for expecting publication, or some other form of dissemination, through a particular organization even though they are not actually employed by it. OPM will assign news media officials to this category only when a request is not for commercial use. If a person meets the other qualifications for inclusion, OPM will not apply the term “commercial use” to his or her request for records in support of a news dissemination function.

(d) Requests from others. The category “all others,” consists of any requesters not covered by paragraphs (a), (b), or (c) of this section. However, as provided by § 294.105, OPM will use its Privacy Act regulations, rather than this subpart, when individuals ask for records about themselves that may be filed in OPM systems of records.

§ 294.104 Clarifying a requester's category.

(a) Seeking clarification of a requester's category. OPM may seek additional clarification before assigning a person to a specific category if—

(1) There is reasonable cause to doubt the requester's intended use of records; or

(2) The intended use is not clear from the request itself; or

(3) There is any other reasonable doubt about qualifications that may affect the fees applicable or the services rendered under § 294.109.

(b) Prompt notification to requester. When OPM seeks clarification as provided by paragraph (a) of this section, it will provide prompt notification either by telephone or in writing of the information or materials needed.

(c) Effect of seeking clarification on time limits for responding. When applying the time limits in section 552 of title 5, United States Code, OPM will not officially consider any request for records as being received until the official who is assigned responsibility for making a decision on releasing the records has received any additional clarification sought under paragraphs (a) and (b) of this section; and has determined that the clarifying information is sufficient to correctly place the requester in one of the categories prescribed in this section. If the requested clarifying information is not received within a reasonable time, OPM will, based on the information available, determine a final category for the request and calculate applicable fees.

[54 FR 25094, June 13, 1989, as amended at 58 FR 32043, June 8, 1993]

§ 294.105 Access to the requester's own records.

When the subject of a record, or a duly authorized representative of the subject, requests his or her own records from a Privacy Act system of records, as defined by 5 U.S.C. 552a (a)(5), and the record is maintained so that it is retrieved by the subject's name or other personal identifier, OPM will process the request under the Privacy Act procedures in part 297 of this chapter.

§ 294.106 Handbook of Publications, Periodicals, and OPM Issuances.

(a)(1) Annually, OPM publishes OPM-AG-PSD-01, “Handbook of Publications, Periodicals, and Issuances,” and accompanying addendum. This handbook and addendum lists material published and offered for sale are available for public inspection or copying. Unless the material is published and offered for sale, OPM makes available for public inspection and copying:

(i) Final opinions made by OPM in the adjudication of cases;

(ii) OPM policy statements and interpretations adopted by OPM but not published in the Federal Register; and

(iii) OPM administrative staff manuals and instructions that affect a member of the public.

(2) To the extent required to prevent a clearly unwarranted invasion of personal privacy, OPM may delete identifying details when it makes available or publishes an opinion, statement of policy, interpretation, or staff manual or instruction.

(b) A copy of this handbook and addendum is available at no cost from the—Publishing Management Branch, Office of Personnel Management, room B464, 1900 E Street, NW., Washington, DC 20415-0001.

(c) OPM indexes material in this handbook and addendum format for the convenience of the public. Indexing does not constitute a determination that all of the material listed is within the category that is required to be indexed by 5 U.S.C. 552(a)(2). Most of OPM's publications may be found in OPM's Library in room 5H27 at the address listed in paragraph (b) of this section.

(d) As provided by 5 U.S.C. 552(a)(2), OPM has determined that it is unnecessary and impractical to publish the “Handbook of Publications, Periodicals, and Issuances” and addendum more frequently than annually because of the small number of revisions that occur.

[57 FR 32150, July 21, 1992, as amended at 66 FR 66710, Dec. 27, 2001]

§ 294.107 Places to obtain records.

(a) Address requests for OPM records to the officials listed in paragraph (b), (c), or (d) of this section.

(b) The following is a list of key Washington, DC, officials of OPM and their principal areas of responsibility. Address requests for records to the appropriate official using the official's title and the following address: Office of Personnel Management, 1900 E Street, NW., Washington, DC 20415.

Send to— | For subject-matter about—

Associate Director for Administration | Administrative services; information management, including automated data processing; equal employment opportunity; procurement; and personnel.

Associate Director for Retirement and Insurance | Retirement; life and health insurance.

Associate Director for Personnel Systems and Oversight | Personnel management in agencies; pay; position classification; wage grade jobs; performance management; and employee and labor relations.

Assistant Director for Workforce Information | Governmentwide personnel statistics; official personnel and employee medical folders.

Associate Director for Investigations | Background investigations and related records on individuals.

Associate Director for Career Entry | Nationwide examining and testing for employment; promotions; administrative law judges; affirmative employment programs for minorities, women, veterans, and the handicapped; recruiting and employment; and staffing policy.

Chief Financial Officer | Financial management.

Director for Human Resources Development | Training, education, and development; senior executive service.

Director, Washington Area Service Center | Examining, testing, and training operations in Washington, DC.

(c) Direct requests for records on subjects not specifically referred to in this section or in the handbook or addendum, to Plans and Policies Division (CHP-500), Office of Information Resources Management, Administration Group, Office of Personnel Management, 1900 E Street, NW., Washington, DC 20415.

(d) The following is a list of OPM regional offices. Address requests for regional records to the Regional Director, Office of Personnel Management in the appropriate region:

• Atlanta Region—Richard B. Russell Federal Building, Suite 904, 75 Spring Street, SW., Atlanta, GA 30303-3019.

• Chicago Region—John C. Kluczynski Federal Building, 30th Floor, 230 South Dearborn Street, Chicago, IL 60604.

• Dallas Region—1100 Commerce Street, Dallas, TX 75242.

• Philadelphia Region—William J. Green, Jr., Federal Building, 600 Arch Street, Philadelphia, PA 19106-1596.

• San Francisco Region—211 Main Street, 7th Floor, San Francisco, CA 94105.

(e) When an organization does not have records in its custody. When an OPM organization receives a Freedom of Information Act request for OPM records that it does not have in its possession, it will normally either—

(1) Retrieve the records from the organization that has possession of them; or

(2) Promptly forward the request to the appropriate organization. If a person has asked to be kept apprised of anything that will delay the official receipt of a request, OPM will provide notice of this forwarding action. Otherwise, OPM may, at its option, provide such notice.

(f) Applying the time limits. When applying the time limits in section 552 of title 5, United States Code, OPM will not officially consider any request to be received until it arrives in the OPM organization that has responsibility for the records sought.

(g) Records from other Government agencies. When a person seeks records that originated in another Government agency, OPM may refer the request to the other agency for response. Ordinarily, OPM will provide notice of this type of referral.

(h) Creating records. If a person seeks information from OPM in a format that does not currently exist, OPM will not ordinarily compile the information for the purpose of creating a record to respond to the request. OPM will advise the individual that it does not have records in the format sought. If other existing records would reasonably respond to the request or portions of it, OPM may provide these. If fees as provided in § 294.109 apply to any alternative records, OPM will advise the requester before providing the records.

[54 FR 25094, June 13, 1989, as amended at 57 FR 32150, July 21, 1992; 58 FR 32044, June 8, 1993]

§ 294.108 Procedures for obtaining records.

(a) Mailing or delivering a request. Any person may ask for records under section 552 of title 5, United States Code, by directing a letter to one of the organizations listed in § 294.107, or by delivering a request in person at the addresses listed in that section during business hours on a regular business day.

(b) Proper marking. Each request for records should have a clear and prominent notation on the first page, such as “Freedom of Information Act Request.” In addition, if sent by mail or otherwise submitted in an envelope or other cover, mark the outside clearly and prominently with “FOIA Request” or “Freedom of Information Act Request.”

(c) Contents of request letter. A request must describe the records sought in sufficient detail to enable OPM personnel to locate the records with a reasonable amount of effort.

(1) OPM will regard a request for a specific category of records as fulfilling the requirements of this paragraph, if it enables responsive records to be identified by a technique or process that is not unreasonably burdensome or disruptive to OPM operations.

(2) Whenever possible, a request should include specific information about each record sought, such as the date, number, title or name, author, recipient, and subject matter of the record.

(3) If an OPM organization determines that a request does not reasonably describe the records sought, it will either provide notice of any additional information needed or otherwise state why the request is insufficient. OPM will also offer the record seeker an opportunity to confer, with the objective of reformulating the request so that it meets the requirements of this section.

(d) Medical records. OPM or another Government agency may disclose the medical records of an applicant, employee, or annuitant to the subject of the record, or to a representative designated in writing. However, medical records may contain information about an individual's mental or physical condition that a prudent physician would hesitate to give to the individual. Under such circumstances, OPM may disclose the records, including the exact nature and probable outcome of the condition, only to a licensed physician designated in writing for that purpose by the individual or his or her designated representative.

(e) Publications. If the subject matter of a request includes material published and offered for sale (e.g., by the Superintendent of Documents, Government Printing Office), OPM will explain where a person may review and/or purchase the publications.

(f) Responses within 10 working days. Except in unusual circumstances (as defined in 5 U.S.C. 552(a)(6)(B)), OPM will determine whether to disclose or deny records within 10 working days after receipt of the request (excluding weekends and holidays) and will provide notice immediately of its determination and the reasons therefor, and of the right to appeal any adverse determination.

[54 FR 25094, June 13, 1989, as amended at 58 FR 32044, June 8, 1993]

§ 294.109 Fees.

(a) Applicability of fees. (1) OPM will furnish, without charge, reasonable quantities of material that it has available for free distribution to the public.

(2) OPM may furnish other materials, subject to payment of fees intended to recoup the full allowable direct costs of providing services. Fees for these materials may be waived if the request meets the requirements specified in paragraph (f) of this section.

(3) If a request does not include an acceptable agreement to pay fees and does not otherwise convey a willingness to pay fees, OPM will promptly provide notification of the estimated fees. This notice will offer an opportunity to confer with OPM staff to reformulate the request to meet the requester's needs at a lower cost. Upon agreement to pay the required fees, OPM will further process the request.

(4) As described in § 294.107, OPM ordinarily responds to FOIA requests in a decentralized manner. Because of this, OPM may at times refer a single request to two or more OPM entities to make separate direct responses. In such cases, each responding entity may assess fees as provided by this section, but only for direct costs associated with any response it has prepared.

(5) If fees for document search are authorized as provided in paragraph (c) of this section, OPM may assess charges for employee time spent searching for documents and other direct costs of a search, even if a search fails to locate records or if records located are determined to be exempt from disclosure. Searches should be conducted in the most efficient and least expensive manner so as to minimize the cost for both the agency and the requester, e.g., personnel should not engage in line-by-line search when photocopying an entire document would be a less expensive and quicker way to comply with a request.

(6) Services requested and performed but not required under the FOIA, such as formal certification of records as true copies, will be subject to charges under the Federal User Charge Statute (31 U.S.C. 483a) or other applicable statutes.

(b) Rates used to compute fees. The following rates form the basis for assessing reasonable, standard charges for document search, duplication, and review as required by 5 U.S.C. 552(a)(4). The listing of rates below should be used in conjunction with the fee components listed in paragraph (c) of this section:

Service | Rate

Employee time | Salary rate plus 16% to cover benefits.

Photocopies (up to 8 1/2″ × 14″) | $.013 per page.

Printed materials, per 25 pages or fraction thereof | $.025.

Computer time | Actual direct cost.

Supplies and other materials | Actual direct cost.

Other costs not identified above | Actual direct cost.

(c) Assessing fees based on requester's category. Rates are assessed differently for the different categories of requesters as defined in § 294.103. Requests have three cost components for the purpose of assessing fees: the cost of document search, the cost of duplication, and the cost of review. OPM will apply the rates in paragraph (b) of this section to the cost components that apply to the requester's category as follows:

Requester's category | Search | Review | Duplication

Commercial | Actual direct costs | Actual direct costs | Actual direct costs.

Non-commercial (educational or scientific institution) or news media | No charge | No charge | Actual direct costs. 1

All others | Actual direct costs 2 | No charge | Actual direct costs. 1

1 First 100 pages of paper copies or reasonable equivalent, such as a microfiche containing the equivalent of 100 pages, are copied free.

2 First 2 hours of manual search time are free. If requested records are maintained in a computerized data base, OPM will use the following formula, suggested by OMB, to provide the equivalent of 2 hours manual search time free before charging for computer search time: The operator's hourly salary plus 16% will be added to the hourly cost of operating the central processing unit that contains the record information.

(d) Payment of fees. Fees are payable by check or money order to the Office of Personnel Management.

(1) If the total charge for fulfilling the request will be less than $25, no fee will be assessed (except as provided in paragraph (d)(3) of this section).

(2) If a request may reasonably result in a fee assessment of more than $25, OPM will not release the records unless the requester agrees in advance to pay the anticipated charges.

(3) OPM may aggregate requests and charge fees accordingly, when there is a reasonable belief that a requester, or a group of requesters acting in concert, is attempting to break down a request into a series of requests to evade the assessment of fees.

(i) If multiple requests of this type occur within a 30-day period, OPM may provide notice that it is aggregating the requests and that it will apply the fee provisions of this section, including any required agreement to pay fees and any advance payment.

(ii) Before aggregating requests of this type made over a period longer than 30 days, OPM will assure that it has a solid basis on which to conclude that the requesters are acting in concert and are acting specifically to avoid payment of fees.

(iii) OPM will not aggregate multiple requests on unrelated subjects from one person.

(e) Payment of fees in advance. If OPM estimates or determines that fees are likely to exceed $250, OPM may require the payment of applicable fees in advance.

(1) If an OPM official, who is authorized to make a decision on a particular request, determines that the requester has a history of prompt payment of FOIA fees, OPM will provide notice of the likely cost and obtain satisfactory assurance of full payment.

(2) When a person, or an organization that a person represents, has previously failed to pay assessed fees in a timely manner (i.e., payment was not made within 30 days of the billing date), OPM will require full payment of all fees in advance.

(3) If a person, or an organization that a person represents, has not paid fees previously assessed, OPM will not begin to process any new request for records until the requester has paid the full amount owed plus any applicable interest, and made a full advance payment for the new request.

(f) Waiver or reduction of fees. OPM will furnish documents without any charge, or at a reduced charge, if disclosure of the information is in the public interest because it is likely to contribute significantly to public understanding of the operations or activities of the Government, and release of the material is not primarily in the commercial interest of the requester.

(1) In determining whether disclosure is in the public interest because it is likely to contribute significantly to public understanding of the operations or activities of the Government, OPM shall consider the following factors:

(i) The subject of the request: Whether the subject of the requested records concerns “the operations or activities of the Government”;

(ii) The information value of the information to be disclosed: Whether the disclosure is “likely to contribute” to an understanding of Government operations or activities;

(iii) The contribution to an understanding of the subject by the general public likely to result from disclosure: Whether disclosure of the requested information will contribute to “public understanding”; and

(iv) The significance of the contribution to public understanding: Whether the disclosure is likely to contribute “significantly” to public understanding of Government operations or activities.

(2) In determining whether disclosure of the information is or is not primarily in the commercial interest of the requester, OPM shall consider the following factors:

(i) The existence and magnitude of a commercial interest. Whether the requester has a commercial interest that would be furthered by the requested disclosure; and, if so—

(ii) The primary interest in disclosure. Whether the magnitude of the identified commercial interest of the requester is sufficiently large, in comparison with the public interest in disclosure, that disclosure is “primarily in the commercial interest of the requester.”

(3) In all cases the burden of proof shall be on the requester to present evidence or information in support of a request for a waiver or reduction of fees.

(g) Denial of waiver request. (1) An OPM official may deny a request for a full or partial waiver of fees without further consideration if the request does not include:

(i) A clear statement of the requester's interest in the requested information;

(ii) A clear statement of the use proposed for the information and whether the requester will derive income or other benefit from such use;

(iii) A clear statement of how the public will benefit from OPM's release of the requested information; and

(iv) If specialized use of the documents is contemplated, a clear statement of the requester's qualifications that are relevant to the specialized use.

(2) A requester may appeal the denial of a waiver request as provided by § 294.110 of this part.

(h) Fees not paid; penalties; debt collection. (1) If a request, which requires the advance payment of fees under the criteria specified in this section, is not accompanied by the required payment, OPM will promptly notify the requester that the required fee must be paid within 30 days, and that OPM will not further process the request until it receives payment.

(2) OPM may begin assessing interest charges on an unpaid bill starting on the 31st day following the date on which the bill was sent. Interest will be charged at the rate prescribed in 31 U.S.C. 3717, and will accrue from the date of the billing.

(3) To encourage the repayment of debts incurred under this subpart, OPM may use the procedures authorized by Public Law 97-365, the Debt Collection Act of 1982. This may include disclosure to consumer reporting agencies and the use of collection agencies.

[58 FR 32044, June 8, 1993]

§ 294.110 Appeals.

(a) When an OPM official denies records or a waiver of fees under the Freedom of Information Act, the requester may appeal to the—

Office of the General Counsel, Office of Personnel Management, Washington, DC 20415

(b) A person may appeal denial of a Freedom of Information Act request for information maintained by OPM's Office of the General Counsel to the—

Deputy Director, Office of Personnel Management Washington, DC 20415

(c) If an official of another agency denies a Freedom of Information Act request for records in one of OPM's Government-wide systems of records, the requester should consult that agency's regulations for any appeal rights that may apply. An agency may, at its discretion, direct these appeals to OPM's Office of the General Counsel.

(d) An appeal should include a copy of the initial request, a copy of the letter denying the request, and a statement explaining why the appellant believes the denying official erred.

(e) The appeals provided for in this section constitute the final levels of administrative review that are available. If a denial of information or a denial of a fee waiver is affirmed, the requester may seek judicial review in the district court of the United States in the district in which he or she resides, or has his or her principal place of business, or in which the agency records are situated, or in the District of Columbia.

§ 294.111 Custody of records; subpoenas.

(a) The Chief, Plans and Policies Division, Administration Group, OPM, has official custody of OPM records. A subpoena or other judicial order for an official record from OPM should be served on the—

Chief, Plans and Policies Division, Office of Personnel Management, 1900 E Street NW., Washington, DC 20415

(b) See 5 CFR part 297, subpart D—Disclosure of Records, of this title, for the steps other officials should take on receipt of a subpoena or other judicial order for an Office record.

[54 FR 25094, June 13, 1989, as amended at 57 FR 32150, July 21, 1992]

§ 294.112 Confidential commercial information.

(a) In general, OPM will not disclose confidential commercial information in response to a Freedom of Information Act request except in accordance with this section.

(b) The following definitions from Executive Order 12600, apply to this section:

(1) Confidential commercial information means records provided to the Government by a submitter that arguably contain material exempt from release under Exemption 4 of the Freedom of Information Act, 5 U.S.C. 552(b)(4), because disclosure could reasonably be expected to cause substantial competitive harm.

(2) Submitter means any person or entity who provides confidential commercial information, directly or indirectly, to OPM. The term includes, but is not limited to, corporations, state governments, and foreign governments.

(c) Submitters of information shall designate by appropriate markings, either at the time of submission or at a reasonable time thereafter, any portions of their submissions that they consider to be confidential commercial information. Such designations shall expire 10 years after the date of submission unless the submitter requests, and provides reasonable justification for, a designation period of greater duration.

(d) OPM shall, to the extent permitted by law, provide prompt written notice to an information submitter of Freedom of Information requests or administrative appeals if:

(1) The submitter has made a good faith designation that the requested material is confidential commercial information, or

(2) OPM has reason to believe that the requested material may be confidential commercial information.

(e) The written notice required in paragraph (d) of this section shall either describe the confidential commercial material requested or include as an attachment, copies or pertinent portions of the records.

(f) Whenever OPM provides the notification and opportunity to object required by paragraphs (d) and (h) of this section, it will advise the requester that notice and an opportunity to object are being provided to the submitter.

(g) The notice requirements of paragraph (d) of this section shall not apply if:

(1) OPM determines that the information should not be disclosed;

(2) The information has been lawfully published or officially made available to the public;

(3) Disclosure of the information is required by law (other than 5 U.S.C. 552);

(4) The information was submitted on or after August 20, 1992, and has not been designated by the submitter as exempt from disclosure in accordance with paragraph (c) of this section, unless OPM has substantial reason to believe that disclosure of the information would result in competitive harm; or

(5) The designation made by the submitter in accordance with paragraph (c) of this section appears obviously frivolous; except that, in such a case, OPM shall, within a reasonable number of days prior to a specified disclosure date, notify the submitter in writing of any final administrative decision to disclose the information.

(h) The notice described in paragraph (d) of this section shall give a submitter a reasonable period from the date of the notice to provide OPM with a detailed written statement of any objection to disclosure. The statement shall specify all grounds for withholding any of the material under any exemption of the Freedom of Information Act. When Exemption 4 of the FOIA is cited as the grounds for withholding, the specification shall demonstrate the basis for any contention that the material is a trade secret or commercial or financial information that is privileged or confidential. It must also include a specification of any claim of competitive harm, including the degree of such harm, that would result from disclosure. Information provided in response to this paragraph may itself be subject to disclosure under the FOIA. Information provided in response to this paragraph shall also be subject to the designation requirements of paragraph (c) of this section. Failure to object in a timely manner shall be considered a statement of no objection by OPM, unless OPM extends the time for objection upon timely request from the submitter and for good cause shown. The provisions of this paragraph concerning opportunity to object shall not apply to notices of administrative appeals, when the submitter has been previously provided an opportunity to object at the time the request was initially considered.

(i) OPM shall consider carefully a submitter's objections and specific grounds for nondisclosure, when received within the period of time described in paragraph (h) of this section, prior to determining whether to disclose the information. Whenever OPM decides to disclose the information over the objection of a submitter, OPM shall forward to the submitter a written notice, which shall include:

(1) A statement of the reasons why the submitter's disclosure objections were not sustained;

(2) A description of the information to be disclosed; and

(3) A specified disclosure date.

(j) OPM will notify both the submitter and the requester of its intent to disclose material a reasonable number of days prior to the specified disclosure date.

(k) Whenever a requester brings suit seeking to compel disclosure of confidential commercial information, OPM shall promptly notify the submitter.

[57 FR 32150, July 21, 1992]

§ 294.201 Public information policy.

(a) In addition to the basic policies of the Office relative to the disclosure of information when requested by a member of the public, the Office has an independent public information policy for bringing to the attention of the public through news releases, publications of the Office, or other methods, information concerning the functions of the Office as a Federal agency, and the programs administered by the Office.

(b) The Assistant Director for Public Affairs carries out the public information policy of the Office. In addition, each employee of the Office shall cooperate in carrying out this policy.

[50 FR 3310, Jan. 24, 1985]

§ 294.301 Policy and interpretations.

(a) Statements of Office policy and interpretations of the laws and regulations administered by the Office which the Office has adopted, whether or not published in the Federal Register, are available to the public.

(b) Generally, memoranda, correspondence, opinions, data, staff studies, information received in confidence, and similar documentary material, when prepared for the purpose of internal communication within the Office or between the Office and other agencies, organizations, or persons, are not available to the public.

[50 FR 3310, Jan. 24, 1985, as amended at 66 FR 66710, Dec. 27, 2001]

§ 294.401 References.

The table below provides assistance in locating other OPM regulations in title 5 of the Code of Federal Regulations that have provisions on the disclosure of records:

Type of information | Location

Classification appeal records | 511.616.

Classification information | 175.101.

Employee performance folders | 293.311.

Examination and related subjects records | 300.201.

Grade and pay retention records | 536.405.

Investigative records | 736.104.

Job grading reviews and appeals records | 532.707.

Medical information | 297.205 and 293 subpart E.

Official Personnel Folders | 293.311.

Privacy and personnel records | 297.

Retirement | 831.106 and 841.108.

[54 FR 25098, June 13, 1989, as amended at 58 FR 32046, June 8, 1993; 70 FR 31286, May 31, 2005]

§ 295.101 Scope and purpose.

(a) This part sets forth policies and procedures you must follow when you submit a demand or request to an employee of the U.S. Office of Personnel Management (OPM) to produce official records and information, or provide testimony relating to official information, in connection with a legal proceeding. You must comply with these requirements when you request the release or disclosure of official records and information.

(b) OPM intends these provisions to:

(1) Promote economy and efficiency in its programs and operations;

(2) Minimize the possibility of involving OPM in controversial issues not related to our functions;

(3) Prevent the misuse of OPM employees as involuntary expert witnesses for private interests or as inappropriate expert witnesses as to the state of the law;

(4) Maintain OPM's impartiality among private litigants where neither OPM nor any other Federal entity is a named party; and

(5) Protect sensitive, confidential information and the deliberative processes of OPM.

(c) In providing for these requirements, OPM does not waive the sovereign immunity of the United States.

(d) This part provides guidance for the internal operations of OPM. It does not create any right or benefits, substantive or procedural, that a party may rely upon in any legal proceeding against the United States.

§ 295.102 Applicability.

This part applies to demands and requests to employees of OPM in legal proceedings in which OPM is not a named party, for factual or expert testimony relating to official information or for production of official records or information. However, it does not apply to:

(a) Demands upon or requests for a current OPM employee to testify as to facts or events that are unrelated to his or her official duties or that are unrelated to the functions of OPM;

(b) Demands upon or requests for a former OPM employee to testify as to matters in which the former employee was not directly or materially involved while at OPM;

(c) Requests for the release of records under the Freedom of Information Act, 5 U.S.C. 552, or the Privacy Act, 5 U.S.C. 552(a); and

(d) Congressional or Government Accountability Office (GAO) demands and requests for testimony or records.

§ 295.103 Definitions.

Demand means a subpoena, or an order or other command of a court or other competent authority, for the production, disclosure, or release of records or for the appearance and testimony of an OPM employee that is issued in a legal proceeding.

General Counsel means the General Counsel of OPM or a person to whom the General Counsel has delegated authority under this part.

Legal proceeding means any matter before a court of law, administrative board or tribunal, commission, administrative law judge, hearing officer, or other body that conducts a legal or administrative proceeding. Legal proceeding includes all phases of litigation.

OPM means the U.S. Office of Personnel Management.

OPM employee or employee means:

(1) Any current or former officer or employee of OPM;

(2) Any other individual hired through contractual agreement by or on behalf of the OPM or who has performed or is performing services under such an agreement for OPM; and

(3) Any individual who served or is serving in any consulting or advisory capacity to OPM, whether formal or informal.

(4) Provided, that this definition does not include persons who are no longer employed by OPM and who are retained or hired as expert witnesses or who agree to testify about general matters available to the public, or matters with which they had no specific involvement or responsibility during their employment with OPM.

Records or official records and information mean:

(1) All documents and materials which are OPM agency records under the Freedom of Information Act, 5 U.S.C. 552;

(2) All other documents and materials contained in OPM files; and

(3) All other information or materials acquired by an OPM employee in the performance of his or her official duties or because of his or her official status.

Request means any informal request, by whatever method, for the production of records and information or for testimony which has not been ordered by a court or other competent authority.

Testimony means any written or oral statements, including depositions, answers to interrogatories, affidavits, declarations, recorded interviews, and statements made by an individual in connection with a legal proceeding.

§ 295.201 General prohibition.

No employee may produce official records and information or provide any testimony relating to official information in response to a demand or request without the prior, written approval of the General Counsel.

§ 295.202 Factors OPM will consider.

The General Counsel, in his or her sole discretion, may grant an employee permission to testify on matters relating to official information, or produce official records and information, in response to an appropriate demand or request. Among the relevant factors that the General Counsel may consider in making this decision are whether:

(a) The purposes of this part are met;

(b) Allowing such testimony or production of records would be necessary to prevent a miscarriage of justice;

(c) OPM has an interest in the decision that may be rendered in the legal proceeding;

(d) Allowing such testimony or production of records would assist or hinder OPM in performing its statutory duties or use OPM resources in a way that will interfere with the ability of OPM employees to do their regular work;

(e) Allowing such testimony or production of records would be in the best interest of OPM or the United States;

(f) The records or testimony can be obtained from other sources;

(g) The demand or request is unduly burdensome or otherwise inappropriate under the applicable rules of discovery or the rules of procedure governing the case or matter in which the demand or request arose;

(h) Disclosure would violate a statute, Executive order or regulation;

(i) Disclosure would reveal confidential, sensitive, or privileged information, trade secrets or similar, confidential commercial or financial information, otherwise protected information, or would otherwise be inappropriate for release;

(j) Disclosure would impede or interfere with an ongoing law enforcement investigation or proceedings, or compromise constitutional rights;

(k) Disclosure would result in OPM appearing to favor one private litigant over another private litigant;

(l) Disclosure relates to documents that were produced by another agency;

(m) A substantial Government interest is implicated;

(n) The demand or request is within the authority of the party making it;

(o) The demand improperly seeks to compel an OPM employee to serve as an expert witness for a private interest;

(p) The demand improperly seeks to compel an OPM employee to testify as to a matter of law;

(q) The demand or request is sufficiently specific to be answered.

§ 295.203 Filing requirements for demands or requests for documents or testimony.

You must comply with the following requirements whenever you issue demands or requests to an OPM employee for official records and information or testimony.

(a) Your request must be in writing and must be submitted to the General Counsel. If you serve a subpoena on OPM or an OPM employee before submitting a written request and receiving a final determination, OPM will oppose the subpoena on grounds that your request was not submitted in accordance with this subpart.

(b) You written request must contain the following information:

(1) The caption of the legal proceeding, docket number, and name and address of the court or other authority involved.

(2) A copy of the complaint or equivalent document setting forth the assertions in the case and any other pleading or document necessary to show relevance;

(3) A list of categories of records sought, a detailed description of how the information sought is relevant to the issues in the legal proceeding, and a specific description of the substance of the testimony or records sought;

(4) A statement as to how the need for the information outweighs the need to maintain any confidentiality of the information and outweighs the burden on OPM to produce the records or provide testimony;

(5) A statement indicating that the information sought is not available from another source, from other persons or entities, or from the testimony of someone other than an OPM employee, such as a retained expert;

(6) If testimony is requested, the intended use of the testimony, a general summary of the desired testimony, and a showing that no document could be provided and used in lieu of testimony;

(7) A description of all prior decisions, orders, or pending motions in the case that bear upon the relevance of the requested records or testimony;

(8) The name, address, and telephone number of counsel to each party in the case; and

(9) An estimate of the amount of time that the requester and other parties will require with each OPM employee for time spent by the employee to prepare for testimony, in travel, and for attendance in the legal proceeding.

(c) The Office of Personnel Management reserves the right to require additional information to complete your request where appropriate.

(d) Your request should be submitted at least 45 days before the date that records or testimony is required. Requests submitted in less than 45 days before records or testimony is required must be accompanied by a written explanation stating the reasons for the late request and the reasons for expedited processing.

(e) Failure to cooperate in good faith to enable the General Counsel to make an informed decision may serve as the basis for a determination not to comply with your request.

§ 295.204 Service of subpoenas or requests.

Subpoenas or requests for official records or information or testimony must be served on the General Counsel, U.S. Office of Personnel Management, 1900 E Street, NW., Washington, DC 20415.

§ 295.205 Processing demands or requests.

(a) After service of a demand or request to testify, the General Counsel will review the demand or request and, in accordance with the provisions of this subpart, determine whether, or under what conditions, to authorize the employee to testify on matters relating to official information and/or produce official records and information.

(b) OPM will process requests in the order in which they are received. Absent exigent or unusual circumstances, OPM will respond within 45 days from the date that we receive it. The time for response will depend upon the scope of the request.

(c) The General Counsel may grant a waiver of any procedure described by this subpart where a waiver is considered necessary to promote a significant interest of OPM or the United States or for other good cause.

§ 295.206 Final determination.

The General Counsel makes the final determination on demands and requests to employees for production of official records and information or testimony. All final determinations are within the sole discretion of the General Counsel. The General Counsel will notify the requester and the court or other authority of the final determination, the reasons for the grant or denial of the demand or request, and any conditions that the General Counsel may impose on the release of records or information, or on the testimony of an OPM employee.

§ 295.207 Restrictions that apply to testimony.

(a) The General Counsel may impose conditions or restrictions on the testimony of OPM employees including, for example, limiting the areas of testimony or requiring the requester and other parties to the legal proceeding to agree that the transcript of the testimony will be kept under seal or will only be used or made available in the particular legal proceeding for which testimony was requested. The General Counsel may also require a copy of the transcript of testimony at the requester's expense.

(b) OPM may offer the employee's written declaration in lieu of testimony.

(c) If authorized to testify pursuant to this part, an employee may testify as to facts within his or her personal knowledge, but, unless specifically authorized to do so by the General Counsel, the employee shall not:

(1) Disclose confidential or privileged information;

(2) Testify as to facts when the General Counsel determines such testimony would not be in the best interest of OPM or the United States; or

(3) For a current OPM employee, testify as an expert or opinion witness with regard to any matter arising out of the employee's official duties or the functions of OPM unless testimony is being given on behalf of the United States.

§ 295.208 Restrictions that apply to released records.

(a) The General Counsel may impose conditions or restrictions on the release of official records and information, including the requirement that parties to the proceeding obtain a protective order or execute a confidentiality agreement to limit access and any further disclosure. The terms of the protective order or of a confidentiality agreement must be acceptable to the General Counsel. In cases where protective orders or confidentiality agreements have already been executed, OPM may condition the release of official records and information on an amendment to the existing protective order or confidentiality agreement.

(b) If the General Counsel so determines, original OPM records may be presented for examination in response to a demand or request, but they are not to be presented as evidence or otherwise used in a manner by which they could lose their identify as official OPM records, and they are not to be marked or altered. In lieu of the original records, certified copies will be presented for evidentiary purposes (see 28 U.S.C. 1733).

§ 295.209 Procedure when a decision is not made prior to the time a response is required.

If a response to a demand or request is required before the General Counsel can make the determination referred to in Sec.295.206, the General Counsel, when necessary, will provide the court or other competent authority with a copy of this part, inform the court or other competent authority that the demand or request is being reviewed, and seek a stay of the demand or request pending a final determination.

§ 295.210 Procedure in the event of an adverse ruling.

If the court or other competent authority fails to stay the demand, the employee upon whom the demand or request is made, unless otherwise advised by the General Counsel, will appear at the stated time and place, produce a copy of this part, state that the employee has been advised by counsel not to provide the requested testimony or produce documents, and respectfully decline to comply with the demand, citing United States ex rel. Touhy v. Ragen, 340 U.S. 462 (1951). A written response may be offered to a request, or to a demand, if permitted by the court or other competent authority.

§ 295.301 Fees.

(a) Generally. The General Counsel may condition the production of records or appearance for testimony upon advance payment of a reasonable estimate of the costs to OPM.

(b) Fees for records. Fees for producing records will include fees for searching, reviewing, and duplicating records, costs of attorney time spent in reviewing the demand or request, and expenses generated by materials and equipment used to search for, produce, and copy the responsive information. Costs for employee time will be calculated on the basis of the hourly pay of the employee (including all pay, allowance, and benefits). Fees for duplication will be the same as those charged by OPM in its Freedom of Information Act regulations at 5 CFR part 294.

(c) Witness fees. Fees for attendance by a witness will include fees, expenses, and allowances prescribed by the court's rules. If no such fees are prescribed, witness fees will be determined based upon the rule of the Federal district court closest to the location where the witness will appear. Such fees will include cost of time spent by the witness to prepare for testimony, in travel, and for attendance in the legal proceeding.

(d) Payment of fees. You must pay witness fees for current OPM employees and any records certification fees by submitting to the General Counsel a check or money order for the appropriate amount made payable to the Treasury of the United States. In the case of testimony by former OPM employees, you must pay applicable fees directly to the former employee in accordance with 28 U.S.C. 1821 or other applicable statutes.

(e) Certification (authentication) of copies of records. The U.S. Office of Personnel Management may certify that records are true copies in order to facilitate their use as evidence. If you seek certification, you must request certified copies from OPM at least 45 days before the date they will be needed. The request should be sent to the General Counsel. You will be charged a certification fee of $15.00 for each document certified.

(f) Waiver or reduction of fees. The General Counsel, in his or her sole discretion, may, upon a showing of reasonable cause, waive or reduce any fees in connection with the testimony, production, or certification of records.

(g) De minimis fees. Fees will not be assessed if the total charge would be $10.00 or less.

§ 295.401 Penalties.

(a) An employee who discloses official records or information or gives testimony relating to official information, except as expressly authorized by OPM or as ordered by a Federal court after OPM has had the opportunity to be heard, may face the penalties provided in 18 U.S.C. 641 and other applicable laws. Additionally, former OPM employees are subject to the restrictions and penalties of 18 U.S.C. 207 and 216.

(b) A current OPM employee who testifies or produces official records and information in violation of this part may be subject to disciplinary action.

§ 297.101 Purpose and scope.

This part sets forth the regulations of the U.S. Office of Personnel Management (the Office) to govern the maintenance, protection, disclosure, and amendment of records within the systems of records as defned by the Privacy Act of 1974 (5 U.S.C. 552a), Public Law 93-579.

§ 297.102 Definitions.

In this part, the terms agency, individual, maintain, record, statistical records, and systems of records have the same meanings as defined in the Privacy Act, 5 U.S.C. 552a. In addition:

Access means providing a copy of a record to, or allowing review of the original record by, the data subject or the data subject's authorized representative, parent, or legal guardian;

Act means the Privacy Act of 1974, Public Law 93-579, 5 U.S.C. 552a, as amended;

Agency means any department or independent establishment in the Executive Branch of the Federal Government, including a Government corporation, of Government-controlled corporation, except those specifically excluded from the Office recordkeeping requirements by statute, this title, or formal agreement between the Office and the agency.

Amendment means the correction, addition, deletion, or destruction of a record or specific portions of a record;

Data subject means the individual to whom the information pertains and by whose name or other individual identifier the information is retrieved;

Disclosure means providing personal review of a record, or a copy thereof, to someone other than the data subject or the data subject's authorized representative, parent, or legal guardian;

Document means a piece of written or printed matter that provides information or evidence or that serves as official record.

Mail means artifacts used to assemble letters and packages that are sent or delivered by the United States Postal Service or other commercial letter or parcel delivery services.

Office means the U.S. Office of Personnel Management;

Personnel record means any record concerning an individual which is maintained and used in the personnel management or personnel policy-making process; and

System manager means the Office or agency official, designated by the head of the agency, who has the authority to decide Privacy Act matters relative to each system of records maintained by the Office.

[53 FR 1998, Jan. 26, 1988, as amended at 89 FR 25750, Apr. 12, 2024]

§ 297.103 Designations of authority by system manager.

The responsible Office system manager having jurisdiction over a system of records may designate in writing an Office employee to evaluate and issue the Office's decision on Privacy Act matters relating to either internal, central, or Governmentwide systems of records.

§ 297.104 Types of records.

The Office manages three generic types of personnel records systems:

(a) Internal systems of records are under the Office's physical control and are established and maintained by the Office solely on its own employees and, when appropriate, on others in contact with the Office regarding matters within its authority.

(b) Centralized systems of personnel records are physically established and maintained by the Office with regard to most current and former Federal employees and some applicants for Federal employment.

(c) Governmentwide systems of personnel records are maintained by the Office, and through Office delegations of authority, by Federal agencies with regard to their own employees or applicants for employment. Although they are Office records, they are in the physical custody of those agencies. Though in the physical custody of agencies, the Office retains authority under its record management authority and under the Privacy Act to decide appeals of initial agency determinations regarding access to and amendment of material in these systems.

§ 297.105 Agency and Office responsibilities for systems of records and applicability of the regulations.

(a) These regulations apply to processing requests from both current and former Office employees for records contained in internal, central, and Governmentwide systems of records managed by the Office.

(b) Agencies are solely and totally responsible for processing requests regarding records maintained in their internal systems of records. Agency regulations, and not these Office regulations, govern the implementation of the Privacy Act for agency internal systems; there is no right of appeal to the Office from an agency's determination regarding its internal agency records.

(c) For records maintained in the Office's central systems of records, the data subject should contact the appropriate Office system manager concerning Privacy Act matters. These regulations will apply to inquiries regarding records located in the central systems of records.

(d) For records maintained within the Office's Governmentwide systems of records, each agency is responsible, unless specifically excepted by the Office, for responding to initial Privacy Act access and amendment requests from its own current employees. For records in Office Governmentwide systems, including those in Official Personnel Folders, Employee Performance Folders, and Employee Medical Folders, the Office is responsible for responding to initial Privacy Act access and amendment requests from former Federal employees.

(e) The procedures in this part apply to all such requests. The procedures in this part also apply to appeals from an agency initial determination regarding access to or amendment of records contained in the Office's Governmentwide systems of records.

(f) The Office follows the procedures in this part when—

(1) Processing initial requests regarding access to or amendment of records by its own employees and others that the Office is maintaining information on in its systems of records, including requests from former employees of an agency whose records properly reside in an Office Governmentwide system of records.

(2) Processing Privacy Act appeals regarding access to and amendment of records generated by another Federal agency, but which are contained in the Office's Governmentwide systems of records, after an agency has issued the initial decision.

(3) Processing initial requests and appeals concerning access to and amendment of records contained in the central systems of records.

(g) For requests concerning records and material of another agency that are in the custody of the Office, but not under its control or ownership, the Office reserves the right to either refer the request to the agency primarily responsible for the material or to notify the individual of the proper agency that should be contacted.

§ 297.106 Contact point for Privacy Act matters.

To determine what records the Office maintains in its system of records, requesters must write to the Assistant Director for Workforce Information, Personnel Systems and Oversight Group, Office of Personnel Management, 1900 E Street, NW., Washington, DC 20415. Using the Office's response, requesters can contact the particular system manager indicated in the Office's notices of its systems published in the Federal Register for further assistance in determining if the Office maintains information pertaining to them.

§ 297.201 General provisions.

(a) Individual's requesting access to records pertaining to them that are maintained in a system of records should submit a written request to the appropriate system manager and state that the request is being made pursuant to the Privacy Act of 1974.

(b) The Office or agency will require proof of identity from a requester. The Office or agency reserves the right to determine the adequacy of any such proof. The general identifying items the Office will require a requester to provide when a request is made to the Office are—

(1) Full name, signature, and home address;

(2) Social security number (for systems of records that include this identifier);

(3) Current or last place and dates of Federal employment, when appropriate and,

(4) Date and place of birth.

(c) An individual may be represented by another when requesting access to records.

§ 297.202 Methods of access.

(a) The methods for allowing access to records, when such access has been granted by the Office or agency, are:

(1) Inspection in person in the designated office during the hours specified by the Office or agency; or

(2) Transfer of records at the option of the Office or agency to another more convenient Federal facility.

(b) Generally, Office of Personnel Management offices will not furnish certified copies of records. When copies are to be furnished, they may be provided as determined by the Office and may require payment of any fee levied in accordance with the Office's established fee schedule.

(c) When the requester seeks to obtain original documentation, the Office reserves the right to limit the request to copies of the original records. Original records should be made available for review only in the presence of the system manager or designee. An agency should consult with the Office when it receives a request for original documentation. Section 2701(a) of title 18 of the United States Code makes it a crime to conceal, mutilate, obliterate, or destroy any record filed in a public office, or to attempt to do so.

§ 297.203 Access by the parent of a minor or by the legal guardian of an individual declared to be incompetent.

(a) A parent, legal guardian, or custodian of a minor, upon presentation of suitable personal identification, may access on behalf of a minor any record pertaining to the minor in a system of records maintained by the Office.

(b) A legal guardian, upon presentation of documentation establishing guardianship, may access on behalf of an individual declared to be incompetent by a court of competent jurisdiction, any record pertaining to that individual in a system of records maintained by the Office.

(c) Minors are not precluded from exercising personally those rights provided them by the Privacy Act.

§ 297.204 Access by the representative of the data subject.

A record may be disclosed to a representative of the individual to whom the record pertains after the system manager receives written authorization from the individual who is the subject of the record.

§ 297.205 Access to medical records.

When a request for access involves medical or psychological records that the system manager believes requires special handling, the requester should be advised that the material will be provided only to a physician designated by the data subject. Upon receipt of the designation and upon verification of the physician's identity, the records will be made available to the physician, who will have full authority to disclose those records to the data subject when appropriate.

§ 297.206 Fees charged by the Office.

(a) No fees will be charged for search and review time expended by the Office to produce a record, or for making a photostatic copy of the record, or for having it personally reviewed by the data subject, when a record is retrieved from a system of records pertaining to that data subject. Additional copies provided may be charged under the Office's established fee schedule.

(b) When the fees chargeable under this section will amount to more than $25, the requester will be notified and payment of fees may be required before the records are provided.

(c) Remittance should be made by either a personal check, bank draft, or a money order that is made payable to the U.S. Office of Personnel Management and addressed to the appropriate system manager.

§ 297.207 Denials of access and appeals with respect to such denials.

(a) If an access request is denied, the Office or agency response will be in writing and will include a statement of the reasons for the denial and the procedures available to appeal the denial, including the name, position title, and address of the Office official responsible for the review.

(b) Nothing in this part should be construed to entitle a data subject the right to access any information compiled in reasonable anticipation of a civil action or proceeding.

(c) For denials of access made under this subpart, the following procedures apply:

(1) For initial denials made by an agency, when the record is maintained in an Office Governmentwide system of records, a request for adminstrative review should be made only to the Assistant Director for Workforce Information, Personnel Systems and Oversight Group, U.S. Office of Personnel Management, 1900 E Street NW., Washington, DC 20415.

(2) For denials initially made by an Office official, when a record is maintained in an internal or central system of records, a request for administrative review should be made to the Information and Privacy Appeals Counsel, Office of the General Counsel, U.S. Office of Personnel Management, 1900 E Street NW., Washington, DC 20415.

(3) Any administrative review decision that either partially or fully supports the initial decision and denies access to the material the individual originally sought should state the requester's right to seek judicial review of the final administrative decision.

§ 297.208 Judicial review.

Upon receipt of notification that the denial of access has been upheld on administrative review, the requester has the right to judicial review of the decision for up to 2 years from the date on which the cause of action arose. Judicial review may be sought in the district court of the United States in the district in which—

(a) The requester resides;

(b) The requester has his or her principal place of business; or

(c) The agency records are situated; or it may be sought in the district court of the District of Columbia.

§ 297.301 General provisions.

(a) Individuals may request, in writing, the amendment of their records maintained in an Office system of records by contacting the appropriate system manager. The Office or agency will require proof of identity from a requester. The Office or agency reserves the right to determine the adequacy of any such proof. The general identifying items the Office will require a requester to provide when a request is made to the Office are—

(1) Full name, signature, and home address;

(2) Social security number (for systems of records that include this identifier);

(3) Current or last place and dates of Federal employment, when appropriate; and

(4) Date and place of birth.

(b) An individual may be represented by another party when requesting amendment of records.

(c) A request for amendment should include the following:

(1) The precise identification of the records to be amended;

(2) The identification of the specific material to be deleted, added, or changed; and

(3) A statement of the reasons for the request, including all available material substantiating the request.

(d) Requests for amendment of records should include the words “PRIVACY ACT AMENDMENT REQUEST” in capital letters on both the envelope and at the top of the request letter.

(e) A request for administrative review of an agency denial to amend a record in the Office's systems of records should be addressed to the Assistant Director for Workforce Information, Personnel Systems and Oversight Group, U.S. Office of Personnel Management, 1900 E Street NW., Washington, DC 20415.

(f) A request for administrative review of a denial to amend a record by an Office official should be addressed to the Information and Privacy Appeals Counsel, Office of the General Counsel, U.S. Office of Personnel Management, 1900 E Street NW., Washington, DC 20415.

(g) The burden of proof demonstrating the appropriateness of the requested amendment rests with the requester; and, the requester must provide relevant and convincing evidence in support of the request.

§ 297.302 Time limits.

The system manager should acknowledge receipt of an amendment request within 10 working days and issue a determination as soon as practicable. This timeframe begins when the request is received by the proper Office or agency official.

§ 297.303 Applicability of amendment provisions.

(a) The amendment procedures are not intended to allow a challenge to material that records an event that actually occurred nor are they designed to permit a collateral attack upon that which has been or could have been the subject of a judicial, quasi-judicial, or administrative proceeding. The amendment procedures are also not designed to change opinions in records pertaining to the individual.

(b) The amendment procedures apply to situations when an occurrence that is documented was challenged through an established judicial, quasi-judicial, or administrative procedure and found to be inaccurately described; when the document is not identical to the individual's copy; or when the document is not created in accordance with the applicable recordkeeping requirements. (For example, the amendment provisions are not designed to allow a challenge to the merits of an agency adverse action that is documented in an individual's Official Personnel Folder.)

§ 297.304 Approval of requests to amend records.

(a) If the system manager determines that amendment of a record is appropriate, the system manager will take the necessary steps to have the necessary changes made and will see that the individual receives a copy of the amended record.

(b) When practicable and appropriate, the system manager will advise all prior recipients of the fact that an amendment of a record has been made.

§ 297.305 Denial of requests to amend records.

(a) If the Office or agency system manager decides not to amend the record in the manner sought, the requester should be notified in writing of the reasons for the denial.

(b) The decision letter should also include the requester's right to appeal the denial and the procedures for appealing the denial to the appropriate official.

§ 297.306 Appeal of a denial of a request to amend a record.

(a) An individual who disagrees with an initial denial to amend a record may file a written appeal of that denial to the appropriate official. In submitting an appeal, the individual should provide a copy of the original request for amendment, a copy of the initial denial decision, and a statement of the specific reasons why the initial denial is believed to be in error. Any appeal should be submitted to the official designated in the initial decision letter. The appeal should include the words “PRIVACY ACT APPEAL” in capital letters on the envelope and at the top of the letter of appeal.

(b) The reviewing official should complete the review and make a final determination in writing no later than 30 working days from the date on which the appeal is received. When circumstances warrant, this timeframe may be extended.

(c) If the Office grants the appeal, it will take the necessary steps either to amend the record itself or to require the originating agency to amend the record. When appropriate and possible, prior recipients of the record should be notified of the Office's action.

(d) The Office reserves the right to hold in abeyance any Privacy Act appeal concerning a record when an individual is involved in challenging an action involving that record in another administrative, judicial, or quasi-judicial forum. At the conclusion of such a challenge, the individual can resubmit the appeal.

(e) If the Office denies the appeal, it will include in the decision letter notification of the appellant's right to judicial review.

§ 297.307 Statement of disagreement.

(a) Upon receipt of a final administrative determination denying a request to amend a record, the requester may file a concise statement of disagreement. Such a statement should be filed with the appropriate system manager and should include the reasons why the requester believes the decision to be incorrect.

(b) The statement of disagreement should be maintained with the record to be amended and any disclosure of the record must include a copy of the statement of disagreement.

(c) When practicable and appropriate, the system manager should provide a copy of the statement of disagreement to any individual or agency to whom the record was previously disclosed as noted by the disclosure accounting.

§ 297.308 Judicial review.

Upon receipt of notification that the denial to amend a record has been upheld on administrative review, the requester has the right to judicial review of the decision for up to 2 years from the date the cause of action arose. Judicial review may be sought in the district court of the United States in the district in which—

(a) The requester resides;

(b) The requester has his or her principal place of business; or

(c) The agency records are situated; or it may be sought in the district court of the District of Columbia.

§ 297.401 Conditions of disclosure.

An official or employee of the Office or agency should not disclose a record retrieved from a Governmentwide system of records to any person, another agency, or other entity without the express written consent of the subject individual unless disclosure is—

(a) To officers or employees of the Office who have a need for the information in the performance of their duties.

(b) Required by the provisions of the Freedom of Information Act.

(c) For a routine use as published in the Federal Register.

(d) To the Bureau of the Census for uses pursuant to title 13 of the United States Code.

(e)(1) To a recipient who has provided the agency with advance adequate written assurance that the record will be used solely as a statistical research or reporting record. The record will be transferred in a form that is not individually identifiable. The written statement should include as a minimum:

(i) A statement of the purpose for requesting the records; and

(ii) Certification that the records will be used only for statistical purposes.

(2) These written statements should be maintained as records. In addition to deleting personal identifying information from records released for statistical purposes, the system manager will reasonably ensure that the identity of the individual cannot be deduced by combining various statistical records.

(f) To the National Archives of the United States as a record that has sufficient historical or other value to warrant its continued preservation by the United States Government, or for evaluation by the Archivist of the United States or his or her designee to determine whether the record has such value.

(g) To another agency or instrumentality of any governmental jurisdiction within or under the control of the United States for a civil or criminal law enforcement activity if the activity is authorized by law, and if the head of the agency or instrumentality or his designated representative has made a written request to the Office or agency that maintains the record specifying the particular portion desired and the law enforcement activity for which the record is sought.

(h) To a person showing compelling circumstances affecting the health and safety of an individual, not necessarily the individual to whom the record pertains. Upon such disclosure, a notification should be sent to the last known address of the subject individual.

(i) To the Congress or to a Congressional committee, subcommittee, or joint committee to the extent that the subject matter falls within its established jurisdiction.

(j) To the Comptroller General or any authorized representatives of the Comptroller General in the course of the performance of the duties of the General Accounting Office.

(k) Pursuant to the order of a court of competent jurisdiction.

(l) To a consumer reporting agency in accordance with section 3711 (f) of title 31 of the United States Code.

§ 297.402 Disclosure pursuant to a compulsory legal process served on the Office.

For purposes of this section, the Office considers that a subpoena signed by a judge is equivalent to a court order.

(a) The Office may disclose, without prior consent of the data subject, specified information from a system of records whenever such disclosure is pursuant to an order signed by the appropriate official of a court of competent jurisdiction or quasi-judicial agency. In this subpart, a court of competent jurisdiction includes the judicial system of a state, territory, or possession of the United States.

(b) Notice of the order will be provided to the data subject by the Office as soon as practicable after service of the order. The notice should be mailed to the last known address of the individual and state the name and number of the case or proceeding, and the nature of the information sought.

(c) Before complying or refusing to comply with the order, an official with authority to disclose records under this subpart should consult legal counsel to ensure that the response is appropriate.

(d) Before responding to the order or subpoena signed by a judge, an official with authority to disclose records under this subpart in consulting with legal counsel will ensure that—

(1) The requested material is relevant to the subject matter of the related judicial or administrative proceeding;

(2) Motion is made to quash or modify an order that is unreasonable or oppressive:

(3) Motion is made for a protective order when necessary to restrict the use or disclosure of any information furnished for purposes other than those of the involved proceeding; or

(4) Request is made for an extension of time allowed for response, if necessary.

(e) If an order or subpoena signed by a judge for production of documents also requests appearance of an Office employee, the response should be to furnish certified copies of the appropriate records. In those situations where the subpoena is not signed by a judge, the Office will return the document to the sender and indicate that no action will be taken to provide records until the subpoena is signed by a judge.

(f) If oral testimony is requested by the order or subpoena signed by a judge, an explanation that sets forth the testimony desired must be furnished to the Office system manager. The individual who has been ordered or subpoenaed to testify should consult with counsel to determine the matters about which the individual may properly testify.

(g) In all situations concerning an order, subpoena signed by a judge, or other demand for an employee of the Office to produce any material or testimony concerning the records that are subject to the order, that are contained in the Office's systems of records, and that are acquired as part of the employee's official duties, the employee shall not provide the information without the prior approval of the appropriate Office official.

(h) If it is determined that the information should not be provided, the individual ordered or subpoenaed to do so should respectfully decline to comply with the demand based on the instructions from the appropriate Office official.

(i) Notice of the issuance of the ex parte order or subpoena signed by a judge is not required if the system of records has been exempted from the notice requirement of 5 U.S.C. 552a(e)(8) pursuant to 5 U.S.C. 552a(j) by a Notice of Exemption published in the Federal Register.

[53 FR 1998, Jan. 26, 1988, as amended at 57 FR 56732, Nov. 30, 1992]

§ 297.403 Accounting of disclosure.

(a) The Office or agency will maintain a record of disclosures in cases where records about the individual are disclosed from an Office system of records except—

(1) When the disclosure is made pursuant to the Freedom of Information Act, as amended (5 U.S.C. 552); or

(2) When the disclosure is made to those officers and employees of the Office or agency who have a need for the record in the performance of their duties.

(b) This accounting of the disclosures will be retained for at least 5 years or for the life of the record, whichever is longer, and will contain the following information:

(1) A brief description of the record disclosed;

(2) The date, nature, and purpose for the disclosure; and

(3) The name and address of the purpose, agency, or other entity to whom the disclosure is made.

(c) Except for the accounting of disclosure made to agencies, individuals, or entities in law enforcement activities or disclosures made from the Office's exempt systems of records, the accounting of disclosures will be made available to the data subject upon request in accordance with the access procedures of this part.

[53 FR 1998, Jan. 26, 1988. Redesignated at 57 FR 56732, Nov. 30, 1992]

§ 297.501 Exemptions.

(a) Several of the Office's internal, central, and Governmentwide systems of records contain information for which exemptions appearing at 5 U.S.C. 552a(k) (1), (2), (3), (5), and (6) may be claimed. The systems of records for which the exemptions are claimed, the specific exemptions determined to be necessary and proper with respect to these systems of records, the records exempted, the provisions of the act from which they are exempted, and the justifications for the exemptions are set forth below.

(b) Specific exemptions—(1) Inspector General Investigations Case File Records (OPM/CENTRAL-4). All information in these records that meets the criteria stated in 5 U.S.C. 552a(k) (1), (2), (3), (4), (5), (6), and (7) is exempt from the requirements of 5 U.S.C. 552a(c)(3) and (d). These provisions of the Privacy Act relate to making accountings of disclosures available to the data subject and access to and amendment of records. The specific applicability of the exemptions to this system and the reasons for the exemptions are as follows:

(i) Inspector General investigations may contain properly classified information that pertains to national defense and foreign policy obtained from other systems or another Federal agency. Application of exemption (k)(1) may be necessary to preclude the data subject's access to and amendment of such classified information under 5 U.S.C. 552a(d).

(ii) Inspector General investigations may contain investigatory material compiled for law enforcement purposes other than material within the scope of 5 U.S.C. 552a(j)(2); e.g., investigations into the administration of the merit system. Application of exemption (k)(2) may be necessary to preclude the data subject's access to or amendment of such records under 5 U.S.C. 552(a)(3) and (d).

(iii) Inspector General investigations may contain information obtained from another system or Federal agency that relates to providing protective services to the President of the United States or other individuals pursuant to 18 U.S.C. 3056. Application of exemption (k)(3) may be necessary to preclude the data subject's access to and amendment of such records under 5 U.S.C. 552a(d).

(iv) Inspector General case files may contain information that, by statute, is required to be maintained and used solely as a statistical record. Application of exemption (k)(4) may be necessary to ensure compliance with such a statutory mandate.

(v) All information about individuals in these records that meets the criteria stated in 5 U.S.C. 552a(k)(5) is exempt from the requirements of 5 U.S.C. 552a(c)(3) and (d). This exemption is claimed because this system contains investigatory material that if disclosed may reveal the identity of a source who furnished information to the Government under an express promise that the source's identity would be held in confidence or, prior to September 27, 1975, under an implied promise. The application of exemption (k)(5) will be required to honor promises of confidentiality should the data subject request access to or amendment of the records, or access to the accounting of disclosures of the record.

(vi) All information in these records that meets the criteria stated in 5 U.S.C. 552a(k)(6) is exempt from the requirements of 5 U.S.C. 552a(d) relating to access to and amendment of records by the data subject. This exemption is claimed because portions of a case file record may relate to testing and examining material used solely to determine individual qualifications for appointment or promotion in the Federal service. Access to or amendment of this information by the data subject would compromise the objectivity and fairness of the testing or examining process.

(vii) Inspector General case files may contain evaluation material used to determine potential for promotion in the armed services. Application of exemption (k)(7) may be necessary, but only to the extent that the disclosure of the data would reveal the identity of a source who furnished information to the Government under an express promise that the identity of the source would be held in confidence, or, prior to September 27, 1975, under an implied promise that the identity of the source would be held in confidence.

(2) Administrative Law Judge Applicant Records (OPM/CENTRAL-6). (i) All information about individuals in these records that meets the criteria stated in 5 U.S.C. 552a(k)(5) is exempt from the requirement of 5 U.S.C. 552(c)(3) and (d). The exemptions are claimed because this system contains investigatory material compiled solely for determining suitability, eligibility, and qualifications for Federal civilian employment. To the extent that the disclosure of such material would reveal the identity of a source who furnished information to the Government under an express promise that the identity of the source would be held in confidence or, prior to September 27, 1975, under an implied promise that the identity of the source would be held in confidence, the application of exemption (k)(5) will be required to honor promises of confidentialty should the data subject request access to the accounting of disclosures of the record, or access to or amendment of the record.

(ii) All information in these records that meets the criteria stated in 5 U.S.C. 552a(k)(6) is exempt from the requirements of 5 U.S.C. 552a(d), relating to access to and amendment of the records by the data subject. This exemption is claimed because portions of this system relate to testing and examining materials used solely to determine individual qualifications for appointment or promotion in the Federal service. Access to or amendment of this information by the data subject would compromise the objectivity and fairness of the testing or examing process.

(3) Litigation and Claims Records (OPM/CENTRAL-7). (i) When litigation or claim cases occur, information from other existing systems of records may be incorporated into the case file. This information may be material for which exemptions have been claimed by the Office in this section. To the extent that such exempt material is incorporated into a litigation or claim case file, the appropriate exemption (5 U.S.C. 552a(k)(1), (2), (3), (4), (5), (6), or (7)) shall also apply to the material as it appears in this system. The exemptions will be only from those provisions of the Act that were claimed for the systems from which the records originated.

(ii) During the course of litigation or claims cases, it may be necessary to conduct investigations to develop information and evidence relevant to the case. These investigative records may include material meeting the criteria stated in 5 U.S.C. 552a(k)(1), (2), (3), (4), (5), (6), and (7). Such material is exempt from the requirement of 5 U.S.C. 552a(c)(3) and (d). These provisions of the Act relate to making accounting of disclosures available to the data subject and access to and amendment of records. The specific applicability of the exemptions to this system and the reasons for the exemptions are:

(A) Such investigations may contain properly classified information that pertains to national defense and foreign policy obtained from another Federal agency. Application of exemption (k)(1) may be necessary to preclude the data subject's access to and amendment of suh classified information under 5 U.S.C 552a(d).

(B) Such investigations may contain investigatory material compiled for law enforcement purposes othe than material within the scope of 5 U.S.C. 552a(j)(2), e.g., administration of the merit system, obtained from another Federal agency. All information about individuals in these records that meets the criteria of 5 U.S.C 552a(k)(2) is exempt from the requirements of 5 U.S.C. 552a(c)(3) and (d). Application of exemption (k)(2) may be necessary to preclude the data subject's access to or amendment of those records.

(C) Such investigations may contain information obtained from another agency that relates to providing protective services to the President of the United States or other individuals pursuant to 18 U.S.C. 3056. All information about individuals in these records that meets the criteria of 5 U.S.C. 552a(k)(3) is exempt from the requirements of 5 U.S.C. 552a(d), relating to access to or amendment of records by the data subject. Application of exemption (k)(3) may be necessary to preclude the data subject's access to and amendment of such records.

(D) Such investigations may contain information that, by statute, is required to be maintained and used solely as a statistical record. Application of exemption (k)(4) may be necessary to ensure compliance with such a statutory mandate.

(E) All information about individuals in these records that meets the criteria stated in 5 U.S.C. 552a(k)(5) is exempt from the requirements of 5 U.S.C. 552a (c)(3) and (d). These exemptions are claimed because this system contains investigatory material compiled solely for determining suitability, eligibility, and qualifications for Federal civilian employment. To the extent that the disclosure of such material would reveal the identity of a source who furnished information to the Government under an express promise that the identity of the source would be held in confidence, or, prior to September 27, 1975, under an implied promise that the identity of the source would be held in confidence, the application of exemption (k)(5) will be required to honor such a promise should the data subject request access to the accounting of disclosure, or access to or amendment of the record, that would reveal the identity of a confidential source.

(F) All information in these records that meets the criteria stated in 5 U.S.C. 552a(k)(6) is exempt from the requirements of 5 U.S.C. 552a(d), relating to access to and amendment of the records by the data subject. This exemption is claimed because portions of this system relate to testing or examining materials used solely to determine individual qualifications for appointment or promotion in the Federal service. Access to or amendment by the data subject of this information would compromise the objectivity and fairness of the testing or examining process.

(G) Such investigations may contain evaluation material used to determine potential for promotion in the armed services. Application of exemption (k)(7) may be necessary, but only to the extent that the disclosure of the data would reveal the identity of a source who furnished information to the Government under an express promise that the identity of the source would be held in confidence, or, prior to September 27, 1975, under an implied promise that the identity of the source would be held in confidence.

(4) Privacy Act/Freedom of Information Case Records (OPM/CENTRAL-8). In this subpart, the Office has claimed exemptions for its other systems of records where it felt such exemptions are appropriate and necessary. These exemptions are claimed under 5 U.S.C. 552a(k) (1), (2), (3), (4), (5), (6) and (7). During the processing of a Privacy Act/Freedom of Information Act request (which may include access requests, amendment requests, and requests for review for initial denials of such requests) exempt materials from those other systems may in turn become part of the case record in this system. To the extent that copies of exempt records from those other systems are entered into this system, the Office hereby claims the same exemptions for the records from those other systems that are entered into this system, as claimed for the original primary system of which they are a part.

(5) Personnel Investigations Records (OPM/CENTRAL-9). All information in these records that meets the criteria stated in 5 U.S.C. 552a(k) (1), (2), (3), (4), (5), (6), and (7) is exempt from the requirements of 5 U.S.C. 552a (c)(3) and (d). These provisions of the Privacy Act relate to making accountings of disclosures available to the data subject and access to and amendment of records. The specific applicability of the exemptions to this system and the reasons for the exemptions are as follows:

(i) Personnel investigations may contain properly classified information which pertains to national defense and foreign policy obtained from another Federal agency. Application of exemption (k)(1) may be necessary to preclude the data subject's access to and amendment of such classified information under 5 U.S.C. 552a(d).

(ii) Personnel investigations may contain investigatory material compiled for law enforcement purposes other than material within the scope of 5 U.S.C. 552a(j)(2); e.g., investigations into the administration of the merit system. Application of exemption (k)(2) may be necessary to preclude the data subject's access to or amended of such records under 5 U.S.C. 552a (c)(3) and (d).

(iii) Personnel investigations may contain information obtained from another Federal agency that relates to providing protective services to the President of the United States or other individuals pursuant to 18 U.S.C. 3056. Application of exemption (k)(3) may be necessary to preclude the data subject's access to and amendment of such records under 5 U.S.C. 552a(d).

(iv) Personnel investigations may contain information that, by statute, is required to be maintained and used solely as a statistical record. Application of exemption (k)(4) may be necessary to ensure compliance with such a statutory mandate.

(v) All information about individuals in these records that meets the criteria stated in 5 U.S.C. 552a(k)(5) is exempt from the requirements of 5 U.S.C. 552a (c)(3) and (d). These exemptions are claimed because this system contains investigatory material compiled solely for determining suitability, eligibility, and qualifications for Federal civilian employment. To the extent that the disclosure of material would reveal the identity of a source who furnished information to the Government under an express promise that the identity of the source would be held in confidence, or, prior to September 27, 1975, under an implied promise that the identity of the source would be held in confidence, the applicability of exemption (k)(5) will be required to honor promises of confidentiality should the data subject request access to or amendment of the record, or access to the accounting of disclosures of the record.

(vi) All information in these records that meets the criteria stated in 5 U.S.C. 552a(k)(6) is exempt from the requirements of 5 U.S.C. 552a(d), relating to access to and amendment of records by the data subject. This exemption is claimed because portions of this system relate to testing or examining materials used solely to determine individual qualifications for appointment or promotion in the Federal service. Access to or amendment of this information by the data subject would compromise the objectivity and fairness of the testing or examining process.

(vii) Personnel Investigations may contain evaluation material used to determine potential for promotion in the armed services. Application of exemption (k)(7) may be necessary, but only to the extent that the disclosure of the data would reveal the identity of a source who furnished information to the Government under an express promise that the identity of the source would be held in confidence, or, prior to September 27, 1975, under an implied promise that the identity of the source would be held in confidence.

(6) Presidential Management Fellows Program Records (OPM/CENTRAL-11). All information in these records that meets the criteria stated in 5 U.S.C. 552a(k)(6) is exempt from the requirements of 5 U.S.C. 552a(d), relating to access to and amendment of records by the data subject. This exemption is claimed because portions of this system relate to testing or examining materials used solely to determine individual qualifications for appointment or promotion in the Federal service and access to or amendment of this information by the data subject would compromise the objectivity and fairness of the testing or examining process.

(7) Recruiting, Examining, and Placement Records (OPM/GOVT-5). (i) All information about individuals in these records that meets the criteria stated in 5 U.S.C. 552a(k)(5) is exempt from the requirements of 5 U.S.C. 552a(c)(3) and (d). These provisions of the Privacy Act relate to making accountings of disclosures available to the data subject and access to and amendment of records. These exemptions are claimed because this system contains investigative material compiled solely for determining the appropriateness of a request for approval of an objection to an eligible's qualification for employment in the Federal service. To the extent that the disclosure of such material would reveal the identity of a source who furnished information to the Government under an express promise that the identity of the source would be held in confidence, or prior to September 27, 1975, under an implied promise that the identity of the source would be held in confidence, the application of exemption (k)(5) will be required to honor promises of confidentiality should the data subject request access to the accounting of disclosures of the record, or access to or amendment of the record.

(ii) All information in these records that meets the criteria stated in 5 U.S.C. 552a(K)(6) is exempt from the requirements of 5 U.S.C. 552a(d), relating to access to an amendment of records by the subject. This exemption is claimed because portions of this system relate to testing or examining materials used solely to determine individual qualifications for appointment or promotion in the Federal service and access to or amendment of this information by the data subject would compromise the objectivity and fairness of the testing or examining process.

(8) Personnel Research and Test Validation Records (OPM/GOVT-6). (i) All information in these records that meets the criteria stated in 5 U.S.C. 552a(k)(6) is exempt from the requirements of 5 U.S.C. 552a(d), relating to access to and amendment of the records by the data subject. This exemption is claimed because portions of this system relate to testing or examining materials used solely to determine individual qualifications for appointment or promotion in the Federal service. Access to or amendment of this information by the data subject would compromise the objectivity and fairness of the testing or examining process.

(ii) All information in these records that meets the criteria stated in 5 U.S.C. 552a(k)(4) is exempt from the requirements of 5 U.S.C. 552a(d), relating to access to or amendment of the records by the data subject. This exemption is claimed because portions of this system relate to records required by statute to be maintained and used solely for statistical purposes. Access to or amendment of this information by the data subject would compromise the confidentiality of these records and their usefulness for statistical research purposes.

(c) The Office also reserves the right to assert exemptions for records received from another agency that could be properly claimed by that agency in responding to a request. The Office may refuse access to information compiled in reasonable anticipation of a civil action or proceeding.

[53 FR 1998, Jan. 26, 1988, as amended at 57 FR 20956, May 18, 1992; 70 FR 28779, May 19, 2005]

§ 297.601 Purpose and scope.

The purpose of this subpart is to implement the requirements of the Social Security Number Fraud Prevention Act of 2017 to limit the use of Social Security numbers on documents mailed by the Office of Personnel and Management (OPM). The subpart applies to all written or printed documents that OPM sends by mail that include a complete or partial Social Security number.

§ 297.602 Protecting Social Security numbers in mailed documents.

(a) Social Security numbers must not be visible on the outside of any package OPM sends by mail or displayed on correspondence that is visible through the window of an envelope or package.

(b) A document OPM sends by mail may only include a Social Security number if the Director of OPM determines, on the advice of the Senior Agency Official for Privacy, that the inclusion of a Social Security number on a document sent by mail is necessary and appropriate to meet legal and mission requirements.

(c) The inclusion of a Social Security number on a document sent by mail is necessary when—

(1) Required by law; or

(2) Necessary to identify a specific person and no adequate substitute is available.

(d) Social Security numbers must be partially redacted in documents sent by mail whenever feasible to mitigate any risks to privacy.

§ 300.101 Purpose.

The purpose of this subpart is to establish principles to govern, as nearly as is administratively feasible and practical, the employment practices of the Federal Government generally, and of individual agencies, that affect the recruitment, measurement, ranking, and selection of individuals for initial appointment and competitive promotion in the competitive service or in positions in the government of the District of Columbia required to be filled in the same manner that positions in the competitive service are filled. For the purpose of this subpart, the term “employment practices” includes the development and use of examinations, qualification standards, tests, and other measurement instruments.

[36 FR 15447, Aug. 14, 1971]

§ 300.102 Policy.

This subpart is directed to implementation of the policy that competitive employment practices:

(a) Be practical in character and as far as possible relate to matters that fairly test the relative capacity and fitness of candidates for the jobs to be filled;

(b) Result in selection from among the best qualified candidates;

(c) Be developed and used without discrimination on the basis of race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy and gender identity), national origin, age (as defined by the Age Discrimination in Employment Act of 1967, as amended), disability, genetic information (including family medical history), marital status, political affiliation, sexual orientation, labor organization affiliation or nonaffiliation, status as a parent, or any other non-merit-based factor, or retaliation for exercising rights with respect to the categories enumerated above, where retaliation rights are available.

(d) Insure to the candidate opportunity for appeal or administrative review, as appropriate.

[40 FR 15379, Apr. 7, 1975, as amended at 79 FR 43922, July 29, 2014]

§ 300.103 Basic requirements.

(a) Job analysis. Each employment practice of the Federal Government generally, and of individual agencies, shall be based on a job analysis to identify:

(1) The basic duties and responsibilities;

(2) The knowledges, skills, and abilities required to perform the duties and responsibilities; and

(3) The factors that are important in evaluating candidates. The job analysis may cover a single position or group of positions, or an occupation or group of occupations, having common characteristics.

(b) Relevance. (1) There shall be a rational relationship between performance in the position to be filled (or in the target position in the case of an entry position) and the employment practice used. The demonstration of rational relationship shall include a showing that the employment practice was professionally developed. A minimum educational requirement may not be established except as authorized under section 3308 of title 5, United States Code.

(2) In the case of an entry position the required relevance may be based upon the target position when—

(i) The entry position is a training position or the first of a progressive series of established training and development positions leading to a target position at a higher level; and

(ii) New employees, within a reasonable period of time and in the great majority of cases, can expect to progress to a target position at a higher level.

(c) Equal employment opportunity and prohibited forms of discrimination. An employment practice must not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy and gender identity), national origin, age (as defined by the Age Discrimination in Employment Act of 1967, as amended), disability, genetic information (including family medical history), marital status, political affiliation, sexual orientation, labor organization affiliation or nonaffiliation, status as a parent, or any other non-merit-based factor, or retaliation for exercising rights with respect to the categories enumerated above, where retaliation rights are available.

[40 FR 15380, Apr. 7, 1975, as amended at 43 FR 38310, Aug. 25, 1978; 79 FR 43922, July 29, 2014; 91 FR 48236, July 31, 2026]

§ 300.104 Appeals, grievances and complaints.

(a) Employment practices. A candidate who believes that an employment practice which was applied to him or her by the Office of Personnel Management violates a basic requirement in § 300.103 is entitled to appeal to the Merit Systems Protection Board under the provisions of its regulations.

(b) Examination ratings. A candidate may file an appeal with the Office from his or her examination rating or the rejection of his or her application, except that, where the Office has delegated examining authority to an agency, the candidate should appeal directly to that agency. The appeal and supporting documents shall be filed with the agency office that determined the rating.

(c) Complaints and grievances to an agency. (1) A candidate may file a complaint with an agency when he or she believes that an employment practice that was applied to him or her and that is administered by the agency discriminates against him or her on the basis of race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy and gender identity), national origin, age (as defined by the Age Discrimination in Employment Act of 1967, as amended), disability, genetic information (including family medical history), or retaliation for exercising rights with respect to the categories enumerated above, where retaliation rights are available. The complaint must be filed and processed in accordance with the agency EEO procedures, as appropriate.

(2) Except as provided in paragraph (c)(1) of this section, an employee may file a grievance with an agency when he or she believes that an employment practice which was applied to him or her and which is administered or required by the agency violates a basic requirement in § 300.103. The grievance shall be filed and processed under an agency grievance system, if applicable, or a negotiated grievance system as applicable.

[40 FR 15380, Apr. 7, 1975, as amended at 41 FR 51579, Nov. 23, 1976; 44 FR 48951, Aug. 21, 1979; 60 FR 3057, Jan. 13, 1995; 60 FR 47040, Sept. 11, 1995; 79 FR 43922, July 29, 2014]

§ 300.201 Examinations.

(a) The Office makes available information that will assist members of the public in understanding the purpose of, and preparing for, civil service examinations. This includes the types of questions and the categories of knowledge or skill pertinent to a particular examination. The Office does not release the following: (1) Testing and examination materials used solely to determine individual qualifications, and (2) test material, including test plans, item analysis data, criterion instruments, and other material the disclosure of which would compromise the objectivity of the testing process.

(b) The Office maintains control over the security and release of testing and examination materials which it has developed and made available to agencies for initial competitive appointment or inservice use unless the materials were developed specifically for an agency through a reimbursable contractual agreement. These testing and examination materials include, and are subject to the same controls as, those described in paragraphs (a)(1) and (a)(2) of this section.

(c) Each employee entrusted with test material has a positive duty to protect the confidentiality of that material and to assure release only as required to conduct an examination authorized by the Office.

(d) An applicant may review his or her own answers in a written test, but only in the presence of an employee of the Office or, for the convenience of the Office and requester, in the presence of an employee of another agency designated by OPM. The applicant may not review a test booklet in connection with this review.

(e) The Office will release information concerning the results of examinations only to the individual concerned, or to parties explicitly designated by the individual.

(f) The Office will not reveal the names of applicants for civil service positions or eligibles on civil service registers, certificates, employment lists, or other lists of eligibles, or their ratings or relative standings.

[50 FR 3312, Jan. 24, 1985, as amended at 60 FR 3057, Jan. 13, 1995]

§ 300.301 Authority.

(a) In accordance with 5 U.S.C. 3341, an agency may detail an employee in the competitive service to a position in either the competitive or excepted service.

(b) In accordance with 5 U.S.C. 3341, an agency may detail an employee in the excepted service to a position in the excepted service and may also detail an excepted service employee serving under Schedule A, Schedule B, Schedule D, or a Veterans Recruitment Appointment to a position in the competitive service.

(c) Any other detail of an employee in the excepted service to a position in the competitive service may be made only with the prior approval of the Office of Personnel Management or under a delegated agreement between the agency and OPM.

[60 FR 3057, Jan. 13, 1995, as amended at 70 FR 72066, Dec. 1, 2005; 89 FR 25769, Apr. 12, 2024]

§ 300.401 Definitions.

For purposes of this subpart:

(a) A commercial recruiting firm is a profit-making entity which, by contract, supplies individual candidates for consideration for specific Federal vacancies, in accordance with the requirements set by the Federal agency.

(b) A nonprofit employment service is one legally established as nonprofit under State law. It may be operated, for example, by professional societies, organizations of college graduates, social agencies, or a State or local government. Federal agencies may not, however, use a nonprofit employment service sponsored by a partisan political organization. By contract, a nonprofit employment service supplies individual candidates for consideration for specific Federal vacancies, in accordance with the requirements set by the Federal agency.

§ 300.402 Coverage.

This part applies to filling positions in the competitive service; positions in the expected service under Schedules A, B, and C; and positions in the Senior Executive Service.

[57 FR 10124, Mar. 24, 1992]

§ 300.403 When commercial recruiting firms and nonprofit employment services may be used.

An agency may use a commercial recruiting firm and/or a nonprofit employment service in recruiting for vacancies when:

(a) The agency head or designee determines that such use is likely to provide well-qualified candidates who would otherwise not be available or that well-qualified candidates are in short supply;

(b) The agency has provided vacancy notices to appropriate State Employment Service and OPM offices; and

(c) The agency continues its own recruiting efforts.

§ 300.404 Use of fee-charging firms.

(a) Federal agencies are prohibited from using commercial recruiting firms and nonprofit employment services which charge fees to individuals referred to Federal positions. Federal agencies may not consider a candidate referred by a commercial recruiting firm or nonprofit employment service if the individual has paid or is expected to pay any fee to the firm or service.

(b) The prohibition in paragraph (a) of this section does not apply to registration fees paid by individuals to nonprofit employment services operated by professional organizations when the registration fee is imposed regardless of whether the registrant is referred for employment or placed.

§ 300.405 Requirement for contract.

(a) A written contract awarded in accordance with procedures stipulated in the Federal Acquisition Regulations is required between the Federal agency and a commercial recruiting firm or nonprofit employment service. The contract will satisfy the “written request” required by 18 U.S.C. 211. That statute prohibits the acceptance of payment for aiding an individual to obtain Federal employment except when an employment agency renders services pursuant to the written request of an executive department or agency.

(b) The contract must include the qualifications requirements for the position(s) to be filled and also provide that the firm or service will:

(1) Screen candidates only against the basic qualifications requirements for the position(s) specified by the Federal agency in the contract and refer to the agency all candidates who appear to meet those requirements;

(2) Refer to the Federal agency only those applicants from whom the firm or service has not accepted fees other than those permitted under § 300.404(b) of this part;

(3) Not imply that it is the sole or primary avenue for employment with the Federal Government or a specific Federal agency; and

(4) Recruit and refer candidates in accordance with applicable merit principles and equal opportunity laws.

§ 300.406 Agency responsibilities.

(a) The purpose of a commercial recruiting firm or nonprofit employment service is to serve as an additional source of applicants. Once recruited, applicants must be evaluated and appointed through regular civil service employment procedures.

(1) For a competitive service position, an individual must be appointed in accordance with the terms of applicable competitive service procedures.

(2) For an excepted service position, an individual must be appointed in accordance with the terms of the applicable appointing authority and the requirements set out in part 302 of this chapter.

(3) For a Senior Executive Service position filled by career appointment, an individual must be appointed in accordance with the competitive process described in 5 U.S.C. 3393.

(b) In order to use commercial recruiting firms or nonprofit employment services, agencies are required to:

(1) Make known that applicants may apply directly to the Government and thus need not apply through the commercial recruiting firm or nonprofit employment service;

(2) Give the same consideration to candidates who have applied directly and candidates referred from the commercial recruiting firm or nonprofit employment service; and

(3) Follow all requirements for appointment, including veterans preference, where applicable.

§ 300.407 Documentation.

(a) Agencies are required to maintain records necessary to determine that using commercial recruiting firms or nonprofit employment services is cost effective and has not resulted in the violation of merit system principles or the commission of any prohibited personnel practice.

(b) When requested by OPM, agencies will provide reports on the use of commercial recruiting firms, based on the records required in paragraph (a) of this section.

[53 FR 51222, Dec. 21, 1988, as amended at 60 FR 3057, Jan. 13, 1995]

§ 300.408 Corrective action.

Upon evidence of failure to comply with these regulations, OPM may, pursuant to its authority, order the agency to take appropriate corrective action.

§ 300.501 Definitions.

For purposes of this subpart:

(a) A temporary help service firm is a private sector entity which quickly provides other organizations with specific services performed by its pool of employees, possessing the appropriate work skills, for brief or intermittent periods. The firm is the legally responsible employer and maintains that relationship during the time its employees are assigned to a client. The firm, not the client organization, recruits, tests, hires, trains, assigns, pays, provides benefits and leave to, and as necessary, addresses performance problems, disciplines, and terminates its employees. Among other employer obligations, the firm is responsible for payroll deductions and payment of income taxes, social security (FICA), unemployment insurance, and workers' compensation, and shall provide required liability insurance and bonding.

(b) Private sector temporaries or outside temporaries are those employees of a temporary help service firm who are supervised and paid by that firm and whom that firm assigns to various client organizations who have contracted for the temporary use of their skills when required.

(c) Parental and family responsibilities are defined in OPM issuances and include situations such as absence for pregnancy, childbirth, child care, and care for elderly or infirm parents or other dependents.

(d) A Federal supervisor of Federal employees is defined in 5 U.S.C. 7103(a)(10) as

an individual employed by an agency having authority in the interest of the agency to hire, direct, assign, promote, reward, transfer, furlough, layoff, recall, suspend, discipline, or remove employees, to adjust their grievances, or to effectively recommend such action, if the exercise of the authority is not merely routine or clerical in nature but requires the consistent exercise of independent judgment * * *

(e) A critical need is a sudden or unexpected occurrence; an emergency; a pressing necessity; or an exigency. Such occasions are characterized by additional work or deadlines required by statute, Executive order, court order, regulation, or formal directive from the head of an agency or subordinate official authorized to take final action on behalf of the agency head. A recurring, cyclical peak workload, by itself, is not a critical need.

(f) A local commuting area is defined in part 351 of this chapter.

[54 FR 3766, Jan. 25, 1989, as amended at 66 FR 66710, Dec. 27, 2001]

§ 300.502 Coverage.

(a) These regulations apply to the competitive service and to Schedules A and B in the excepted service.

(b) Agencies may not use temporary help services for the Senior Executive Service or for the work of managerial or supervisory positions.

[61 FR 19510, May 2, 1996]

§ 300.503 Conditions for using private sector temporaries.

An agency may enter into a contract or other procurement arrangement with a temporary help service firm for the brief or intermittent use of the skills of private sector temporaries, when required, and may call for those services, subject to these conditions:

(a) One of the following short-term situations exists—

(1) An employee is absent for a temporary period because of a personal need including emergency, accident, illness, parental or family responsibilities, or mandatory jury service, but not including vacations or other circumstances which are not shown to be compelling in the judgment of the agency, or

(2) An agency must carry out work for a temporary period which cannot be delayed in the judgment of the agency because of a critical need.

(b) The need cannot be met with current employees or through the direct appointment of temporary employees within the time available by the date, and for the duration of time, help is needed. At minimum, this should include an agency determination that there are no qualified candidates on the applicant supply file and on the reemployment priority list (both of which must provide preference for veterans), and no qualified disabled veterans with a compensable service-connected disability of 30 percent or more under 5 U.S.C. 3112, who are immediately available for temporary appointment of the duration required, and that employees cannot be reassigned or detailed without causing undue delay in their regular work. In instances where a need is foreseeable, as when approval of employee absence is requested well in advance, an agency may have sufficient time to follow the temporary appointment recruiting requirements, including veterans' preference found in 5 CFR part 316 to determine whether qualified candidates are available by the date needed and for the length of service required.

(c) These services shall not be used:

(1) In lieu of the regular recruitment and hiring procedures under the civil service laws for permanent appointment in the competitive civil service, or

(2) To displace a Federal employee.

(3) To circumvent controls on employment levels.

(4) In lieu of appointing a surplus or displaced Federal employee as required by 5 CFR part 330, subpart F (Agency Career Transition Assistance Plan for Displaced Employees) and subpart G (Interagency Career Transition Assistance Plan for Displaced Employees.)

[54 FR 3766, Jan. 25, 1989, as amended at 61 FR 19510, May 2, 1996; 66 FR 66710, Dec. 27, 2001]

§ 300.504 Prohibition on employer-employee relationship.

No employer-employee relationship is created by an agency's use of private sector temporaries under these regulations. Services furnished by temporary help firms shall be performed by their employees who shall not be considered or treated as Federal employees for any purpose, shall not be regarded as performing a personal service, and shall not be eligible for civil service employee benefits, including retirement. Further, to avoid creating any appearance of such a relationship, agencies shall observe the following requirements:

(a) Time limit on use of temporary help service firm. An agency may use a temporary help service firm(s) in a single situation, as defined in § 300.503, initially for no more than 120 workdays. Provided the situation continues to exist beyond the initial 120 workdays, the agency may extend its use of temporary help services up to the maximum limit of 240 workdays.

(b) Time limit on use of individual employee of a temporary help service firm. (1) An individual employee of any temporary help firm may work at a major organizational element (headquarters or field) of an agency for up to 120 workdays in a 24-month period. The 24-month period begins on the first day of assignment.

(2) An agency may make an exception for an individual to work up to a maximum of 240 workdays only when the agency has determined that using the services of the same individual for the same situation will prevent significant delay.

(c) Individual employees of a temporary help firm providing temporary service to a Federal agency may be eligible for competitive civil service employment only if appropriate civil service hiring procedures are applied to them.

(d) Agencies shall train their employees in appropriate procedures for interaction with private sector temporaries to assure that the supervisory responsibilities identified in paragraph (a) of § 300.501 of this subpart are carried out by the temporary help service firm. At the same time, agencies must give technical, task-related instructions to private sector temporaries including orientation, assignment of tasks, and review of work products, in order that the temporaries may properly perform their services under the contract.

[54 FR 3766, Jan. 25, 1989, as amended at 61 FR 19511, May 2, 1996]

§ 300.505 Relationship of civil service procedures.

Agencies continue to have full authority to meet their temporary needs by various means, for example, redistributing work, authorizing overtime, using in-house pools, and making details or time-limited promotions of current employees. In addition, agencies may appoint individuals as civil service employees on various work schedules appropriate for the work to be performed.

[61 FR 19511, May 2, 1996]

§ 300.506 Requirements of procurement.

(a) Agencies must follow the Federal procurement laws and the Federal Acquisition Regulation, as applicable, in procuring services from the private sector.

(b) Agencies should make full use of the provisions of the Federal procurement system to make clear that the firm is the legally responsible employer and to specify the obligations the firm will have to meet to provide effective performance including such matters as the types and levels of skills to be provided, deadlines for providing service, liability insurance, and, when necessary, security requirements. The Federal procurement system also requires contractors to comply with affirmative action requirements to employ and advance in employment qualified disabled and Vietnam era veterans as provided in 41 CFR part 60-250, and with public policy programs including equal employment opportunity, handicapped employment, and small businesses.

§ 300.507 Documentation and oversight.

Agencies are required to maintain records and provide oversight to establish that their use of temporary help service firms is consistent with these regulations. As needed, OPM may require agencies to provide information on their use of temporary help service firms.

[61 FR 19511, May 2, 1996]

§ 300.601 Purpose.

The restrictions in this subpart are intended to prevent excessively rapid promotions in competitive service General Schedule positions and to protect competitive principles. They provide a budgetary control on promotion rates and help assure that appointments are made from appropriate registers. These restrictions are in addition to the eligibility requirements for promotion in part 335 of this chapter.

§ 300.602 Definitions.

In this subpart—

Advancement means a promotion (including a temporary promotion) or any type of appointment resulting in a higher grade or higher rate of basic pay.

Competitive appointment means an appointment based on selection from a competitive examination register of eligibles or under a direct hire authority.

Hardship to an agency involves serious difficulty in filling a position, including when:

(a) The situation to be redressed results from circumstances beyond the organization's control and otherwise would require extensive corrective action; or

(b) A position at the next lower grade in the normal line of promotion does not exist and the resulting action is not a career ladder promotion; or

(c) There is a shortage of candidates for the position to be filled.

Inequity to an employee involves situations where a position is upgraded without change in the employee's duties or responsibilities, or where discrimination or administrative error prevented an employee from reaching a higher grade.

Nontemporary appointment means any appointment other than a temporary appointment pending establishment of a register (TAPER) or a temporary or excepted appointment not to exceed 1 year or less.

§ 300.603 Coverage.

(a) Coverage. This subpart applies to advancement to a General Schedule position in the competitive service by any individual who within the previous 52 weeks held a General Schedule position under nontemporary appointment in the competitive or excepted service in the executive branch, unless excluded by paragraph (b) of this section.

(b) Exclusions. The following actions may be taken without regard to this subpart but must be consistent with all other applicable requirements, such as qualification standards:

(1) Appointment based on selection from a competitive examination register of eligibles or under a direct hire authority.

(2) Noncompetitive appointment based on a special authority in law or Executive order (but not including transfer and reinstatement) made in accordance with all requirements applicable to new appointments under that authority.

(3) Advancement in accordance with part 335 of this chapter up to any General Schedule grade the employee previously held under nontemporary appointment in the competitive or excepted service.

(4) Advancement of an employee from a non-General Schedule position to a General Schedule position unless the employee held a General Schedule position under nontemporary appointment in the executive branch within the previous 52 weeks.

(5) Advancement of an individual whose General Schedule service during the previous 52 weeks has been totally under temporary appointment.

(6) Advancement of an employee under a training agreement established in accordance with OPM's operating manuals. However, an employee may not receive more than two promotions in any 52-week period solely on the basis of one or more training agreements. Also, only OPM may approve a training agreement that provides for consecutive promotions at rates that exceed those permitted by § 300.604 of this part.

(7) Advancement to avoid hardship to an agency or inequity to an employee in an individual meritorious case but only with the prior approval of the agency head or his or her designee. However, an employee may not be promoted more than three grades during any 52-week period on the basis of this paragraph.

(8) Advancement when OPM authorizes it to avoid hardship to an agency or inequity to an employee in individual meritorious situations not defined, but consistent with the definitions, in § 300.602 of this part.

[56 FR 23002, May 20, 1991, as amended at 66 FR 66710, Dec. 27, 2001]

§ 300.604 Restrictions.

The following time-in-grade restrictions must be met unless advancement is permitted by § 300.603(b) of this part:

(a) Advancement to positions at GS-12 and above. Candidates for advancement to a position at GS-12 and above must have completed a minimum of 52 weeks in positions no more than one grade lower (or equivalent) than the position to be filled.

(b) Advancement to positions at GS-6 through GS-11. Candidates for advancement to a position at GS-6 through GS-11 must have completed a minimum of 52 weeks in positions:

(1) No more than two grades lower (or equivalent) when the position to be filled is in a line of work properly classified at 2-grade intervals; or

(2) No more than one grade lower (or equivalent) when the position to be filled is in a line of work properly classified at 1-grade intervals; or

(3) No more than one or two grades lower (or equivalent), as determined by the agency, when the position to be filled is in a line of work properly classified at 1-grade intervals but has a mixed interval promotion pattern.

(c) Advancement to positions up to GS-5. Candidates may be advanced without time restriction to positions up to GS-5 if the position to be filled is no more than two grades above the lowest grade the employee held within the preceding 52 weeks under his or her latest nontemporary competitive appointment.

§ 300.605 Creditable service.

(a) All service at the required or higher grade (or equivalent) in positions to which appointed in the Federal civilian service is creditable towards the time periods required by § 300.604 of this part, except as provided in paragraph (c) of this section. Creditable service includes competitive and excepted service in positions under the General Schedule and other pay systems, including employment with a nonappropriated fund instrumentality. Service while on detail is credited at the grade of the employee's position of record, not the grade of the position to which detailed. Also creditable is service with the District of Columbia Government prior to January 1, 1980 (or prior to September 26, 1980, for those District employees who were converted to the District personnel system on January 1, 1980).

(b) Service in positions not subject to the General Schedule (GS) is credited at the equivalent GS grade by comparing the candidate's rate of basic pay with the representative rate (as defined in § 351.203 of this chapter) of the GS position in effect when the non-GS service was performed. The equivalent GS grade is the GS grade with a representative rate that equals the candidate's rate of basic pay. When the candidate's rate of basic pay falls between the representative rates of two GS grades, the non-GS service is credited at the higher grade.

(c) In applying the restrictions in § 300.604 of this part, prior service under temporary appointment at a level above that of a subsequent nontemporary competitive appointment is credited as if the service had been performed at the level of the nontemporary appointment. This provision applies until the employee has served in pay status for 52 weeks under nontemporary competitive appointment; thereafter, the service is credited at its actual grade level (or equivalent).

§ 300.606 Agency authority.

An agency may expand on these restrictions consistent with the intent of this subpart or may adopt similar policies to control promotion rates of employees not covered by this subpart.

§ 300.701 Statutory requirement.

Section 3328 of title 5 of the United States Code provides that—

(a) An individual—

(1) Who was born after December 31, 1959, and is or was required to register under section 3 of the Military Selective Service Act (50 U.S.C. App. 453); and

(2) Who is not so registered or knowingly and willfully did not so register before the requirement terminated or became inapplicable to the individual, shall be ineligible for appointment to a position in an executive agency of the Federal Government.

(b) The Office of Personnel Management, in consultation with the Director of the Selective Service System, shall prescribe regulations to carry out this section. Such regulations shall include provisions prescribing procedures for the adjudication within the Office of determinations of whether a failure to register was knowing and willful. Such procedures shall require that such a determination may not be made if the individual concerned shows by a preponderance of the evidence that the failure to register was neither knowing nor willful.

§ 300.702 Coverage.

Appointments in the competitive service, the excepted service, the Senior Executive Service, or any other civil service personnel management system in an executive agency are covered by these regulations.

§ 300.703 Definitions.

In this subpart—

Appointment means any personnel action that brings onto the rolls of an executive agency as a civil service officer or employee as defined in 5 U.S.C. 2104 or 2105, respectively, a person who is not currently employed in that agency. It includes initial employment as well as transfer between agencies and subsequent employment after a break in service. Personnel actions that move an employee within an agency without a break in service are not covered. A break in service is a period of 4 or more calendar days during which an individual is no longer on the rolls of an executive agency.

Covered individual means a male (a) whose application for appointment is under consideration by an executive agency or who is an employee of an executive agency; (b) who was born after December 31, 1959, and is at least 18 years of age or becomes 18 following appointment; (c) who is either a United States citizen or an alien (including parolees and refugees and those who are lawfully admitted to the United States for permanent residence and for asylum) residing in the United States; and (d) is or was required to register under section 3 of the Military Selective Service Act (50 U.S.C. App. 453). Nonimmigrant aliens admitted under section 101(a)(15) of the Immigration and Nationality Act (8 U.S C. 1101), such as those admitted on visitor or student visas, and lawfully remaining in the United States, are exempt from registration.

Executive agency means an agency of the Government of the United States as defined in 5 U.S.C. 105.

Exemptions means those individuals determined by the Selective Service System to be excluded from the requirement to register under sections 3 and 6(a) of the Military Selective Service Act (50 U.S.C. App. 453 and 456(a)) or Presidential proclamation.

Preponderance of the evidence means that degree of relevant evidence that a reasonable person, considering the record as a whole, would accept as sufficient to support a conclusion that the matter asserted is more likely to be true than not true.

Registrant means an individual registered under Selective Service law.

Selective Service law means the Military Selective Service Act, rules and regulations issued thereunder, and proclamations of the President under that Act.

Selective Service System means the agency responsible for administering the registration system and for determining who is required to register and who is exempt.

§ 300.704 Considering individuals for appointment.

(a) An executive agency must request a written statement of Selective Service registration status from each covered individual at an appropriate time during the consideration process prior to appointment, and from each covered employee who becomes 18 after appointment. The individual must complete, sign, and date in ink the statement on a form provided by the agency unless the applicant furnishes other documentation as provided by paragraph (c) of this section.

(b) Statement of Selective Service registration status. Agencies should reproduce the following statement, which has been approved by the Office of Management and Budget for use through October 31, 1989, under OMB Control No. 3206-0166:

Applicant's Statement of Selective Service Registration Status

If you are a male born after December 31, 1959, and are at least 18 years of age, civil service employment law (5 U.S.C. 3328) requires that you must be registered with the Selective Service System, unless you meet certain exemptions under Selective Service law. If you are required to register but knowingly and willfully fail to do so, you are ineligible for appointment by executive agencies of the Federal Government.

Certification of Registration Status Check one: [ ] I certify I am registered with the Selective Service System. [ ] I certify I have been determined by the Selective Service System to be exempt from the registration provisions of Selective Service law. [ ] I certify I have not registered with the Selective Service System. [ ] I certify I have not reached my 18th birthday and understand I am required by law to register at that time. Non-Registrants Under Age 26

If you are under age 26 and have not registered as required, you should register promptly at a United States Post Office, or consular office if you are outside the United States.

Non-Registrants Age 26 or Over

If you were born in 1960 or later, are 26 years of age or older, and were required to register but did not do so, you can no longer register under Selective Service law. Accordingly, you are not eligible for appointment to an executive agency unless you can prove to the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) that your failure to register was neither knowing nor willful. You may request an OPM decision through the agency that was considering you for employment by returning this statement with your written request for an OPM determination together with any explanation and documentation you wish to furnish to prove that your failure to register was neither knowing nor willful.

Privacy Act Statement

Because information on your registration status is essential for determining whether you are in compliance with 5 U.S.C. 3328, failure to provide the information requested by this statement will prevent any further consideration of your application for appointment. This information is subject to verification with the Selective Service System and may be furnished to other Federal agencies for law enforcement or other authorized use in implementing this law.

False Statement Notification

A false statement may be grounds for not hiring you, or for firing you if you have already begun work. Also, you may be punished by fine or imprisonment. (Section 1001 of title 18, United States Code.)

Legal signature of individual (please use ink) Date signed (please use ink)

(c) At his option, a covered individual may submit, in lieu of the statement described above, a copy of his Acknowledgment Letter or other proof of registration or exemption issued by the Selective Service System. The individual must sign and date the document and add a note stating it is submitted as proof of Selective Service registration or exemption.

(d) An executive agency will give no further consideration for appointment to individuals who fail to provide the information requested above on registration status.

(e) An agency considering employment of a covered individual who is a current or former Federal employee is not required to request a statement when it determines that the individual's Official Personnel Folder contains evidence indicating the individual is registered or currently exempt from registration.

§ 300.705 Agency action following statement.

(a) Agencies must resolve conflicts of information and other questions concerning an individual's registration status prior to appointment. An agency may verify, at its discretion, an individual's registration status by requesting the individual to provide proof of registration or exemption issued by the Selective Service System and/or by contacting the Selective Service System at 888-655-1825.

(b) An agency may continue regular pre-employment consideration of individuals whose statements show they have registered or are exempt.

(c) An agency will take the following actions when a covered individual who is required to register has not done so, and is under age 26:

(1) Advise him to register promptly and, if he wishes further consideration, to submit a new statement immediately to the agency once he has registered. The agency will set a time limit for submitting the statement.

(2) Provide written notice to an individual who still does not register after being informed of the above requirements that he is ineligible for appointment according to 5 U.S.C. 3328 and will be given no further employment consideration.

(d) An agency will take the following actions when a covered individual who is age 26 or over, was required to register, and has not done so:

(1) Provide written notice to the individual that, in accordance with 5 U.S.C. 3328, he is ineligible for appointment unless his failure to register was neither knowing nor willful, and that OPM will decide whether his failure to register was knowing and willful if he submits a written request for such decision and an explanation of his failure to register.

(2) Submit the individual's application, the statement described in § 300.704(b), a copy of the written notice, his request for a decision and explanation of his failure to register, and any other papers pertinent to his registration status for determination to—Registration Review, Staffing Operations Division, Career Entry Group, room 6A12, U.S. Office of Personnel Management, 1900 E Street, NW., Washington, DC 20415.

(3) An agency is not required to keep a vacancy open for an individual who seeks an OPM determination.

(e) Individuals described in paragraph (c) of this section who do not submit a statement of registration or exemption are not eligible for employment consideration. Individuals described in paragraph (d) of this section are not eligible for employment consideration unless OPM finds that failure to register was neither knowing nor willful. Agencies are not required to follow the objections-to-eligibles procedures described in § 332.406 concerning such individuals who were certified or otherwise referred by an OPM examining office or other office delegated examining authority by OPM. Instead, an agency will provide, for information as part of its certification report to that office, a copy of its written notice to the individual.

[52 FR 7400, Mar. 11, 1987, as amended at 64 FR 28713, May 27, 1999]

§ 300.706 Office of Personnel Management adjudication.

(a) OPM will determine whether failure to register was knowing and willful when an individual has requested a decision and presented a written explanation, as described in § 300.705. The Associate Director for Career Entry or his or her designee will make the determination based on the written explanation provided by the individual. The burden of proof will be on the individual to show by a preponderance of the evidence that failure to register was neither knowing nor willful.

(b) OPM may consult with the Selective Service System in making determinations.

(c) The Associate Director for Career Entry or his or her designee will notify the individual and the agency in writing of the determination. The determination is final unless reconsidered at the discretion of the Associate Director. There is no further right to administrative review.

(d) The Director of OPM may reopen and reconsider a determination.

(e) The Director of OPM may, at his or her discretion, delegate to an executive agency the authority to make initial determinations. However, OPM may review any initial determination and make a final adjudication in any case. If a delegation is made under this paragraph, the notice in § 300.705(d)(1) will state that the individual may submit a written request that OPM review the agency's initial determination. The agency will forward to OPM copies of all documents relating to the individual's failure to register, including the individual's request for review and his explanation of his failure to register.

§ 300.707 Termination of employment.

A covered individual who is serving under an appointment made on or after November 8, 1985, and is not exempt from registration, will be terminated by his agency under the authority of the statute and these regulations if he has not registered as required, unless he registers or unless, if no longer eligible to register, OPM determines in response to his explanation that his failure to register was neither knowing nor willful.

§ 301.201 Appointments of United States citizens recruited overseas.

When there is a shortage of eligible applicants, as defined at § 337.202 of this chapter, resulting from a competitive announcement that is open to applicants in the local overseas area, an agency may give an overseas limited appointment to a United States citizen recruited overseas for a position overseas.

[69 FR 33275, June 23, 2004]

§ 301.202 Appointment of citizens recruited outside overseas areas.

When an agency determines that unusual or emergency conditions make it infeasible to appoint from a register, it may give an overseas limited appointment to a United States citizen recruited in an area where an overseas limited appointment is not authorized.

§ 301.203 Duration of appointment.

(a) An appointment under this subpart is of indefinite duration unless otherwise limited.

(b) An agency may make an overseas limited term appointment for a period not in excess of 5 years when a time limitation is imposed as a part of a general program for rotating career and career-conditional employees between overseas areas and the United States after specified periods of overseas service.

(c) An agency may make an overseas limited appointment for 1 year or less to meet administrative needs for temporary employment. An agency may extend such an appointment for up to a maximum of 1 additional year.

(d) Upon request from the headquarters level of a Department or agency, OPM may approve, or delegate to agencies the authority to approve, exceptions to the time limits set out in paragraph (c) of this section.

[44 FR 54691, Sept. 21, 1979, as amended at 60 FR 3057, Jan. 13, 1995]

§ 301.204 Status and probationary period.

(a) An overseas limited employee does not acquire a competitive status on the basis of his or her overseas limited appointment. He or she is required to serve a probationary period of 1 year when given an overseas limited appointment of indefinite duration or an overseas limited term appointment.

(b) The agency may terminate an overseas limited employee at any time during the probationary period. The employee is entitled to the procedures prescribed by the Director of the Office of Personnel Management under § 11.6 of this chapter.

[90 FR 26729, June 24, 2025]

§ 301.205 Requirements and restrictions.

The requirements and restrictions in subpart F of part 300 of this chapter apply to appointments under this subpart.

[69 FR 33275, June 15, 2004]

§ 301.206 Within-grade increases.

An employee serving under an overseas limited appointment of indefinite duration or an overseas limited term appointment in a position subject to the General Schedule, is eligible for within-grade increases in accordance with subpart D of part 531 of this chapter.

(5 U.S.C. 3301, 3302, E.O. 10577, 3 CFR, 1954-1958 Comp., p. 218, as amended by E.O. 10641, 3 CFR, 1954-1958 Comp., p. 274)

§ 301.301 Eligibility under the authority of Executive Order 12362.

Employees who serve under overseas local hire appointments as defined in § 315.608(b) of this chapter and meet the eligibility criteria of § 315.608(a) of this chapter are eligible for noncompetitive career-conditional, term, or temporary limited appointment when they return to the United States.

§ 301.302 Overseas appointing procedures.

Overseas agencies are required to insure that selection of employees for local hire appointments in the overseas area is made on the basis of the ability, knowledge, and skills of eligible candidates, in accordance with applicable law and regulation.

§ 301.303 Performance appraisal.

As soon as practicable, but beginning not later than January 1, 1984, overseas agencies are required to evaluate the performance of employees who serve under overseas local hire appointments as defined in § 315.608(b) of this chapter and who are eligible to meet the criteria established in § 315.608(a), of this chapter in accordance with the agency's performance appraisal plan established under chapter 43 of title 5, U.S. Code, unless the agency is exempt from the provisions of that chapter.

§ 302.101 Positions covered by regulations.

(a) Positions covered. With respect to the application of veteran preference, this part applies to each position in the Executive Branch of the Federal Government that is not in the competitive service and that is subject to the provisions of title 5, United States Code, or subject to a statutory requirement to follow the veteran preference provisions of title 5. With respect to restoration rights that are due to compensable injury and appeals therefrom, this part applies to those positions covered by 5 U.S.C. 8101(1) that are not in the competitive service.

(b) Positions not covered. This part does not apply to a position or appointment that is required by the Congress to be confirmed by, or made with the advice and consent of, the Senate.

(c) Positions exempt from appointment procedures. In view of the circumstances and conditions surrounding employment in the following classes of positions, an agency is not required to apply the appointment procedures of this part to them, but each agency shall follow the principle of veteran preference as far as administratively feasible and, on the request of a qualified and available preference eligible, shall furnish him/her with the reasons for his/her nonselection. Also, the exemption from the appointment procedures of this part does not relieve agencies of their obligation to accord persons entitled to priority consideration (see § 302.103) their rights under 5 U.S.C. 8151:

(1) Positions filled by persons appointed without pay or at pay of $1 a year;

(2) Positions outside the continental United States and outside the State of Hawaii and the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico when filled by persons resident in the locality, and positions in the State of Hawaii and the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico when paid in accordance with prevailing wage rates;

(3) Positions which the exigencies of the national defense program demand be filled immediately before lists of qualified applicants can be established or used, but appointments to these positions shall be temporary appointments not to exceed 1 year which may be renewed for 1 additional year at the discretion of the agency;

(4) Positions filled by appointees serving on an irregular or occasional basis whose hours or days of work are not based on a prearranged schedule and who are paid only for the time when actually employed or for services actually performed;

(5) Positions paid on a fee basis;

(6) Positions included in Schedule A (see subpart C of part 213 of this chapter) for which OPM agrees with the agency that the positions should be included hereunder and states in writing that an agency is not required to fill positions according to the procedures in this part.

(7) Positions included in Schedule C (see subpart C of part 213 of this chapter);

(8) Attorney positions;

(9) Positions filled by reemployment of an individual in the same agency and commuting area, at the same or lower grade, and under the same appointing authority as the position last held; Provided That, there are no candidates eligible for the position on the agency's priority reemployment list established in accordance with § 302.303.

(10) Positions for which a critical hiring need exists when filled under § 213.3102(i)(2) of this chapter.

(11) Appointment of persons with intellectual disabilities, severe physical disabilities, or psychiatric disabilities to positions filled under 5 CFR 213.3102(u).

(12) Confidential, policy-determining, policy-making or policy-advocating positions filled under Schedule Policy/Career authorized under Executive Order 13957, as amended. Appointments under this authority must be made in accordance with the provisions of § 213.3601 of this chapter.

[55 FR 9407, Mar. 14, 1990, as amended at 58 FR 58260, Nov. 1, 1993; 60 FR 10006, Feb. 23, 1995; 77 FR 28214, May 11, 2012; 85 FR 63191, Oct. 7, 2020; 89 FR 25046, Apr. 9, 2024; 91 FR 5655, Feb. 6, 2026]

§ 302.102 Method of filling positions and status of incumbent.

(a) To the extent permitted by statute and this chapter, each appointment, position change, and removal in the excepted service shall be made in accordance with any regulations or practices that the head of the agency concerned finds necessary.

(b) Except as authorized under paragraph (c) of this section, a person appointed to an excepted position does not acquire a competitive status by reason of the appointment. When an employee serving under a nontemporary appointment in the competitive service is selected for an excepted appointment, the agency must—

(1) Inform the employee that, because the position is in the excepted service, it may not be filled by a competitive appointment, and that acceptance of the proposed appointment will take him/her out of the competitive service while he/she occupies the position; and

(2) Obtain from the employee a written statement that he/she understands he/she is leaving the competitive service voluntarily to accept an appointment in the excepted service.

(c) Upon a finding by OPM that in a particular situation the action will be in the interest of good administration, OPM may authorize an agency to make appointments to specified positions in the excepted service in the same manner as to positions in the competitive service. Persons appointed pursuant to a specific authorization by OPM under this paragraph may acquire competitive status.

[55 FR 9407, Mar. 14, 1990, as amended at 58 FR 58261, Nov. 1, 1993; 91 FR 5655, Feb. 6, 2026]

§ 302.103 Definitions.

Person entitled to priority consideration means a person who was furloughed or separated without misconduct, from a position without time limit, because of a compensable injury and whose recovery takes longer than 1 year from the date compensation began. To be eligible under this part the person must apply for reappointment to his or her former agency within 30 days of the date of cessation of compensation.

§ 302.104 Applicability of regulations to applicants and employees.

Each agency shall follow the provisions of this part relating to examination, rating, and selection for appointment of an applicant when a qualified preference eligible or person entitled to priority consideration applies for appointment to a position covered by this part. Each agency, in its discretion, may follow these provisions when no preference eligible or person entitled to priority consideration applies.

§ 302.105 Special agency plans.

An agency having a position subject to this part may establish a system which will result in granting to eligible persons the preference or priority consideration referred to in sections 1302(c) or 8151 of title 5, United States Code, but which does not conform to all the procedural requirements set forth in this part. The agency establishing such a system must ensure that all eligible applicants entitled to veteran preference or priority consideration receive at least as much advantage in referral as they would receive under the procedures set forth in this part.

§ 302.106 Vacancy announcements.

When an agency announces a vacancy in the excepted service, the announcement must contain a reasonable accommodation statement that complies with requirements in part 330, subpart A of this chapter.

[66 FR 63906, Dec. 11, 2001, as amended at 75 FR 67593, Nov. 3, 2010]

§ 302.107 Suitability and fitness inquiries regarding criminal history.

Agency inquiries regarding criminal history must be done in accordance with the requirements under chapter 92 of title 5, U.S. Code and part 920 of this chapter.

[88 FR 60329, Sept. 1, 2023]

§ 302.108 Determinations of fitness for employment in an Excepted Service position.

(a) An agency must make fitness determinations for excepted service positions in accordance with the applicable requirements of part 731 of this chapter.

(b) An agency must record its reasons for making fitness determinations under part 731 of this chapter and must furnish a copy of those reasons to an applicant upon their request.

[89 FR 102691, Dec. 18, 2024]

§ 302.201 Persons entitled to veteran preference.

In actions subject to this part, each agency shall grant veteran preference as follows:

(a) When numerical scores are used in the evaluation and referral, the agency shall grant 5 additional points to preference eligibles under section 2108(3) (A) and (B) of title 5, United States Code, and 10 additional points to preference eligibles under section 2108(3) (C) through (G) of that title.

(b) When eligible candidates are referred without ranking, the agency shall note preference as “CP” for preference eligibles under 5 U.S.C. 2108(3)(C), as “XP” for preference eligibles under 5 U.S.C. 2108(3)(D) through (G), as “SSP” for preference eligibles under 5 U.S.C. 2108(3)(H) and as “TP” for all other preference eligibles under that title.

(c) When quality categories are used in the evaluation and referral, the agency shall list preference eligibles under 5 U.S.C. 2108(3) ahead of non-preference eligibles in accord with § 302.304(b)(6).

[55 FR 9407, Mar. 14, 1990, as amended at 85 FR 63191, Oct. 7, 2020; 90 FR 43144, Sept. 8, 2025]

§ 302.202 Qualification requirements.

Before making an appointment to a position covered by this part, each agency shall establish qualification standards such as those relating to experience and training, citizenship, minimum age, physical condition, etc., which shall relate to the duties to be performed. An agency may delegate the establishment of standards relating to a group of positions or a specific position to the appropriate administrative level or subdivision in accordance with the needs of the locality in which the position is located, but the agency shall determine that each standard established is in conformity with this part. Each agency shall make its standards a matter of record in the appropriate office of the agency, and shall furnish information concerning the standards for a position to an applicant on his/her request. Each agency shall apply the standards for a position uniformly to all applicants, except for such waivers as are provided in this part for a preference eligible. An agency shall not include a minimum educational requirement in qualification standards, except for a scientific, technical, or professional position the duties of which the agency decides cannot be performed by a person who does not have a prescribed minimum education. An agency shall not establish a maximum age requirement for any position. Each agency shall make a part of its records the reasons for its decision under this section and shall furnish those reasons to an applicant on his/her request. The qualification standards shall include:

(a) A provision for waiver by the agency of requirements as to age, height, and weight for each preference eligible when the requirements are not essential to the performance of the duties of the position; and

(b) A provision for waiver by the agency of physical requirements for each preference eligible when the agency, after giving due consideration to the recommendation of an accredited physician, finds that the applicant is physically able to discharge the duties of the position.

§ 302.203 Standard and criteria for determining fitness for employment in an Excepted Service position.

(a) The minimum standard and criteria for determining fitness for employment based on character and conduct are prescribed in part 731, subpart B, of this chapter.

(b) Agencies may prescribe additional factors to protect the integrity and promote the efficiency of the service when job-related and consistent with business necessity.

[89 FR 102691, Dec. 18, 2024]

§ 302.301 Receipt of applications.

(a) Each agency shall establish definite rules regarding the acceptance of applications for employment in positions covered by this part and shall make these rules a matter of record.

(b) Each agency shall apply its rules uniformly to all applicants who meet the conditions of the rules and shall furnish information concerning the rules to an applicant on his/her request.

§ 302.302 Examination of applicants.

(a) Eligibility. An evaluation of the qualifications of applicants for positions covered by this part may be conducted at any time before an appointment is made. The evaluation may involve only determination of eligibility or ineligibility or may include qualitative rating of candidates. If the evaluation involves only basic eligibility, candidates will not receive numerical scores or be placed in quality categories and will be referred in accordance with the procedures described in § 302.304(b)(5). If qualitative ranking is desired, numerical scores or placement in quality categories may be assigned in accordance with paragraph (b) of this section. Each agency shall make a part of the records the reasons for its decision to use ranked or unranked referral and, for ranked actions, the rating factors used. This information about the type of referral used and any rating factors used for ranked actions shall be made available to an applicant on his/her request.

(b) Rating—(1) Numerical rating. Numerical scores will be assigned on a scale of 100. Each applicant who meets the qualification requirements for the position established under § 302.202 will be assigned a rating of 70 or more and will be eligible for appointment. Candidates scoring 70 or more will receive additional points for veteran preference as provided in § 302.201. Numerical ratings are not required when all qualified applicants will be offered immediate appointment. When there are an excessive number of applicants, numerical ratings are required only for a sufficient number of the highest qualified applicants to meet the anticipated needs of the agency within a reasonable period of time. The agency must, however, adopt procedures to ensure the consideration of preference eligibles in the order in which they would have been considered if all applicants had been assigned numerical ratings. An agency shall furnish on an applicant's request a notice of the rating assigned to that applicant.

(2) Category rating. In accordance with 5 CFR part 337, subpart C, an agency must predefine at least two quality categories that reflect the requirements to perform the job successfully and to distinguish differences in the quality of candidates' job-related competencies/knowledge, skills and abilities. An agency may not establish a “not qualified” category. Only those found qualified will be placed in a category. Quality categories must be established and defined by the employing agency prior to accepting applications. Quality categories are not required when all qualified applicants will be offered immediate appointment.

(c) Nonpreference applicants for certain positions. An agency may not consider or rate an application for the position of elevator operator, messenger, guard, or custodian submitted by a nonpreference eligible as long as at least three qualified preference eligibles are available for the position.

(d) Evaluating experience. When experience is a factor in determining eligibility, an agency shall credit a preference eligible (1) with time spent in the military service of the United States if the position for which he/she is applying is similar to the position which he/she held immediately before his/her entrance into the military service; and (2) with all valuable experience, including experience gained in religious, civic, welfare, service, and organizational activities, regardless of whether pay was received therefor.

[55 FR 9407, Mar. 14, 1990, as amended at 90 FR 43144, Sept. 8, 2025]

§ 302.303 Maintenance of employment lists.

(a) Establishment—(1) Agency's obligation. An agency must establish a priority reemployment list whenever any applicants rated eligible under § 302.302 meet the conditions set out in paragraphs (b)(1) through (b)(3) of this section and must consider candidates from that list in accordance with § 302.304(a). All applicants not included on the priority reemployment list will be listed on the regular employment list unless the agency elects to establish a reemployment list as provided in paragraph (c) of this section.

(2) Agency discretion. In establishing its lists, an agency may, but is not required to: Afford priority consideration to non-preference eligibles who meet the conditions set out in paragraph (b)(4) of this section; afford priority consideration under paragraph (b) of this section for a longer time and/or in a broader geographic area than the minimum requirement; and/or provide reemployment consideration after the priority list is exhausted to additional current and former employees in accordance with paragraph (c) of this section. An agency may limit consideration granted at its discretion to applicants for specific positions or applicants who meet specific conditions, but must make those conditions a matter of record and must apply its policy uniformly to all eligible employees. Generally, full-time employees may be considered only for full-time positions and other-than-full-time employees only for other-than-full-time positions. However, full-time employees may be considered for other-than-full-time positions if there are no other-than-full-time employees on the appropriate priority or reemployment list; and other-than-full time employees may be considered for full-time positions if there are no full-time employees on the appropriate list.

(b) Priority reemployment list. Candidates are entered on the priority reemployment list in the geographic areas specified in paragraph (b)(1) of this section and remain on the list for 2 years unless the agency elects to provide a longer period of eligibility. The priority reemployment list includes:

(1) The name of each former employee of the agency who is a preference eligible, has been furloughed or separated from a continuing appointment without delinquency or misconduct, and applies for reemployment. Candidates in this category are considered for positions in the commuting area where they were separated unless the agency elects to provide broader consideration.

(2) The name of each former employee of the agency who is a preference eligible and who, as the result of an appeal under part 752 of this chapter, is found by the Merit Systems Protection Board to have been unjustifiably dismissed from the agency, but who is not entitled to immediate restoration under the Board's decision. Candidates in this category are considered in the commuting area from which separated unless the Board's decision specifies a broader or different area or the agency elects to afford broader geographic consideration.

(3) The name of each former employee of the agency who has been furloughed or separated due to compensable injury sustained under the provisions of 5 U.S.C. chapter 81, subchapter I, who is not entitled to immediate restoration, and who is eligible for priority consideration under this part. Candidates in this category are considered in the commuting area where they last served and, if the agency determines that an appropriate vacancy is unlikely to occur in that area during the candidates' period of reemployment priority, in other locations for which they are available.

(4) At the agency's discretion, the name of each former employee of the agency who is not a preference eligible, has been furloughed or involuntarily separated from a continuing appointment without delinquency or misconduct, and applies for reemployment. Candidates in this category are considered in the geographic area specified by the agency.

(c) Reemployment list. A reemployment list may be established at the agency's discretion to include the names of current employees of the agency and of former employees of the agency who are to be considered for future employment and who are not eligible for inclusion on the priority reemployment list. Employees may be entered on the reemployment list only for positions in which tenure and/or work schedule is no greater than that of the position previously held.

(d) Order of entry. An agency shall enter the names of all applicants rated eligible under § 302.302 on the appropriate list (priority reemployment, reemployment, or regular employment) in the following order:

(1) When candidates have been rated only for basic eligibility under § 302.302(a). (i) Preference eligibles having a compensable, service-connected disability of 10 percent or more (designated as “CP”) unless the list will be used to fill professional positions at the GS-9 level or above, or equivalent;

(ii) All other candidates eligible for 10-point veteran preference;

(iii) All candidates eligible for 5-point veteran preference;

(iv) All candidates eligible for sole survivorship preference and

(v) Qualified candidates not eligible for veteran preference.

(2) When qualified candidates have been assigned numerical scores under § 302.302(b). (i) Preference eligibles having a compensable, service-connected disability of 10 percent or more, in the order of their augmented ratings, unless the list will be used to fill professional positions at the GS-9 level or above, or equivalent;

(ii) All other qualified candidates in the order of their augmented ratings. At each score, qualified candidates eligible for 10-point preference will be entered first, followed, second, by 5-point preference eligibles, third, by sole survivorship preference eligibles, and last, by nonpreference eligibles.

(3) When candidates have been placed in quality categories under § 302.302(b). Within each quality category, preference eligibles must be listed ahead of non-preference eligibles and may be listed in preference or alphabetical order. Preference eligibles having a compensable, service-connected disability of 10 percent or more (designated as CPS or CP) are placed in the highest quality category unless the list will be used to fill scientific or professional positions at the GS-9 level or above, or equivalent.

[55 FR 9407, Mar. 14, 1990, as amended at 85 FR 63191, Oct. 7, 2020; 90 FR 43145, Sept. 8, 2025]

§ 302.304 Order of consideration.

(a) Consideration of priority reemployment candidates. An agency must consider all qualified candidates on its priority reemployment list before it may refer candidates from its reemployment list, if any, or regular employment list. When a qualified candidate is available on the priority list, the agency may appoint an individual who is not on the priority list or who has lower standing than others on that list only when necessary to obtain an employee for duties that cannot be taken over without undue interruption to the agency by an individual who is entitled to reemployment priority or has higher standing on the priority reemployment list than the one appointed. The agency must notify each individual on the priority reemployment list who is adversely affected by an appointment under this paragraph of the reasons for the exception and must further notify each such individual who is a preference eligible of his or her right of appeal to the Merit Systems Protection Board.

(b) Consideration of other candidates. Except as provided in paragraphs (b)(4), (5) and (6) of this section, an agency shall consider applicants on the reemployment and/or regular employment list who have been assigned eligible ratings for a given position in Order A, Order B, or Order C, as described in paragraphs (b)(1) through (3) of this section. Order A must be used when the agency has not established a reemployment list.

(1) Order A. (i) The name of each qualified preference eligible who has a compensable, service-connected disability of 10 percent or more and is entitled to 10-point preference under section 3309 of title 5, United States Code, in the order of his/her numerical ranking.

(ii) The name of each other qualified applicant in the order of his/her numerical ranking.

(2) Order B. (i) The name of each qualified preference eligible who has a compensable, service-connected disability of 10 percent or more and is entitled to 10-point preference under section 3309 of title 5, United States Code, and whose name appears on the agency's reemployment list, in the order of his/her numerical ranking.

(ii) The name of each qualified preference eligible who has a compensable, service-connected disability of 10 percent or more and is entitled to 10-point preference under section 3309 of title 5, United States Code, and whose name appears on the agency's regular employment list, in the order of his/her numerical ranking.

(iii) The name of each other qualified applicant on the agency's reemployment list, in the order of his/her numerical ranking.

(iv) The name of each other qualified applicant on the agency's regular employment list, in the order of his/her numerical ranking.

(3) Order C. (i) The name of each qualified preference eligible who has a compensable, service-connected disability of 10 percent or more and is entitled to 10-point preference under section 3309 of title 5, United States Code, and whose name appears on the agency's reemployment list, in the order of his/her numerical ranking.

(ii) The name of each other qualified applicant on the agency's reemployment list, in the order of his/her numerical ranking.

(iii) The name of each qualified preference eligible who has a compensable, service-connected disability of 10 percent or more and is entitled to 10-point preference under section 3309 of title 5, United States Code, and whose name appears on the agency's regular employment list, in the order of his/her numerical ranking.

(iv) The name of each other qualified applicant on the agency's regular employment list, in the order of his/her numerical ranking.

(4) Professional order. An agency shall consider applicants who have been assigned eligible ratings for professional and scientific positions at the GS-9 level and above, or equivalent, in the following order:

(i) Applicants on the agency's reemployment list, if any. If numerical scores have been assigned, the applicants will be considered in the order of their augmented scores. If numerical scores have not been assigned, all preference eligibles will be considered together regardless of the type of preference, followed by all other priority reemployment candidates.

(ii) Applicants on the agency's regular employment list. If numerical scores have been assigned, the applicants will be considered in the order of their augmented scores. If numerical scores have not been assigned, all preference eligibles will be considered together regardless of the type of preference, followed by all other candidates.

(5) Unranked order. When numerical scores are not assigned, the agency may consider applicants who have received eligible ratings for positions not covered by paragraph (b)(4) of this section in either of the following orders:

(i) By preference status. Under this method, preference eligibles having a compensable service-connected disability of 10 percent or more are considered first, followed, second, by other 10-point preference eligibles, third, by 5-point preference eligibles, fourth by sole survivorship preference eligibles, and last, by nonpreference eligibles. Within each category, applicants from the reemployment list will be placed ahead of applicants from the regular employment list.

(ii) By reemployment/regular list status. Under this method, all applicants on the reemployment list are considered before applicants on the regular employment list. On each list, preference eligibles having a compensable service-connected disability of 10 percent or more are considered first, followed, second, by other 10-point preference eligibles, third, by 5-point preference eligibles, fourth by sole survivorship preference eligibles, and last by nonpreference eligibles.

(6) Category rating. In accordance with 5 CFR part 337, subpart C, list qualified preference eligibles ahead of non-preference eligibles within the same quality category in which they were assigned. Move qualified preference eligibles with a compensable service-connected disability of 30-percent or more (CPS) and those with a compensable service-connected disability of at least 10-percent but less than 30-percent (CP) from the quality category in which they would otherwise be placed to the highest quality category. (This movement of preference eligibles with service-connected disabilities is not done when filling scientific or professional positions at the GS-9 level or higher). Consider eligible candidates in the following order:

(i) Candidates on the reemployment list;

(ii) Candidates in the highest quality category with preference eligibles listed ahead of non-preference eligibles; and

(iii) Candidates in each subsequent lower quality category with preference eligibles listed ahead of non-preference eligibles.

[55 FR 9407, Mar. 14, 1990, as amended at 85 FR 63919, Oct. 7, 2020; 90 FR 43145, Sept. 8, 2025]

§ 302.401 Selection and appointment.

(a) Selection—(1) Unranked lists. When making an appointment from a priority reemployment, reemployment, or regular list on which candidates have not received numerical scores, an agency must make its selection from among the qualified preference eligibles, as long as at least three candidates remain in that group. When fewer than three preference eligibles remain, consideration may be expanded to include the non-preference eligibles in accordance with paragraph (b) of this section, passing over a preference applicant.

(2) Numerical lists. When making an appointment from a list on which candidates have received numerical scores, an agency must use one of the methodologies identified below to determine the number of applicants referred for selection. A selecting official may select any eligible candidate referred for selection. However, a selecting official may not pass over a preference eligible to select a lower standing non-preference eligible unless the agency has complied with the pass-over procedures in paragraph (b) of this section. The selection mechanism must be determined before soliciting for applications and be made available to applicants upon their request. The mechanism used must be clearly documented in the recruitment file and available for reconstruction or third-party review. The agency may determine, based on the position to be filled, which of the following mechanisms will best meet the hiring needs of the agency and result in at least three names for consideration for appointment in the order provided in § 302.304. In selecting an appropriate mechanism, agencies should consider the assessment(s) used, historical applicant data, current labor market conditions, and other factors appropriate for the hiring action.

(i) The agency may establish a cut-off score based on the assessment(s) used, supported by job analysis data;

(ii) The agency may use a cut-off score based on business necessity (e.g., a cut-off score based on the agency's need to keep processing of the expected number of applicants manageable because of its use of a costly or labor-intensive assessment tool such as a structured interview);

(iii) The agency may use a set number of the highest ranked eligible applicants; or

(iv) The agency may use a set percentage of the highest ranked eligible applicants.

(3) Category rating. When making appointments from a list on which candidates have been placed in quality categories, in accordance with 5 CFR part 337, subpart C, an agency may select any eligible candidate(s) in the highest quality category; except the selecting official may not select a non-preference eligible over a preference eligible unless the agency has complied with the pass-over procedures in paragraph (b) of this section. If there are fewer than three candidates in the highest quality category, the agency may combine (merge) the top two quality categories and make selections from the newly merged category. The newly merged category is the new highest quality category. Preference eligibles must be listed ahead of non-preference eligibles in the newly merged category.

(4) Conditions. Under any of the above selection methods, an agency is not required to—

(i) Accord an applicant on its priority reemployment or reemployment list the preference consideration required by § 302.304 if the list on which the applicant's name appears does not contain the names of at least three preference eligibles; or

(ii) Consider an applicant who has previously been considered three times in accordance with § 332.405 or a preference eligible if consideration of his/her name for the position has been discontinued as provided in paragraph (b) of this section.

(b) Passing over a preference applicant. When an agency, in making an appointment as provided in paragraph (a) of this section, passes over the name of a preference eligible, it shall follow the procedures in 5 U.S.C. 3318(c) and 3319(c) as described in the Delegated Examining Operations Handbook. An agency may discontinue consideration of the name of a preference eligible for a position as described in 5 U.S.C. 3318(c).

[55 FR 9407, Mar. 14, 1990, as amended at 85 FR 63191, Oct. 7, 2020; 90 FR 43145, Sept. 8, 2025]

§ 302.402 Reappointment.

An agency may reappoint a current or former nontemporary employee of the executive branch of the Federal Government who is a preference eligible to a position covered by this part without regard to the names of qualified applicants on the agency's priority reemployment, reemployment, or regular employment list.

§ 302.403 Qualifications for promotion.

In determining qualifications for promotion with respect to an employee who is a preference eligible, an agency shall waive:

(a) Requirements as to age, height, and weight unless the requirement is essential to the performance of the duties of the position; and

(b) Physical requirements if, in the opinion of the agency, after considering the recommendation of an accredited physician, the preference eligible is physically able to perform efficiently the duties of the position for which the promotion is proposed.

§ 302.501 General authority.

(a) Certificate has the meaning given in § 332.102 of this chapter.

(b) A hiring agency may share an excepted service certificate issued for filling positions under Schedules D and Policy/Career with one or more Federal agencies for positions to be filled on a permanent or time-limited basis. Positions filled on a time-limited basis are subject to § 213.104 of this chapter. Positions may be full-time or other than full-time, including part-time, seasonal, on-call, and intermittent positions.

(c) All actions taken on a shared excepted service certificate must occur within 240 days after the date on which the original hiring agency issued the certificate. This period may not be extended.

(d) The original hiring agency and any receiving agency using a shared excepted service certificate must maintain sufficient documentation to reconstruct their respective use of the certificate and must safeguard examination materials, assessment materials, examination results, assessment results, and applicant information in accordance with § 300.201 of this chapter.

(e) All actions taken on a shared excepted service certificate must comply with this part.

(f) Agencies sharing excepted service certificates must keep records of the instances of sharing these certificates and/or using shared excepted service certificates.

§ 302.502 Requirements for the original hiring agency.

(a) An original hiring agency may share an excepted service certificate issued under § 302.302 with one or more receiving agencies if:

(1) The original hiring agency intends to use the excepted service certificate for its own hiring needs;

(2) The original hiring agency informed applicants that the resulting excepted service certificate may be used by one or more hiring agencies;

(3) The original hiring agency provided applicants an opportunity to opt-in to have their applications and other personal information shared with one or more hiring agencies;

(4) The original hiring agency's objections to eligibles or requests to pass over preference eligibles have been resolved in accordance with subpart D of this part, or by OPM in the case of a disabled veteran with a thirty percent or more service-connected disability. The original hiring agency must notate on the excepted service certificate next to the name of any preference eligible veteran whom the agency successfully passed over;

(5) The original hiring agency either made a selection from the excepted service certificate or documented its reason for making no selection; and

(6) The original hiring agency determined that sharing the excepted service certificate complies with this part and any applicable agency policy.

(b) The original hiring agency may apply the three-consideration rule in § 332.405 during its use of an excepted service certificate on which applicants were assigned numerical scores under § 302.302(b)(1) and remove candidates from consideration accordingly. The three-consideration rule does not apply to an excepted service certificate on which applicants were placed in quality categories under § 302.302(b)(2). Before sharing the certificate with another agency, the original hiring agency must notate the certificate next to the name of any applicant removed from consideration under § 332.405. For purposes of this subpart, § 332.405 applies as if the position were being filled in the competitive service.

(c) When sharing an excepted service certificate, the original hiring agency must share all documentation pertaining to the creation of that certificate, including but not limited to the job analysis, testing and examination materials, the job opportunity announcement or applicable public notification, and applications, as relevant, and must safeguard any personally identifiable information not needed for effective use of the certificate by the receiving agency. The original hiring agency may share the assessment scores of certified applicants. The original hiring agency must share the excepted service certificate of eligibles in its original form in order to retain the original ordering of the certificate; must safeguard any personally identifiable information from unauthorized access during the transmission process; and must redact the names of applicants who did not opt-in to the shared certificate, and who therefore may not be considered by the receiving agency.

(d) The original hiring agency may share an excepted service certificate of eligibles with one or more agencies, one agency at a time or multiple agencies simultaneously.

(e) If the original hiring agency determines that it has made an error that may affect selections by a receiving agency or agencies, it must notify each affected receiving agency.

§ 302.503 Requirements for receiving agencies.

(a) Eligible vacancies. A receiving agency may use a shared excepted service certificate to fill a vacancy in the same occupational series, at the same grade level (or corresponding rate or level of pay for a position excluded from the General Schedule) with the same full-performance level, and in the same duty location as was listed on the original hiring agency's certificate. If the original hiring agency's excepted service certificate is for an interdisciplinary position as described in the Delegated Examining Operations Handbook, the receiving agency may use it to fill an interdisciplinary position. The receiving agency must verify through its job analysis that the minimum qualification requirements (including use of any selective placement factors) and the competencies, or knowledge, skills, and abilities, that were used for the original position are appropriate for the position to be filled.

(b) Notification to applicants. Before using a shared excepted service certificate, a receiving agency must notify eligible applicants who opted-in that it has received their names and application materials and intends to consider them for employment. The notification must identify the agency, position title, occupational series, grade level or equivalent, and duty location.

(c) Limitations. (1) Nothing in this paragraph affects agencies' right to fill a position from any appropriate source under §§ 330.102 and 335.103 of this chapter.

(2) Before considering other candidates, a receiving agency must first provide for the consideration for selection required for individuals entitled to priority consideration under §§ 302.303 and 302.304.

(d) Selection from the shared certificate. A receiving agency may consider candidates referred on the shared excepted service certificate.

(1) A receiving agency may, but is not required to, consider any applicant designated on the certificate as being passed over under § 302.502(a)(4), or as having received three bona fide considerations under § 302.502(b).

(2) The receiving agency may not reassess the applicants for purposes of rating/ranking.

(e) Time limit on selection. The receiving agency has 240 days from the date the certificate was issued (in the original hiring agency) to select individuals from the shared excepted service certificate.

(f) Limit on further sharing by the receiving agency. The receiving agency may not share or distribute the shared certificate to another Federal agency.

§ 302.601 General authority.

(a) OPM may issue lists of qualified applicants for which agencies shall conduct technical assessments and certify applicants for selection, to one or more agencies under this part; or

(b) OPM may issue excepted service certificates to one or more agencies which may make selections in accordance with this part.

§ 302.602 Definitions.

In this subpart:

Certificate has the meaning given in § 332.102 of this chapter.

OPM-led pooled hiring action means a hiring approach under which OPM will (1) centrally recruit and provide agencies with lists of applicants who meet minimum requirements and qualifications for hiring agencies to conduct the technical assessment, certification, and selection processes, or (2) centrally recruit, screen applicants for minimum requirements and qualifications, conduct the technical assessment and certification processes, and provide agencies with ready-made excepted service certificates of qualified applicants to make selections.

Participating agency means an agency that receives a list of qualified applicants or an excepted service certificate from OPM under this subpart for a given OPM-led pooled hiring action.

§ 302.603 Lists of qualified applicants.

(a) OPM may recruit applicants, determine minimum qualifications, and provide lists of qualified applicants to agencies.

(b) Agencies are responsible for conducting technical assessments and issuing excepted service certificates in accordance with this part.

(c) Agencies must satisfy all applicable requirements pertaining to applicants eligible for priority consideration in accordance with §§ 302.103, 302.303, 302.304, and 302.401.

(d) An agency may apply the three-consideration rule under § 332.405 of this subchapter to an excepted service certificate on which applicants were assigned numerical scores under § 302.302(b)(1) and must notify OPM when doing so. The three-consideration rules does not apply to an excepted service certificate on which applicants were placed in quality categories under § 302.302(b)(2). OPM will notify all participating agencies when an applicant has been removed from further consideration under the three-consideration rule. An agency may, but is not required to, consider any applicant who received three bona fide considerations from another agency in accordance with § 332.405 of this subchapter and identified as such by OPM. For purposes of this subpart, § 332.405 of this subchapter applies as if the position were being filled in the competitive service.

(e) An agency which passes over a preference eligible must notify OPM when the pass-over is sustained. OPM will notify all participating agencies when a pass-over request has been sustained, and the veteran is removed from further consideration. An agency may, but is not required to, consider any applicant notified that he or she was being passed over by another agency in accordance with § 302.401(b), the Delegated Examining Operations Handbook, and identified as such by OPM.

§ 302.604 OPM-created certificates for pooled hiring.

(a) OPM may issue one or more excepted service certificates for a hiring instance under the procedures of this part.

(b) An agency using an OPM-generated excepted service certificate may not reassess applicants for purposes of rating or ranking.

(c) OPM may establish a policy for the timeframe within which an agency using a certificate may make a selection, and any extensions to this timeframe.

(d) Agencies must satisfy all applicable requirements pertaining to applicants eligible for priority consideration in accordance with §§ 302.103, 302.303, 302.304, and 302.401.

(e) An agency may apply the three-consideration rule under § 332.405 of this subchapter to an excepted service certificate on which applicants were assigned numerical scores under § 302.302(b)(1) and must notify OPM when doing so. The three-consideration rule does not apply to an excepted service certificate on which applicants were placed in quality categories under § 302.302(b)(2). OPM will notify all participating agencies when an applicant has been removed from further consideration under the three-consideration rule. A participating agency may, but is not required to, consider any applicant who received three bona fide considerations from another agency in accordance with § 332.405 and identified as such by OPM.

(f) An agency which passes over a preference eligible must notify OPM when the pass-over is sustained. OPM will notify all participating agencies when a pass-over request has been sustained, and the veteran is removed from further consideration. An agency may, but is not required to, consider any applicant notified that he or she was being passed over by another agency in accordance with § 302.401(b), the Delegated Examining Operations Handbook, and identified as such by OPM.

§ 302.701 Entitlement.

An individual who is covered by 5 U.S.C. 8101(1) and is entitled to priority consideration under this part (see § 302.103) may appeal a violation of his/her restoration rights to the Merit Systems Protection Board under the provisions of the Board's regulations by presenting factual information that he or she was denied restoration rights because of the employment of another person.

[55 FR 9407, Mar. 14, 1990. Redesignated at 91 FR 58359, Sept. 15, 2026]

§ 304.101 Coverage.

These regulations apply to the appointment of experts and consultants as Federal employees under 5 U.S.C. 3109. They do not apply to the appointments of experts and consultants under other employment authorities or to the procurement of services by contracts under the procurement laws.

§ 304.102 Definitions.

For purposes of this part:

(a) An agency is an executive department, a military department, or an independent agency.

(b) A consultant is a person who can provide valuable and pertinent advice generally drawn from a high degree of broad administrative, professional, or technical knowledge or experience. When an agency requires public advisory participation, a consultant also may be a person who is affected by a particular program and can provide useful views from personal experience.

(c) A consultant position is one that requires providing advice, views, opinions, alternatives, or recommendations on a temporary and/or intermittent basis on issues, problems, or questions presented by a Federal official.

(d) An expert is a person who is specially qualified by education and experience to perform difficult and challenging tasks in a particular field beyond the usual range of achievement of competent persons in that field. An expert is regarded by other persons in the field as an authority or practitioner of unusual competence and skill in a professional, scientific, technical or other activity.

(e) An expert position is one that requires the services of a specialist with skills superior to those of others in the same profession, occupation, or activity to perform work on a temporary and/or intermittent basis assigned by a Federal official. For example, a microbial contamination specialist may apply new test methods to identify bacteria on products, a computer scientist may adapt advanced methods to develop a complex software system, or a plate maker may engrave a novel design.

(f) Intemittent employment, as defined in part 340, subpart D, of this chapter, means employment without a regularly scheduled tour of duty.

(g) Temporary employment means employment not to exceed 1 year. An expert or consultant serving under a temporary appointment may have a full-time, part-time, seasonal, or intermittent work schedule.

(h) Employment without compensation means unpaid service that is provided at the agency's request and is to perform duties that are unclassified. It is not volunteer service.

§ 304.103 Authority.

(a) Basic authority. (1) When authorized by an appropriation or other statute to use 5 U.S.C. 3109, an agency may appoint a qualified expert or consultant to an expert or consultant position that requires only intermittent and/or temporary employment. Such an appointment is excepted from competitive examination, position classification, and the General Schedule pay rates.

(2) An expert or consultant who works on a strictly intermittent basis may be appointed under this authority without time limit or for any period determined by the agency. All other experts and consultants must receive temporary appointments. Temporary experts and consultants may be reappointed in the same agency only as provided in paragraph (c) of this section.

(b) Inappropriate use. An agency must not use 5 U.S.C. 3109 to appoint an expert or consultant:

(1) To a position requiring Presidential appointment. However, subject to the conditions of this part, an agency may appoint an individual awaiting final action on a Presidential appointment to an expert or consultant position.

(2) To a Senior Executive Service position (including an FBI or DEA Senior Executive Service position).

(3) To perform managerial or supervisory work (although an expert may act as team leader or director of the specific project for which he/she is hired), to make final decisions on substantive policies, or to otherwise function in the agency chain of command (e.g., to approve financial transactions, personnel actions, etc.).

(4) To do work performed by the agency's regular employees.

(5) To fill in during staff shortages.

(6) Solely in anticipation of giving that individual a career appointment. However, subject to the conditions of this part, an agency may appoint an individual to an expert or consultant position pending Schedule C appointment or noncareer appointment in the Senior Executive Service.

(c) Reappointment. An agency may reemploy an expert or consultant to perform demonstrably different duties without regard to the length of that individual's previous expert or consultant service with the agency. Reappointment to perform substantially the same duties is subject to the following limits:

(1) An agency may employ an expert or consultant who works on a full-time basis for a maximum of 2 years—i.e., on an initial appointment not to exceed 1 year and a reappointment not to exceed 1 additional year.

(2) An agency may reappoint an expert or consultant who works on a part-time or intermittent schedule in accordance with one of the following options. The agency must determine which option it will use in advance of any reappointment and must base its determination on objective criteria (e.g., nature of duties, pay level, whether or not work is regularly scheduled). Option 1 must be applied to reappointments of experts and consultants appointed without compensation.

(i) Option 1—Annual service. An agency may reappoint an expert or consultant, with no limit on the number of reappointments, as long as the individual is paid for no more than 6 months (130 days or 1,040 hours) of work, or works for no more than that amount of time without compensation, in a service year. (The service year is the calendar year that begins on the date of the individual's initial appointment in the agency.) An expert or consultant who exceeds this limit in his/her first service year may be reappointed for 1 additional year. An expert or consultant who exceeds the limit during any subsequent service year may not be reappointed thereafter.

(ii) Option 2—Cumulative earnings. Each expert or consultant will have a lifetime limit of twice the maximum annual rate payable under the annualized basic pay limitations of section 304.105. The agency may adjust this limit to reflect statutory increases in basic pay rates. The agency may reappoint an expert or consultant until his/her total earnings from expert or consultant employment with the agency reach the lifetime maximum, as determined by using the applicable maximum salary rate. At that point, the employment must be terminated.

(3) OPM may authorize reappointment of an expert or consultant as an exception to the limits in the section when necessitated by unforeseen and unusual circumstances.

§ 304.104 Determining rate of pay.

(a) The rate of basic pay for experts and consultants is set by administrative action. The head of an agency, or his or her designee, must determine the appropriate rate of basic pay on an hourly or daily basis, subject to the limitations described in section 304.105.

(b) The head of an agency, or his or her designee, shall consider the following factors in setting the initial rate of basic pay for an expert or consultant:

(1) The level and difficulty of the work to be performed;

(2) The qualifications of the expert or consultant;

(3) The pay rates of comparable individuals performing similar work in Federal or non-Federal sectors; and

(4) The availability of qualified candidates.

(c) An expert or consultant appointed under 5 U.S.C. 3109 may be employed without pay, provided the individual agrees in advance in writing to waive any claim for compensation for those services.

§ 304.105 Daily and biweekly basic pay limitations.

(a) Unless specifically authorized by an appropriation or other statute, agencies subject to chapter 51 and subchapter III of chapter 53 of title 5, United States Code, may not pay for any 1 day an aggregate amount of pay (including basic pay, locality pay under subpart F of part 531 of this chapter, and premium pay under subpart A of part 550 of this chapter) that exceeds the daily equivalent of the highest rate payable under 5 U.S.C. 5332—that is, the daily rate for GS-15, step 10, under the General Schedule (excluding locality pay or any other additional pay). The daily rate is computed by dividing the annual GS-15, step 10, rate by 2,087 hours to find the hourly rate of pay and by multiplying the hourly rate of pay by 8 hours.

(b) Unless specifically authorized by an appropriation or other statute, an expert or consultant shall not be paid for any biweekly pay period an aggregate amount of pay (including basic pay, locality pay under subpart F of part 531 of this chapter, and premium pay under subpart A of part 550 of this chapter) in excess of the biweekly rate of pay for GS-15, step 10, under the General Schedule (excluding locality pay or any other additional pay). The biweekly rate is computed by dividing the annual GS-15, step 10, rate by 2,087 hours to find the hourly rate of pay and by multiplying the hourly rate of pay by 80 hours.

§ 304.106 Pay and leave administration.

(a) The employing agency has the authority to adjust the pay of experts and consultants after initial appointment and to establish appropriate policies governing the amount and timing of any such adjustments, subject to the limitations of § 304.105. In addition to the factors listed in § 304.104(b), the agency may consider factors such as job performance, contributions to agency mission, and the general pay increases granted to other Federal employees. Experts and consultants are not entitled to receive automatic adjustments in their rates of basic pay at the time of general pay increases under 5 U.S.C. 5303 unless specifically provided for in the official appointing document. In the absence of such automatic entitlement, any pay adjustments are at the agency's discretion.

(b) Experts and consultants paid on a daily rate basis are not entitled to overtime pay under section 5542 of title 5, United States Code. Otherwise, experts and consultants qualify for premium pay under subchapter V of chapter 55 of title 5, United States Code, if they meet the applicable eligibility requirements (including the requirement that an employee have a regularly scheduled tour of duty, where applicable).

(c) Experts and consultants may be entitled to overtime pay under the Fair Labor Standards Act if they are nonexempt under OPM regulations implementing that Act for Federal employees. (See 5 CFR part 551).

(d) An expert or consultant may be paid for service on an intermittent basis in more than one expert or consultant position, provided the pay is not received for the same period of time (5 U.S.C. 5533(d)(1)).

(e) Experts and consultants are subject to the provisions of 5 U.S.C. 8344 and 8468 on reduction of basic pay by the amount of annuity received.

(f) Experts and consultants are subject to the provisions of 5 U.S.C. 5532 on reduction of retired military pay.

(g) Experts and consultants with a regularly scheduled tour of duty (i.e., not intermittent) are entitled to sick and annual leave in accordance with chapter 63 of title 5, United States Code, and to pay for any holiday occurring on a workday on which they perform no work, provided that workday is part of the basic workweek. Those employed on an intermittent basis do not earn leave and are not entitled to paid holidays.

§ 304.107 Reports.

As required by 5 U.S.C. 3109(e), each agency shall report to the Office of Personnel Management on an annual basis:

(a) The number of days the agency employed each paid expert or consultant; and

(b) The total amount the agency paid each expert or consultant so employed. (Do not include payments for travel and related expenses.)

§ 304.108 Compliance.

(a) Each agency using 5 U.S.C. 3109 must establish and maintain a system of controls and oversight necessary to assure compliance with 5 U.S.C. 3109 and these regulations. The system must include—

(1) Appropriate training and information procedures to ensure that officials and employees using the authority understand the statutory and regulatory requirements; and

(2) Appropriate provision for review of expert and consultant appointments.

(b) OPM will, as necessary—

(1) Review agency employment of experts and consultants and agency controls and oversight to determine compliance; and

(2) Issue instructions and guidance to agencies on employing experts and consultants and on reporting procedures.

§ 307.101 Purpose.

This part implements 38 U.S.C. 4214 and Executive Order 11521, which authorizes agencies to appoint qualified covered veterans to positions in the competitive service under Veterans Recruitment Appointments (VRAs) without regard to the competitive examining system.

§ 307.102 Definitions.

For purposes of this part—

Agency, as defined in 38 U.S.C. 4211(5), means any agency of the Federal Government or the District of Columbia, including any Executive agency as defined in section 105 of title 5, and the United States Postal Service and Postal Rate Commission.

Covered veterans, as defined in 38 U.S.C. 4212(a)(3), means any of the following:

(1) Disabled veterans;

(2) Veterans who served on active duty in the Armed Forces during a war or in a campaign or expedition for which a campaign badge has been authorized;

(3) Veterans who, while serving on active duty with the Armed Forces, participated in a United States military operation for which an Armed Forces Service Medal (AFSM) was awarded pursuant to Executive Order 12985 (61 FR 1209); and

(4) Recently separated veterans.

Disabled veteran, as defined in 38 U.S.C. 4211 means:

(1) A veteran who is entitled to compensation (or who, but for the receipt of military retired pay, would be entitled to compensation) under laws administered by the Secretary of Veterans Affairs; or

(2) A person who was discharged or released from active duty because of a service-connected disability.

Qualified, as defined in 38 U.S.C. 4212(a)(3) with respect to employment in a position, means having the ability to perform the essential functions of the position with or without reasonable accommodation for an individual with a disability.

Recently separated veteran, as defined in 38 U.S.C. 4211(6), means any veteran during the three-year period beginning on the date of such veteran's discharge or release from active duty.

Substantially continuous service is defined in 5 CFR 315.201(b)(3).

War means any armed conflict declared by Congress as such.

§ 307.103 Nature of VRAs.

VRAs are excepted appointments, made without competition, to positions otherwise in the competitive service. The veterans' preference procedures of part 302 of this chapter apply when there are preference eligible candidates being considered for a VRA. Qualified covered veterans who were separated under honorable conditions may be appointed to any position in the competitive service at grade levels up to and including GS-11 or equivalent, provided they meet the qualification standards for the position. To be eligible for a VRA as a covered veteran under paragraph (2) or (3) of the definition of that term in § 307.102, the veteran must be in receipt of the appropriate campaign badge, expeditionary medal, or AFSM. For purposes of a VRA, any military service is qualifying at the GS-3 level or equivalent. Upon satisfactory completion of 2 years of substantially continuous service, the incumbent's VRA must be converted to a career or career conditional appointment. An individual may receive more than one VRA appointment as long as the individual meets the definition of a covered veteran at the time of appointment.

§ 307.104 Treatment of individuals serving under VRAs.

(a) Because VRAs are made to positions otherwise in the competitive service, the incumbents, like competitive service employees, may be reassigned, promoted, demoted, or transferred in accordance with the provisions of part 335 of this chapter.

(b) A veteran with less than 15 years of education must receive training or education prescribed by the agency.

(c) Appointments are subject to investigation by OPM. A law, Executive order, or regulation that disqualifies a person for appointment in the competitive service also disqualifies a person for a VRA.

(d) The Veterans Recruitment Appointment date for a recently separated veteran must occur before the end of the 3-year eligibility period and may not be extended.

§ 307.105 Appeal rights.

Individuals serving under VRAs have the same appeal rights as excepted service employees under parts 432 and 752 of this chapter. In addition, any individual serving under a VRA, whose employment under the appointment is terminated within 1 year after the date of such appointment, has the same right to appeal that termination as a career or career-conditional employee has during the first year of employment.

[90 FR 26729, June 24, 2025]

§ 308.101 Definitions.

In this part: Student is an individual who is enrolled not less than half-time in a high school, trade school, technical or vocational institute, junior college, college, university or other accredited educational institution. An individual who is a student is deemed not to have ceased to be a student during an interim between school years if the interim is not more than 5 months and if such individual shows to the satisfaction of the agency that the individual has a bona fide intention of continuing to pursue a course of study or training in the same or different educational institution during the school semester (or other period into which the school year is divided) immediately after the interim.

Volunteer Service under the Act is limited to services performed by a student, with the permission of the institution at which the student is enrolled, as part of an agency program established for the purpose of providing educational experience for the student. Such service is to be uncompensated and will not be used to displace any employee or to staff a position which is a normal part of the agency's work force.

§ 308.102 Eligibility and status.

(a) Minimum Age. The selection of students to participate under the program should be in conformance with either Federal, State, or local laws and standards governing the employment of minors.

(b) Status. A student participating under an agency volunteer program is not considered to be a Federal employee for any purposes other than injury compensation or laws related to the Tort Claims Act. Service is not creditable for leave accrual or any other employee benefits.

§ 308.103 Authority.

Section 301 of the Civil Service Reform Act of 1978, Public Law 95-454, authorized Federal departments and agencies to establish programs designed to provide educationally related work assignments for students in nonpay status.

§ 310.101 Legal restrictions on public officials in the employment of relatives.

Section 3110 of title 5, United States Code, sets forth the legal restrictions on the employment of relatives.

§ 310.102 Exceptions to the legal restrictions on the employment of relatives.

Subsection (d) of 5 U.S.C. 3110 authorizes the Office of Personnel Management to prescribe regulations authorizing the temporary employment of relatives, in certain conditions, notwithstanding the restrictions. This regulation sets forth exceptions to the restrictions. When necessary to meet urgent needs resulting from an emergency posing an immediate threat to life or property, or a national emergency as defined in § 230.402(a)(1) of this title, a public official may employ relatives to meet those needs without regard to the restrictions on the employment of relatives in 5 U.S.C. 3110. Such appointments are temporary and may not exceed 30 days, but the agency may extend such an appointment for one additional 30-day period if the emergency need still exists at the time of the extension.

§ 315.201 Service requirement for career tenure.

(a) Service requirement. A person employed in the competitive service for other than temporary, term, or indefinite employment is appointed as a career or career-conditional employee subject to the probationary period required by part 11 of this chapter. Except as provided in paragraph (c) of this section, an employee must serve at least 3 years of creditable service as defined in paragraph (b) of this section to become a career employee.

(b) Creditable service. Unless otherwise approved by OPM, the service required for career tenure must include service as described in paragraph (b)(1) of this section and total at least 3 years.

(1) Nontemporary employment. To be creditable, the 3 years of service must begin with one of the following:

(i) Nontemporary appointment in the competitive service: For this purpose, nontemporary appointment includes a career-conditional appointment. The 3 years may also begin, but not end, with status quo employment under subpart G of part 316 of this chapter, an overseas limited appointment of indefinite duration, or an overseas limited term appointment under part 301 of this chapter. The 3 years also may have begun with permanent employment under now obsolete appointing authorities such as probational, war service indefinite, emergency indefinite, nontemporary appointment from a civil service register to a position in the excepted service before January 23, 1955, temporary appointment pending establishment of a register (also known as TAPER authority), nontemporary appointment to a position in the District of Columbia Government before January 23, 1955, and appointment based on Public Law 83-121. Determinations of whether an obsolete authority provides the basis for creditable service may be obtained from OPM;

(ii) Nontemporary appointment to an excepted position, provided the employee's excepted position was brought into the competitive service and, on that basis, the employee acquired competitive status or was converted to a career-conditional appointment;

(iii) Nontemporary appointment to a nonappropriated fund (NAF) position in or under the Department of Defense or in or under the U.S. Coast Guard, Department of Homeland Security, provided the employee's NAF position was brought into the competitive service and, on that basis, the employee acquired competitive status or was converted to a career or career-conditional appointment;

(iv) Nontemporary excepted or nonappropriated fund appointment, Foreign Service appointment, or appointment in the Canal Zone Merit System, provided the employee is appointed to a competitive service position under the terms of an interchange agreement with another merit system under § 6.7 of this chapter, under Executive Order 11219 as amended by Executive Order 12292, or under Executive Order 11171;

(v) The date of appointment to a position on the White House Staff or in the immediate office of the President or Vice President, provided the service has been continuous and the individual was appointed to a competitive service position under § 315.602 of this chapter;

(vi) The date of nontemporary excepted appointment under § 213.3202(b) of this chapter (the former Student Career Experience Program) as in effect immediately before July 10, 2012, the effective date of the regulations removing that paragraph, provided the student's appointment was converted to a career or career-conditional appointment under Executive Order 12015 or under Executive Order 13562, with or without an intervening term appointment, and without a break in service of one day;

(vii) The date of veterans recruitment appointment (VRA), provided the appointment is converted to a career or career-conditional appointment under § 315.705 of this chapter, or the person is appointed from a civil service register without a break in service while serving under a VRA;

(viii) The date of nontemporary appointment to the Postal Career Service or the Postal Regulatory Commission after July 1, 1971, provided the individual is appointed to a career or career-conditional appointment under 39 U.S.C. 1006;

(ix) The date of nontemporary appointment under Schedule A, § 213.3102(u) of this chapter, of a person with an intellectual disability, severe physical disability, or a psychiatric disability, provided the employee's appointment is converted to a career or career-conditional appointment under § 315.709;

(x) The date of appointment in the Presidential Management Fellows Program under the provisions of Executive Order 13318, provided the employee's appointment was converted without a break in service to a career or career-conditional appointment under § 315.708 as in effect immediately before July 10, 2012, the effective date of the regulations that removed and reserved that section, or under Executive Order 13562;

(xi) The starting date of active service as an administrative enrollee in the United States Merchant Marine Academy;

(xii) Appointment as a career intern under Schedule B, § 213.3202(o) of this chapter, provided the employee's appointment was converted to a career or career-conditional appointment under § 315.712 as in effect immediately before July 10, 2012, the effective date of the regulations that removed and reserved that section;

(xiii) The date of appointment as a Pathways Participant in the Internship Program under Schedule D, § 213.3402(a) of this chapter, provided the employee's appointment is converted to a career or career-conditional appointment under § 315.713(a), with or without an intervening term appointment, and without a break in service of one day;

(xiv) The date of appointment as a Pathways Participant in the Recent Graduates Program under Schedule D, § 213.3402(b) of this chapter, provided the employee's appointment is converted to a career or career-conditional appointment under § 315.713(b), with or without an intervening term appointment, and without a break in service of one day;

(xv) The date of appointment as a Pathways Participant in the Presidential Management Fellows Program under § 213.3402(c) of this chapter as it appeared in the January 1, 2025, edition of 5 CFR parts 1-699 (Vol. 1), provided the employee's appointment is converted to a career or career-conditional appointment under § 315.713(a)(3), with or without an intervening term appointment, and without a break in service of one day;

(xvi) Employment with the District of Columbia Government after January 1, 1980 (the date the District implemented an independent merit personnel system not tied to the Federal system), provided the person was a District employee on December 31, 1979, was converted to the District system on January 1, 1980, and is employed by nontemporary appointment in the competitive service;

(xvii) The date of a time-limited post-secondary student appointment under subpart F of this part provided the appointment is converted to career or career-conditional appointment under 5 CFR part 316, subpart I; and

(xviii) The date of a time-limited post-secondary student appointment under subpart F of this part provided the appointment is converted to career or career-conditional appointment under 5 CFR part 316, subpart I.

(2) Competitive status. An individual may attain career tenure only when employed (or reemployed) in a permanent appointment in the competitive service that provides or leads to competitive status.

(3) Crediting service. An employee's creditable service must total at least 3 years, under the following conditions:

(i) Work schedule. (A) Full-time service, and part-time service on or after July 1, 1962, are counted as calendar time from the date of appointment to date of separation.

(B) Intermittent service on or after July 1, 1962, is counted as 1 day for each day an employee is in pay status, regardless of the number of hours for which the employee is actually paid on a given day. Agencies should consult the “260-Day Work Year Chart” in OPM's Guide to Processing Personnel Actions to convert intermittent days worked to calendar time. The service requirement may not be satisfied in less than 3 years of calendar time.

(ii) Nonpay status on the rolls and time off the rolls. An agency may not credit periods of nonpay status and time off the rolls except as follows:

(A) Credit the first 30 calendar days of each period of nonpay status on the rolls during full-time employment, or during part-time employment on or after July 1, 1962. On this same basis, a seasonal employee receives credit for the first 30 calendar days of each period of nonduty/nonpay status. Nonpay status in excess of 30 days is not creditable.

(B) Credit periods of nonpay status and time off the rolls incident to entry into and return from military service and return from defense transfer, provided the person is reemployed in Federal service during the period of his or her statutory or regulatory restoration or reemployment rights.

(C) Credit periods of nonpay status and time off the rolls incident to transfer to and return from an international organization, provided the person is reemployed in Federal service under subpart C of part 352 of this chapter.

(D) Credit periods of nonpay status during which an employee was eligible to receive continuation of pay or injury compensation from the Office of Workers' Compensation Programs. Also credit periods of time off the rolls during which an employee was eligible to receive injury compensation from the Office of Workers' Compensation Programs, provided the person is reemployed under part 353 of this chapter.

(E) Credit up to 30 calendar days for time off the rolls that follows separation by reduction in force of employees who are eligible for entry on the reemployment priority list under subpart B of part 330 of this chapter, provided the person is reemployed in Federal service during the period of his or her reemployment priority.

(F) Credit up to 30 calendar days for time off the rolls that follow involuntary separation without personal cause of employees who are eligible for a noncompetitive appointment based on an interchange agreement with another merit system under § 6.7 of this chapter, provided the person is employed in the competitive service under the agreement during the period of his or her eligibility.

(G) Credit periods of nonpay status incident to an assignment to a State, local, or Indian tribal government, institution of higher education, or other eligible organization provided the employee returns to a creditable appointment pursuant to an agreement established under subchapter VI of chapter 33, title 5, U.S.C., and part 334 of this chapter.

(iii) Restoration based on unwarranted or improper actions. Based on a finding made on or after March 30, 1966, that a furlough, suspension, or separation was unwarranted or improper, an employee restored to duty receives full calendar time credit for the period of furlough, suspension, or separation for which he or she is eligible to receive back pay. If the employee is restored to duty at a date later than the original adverse action, credit for intervening periods of nonpay status is given in accordance with other provisions of this subsection. If the employee had been properly separated from the rolls of the agency before a finding was made that the adverse action was unwarranted or improper, the correction and additional service credit given the employee may not extend beyond the date of the proper separation.

(iv) Intervening service. Certain types of service that ordinarily are not creditable are counted when they intervene between two periods of creditable service. Under these conditions, credit each period of service:

(A) In the excepted service of the Federal executive branch, including employment in nonappropriated fund positions in or under any Federal agency;

(B) Under temporary, term, or other nonpermanent employment in the Federal competitive service;

(C) In the Senior Executive Service;

(D) In the Federal legislative branch;

(E) In the Federal judicial branch;

(F) In the armed forces;

(G) In the District of Columbia Government through December 31, 1979. For an employee on the District rolls on December 31, 1979, who converted on January 1, 1980, to the District independent personnel system, credit is also given for service between January 1, 1980, and September 25, 1980. Otherwise, service in the District of Columbia Government on or after January 1, 1980, is not creditable as intervening service; and

(H) Performed overseas by family members, as defined by § 315.608 of this chapter.

(c) Exceptions from service requirement. The service requirement for career tenure does not apply to:

(1) An appointment to a position required by law to be filled on a permanent basis, or a conversion under this part while the employee is serving in such a position;

(2) An appointment from a register of a person who once completed the service requirement for career tenure;

(3) An appointment under § 315.601 of a former Canal Zone Merit System employee who completed the service requirement for career tenure under that system; or

(4) The reinstatement of a person who once completed the service requirement for career tenure.

[33 FR 12418, Sept. 4, 1968, as amended at 43 FR 34428, Aug. 4, 1978; 59 FR 68104, Dec. 30, 1994; 60 FR 53504, Oct. 16, 1995; 62 FR 63630, Dec. 2, 1997; 63 FR 57046, Oct. 26, 1998; 65 FR 78078, Dec. 14, 2000; 70 FR 28779, May 19, 2005; 70 FR 44221, Aug. 2, 2005; 71 FR 42245, July 26, 2006; 77 FR 28214, May 11, 2012; 81 FR 78498, Nov. 8, 2016; 86 FR 46106, Aug. 18, 2021; 90 FR 38606, Aug. 11, 2025; 91 FR 7809, Feb. 19, 2026; 91 FR 49111, Aug. 3, 2026]

§ 315.202 Conversion from career-conditional to career tenure.

A career-conditional employee becomes a career employee automatically on completion of the service requirement for career tenure.

§ 315.301 Tenure on appointment from register.

(a) Except as provided in paragraph (b) of this section, an eligible appointed from a register for other than temporary or term employment becomes a career-conditional employee.

(b) An eligible appointed from a register for other than temporary or term employment becomes a career employee when he is excepted from the service requirement for career tenure by § 315.201(c).

§ 315.302 Acquisition of competitive status.

An employee appointed as provided in § 315.301 acquires a competitive status automatically on completion of probation.

§ 315.401 Reinstatement.

(a) Agency authority. Subject to part 335 of this chapter and paragraph (b) of this section, an agency may appoint by reinstatement to a competitive service position a person who previously was employed under career or career-conditional appointment (or equivalent).

(b) Time limit. There is no time limit on the reinstatement eligibility of a preference eligible or a person who completed the service requirement for career tenure. Except as provided in paragraph (c) of this section, an agency may reinstate a nonpreference eligible who has not completed the service requirement for career tenure only within 3 years following the date of separation. This time limit begins to run from the date of separation from the last position in which the person served under a career appointment, career-conditioned appointment, indefinite appointment in lieu of reinstatement, or an appointment under which he or she acquired competitive status.

(c) Extension of time limit. Intervening service of the following types extends the 3-year limit on reinstatement of eligibility of a nonpreference eligible who has not completed the service requirement for career tenure:

(1) Employment in Federal competitive service positions under temporary, term, indefinite, or other nonpermanent appointment.

(2) Employment in Federal excepted, nonappropriated fund, or Senior Executive Service positions in the executive branch;

(3) Employment in the Federal judicial branch or in the executive or judicial branches of the insular possessions of the United States;

(4) Employment in Federal legislative branch;

(5) Employment in an international governmental organization or a territorial, State, county, municipal, or foreign government in a position in which the agency determines that the proposed appointee acquired valuable training and experience for the position to be filled;

(6) A substantially full-time training course in any educational institution of recognized standing when the agency finds that the proposed appointee acquired valuable training or experience for the position to be filled;

(7) Compulsory service on work of national importance under civilian direction as required by the Military Selective Service Act;

(8) Active military duty terminated under honorable conditions;

(9) Service with the District of Columbia Government prior to January 1, 1980. In addition, for an employee on the District Government rolls on December 31, 1979, who was converted on January 1, 1980, to the District of Columbia merit personnel system, continuous District Government service after that date also extends the 3-year period;

(10) Periods of nonemployment during which a person is eligible for injury compensation under the Office of Workers' Compensation Programs;

(11) Periods of nonemployment during which a person receives disability retirement under the Civil Service or Federal Employees Retirement System;

(12) Employment by a nonfederal organization when the person's function was transferred to the nonfederal organization on a contract basis or by law or executive order;

(13) Volunteer service and training required prior to actual enrollment as a volunteer with Peace Corps, VISTA, and other programs of the Corporation for National and Community Service if it begins within the period the person is eligible for reinstatement; and

(14) Periods of overseas residence during which a spouse or unmarried child, under 21 years of age, of a member of the Armed Forces or of a Federal civilian employee is accompanying that individual on official assignment to an overseas post of duty. Overseas posts of duty are duty locations outside the 50 States of the United States, the District of Columbia, Guam, Puerto Rico, and the Virgin Islands.

[33 FR 12418, Sept. 4, 1968, as amended at 59 FR 68107, Dec. 30, 1994; 60 FR 53504, Oct. 16, 1995]

§ 315.402 Tenure on reinstatement.

(a) Except as provided in paragraph (b) of this section, a person who is reinstated becomes a career-conditional employee.

(b) A person who is reinstated becomes a career employee when he has completed the service requirement for career tenure or is excepted from it by § 315.201(c).

§ 315.403 Acquisition of competitive status.

A person who was serving probation when he was separated and who is reinstated under § 315.401 acquires a competitive status automatically on completion of probation.

§ 315.501 Transfer.

Subject to part 335 of this chapter, an agency may appoint by transfer to a competitive service position, without a break in service of a single workday, a current career or career-conditional employee of another agency.

[60 FR 53504, Oct. 16, 1995]

§ 315.502 Tenure on transfer.

(a) General rule. Except as provided in paragraph (b) of this section, a career employee who transfers remains a career employee and a career-conditional employee who transfers remains a career-conditional employee.

(b) Exceptions. (1) A career-conditional employee who transfers to a position required by law to be filled on a permanent basis becomes a career employee.

(2) A career employee who transfers from a position required by law to be filled on a permanent basis becomes a career-conditional employee unless he or she has completed the service requirement for career tenure.

[60 FR 53504, Oct. 16, 1995]

§ 315.503 Acquisition of competitive status.

An employee who was serving probation when he was appointed under § 315.501 acquires a competitive status automatically on completion of probation.

§ 315.601 Appointment of former employees of the Canal Zone Merit System or Panama Canal Employment System.

(a) Agency authority. This section may be used by an agency to appoint noncompetitively, for other than temporary or term employment, a United States citizen separated from a career or career-conditional appointment under the Canal Zone Merit System, which was in effect before March 31, 1982, or under the Panama Canal Employment System, which became effective on March 31, 1982. (Appointments of such persons for temporary or term employment are to be made under applicable provisions of part 316 of this chapter.)

(b) Service requirement. An agency may appoint such a former employee under this section only when, immediately prior to separation from a qualifying appointment, the employee served continuously for at least one year under a nontemporary appointment in the Canal Zone Merit System, the Panama Canal Employment System, or a combination of the two systems.

(c) Time limits. (1) There is no time limit on the appointment under this section of an employee who:

(i) Is a preference eligible; or

(ii) Has completed at least 3 years of service, which did not include any break in service longer than 30 days, under one or more career-conditional or career appointments in the Canal Zone Merit System and/or the Panama Canal Employment System.

(2) An agency may appoint under this section an employee who does not meet the conditions in (c)(1) of this section provided no more than 3 years have elapsed since:

(i) separation from a qualifying Canal Zone Merit System or Panama Canal Employment System appointment; or

(ii) separation from service in Panama in a position excluded from the Canal Zone Merit System or Panama Canal Employment System, when such service immediately followed service under a qualifying appointment in one of those systems.

(d) Tenure on appointment. On appointment under paragraph (a) of this section: (1) A former career employee of the Canal Zone Merit System or Panama Canal Employment System becomes a career employee.

(2) A former Canal Zone Merit System and/or Panama Canal Employment System employee whose service from the date of career-conditional appointment in the Canal Zone Merit System or Panama Canal Employment System through the date of noncompetitive appointment under this section, inclusive, does not include any break in service of more than 30 days and totals at least 3 years becomes a career employee.

(3) All other former Canal Zone Merit System and Panama Canal Employment System employees become career-conditional employees.

(e) Acquisition of competitive status. A person appointed under paragraph (a) of this section automatically acquires a competitive status:

(1) On appointment, if he or she has satisfactorily completed a 1-year probationary period under the Canal Zone Merit System and/or the Panama Canal Employment System.

(2) On satisfactory completion of probation in accordance with § 315.80 (a)(3) if he or she had not completed a 1-year probationary period under the Canal Zone Merit System or Panama Canal Employment System.

[48 FR 13951, Apr. 1, 1983]

§ 315.602 Appointment based on service in the Office of the President or Vice-President or on the White House Staff.

(a) Agency authority. An agency may appoint noncompetitively a person who has served at least 2 years in the immediate Office of the President or Vice-President or on the White House Staff, provided that the appointment is effected without a break in service of 1 full workday.

(b) Tenure on appointment. (1) Except as provided in paragraph (b)(2) of this section, a person appointed under paragraph (a) of this section becomes a career-conditional employee.

(2) A person appointed under paragraph (a) of this section becomes a career employee when he or she has completed the service requirement for career tenure or is excepted from it by § 315.201(c).

(c) Acquisition of competitive status. A person appointed under paragraph (a) of this section acquires a competitive status automatically on appointment.

[44 FR 54692, Sept. 21, 1979]

§ 315.603 Appointment based on former incumbency of a position brought into the competitive service.

(a) Agency authority—(1) Employee in military service. An agency may appoint a former incumbent of a permanent excepted position who was serving under an appointment not limited to 1 year or less, or of a position in public or private enterprise when the position was brought into the competitive service on a continuing basis and who left his position after June 30, 1950, to perform active military service when:

(i) The position was brought into the competitive service before or during his military service or during the period in which he had restoration rights thereto, and he left the position to enter military service before the end of the time limits set forth in § 315.701(c);

(ii) He has been released from military service under honorable conditions;

(iii) The agency submits a recommendation for his appointment to OPM within 6 months after release from military service under honorable conditions or after hospitalization continuing after release for not more than 1 year; and

(iv) He performed 6 months of satisfactory service immediately before the date his position was brought into the competitive service in a position or positions brought into the competitive service, or in the civilian executive branch of the Government, unless OPM has excepted his particular type of case from this requirement.

(2) Employee separated. An agency may appoint a former incumbent of a permanent excepted position under an appointment not limited to 1 year or less or of a position in public or private enterprise when the position was brought into the competitive service on a continuing basis, and who was separated thereafter, when:

(i) He is recommended for appointment within the time limits set forth in § 315.701(c); and

(ii) He performed 6 months of satisfactory service immediately before the date his position, was brought into the competitive service, in a position or positions brought into the competitive service or in the civilian executive branch of the Government, unless OPM has excepted his particular type of case from this requirement.

(3) Employee recovered from compensable injury. An agency may appoint a former incumbent of a permanent excepted position who was serving under an appointment not limited to 1 year or less, when the position has been brought into the competitive service and when:

(i) The employee is entitled to restoration based on recovery from compensable injury in accordance with 5 U.S.C. 8151 and part 353;

(ii) The employee's position was brought into the competitive service either before the employee's separation for compensable injury or during his or her period of statutory restoration rights following such injury, and the employee's separation for compensable injury occurred before the end of the time limits set forth in § 315.701(c);

(iii) The agency initiates the appointment within 6 months after cessation of compensation; and

(iv) The employee performed 6 months of statisfactory service immediately before the date his or her position was brought into the competitive service in the civilian executive branch of the Government, unless OPM has excepted his or her particular type of case from this requirement.

(b) Review of disapproved recommendations. Agencies shall establish procedures for reviewing disapprovals of recommendations for appointment under this section when such review is requested within 6 months after the date of disapproval.

(c) Tenure on appointment. (1) Except as provided in paragraph (c)(2) of this section, a person appointed under paragraph (a) of this section becomes a career-conditional employee.

(2) A person appointed under paragraph (a) of this section becomes a career employee when he has completed the service requirement for career tenure or is excepted from it by § 315.201(c).

(d) Acquisition of competitive status. (1) A person appointed under paragraph (a)(1) of this section acquires a competitive status automatically on appointment.

(2) A person appointed under paragraph (a)(2) or (a)(3) of this section acquires a competitive status automatically on completion of probation.

[33 FR 12418, Sept. 4, 1968, as amended at 43 FR 34428, Aug. 4, 1978; 54 FR 37092, Sept. 7, 1989; 66 FR 66710, Dec. 27, 2001]

§ 315.604 Employment of disabled veterans who have completed a training course under Chapter 31 of title 38, United States Code.

(a) When a disabled veteran satisfactorily completes an approved course of training prescribed by the Veterans Administration under chapter 31, title 38, United States Code, any agency may appoint the veteran noncompetitively to the position of class of positions for which trained.

(b) Conversion. An agency may convert to career or career-conditional employment a person appointed under paragraph (a) of this section.

(c) Disqualifications. Any law, Executive order, or civil service rule or regulation which would disqualify an applicant for appointment also disqualifies him or her for conversion of his or her employment to career or career-conditional employment under this section.

(d) Tenure on approval of recommendation. When an agency converts the employee under paragraph (b) of this section, the employee becomes:

(1) A career-conditional employee, except as provided in paragraph (d)(2) of this section; and

(2) A career employee when he or she has completed the service requirement for career tenure or is excepted from it by § 315.201(c).

(e) Acquisition of competitive status. A person whose employment is converted to career or career-conditional employment under this section acquires a competitive status automatically on conversion.

[44 FR 54692, Sept. 21, 1979, as amended at 44 FR 55132, Sept. 25, 1979]

§ 315.605 Appointment of former ACTION volunteers.

(a) Agency authority. An agency in the executive branch may appoint noncompetitively, for other than temporary employment, a person whom the Director of ACTION certifies as having served satisfactorily as a volunteer or volunteer leader under the Peace Corps Act (22 U.S.C. 2051 et seq.), or as a VISTA volunteer under the Economic Opportunity Act of 1964 (42 U.S.C. 2991 et seq.) or the Domestic Volunteer Service Act of 1973 (Pub. L. 93-113), or as a full-time community volunteer (including criminal justice volunteer, volunteer in justice, and VET REACH volunteer) under part C of title I of Pub. L. 93-113. To be qualifying under this section VISTA and community volunteer service must total at least 1 year. In addition, a community volunteer must have served prior to October 1, 1976.

(b) Time limit. An agency in the executive branch may make an appointment under this section only within 1 year after the person completes the qualifying service. (For Community volunteers who have completed their service before March 10, 1978, the 1-year period begins on March 10, 1978.) However, an agency may extend the period for 2 more years to a total of 3 years if the person, after the qualifying service, is:

(1) In the military service;

(2) Studying at a recognized institution of higher learning; or

(3) In another activity which, in the agency's view, warrants extension.

(c) Conditions. Any law, Executive order, or regulation that disqualifies an applicant for appointment also disqualifies an applicant for appointment under this section.

(d) Tenure on appointment. (1) Except as provided in paragraph (d)(2) of this section, a person appointed under paragraph (a) of this section becomes a career-conditional employee.

(2) A person appointed under paragraph (a) or this section becomes a career employee if excepted from the service requirement for career tenure by § 315.201(c).

(e) Acquisition of competitive status. A person appointed under paragraph (a) of this section acquires a competitive status automatically on completion of probation.

[39 FR 961, Jan. 4, 1974, as amended at 43 FR 20954, May 16, 1978; 43 FR 34428, Aug. 4, 1978]

§ 315.606 Noncompetitive appointment of certain present and former Foreign Service officers and employees.

Subject to the conditions prescribed by OPM, an agency may appoint noncompetitively a present or former career officer or employee of the Foreign Service who was appointed under authority of the Foreign Service Act of 1946, as amended (22 U.S.C. 801 et seq.), or legislation that supplements or replaces that Act, if:

(a) He qualifies under the requirements set forth in Executive Order 11219, and

(b) OPM has concurred in his present or former agency's plan, and substantive changes thereto, for noncompetitive entry of civil service employees into the Foreign Service positions of that agency.

[33 FR 12418, Sept. 4, 1968, as amended at 66 FR 66710, Dec. 27, 2001]

§ 315.607 Noncompetitive appointment of present and former Peace Corps personnel.

(a) An agency in the executive branch may appoint noncompetitively, for other than temporary appointment, an individual:

(1) Who has completed no less than 36 months of continuous service without a break in service of 3 days or more under section 7(a) of the Peace Corps Act (22 U.S.C. 2506) which pertains to the appointment of Peace Corps staff (not volunteers);

(2) Whom the Director of the Peace Corps certifies as having satisfactorily served under such an appointment; and

(3) Who meets OPM qualification standards—including any written test requirements—for the position in question.

(4) Who is not a Peace Corps volunteer as this paragraph does not apply to Peace Corps volunteers.

(b) Time limitations. (1) An individual's eligibility under this section extends through September 30, 1982, or until 3 years after separation from qualifying service with the Peace Corps, whichever is later.

(2) An agency may not extend this period.

(c) Conditions. Any law, Executive order, or regulation which disqualifies an applicant for appointment in the competitive service also disqualifies an applicant for appointment under this section.

(d) Acquisition of competitive status. A person appointed under paragraph (a) of this section acquires competitive status automatically upon completion of probation.

(e) Tenure on appointment. (1) Except as provided in paragraph (e)(2) of this section, a person appointed under paragraph (a) of this section becomes a career-conditional employee.

(2) A person appointed under paragraph (a) of this section becomes a career employee if excepted from the service requirement for career tenure by § 315.201(c).

[45 FR 43365, June 27, 1980, as amended at 46 FR 35079, July 7, 1981; 54 FR 37092, Sept. 7, 1989]

§ 315.608 Noncompetitive appointment of certain former overseas employees.

(a) Authority. An executive branch agency may noncompetitively appoint, to a competitive service position within the United States (including Guam, Puerto Rico, and the Virgin Islands), an individual who has completed 52 weeks of creditable overseas service as defined in paragraph (b) of this section and is appointed within the time limits in paragraph (d) of this section. Any law, Executive order, or regulation that disqualifies an applicant for appointment in the competitive service, such as the citizenship requirement, also disqualifies the applicant for appointment under this section. An individual may be appointed to any occupation and grade level for which qualified. An agency may waive any requirement for a written test after determining that the duties and responsibilities of the applicant's overseas position were similar enough to make the written test unnecessary.

(1) Tenure. A person appointed under this section becomes a career-conditional employee unless he or she has already satisfied the requirements for career tenure or is exempt from the service requirement in 5 CFR 315.201.

(2) Competitive status. A person appointed under this section acquires competitive status automatically upon completion of probation.

(b) Creditable overseas service. For purposes of this section only, creditable service is service in an appropriated fund position(s) performed by a family member under a local hire appointment(s) overseas during the time the family member was accompanying a sponsor officially assigned to an overseas area and for which the family member received a fully successful or better (or equivalent) performance rating. Creditable overseas service is computed in accordance with the procedures in the OPM Guide to Processing Personnel Actions. Creditable service may have been under more than one appointment and need not be continuous. Leave without pay taken during the time an individual is in the overseas area is credited on the same basis as time worked.

(c) Service waiver. Up to 26 weeks of the 52-week service requirement is waived when the head of an agency (or designee) that employed the family member overseas certifies that the family member's expected 52 weeks of employment were cut short because of a nonpersonal situation that necessitated the relocation of the family member from the overseas area. The certification must include the number of weeks waived. For this purpose, a nonpersonal situation includes disaster, conflict, terrorism or the threat of terrorism, and those situations when a family member is forced to return to the United States because of military deployment, drawdowns, or other management-initiated actions. A nonpersonal situation does not include circumstances that specifically relate to a particular individual, for example, ill health or personal interest in relocating.

(d) Time limit on eligibility. An individual is eligible for appointment(s) under this authority for a period of 3 years following the date of returning from overseas to the United States to resume residence or until March 31, 1998, whichever date is later. An agency may extend an individual's appointment eligibility beyond 3 years for periods equivalent to—

(1) The time the individual was accompanying a sponsor on official assignment to an area of the United States with no significant opportunities for Federal employment; or

(2) The time an individual was incapacitated for employment.

(e) Definitions. In this section terms have the following meaning:

(1) Family member. An unmarried child under age 23, a spouse, or a domestic partner. An individual must have been a family member at the time he or she met the overseas service requirement and other conditions but does not need to be a family member at the time of noncompetitive appointment in the United States.

(2) Sponsor. A Federal civilian employee, a Federal nonappropriated fund employee, or a member of a uniformed service who is officially assigned to an overseas area.

(i) Officially assigned. Under active orders issued by the United States Government.

(ii) Federal civilian employee. An employee of the executive, judicial, or legislative branch of the United States Government who serves in an appropriated fund position.

(iii) Nonappropriated fund employee. An employee paid from nonappropriated funds of the Army and Air Force Exchange Service, Navy Ship's Stores Ashore, Navy Exchanges, Marine Corps Exchanges, Coast Guard Exchanges, or other instrumentalities of the United States.

(iv) Member of a uniformed service. Personnel of the U.S. Armed Forces (including the Coast Guard), the commissioned corps of the Public Health Service, and the commissioned corps of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.

(3) Accompanying. The family member resided in the overseas area while the sponsor was officially assigned to an overseas post of duty. The family member need not have physically resided with the sponsor at all times or have traveled with the sponsor to or from the overseas area.

(4) Local hire appointment. An appointment that is not actually or potentially permanent and that is made from among individuals residing in the overseas area. In this section only, a local hire appointment includes nonpermanent employment under:

(i) Overseas limited appointment under 5 CFR 301.203(b) or (c);

(ii) Expected appointment under Schedule A 213.3106(b)(1), 213.3106(b)(6), or 213.3106(d)(1)) when the duration of the appointment is tied to the sponsor's rotation date or when the appointment is made on a not-to-exceed (NTE) basis;

(iii) An “American family member” or “part-time intermittent temporary (PIT)” appointment in U.S. diplomatic establishments;

(iv) 50 U.S.C. 403j; Public Law 86-36 (50 U.S.C. 402, note); the Berlin Tariff Agreement; or as a local national employee paid from appropriated funds; or

(v) Any other nonpermanent appointment in the competitive or excepted service approved by OPM.

(5) Overseas. A location outside the 50 States of the United States, the District of Columbia, Guam, Puerto Rico, and the Virgin Islands.

(6) Domestic partner. A person in a domestic partnership with a sponsor of the same sex.

(7) Domestic partnership. A committed relationship between two adults, of the same sex, in which the partners:

(i) Are each other's sole domestic partner and intend to remain so indefinitely;

(ii) Maintain a common residence, and intend to continue to do so (or would maintain a common residence but for an assignment abroad or other employment-related, financial, or similar obstacle);

(iii) Are at least 18 years of age and mentally competent to consent to contract;

(iv) Share responsibility for a significant measure of each other's financial obligations;

(v) Are not married or joined in a civil union to anyone else;

(vi) Are not the domestic partner of anyone else;

(vii) Are not related in a way that, if they were of opposite sex, would prohibit legal marriage in the U.S. jurisdiction in which the domestic partnership was formed;

(viii) Are willing to certify, if required by the agency, that they understand that willful falsification of any documentation required to establish that an individual is in a domestic partnership may lead to disciplinary action and the recovery of the cost of benefits received related to such falsification, as well as constitute a criminal violation under 18 U.S.C. 1001, and that the method for securing such certification, if required, shall be determined by the agency; and

(ix) Are willing promptly to disclose, if required by the agency, any dissolution or material change in the status of the domestic partnership.

[61 FR 9322, Mar. 8, 1996, as amended at 77 FR 42903, July 20, 2012]

§ 315.609 Appointment based on service in United States positions of the Panama Canal Commission.

(a) Agency authority. An agency may appoint noncompetitively, for other than temporary or term employment, a United States citizen who has served under nontemporary appointment in a continuing career position of the Panama Canal Commission located in the United States.

(b) Service requirement. An agency may appoint such an individual under this section only when, immediately prior to separation from a qualifying appointment with the Panama Canal Commission in the United States, the individual served continuously for at least 1 year under such qualifying appointment or under a combination of such appointment and nontemporary appointment in the Canal Zone Merit System or the Panama Canal Employment System.

(c) Time limits. (1) There is no time limit on the appointment under this section of an employee who:

(i) Is a preference eligible; or

(ii) Has completed at least 3 years of service, which did not include any break in service longer than 30 days, under one or more nontemporary appointments in Panama Canal Commission positions located in the United States or in positions under the Canal Zone Merit System and/or the Panama Canal Employment System.

(2) An agency may appoint under this section an employee who does not meet the conditions in (c)(1) of this section only if no more than 3 years have elapsed since the individual's separation from a qualifying appointment.

(d) Tenure on appointment. (1) On appointment under paragraph (a) of this section, an individual whose qualifying service does not include any break in service of more than 30 days and totals at least 3 years becomes a career employee.

(2) All other individuals appointed under this section become career-conditional employees.

(e) Acquisition of competitive status. A person appointed under paragraph (a) of this section automatically acquires a competitive status:

(1) On appointment, if he or she has satisfactorily completed a 1-year trial period, which did not include more than 22 workdays in nonpay status, during qualifying employment with the Panama Canal Commission.

(2) On satisfactory completion of probation if he or she had not previously completed such a 1-year trial period.

[48 FR 29667, June 28, 1983, as amended at 90 FR 26729, June 24, 2025]

§ 315.610 Noncompetitive appointment of certain National Guard technicians.

(a) An agency may appoint noncompetitively a National Guard technician who—

(1) Was involuntarily separated (other than by removal for cause on charges of misconduct or delinquency);

(2) Has served at least 3 years as a technician;

(3) Meets the qualifications requirements of the job: and

(4) Is appointed within 1 year after separating from service as a Guard Technician.

(b) The noncompetitive appointing authority also applies to National Guard technicians separated before October 29, 1986, provided they are appointed within a year of the date of separation.

[52 FR 5431, Feb. 23, 1987]

§ 315.611 Appointment of certain veterans who have competed under agency merit promotion announcements.

(a) Agency authority. An agency may appoint a preference eligible or a veteran who has substantially completed at least 3 years of continuous active military service provided

(1) The veteran was selected from among the best qualified following competition under a merit promotion announcement open to candidates outside the agency's workforce; and

(2) The veteran's most recent separation from the military was under honorable conditions.

(b) Definitions. “Agency” in this context means an executive agency as defined in 5 U.S.C. 105. The agency determines in individual cases whether a candidate was released “shortly before” completing the required 3 years and should therefore be eligible for appointment.

[65 FR 14432, Mar. 17, 2000]

§ 315.612 Noncompetitive appointment of certain military spouses.

(a) Agency authority. In accordance with the provisions of this section, an agency head may appoint noncompetitively a spouse of a member of the armed forces serving on active duty, a spouse of a 100 percent disabled service member injured while on active duty, or the un-remarried widow or widower of a service member who was killed while performing active duty.

(b) Definitions—(1) Active duty means full-time duty in the armed forces, including full-time National Guard duty, except that for Reserve Component members the term “active duty” does not include training duties or attendance at service schools.

(2) Armed forces has the meaning given that term in 10 U.S.C. 101.

(3) Duty station means the permanent location to which a member of the armed forces is assigned for duty as specified on the individual's permanent change of station (PCS) orders.

(4) Member of the armed forces or service member means an individual who:

(i) Is serving on active duty in the armed forces or serving under orders specifying the individual is called or ordered to active duty for more than 180 consecutive days;

(ii) Retired or was released or discharged from active duty in the armed forces and has a disability rating of 100 percent as documented by the Department of Veterans Affairs; or

(iii) Was killed while serving on active duty in the armed forces.

(5) Spouse means the husband or wife of a member of the armed forces.

(c) Eligibility. (1)(i) A spouse of a member of the armed forces as defined in paragraph (b)(4)(i) of this section must be currently married to the member of the armed forces on active duty.

(ii) For appointments made on or after January 1, 2029, the following additional criteria must be met for eligibility for appointment (for appointments made prior to or on December 31, 2028, the criteria in this paragraph (c)(1)(ii) does not apply):

(A) The member of the armed forces must have received orders authorizing a permanent change of station.

(B) The spouse must have married the member of the armed forces on, or prior to, the date of such orders authorizing the permanent change of station.

(C) The spouse must have relocated or is relocating with the member of the armed forces to the new duty station specified in the documentation ordering the permanent change of station.

(2) A spouse of a member of the armed forces as defined in paragraph (b)(4)(ii) of this section must be currently married to the member of the armed forces.

(3) A spouse of a member of the armed forces as defined in paragraph (b)(4)(iii) of this section must be the un-remarried widow or widower of the member of the armed forces killed on active duty in the armed forces.

(4) Except as indicated in paragraph (c)(5) of this section, noncompetitive appointment of eligible spouses under this section are not restricted to a geographical location.

(5) Beginning January 1, 2029, the noncompetitive appointment of a relocating spouse of a member of the armed forces as defined in paragraph (b)(4)(i) of this section is limited to the geographic area of the permanent duty station of the member of the armed forces, unless there is no agency with a position within the geographic area of the permanent duty station of the member of the armed forces.

(d) Conditions. (1) In accordance with the provisions of this section, a spouse is eligible for noncompetitive appointment:

(i) From the date of documentation verifying the spouse's marriage to a member of the armed forces as defined in paragraph (b)(4)(i) of this section, where the spouse seeks appointment based upon marriage to an active duty member of the armed forces;

(ii) From the date of documentation verifying that the member of the armed forces is 100 percent disabled, where the spouse seeks appointment based upon marriage to a member defined in paragraph (b)(4)(ii) of this section; or

(iii) From the date of documentation verifying that the member of the armed forces was killed while on active duty where the spouse seeks appointment as the widow or widower of a member defined in paragraph (b)(4)(iii) of this section.

(2) The spouse of a member of the armed forces as defined in paragraph (b)(4)(i) of this section may receive unlimited noncompetitive appointments under this section to permanent positions through December 31, 2028. Beginning January 1, 2029, the spouse of such a member may receive a noncompetitive appointment under this section if the member receives permanent change of station orders and is limited to one such appointment per permanent change of station.

(3) A spouse of a member of the armed forces as defined in paragraph (b)(4)(ii) or (iii) of this section may receive only one noncompetitive appointment under this section to a permanent position.

(4) Any law, Executive order, or regulation that disqualifies an applicant for appointment also disqualifies a spouse for appointment under this section.

(e) Proof of eligibility. (1)(i) Prior to appointment, the spouse of a member of the armed forces as defined in paragraph (b)(4)(i) of this section must submit to the employing agency copies of:

(A) Documentation verifying active duty status; and

(B) Documentation verifying marriage to the member of the armed forces (i.e., a marriage certificate or other legal documentation verifying marriage).

(ii) For appointments made on or after January 1, 2029, the spouse must also submit to the employing agency a copy of the service member's orders reflecting a permanent change of station, dated January 1, 2029, or later. (For appointments made on or before December 31, 2028, the requirement of this paragraph (e)(1)(ii) does not apply.)

(2) Prior to appointment, the spouse of a member of the armed forces as defined in paragraph (b)(4)(ii) of this section must submit to the employing agency copies of:

(i) Documentation showing the member of the armed forces retired, or was released or discharged from active duty, with a disability rating of 100 percent; and

(ii) Documentation verifying marriage to the member of the armed forces (i.e., a marriage license or other legal documentation verifying marriage).

(3) Prior to appointment, the spouse of a member of the armed forces as defined in paragraph (b)(4)(iii) of this section must submit to the employing agency copies of:

(i) Documentation showing the member was released or discharged from active duty due to his or her death while on active duty;

(ii) Documentation verifying the member of the armed forces was killed while serving on active duty;

(iii) Documentation verifying the widow or widower's marriage to the member of the armed forces (i.e., a marriage license or other legal documentation verifying marriage); and

(iv) A statement certifying that the individual seeking to use the authority is the un-remarried widow or widower of the service member.

(f) Acquisition of competitive status. A person appointed under paragraph (a) of this section acquires competitive status automatically upon completion of probation.

(g) Tenure on appointment. An appointment under paragraph (a) of this section is career-conditional unless the appointee has already satisfied the requirements for career tenure or is exempt from the service requirement pursuant to § 315.201.

(h) Agency reporting requirements. (1) As required by Executive Order 13832, each agency shall report annually (by December 31st of each year) to OPM and the Department of Labor on:

(i) The number of positions made available under the military spouse hiring authority;

(ii) The number of applications submitted under the military spouse hiring authority;

(iii) The number of military spouses appointed under the military spouse hiring authority during the preceding fiscal year; and

(iv) Actions taken to advertise the military spouse hiring authority, and any other actions taken to promote the hiring of military spouses.

(2) Agencies must send their reports electronically to OPM's Employee Services, VETS Office at militaryspouse@opm.gov.

(3) Agencies are also required to send their reports separately and directly to Department of Labor (DOL) at milspouse@dol.gov.

[74 FR 40476, Aug. 12, 2009, as amended at 76 FR 54072, Aug. 31, 2011; 86 FR 52396, Sept. 21, 2021; 88 FR 66678, Sept. 28, 2023]

§ 315.613 Appointment of current and former land management eligibles serving under time-limited appointments.

(a) Appointment of land management eligibles. (1) Any agency—

(i) May appoint a land management eligible who is a current time-limited employee of a land management agency to a permanent position provided the land management eligible was selected from among the best qualified following competition under a merit promotion announcement open to candidates outside of the hiring agency's workforce; and

(ii) May appoint a land management eligible who is a former time-limited employee of a land management agency to a permanent position provided:

(A) The land management eligible applied for that position within the 2-year period following the most recent date of separation from a land management agency; and

(B) Was selected from among the best qualified following competition under a merit promotion announcement open to candidates outside of the hiring agency's workforce.

(2) In addition, a land management agency—

(i) May appoint a land management eligible who is a current time-limited employee of that agency to a permanent position provided the land management eligible was selected from among the best qualified following competition under a merit promotion announcement open to candidates within that agency's workforce; and

(ii) May appoint a land management eligible who is a former time-limited employee of that land management agency to a permanent position provided:

(A) The land management eligible applied for that position within the 2-year period following the most recent date of separation from a land management agency;

(B) The land management agency from which the land management eligible most recently separated is the same land management agency as the one making the appointment; and

(C) The land management eligible was selected from among the best qualified following competition under a merit promotion announcement open to candidates within that agency's workforce.

(b) Definitions—(1) Agency has the meaning given in 5 U.S.C. 105, and may also mean a major subdivision or component of an entity defined in 5 U.S.C. 105.

(2) Land management agency means any of the following:

(i) The Forest Service of the U.S. Department of Agriculture;

(ii) The Bureau of Land Management of the U.S. Department of the Interior;

(iii) The National Park Service of the U.S. Department of the Interior;

(iv) The Fish and Wildlife Service of the U.S. Department of the Interior;

(v) The Bureau of Indian Affairs of the U.S. Department of the Interior; and

(vi) The Bureau of Reclamation of the U.S. Department of the Interior.

(3) Land management eligible means either:

(i) An individual currently serving in a land management agency who:

(A) Initially was hired under competitive procedures, for a time-limited appointment in the competitive service in accordance with part 316, and has not received a permanent appointment;

(B) Has served under one or more time-limited appointments by a land management agency for a period or periods totaling more than 24 months without a break in service of 2 or more years; and

(C) Has performed at an acceptable level during each period of service; or

(ii) An individual who previously served in a land management agency who:

(A) Initially was hired under a time-limited appointment under competitive procedures in the competitive service in accordance with part 316, and did not receive a permanent appointment before leaving Federal service;

(B) Served under one or more time-limited appointments by a land management agency for a total period of more than 24 months without a break in service of 2 or more years;

(C) Performed at an acceptable level throughout the service period(s);

(D) Applied for a position covered by these provisions within 2 years after the individual's most recent date of separation from a land management agency; and

(E) With respect to the individual's most recent separation, for reasons other than misconduct or performance. For these purposes, an individual under this paragraph is deemed a time-limited employee of the land management agency from which the individual was most recently separated.

(4) Time-limited appointment means a temporary or term appointment, in accordance with 5 CFR part 316.

(c) Conditions. An agency is expected to consider the application of a land management eligible; and must waive any age requirement unless it can prove that the requirement is essential to the performance of the duties of the position.

(d) Acquisition of competitive status. A person appointed under paragraph (a) of this section acquires competitive status automatically upon appointment.

(e) Tenure on appointment. An appointment under paragraph (a) of this section is career-conditional unless the appointee has already satisfied the requirements for career tenure or is exempted from the service requirement pursuant to § 315.201.

[88 FR 84689, Dec. 6, 2023]

§ 315.614 Hiring authority for college graduates.

(a) Appointment authority. In accordance with the provisions of this section, an agency may appoint noncompetitively an eligible and qualified individual to a position classified in a professional or administrative occupational category at the general schedule (GS) 11 level (or equivalent) or below, without regard to the provisions of 5 U.S.C. 3309 through 3319 and 3330.

(b) Eligibility. An eligible college graduate is defined as an individual who:

(1) Has received a baccalaureate or graduate degree from an institution of higher education as defined in 20 U.S.C. 1001(a) and has applied for the position being filled under the authority in this section (using the date on which the application is received by the hiring agency as the date of submission), either:

(i) Not later than two years after the date on which the individual received their degree described in paragraph (b)(1) introductory text of this section; or

(ii) Not later than two years after the date on which the individual was released or discharged from an intervening period of obligated service of not less than four years of full-time active-duty uniformed service; and

(2) Meets the qualification standards prescribed or approved by OPM for the position to which the individual is being appointed.

(c) Qualifications. Agencies must evaluate eligible college graduates using the OPM-prescribed qualification standard, or an OPM-approved agency-specific qualification standard, for the position being filled.

(d) Classification. An agency may make an initial appointment of an eligible and qualified individual to any position classified according to OPM classification standards in a professional or administrative occupational series at the GS-11 level (or equivalent) or below, including positions with promotion potential beyond the GS-11.

(e) Public notice and advertising. An agency must adhere to merit system principles; and must publicly advertise the position in a manner that endeavors to reach qualified individuals from all segments of society, including notifying OPM, in accordance with 5 U.S.C. 3327(b), before filling a position under this authority. To meet this requirement, an agency must display information about the position to be filled on its home page (that is accessible to the general public). An agency may, but is not required to, use www.USAJOBS.gov for this purpose. Alternatively, an agency may either provide an actual job announcement on its public-facing web page (home page) or provide a link to the job announcement on its public-facing homepage. The agency should consider whether additional recruitment and advertisement activities are necessary or appropriate to further merit system principles. If USAJOBS is not used to advertise the position, the agency must satisfy the requirements of 5 U.S.C. 3327(b) by providing OPM information about the position in the same format it usually would when posting a position on USAJOBS. A job announcement must include, at a minimum, the following information:

(1) The position title, series, grade level;

(2) The geographic location where the position will be filled;

(3) The starting salary of the position;

(4) The minimum qualifications of the position;

(5) Whether the position has promotion protentional to higher grade levels;

(6) Any other relevant information about the position such as telework opportunities, recruitment incentives, etc.;

(7) Specific information instructing applicants on how to apply;

(8) Equal employment opportunity statement (Agencies may use the recommended equal employment opportunity statement located on OPM's USAJOBS website.); and

(9) Reasonable accommodation statement.

(f) Appointment type. College graduates are appointed to career or career-conditional permanent positions in the competitive service.

(g) Acquisition of competitive status. A person appointed under this section acquires competitive status upon completion of probationary period in accordance with the provisions of part 11 of this chapter.

(h) Tenure upon appointment. A person appointed under paragraph (a) of this section becomes a career-conditional employee unless the appointee has already satisfied the requirements for career tenure or is excepted from it pursuant to § 315.201(c).

(i) Numerical limit on the number of appointments. (1) Except as provided in paragraph (i)(2) of this section, the total number of individuals that an agency may appoint under this authority during a fiscal year (FY) may not exceed 15 percent of the number of individuals that the agency appointed during the previous FY to a position in the competitive service classified in a professional or administrative occupational category, at the GS-11 level or below, or equivalent, under a competitive examining procedure. An appointing agency may not count appointments made using direct hire authorities, non-competitive authorities, excepted service authorities, or selections under merit promotion authorities, when establishing the limit for a given fiscal year. In calculating this limitation, agencies must round up or down to the nearest whole number, if necessary, to eliminate a decimal place. Values ending in “.5” or more may be rounded up to the nearest whole number in determining an agency's cap limitation. Values ending in less than “.5” should be rounded down to the nearest whole number in determining an agency's cap limitation.

(2) During any given fiscal year, OPM may establish a lower limitation on the number of individuals that may be appointed under paragraph (i)(1) of this section based on any factor OPM considers appropriate. OPM shall notify agencies via the OPM website and other venues (such as the Chief Human Capital Officer's Council) of any changes to the numerical limitation, applicable governmentwide. Changes to the numerical limit for an individual agency will be communicated directly to the agency.

(j) Special provisions for Department of Defense. This section does not apply to the Department of Defense during the period that section 1106 of Public Law 114-328, as amended by section 1116 of Public Law 118-31 (see 10 U.S.C. note prec. 1580), or that any applicable successor statute, is effective.

[86 FR 61046, Nov. 5, 2021, as amended at 90 FR 26729, June 24, 2025; 91 FR 8070, Feb. 20, 2026]

§ 315.701 Incumbents of positions brought into the competitive service.

(a) Employee coverage. This section applies to an employee retained under §§ 316.701 and 316.702 of this chapter who:

(1) Was serving in a permanent excepted position under an appointment not limited to 1 year or less, or in a public or private enterprise in a position which the agency determines to be a continuing one, at the time his position was brought into the competitive service; and

(2) Performed 6 months of satisfactory service immediately before the date his position was brought into the competitive service, in a position or positions brought into the competitive service, or in the civilian executive branch of the Government, unless OPM has excepted his particular type of case from this requirement.

(b) Eligibility for conversion. Within the time limits set forth in paragraph (c) of this section, the employment of an employee covered by paragraph (a) of this section may be converted to career or career-conditional employment.

(c) Time limits. Conversion may be initiated under paragraph (b) of this section only within 6 months after the position is brought into the competitive service, except that:

(1) When it is necessary for OPM to determine that § 316.701 or § 316.702 applies to a group of positions, the recommendation shall be submitted within 6 months after OPM advises the agency of its determination; and

(2) When an employee is absent on an assignment to an organization or agency from which reemployment rights are provided under part 352 of this chapter or by statute, the conversion shall be initiated within 6 months after the employee's return from such assignment, when reemployment occurs within the time limits prescribed in the applicable statute or regulation;

(3) When an employee is absent on approved leave without pay, the conversion shall be initiated within 6 months of the employee's return to duty, when such return occurs within time limits authorized by the agency; and

(4) When an employee who is serving on military duty or who is separated and rehired during the 6-month period after the position is brought into the competitive service is eligible for conversion under the provisions of § 315.603, the conversion shall be initiated within the time limits prescribed by that section.

(d) Tenure on approval of conversion. Upon conversion under paragraph (b) of this section, the employee becomes:

(1) A career-conditional employee, except as provided in paragraph (b)(2) of this section;

(2) A career employee when he has completed the service requirement for career tenure or is excepted from it by § 315.201(c).

(e) Acquisition of competitive status. A person whose employment is converted to career or career-conditional employment under this section acquires a competitive status automatically on completion of probation.

(f) Review of disapproved conversions. Agencies shall establish procedures for reviewing disapprovals of conversions under this section when such review is requested within 6 months after the date of the disapproval.

[33 FR 12418, Sept. 4, 1968, as amended at 43 FR 34428, Aug. 4, 1978; 66 FR 66710, Dec. 27, 2001]

§ 315.702 Employees serving without competitive examination in rare cases.

(a) Recommendation by agency. An agency may recommend to OPM that the employment of an employee who has completed at least 1 year of satisfactory service under § 316.601 be converted to career or career-conditional employment.

(b) Tenure on approval of recommendation. When OPM approves the agency's recommendation submitted under paragraph (a) of this section, the employee becomes:

(1) A career-conditional employee, except as provided in paragraph (b)(2) of this section;

(2) A career employee when he has completed the service requirement for career tenure or is excepted from it by § 315.201(c).

(c) Acquisition of competitive status. A person whose employment is converted to career or career-conditional employment under this section acquires a competitive status automatically on conversion.

§ 315.703 Employees formerly reached on a register.

(a) Employee coverage. An employee who was serving in a position when his or her name was within reach for career or career-conditional appointment on a register appropriate for that position may be converted to career or career-conditional employment when:

(1) The employee's name was included on an appropriate certificate issued while the employee was serving in the position, or reconstruction of the appropriate register verifies that the employee would have been within reach;

(2) The register was being used for career and career-conditional appointments when he or she was reached;

(3) He or she has been continuously employed since being reached;

(4) Conversion is initiated either before the expiration of the register or during a period of continuous service since the employee was reached; and

(5) When the employee is a nonpreference eligible who was first reached after February 1, 1955, the Office, or the agency, in accordance with an agreement with the Office, determines that satisfactory reasons existed for passing over any preference eligible who preceded the employee on the register when he or she was reached and who is still within reach and available for appointment.

(b) Tenure on conversion. An employee whose appointment is converted under paragraph (a) of this section becomes:

(1) A career-conditional employee except as provided in paragraph (b)(2) of this section;

(2) A career employee when he or she has completed the service requirement for career tenure or is excepted from it by § 315.201(c).

(c) Acquisition of competitive status. An employee whose employment is converted to career or career-conditional employment under this section acquires a competitive status automatically on completion of probation.

[44 FR 55132, Sept. 25, 1979]

§ 315.704 Conversion to career employment from indefinite or temporary employment.

(a) General. Employees serving after February 7, 1968, in competitive positions under indefinite appointments or temporary appointments pending establishment of a register or as status quo employees acquire competitive status and are entitled to have their employment converted to career employment when such employees:

(1) Complete a total of at least 3 years of service in such a position under one or more such appointments without a break in service of more than 30 calendar days or without an interruption by nonqualifying service of more than 30 calendar days;

(2) Have rendered satisfactory service for the 12 months immediately preceding the conversion; and

(3) Meet applicable qualification requirements for the positions and are otherwise eligible for career employment. This paragraph does not apply to employees serving under an overseas limited appointment or in positions above GS-15 or equivalent.

(b) Creditable service. (1) In computing creditable service under paragraph (a) of this section for an employee who left a competitive position in which he or she was serving under a qualifying appointment covered in paragraph (a) of this section to enter the armed forces and who is reemployed in such a position within 120 calendar days after separation under honorable conditions, the period from the date he or she left the position to the date of reemployment is creditable.

(2) The Office shall publish in its operating manuals the conditions under which full-time, part-time, and intermittent employment is creditable in meeting the service requirement under paragraph (a) of this section.

(c) Termination after failure to meet conversion requirements. An employing agency shall terminate employees covered by paragraph (a) of this section not later than 90 days after they complete the 3-year service requirement referred to in paragraph (a)(1) of this section, if they have not met the requirements and conditions of paragraphs (a) (2) and (3) of this section before the end of the 90-day period. For an employee who is reemployed after intervening service in the armed forces, the 90-day period begins on the date of reemployment if the employee's combined civilian and military service satisfies the 3-year service requirement on that date.

(d) Administrative error. When an employee has met the service requirement under paragraph (a)(1) of this section but, because of administrative error or oversight, has not been converted to career employment within the time limits prescribed in this section, the employing agency may effect the employee's conversion as of the date on which he or she met the service requirement, even though the time limit for such conversion has expired.

[44 FR 54692, Sept. 21, 1979. Redesignated at 44 FR 63080, Nov. 2, 1979, as amended at 66 FR 66710, Dec. 27, 2001]

§ 315.705 Employees serving under transitional or veterans recruitment appointments.

(a) Agency action. (1) An agency shall convert the employment of an employee who has served continuously under a transitional appointment for at least 1 year to career or career-conditional employment within 90 calendar days after he completes the program of education or training approved for him.

(2) Within 30 calendar days after an employee completes (i) 2 years of substantially continuous service under a veterans recruitment appointment or under a combination of transitional and veterans recruitment appointments and (ii) his training or educational programs, the employing agency shall convert his appointment to career or career-conditional employment.

(b) Tenure. Upon conversion of his employment, the employee becomes:

(1) A career-conditional employee, except as provided in paragraph (b)(2) of this section;

(2) A career employee if he has completed the service requirement for career tenure or is excepted from it by § 315.201(c).

(c) Acquisition of competitive status. An employee whose employment is converted to career or career-conditional employment under this section, acquires a competitive status automatically on conversion.

[35 FR 5661, Apr. 8, 1970. Redesignated at 44 FR 63080, Nov. 2, 1979]

§ 315.706 Certain nonpermanent employees of the Department of Energy.

(a) General. Employees transferred to the Department of Energy under Public Law 95-91, who are serving in nonpermanent appointments made under competitive procedures of the former Atomic Energy Commission or Energy Research and Development Administration and are determined by the Department to be performing continuing functions, may be converted to career or career-conditional by OPM upon recommendation by the Department.

(b) Tenure upon conversion. Employees converted under this section become career-conditional employees unless they have completed the service requirement for career tenure.

(c) Acquisition of competitive status. A person whose employment is converted to career or career-conditional employment under this section acquires competitive status automatically.

[43 FR 14002, Apr. 4, 1978. Redesignated at 44 FR 63080, Nov. 2, 1979]

§ 315.707 Disabled veterans.

(a) Eligibility. (1) Subject to requirements concerning qualifications and probationary period published by the Office, an agency may convert the employment of a disabled veteran who meets the conditions below to career or career-conditional employment from a time-limited appointment of more than 60 days.

(2) To be eligible for conversion under this paragraph, the veteran must:

(i) Have been retired from active military service with a disability rating of 30 percent or more;

(ii) Have been rated by the Department of Veterans Affairs since 1991 or later, or by a branch of the Armed Forces at any time, as having a compensable service-connected disability of 30 percent or more; or

(iii) Have been so rated by the Department of Veterans Affairs, or by a branch of the Armed Forces, at the time of a qualifying temporary appointment effected within the year immediately preceding, or a term appointment effected within four years immediately preceding, the conversion.

(b) Tenure on conversion. (1) Except as provided in paragraph (b)(2) of this section, a person converted under paragraph (a) of this section becomes a career-conditional employee.

(2) A person appointed under paragraph (a) of this section becomes a career employee if excepted from the service requirement for career tenure by § 315.201(c).

(c) Acquisition of competitive status. A person converted under paragraph (a) of this section acquires a competitive status automatically on completion of probation.

[44 FR 44813, July 31, 1979. Redesignated at 44 FR 63080, Nov. 2, 1979, as amended at 66 FR 66710, Dec. 27, 2001; 73 FR 60611, Oct. 14, 2008]

§ 315.708 [Reserved]

§ 315.709 Appointment for Persons With Disabilities.

(a) Coverage. An employee appointed under § 213.3102(u) of this chapter may have his or her appointment converted to a career or career-conditional appointment when he or she:

(1) Completes 2 or more years of satisfactory service, without a break of more than 30 days, under a nontemporary appointment under § 213.3102(u);

(2) Is recommended for such conversion by his or her supervisor;

(3) Meets all requirements and conditions governing career and career-conditional appointment except those requirements concerning competitive selection from a register and medical qualifications; and

(4) Is converted without a break in service of one workday.

(b) Tenure on conversion. An employee converted under paragraph (a) of this section becomes:

(1) A career-conditional employee, except as provided in paragraph (b)(2) of this section; or

(2) A career employee if he or she has completed 3 years of substantially continuous service in a temporary appointment under § 213.3102(u) of this chapter, or has otherwise completed the service requirement for career tenure, or is excepted from it by § 315.201(c).

(c) Acquisition of competitive status. A person whose employment is converted to career or career-conditional employment under this section acquires a competitive status automatically on conversion.

[71 FR 42245, July 26, 2006]

§ 315.710 Professional and administrative career employees serving under Schedule B appointments.

(a) Coverage. This section covers employees serving in occupations that were covered by the Professional and Administrative Career Examination on August 30, 1982, and that were listed in the consent decree entered on November 19, 1981, by the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia in the civil action known as Luevano v. Devine and numbered as No. 79-271. Those occupations are designated in these regulations as professional and administrative career (PAC) occupations or positions. OPM will publish a listing of PAC occupations.

(b) Eligibility. An agency may, but is not required to, convert appointments of employees occupying PAC positions under nontemporary appointments effected under § 213.3202(1) of this chapter to career or career-conditional appointments at the GS-9 level in any position in a PAC occupation when such employees—

(1) Complete at least 1 year of Schedule B service at the GS-7 level that meets the quality of experience requirement for the GS-9 position in which converted (less than full-time service is credited according to the relation it bears to the full-time workweek);

(2) Demonstrate performance that warrants conversion at GS-9 (a current performance rating of fully successful or better for the year immediately preceding conversion is necessary for this purpose);

(3) Meet all requirements and conditions governing career and career-conditional appointment except those requirements concerning competitive selection from a register;

(4) Are converted without a break in service of one workday or more; and

(5) Are converted as a result of a deliberate decision by management.

(c) Tenure on conversion. An employee converted under paragraph (a) of this section becomes—

(1) A career-conditional employee, except as provided in paragraph (c)(2) of this section;

(2) A career employee if he or she has completed 3 years of substantially continuous service in nontemporary appointments under § 213.3202(l) of this chapter, or has otherwise completed the service requirement for career tenure, or is excepted from it by § 315.201(c).

(d) Acquisition of competitive status. A person whose employment is converted to career or career-conditional employment under this section acquires a competitive status automatically on conversion.

[52 FR 25194, July 6, 1987, as amended at 52 FR 43722, Nov. 15, 1987; 66 FR 66710, Dec. 27, 2001]

§ 315.711 Readers, interpreters, and personal assistants serving under Schedule A appointments.

(a) Agency authority. An agency may convert noncompetitively to career or career-conditional employment, a reader, interpreter, or personal assistant:

(1) Who completed at least 1 year of satisfactory service in such a position under a non-temporary appointment under 5 CFR 213.3102(11); and

(2) Whose employment in such a position is no longer necessary for reasons beyond management control, e.g. resignation or reassignment of the employee being assisted.

(b) Tenure on appointment. (1) Except as provided in paragraph (b)(2) of this section, a person appointed under paragraph (a) of this section becomes a career-conditional employee.

(2) A person appointed under paragraph (a) of this section becomes a career employee when he or she has completed the service requirement for career tenure or is excepted from it by § 315.201(c).

(c) Acquisition of competitive status. A person appointed under paragraph (a) of this section acquires a competitive status automatically on appointment.

[55 FR 12327, Apr. 3, 1990]

§ 315.712 [Reserved]

§ 315.713 Conversion based on service in a Pathways Program under part 362 of this chapter.

(a) Agency authority. An agency may convert to a career or career-conditional employment in the competitive service, without further competition, the following Pathways Participants:

(1) An Intern who has satisfactorily completed the Internship Program and meets all eligibility requirements for conversion under subpart B of part 362 of this chapter; and

(2) A Recent Graduate who has satisfactorily completed the Recent Graduates Program and meets all eligibility requirements for conversion under subpart C of part 362 of this chapter.

(b) Tenure on conversion. An employee whose appointment is converted to career or career-conditional employment under this section becomes:

(1) A career-conditional employee except as provided in paragraph (b)(2) of this section;

(2) A career employee when he or she has completed the service requirement for career tenure or is excepted from it by § 315.201(c).

(c) Acquisition of competitive status. A Pathways Participant converted to career or career-conditional employment in the competitive service under this section acquires competitive status upon completion of probation.

[77 FR 28215, May 11, 2012, as amended at 90 FR 38606, Aug. 11, 2025; 90 FR 57137, Dec. 10, 2025]

§ 315.714 Conversion based on service in a post-secondary student appointment under part 316, subpart I, of this chapter.

Link to an amendment published at 91 FR 65903, Oct. 19, 2026.

(a) Agency authority. An agency may convert to a career or career-conditional appointment from a time-limited appointment pursuant to 5 CFR part 316, subpart I, without further competition.

(b) Eligibility. To be eligible for conversion the post-secondary student must:

(1) Have completed the course of study leading to the baccalaureate or graduate degree;

(2) Have completed not less than 640 hours of current continuous employment in an appointment under § 316.902 of this chapter;

(3) Meet the OPM qualification standards for the position to which the student will be converted; and

(4) Meet the time-in-grade requirements in accordance with 5 CFR part 300, subpart F.

(c) Tenure on conversion. An employee whose employment converts to career or career-conditional employment under this section becomes:

(1) A career-conditional employee except as provided in paragraph (c)(2) of this section; or

(2) A career employee when he or she has completed the service requirement for career tenure or is excepted from it by § 315.201(c).

(d) Acquisition of competitive status. A post-secondary student converted from time limited employment under this section acquires competitive status upon completion of probation in accordance with §§ 11.2, 11.4, and 11.5 of this chapter.

[91 FR 7809, Feb. 19, 2026]

§ 315.725 Disqualifications.

Any law, executive order, or civil service rule or regulation which would disqualify an applicant for appointment shall also disqualify an employee for conversion of his employment to career or career-conditional employment under this subpart.

[33 FR 12418, Sept. 4, 1968. Redesignated at 44 FR 63080, Nov. 2, 1979]

§ 315.901 Statutory requirement.

5 U.S.C. 3321 provides for “a period of probation . . . before initial appointment as a supervisor or manager becomes final.” It also says that a supervisor or manager “who does not satisfactorily complete the probationary period . . . shall be returned to a position of no lower grade and pay than the position from which the individual was transferred, assigned or promoted.” This subpart contains OPM regulations implementing those requirements of law.

§ 315.902 Definitions.

In this subpart supervisory position and managerial position have the meaning given them by the General Schedule Supervisory Guide.

[60 FR 53505, Oct. 16, 1995]

§ 315.903 Coverage.

This subpart applies to appointments and positions without time limitation in the competitive civil service. Agencies may, at their option, apply these provisions to time-limited appointments and positions. This subpart does not apply to appointments or positions in the Senior Executive Service.

§ 315.904 Basic requirement.

(a) An employee is required to serve a probationary period prescribed by the agency upon initial appointment to a supervisory and/or managerial position.

(b) An employee is required to complete a single probationary period in a supervisory position and a single probationary period in a managerial position, regardless of the number of agencies, occupations, or positions in which the employee serves. However, an agency may by regulation provide for exceptions to the probationary period for managers who have satisfactorily completed a probationary period for supervisors when justified on the basis of performance and experience.

(c) Employees who, as of the date this requirement is effective, are serving or have served in Federal civilian supervisory or managerial positions without time limitation, or in time-limited supervisory or managerial positions under an official assignment exceeding 120 days, are exempt from its provisions, except that supervisors who are assigned to managerial positions may, according to agency regulations, be required to serve a probationary period for managers.

§ 315.905 Length of the probationary period.

The authority to determine the length of the probationary period is delegated to the head of each agency, provided that it be of reasonable fixed duration, appropriate to the position, and uniformly applied. An agency may establish different probationary periods for different occupations or a single one for all agency employees.

§ 315.906 Crediting service toward completion of the probationary period.

(a) An employee who is reassigned, transferred, or promoted to another supervisory or managerial position while serving a probationary period under this subpart is subject to the probationary period prescribed for the new position. Service in the former position counts toward completion of the probationary period in the new position. If the former position was supervisory and the new position managerial, service counts in the manner prescribed by agency regulation.

(b) Service on detail, temporary promotion, or reassignment to another supervisory or managerial position while serving probation is creditable toward completion of probation. Service in a nonsupervisory or nonmanagerial position is not creditable.

(c) Absence in nonpay status while on the rolls (other than for compensable injury or military duty) is creditable up to a total of 22 workdays. Absence (whether on or off the rolls) due to compensable injury or military duty is creditable in full upon restoration to Federal service. Nonpay time in excess of 22 workdays extends the probationary period by an equal amount.

(d) Service during a probationary period from which an employee was separated or demoted for performance or conduct reasons does not count toward completion of probation required under a subsequent appointment. In other situations in which an employee does not complete probation, service is creditable as determined by agency policy.

(e) Temporary service in a supervisory or managerial position under temporary appointment, promotion, or reassignment prior to probation is creditable as determined by agency policy. Prior service under a detail may be credited only when a detail to a supervisory or managerial position is made permanent without a break in service.

[44 FR 44811, July 31, 1979, as amended at 60 FR 53505, Oct. 16, 1995]

§ 315.907 Failure to complete the probationary period.

(a) Satisfactory completion of the prescribed probationary period is a prerequisite to continued service in the position. An employee who, for reasons of supervisory or managerial performance, does not satisfactorily complete the probationary period is entitled to be assigned, except as provided in paragraph (b) of this section, to a position in the agency of no lower grade and pay than the one the employee left to accept the supervisory or managerial position.

(b) A nonsupervisory or nonmanagerial employee who is demoted into a position in which probation under § 315.904 is required and who, for reasons of supervisory or managerial performance, does not satisfactorily complete the probationary period is entitled to be assigned to a position at the same grade and pay as the position in which he or she was serving probation. The employee is eligible for repromotion in accordance with agency promotion policy.

(c) The agency must notify the employee in writing that he or she is being assigned in accordance with this section.

[49 FR 39287, Oct. 5, 1984, as amended at 60 FR 53505, Oct. 16, 1995]

§ 315.908 Appeals.

(a) An employee who, in accordance with the provisions of this subpart, is assigned to a nonmanagerial or nonsupervisory position, has no appeal right.

(b) An employee who alleges that an agency action under this subpart was based on partisan political reasons or marital status may appeal to the Office of Personnel Management using the procedures in 5 CFR part 751.

[44 FR 44811, July 31, 1979, as amended at 91 FR 49111, Aug. 3, 2026]

§ 315.909 Relationship to other actions.

(a) If an employee is required to concurrently serve both a probationary period under this subpart and a probationary period under part 11 of this chapter, the latter takes precedence and completion of the probationary period for competitive appointment fulfills the requirements of this subpart.

(b) An action which demotes an employee to a lower grade than the one the employee left to accept the supervisory or managerial position, and an action against an employee for reasons other than supervisory or managerial performance, is governed by procedures under part 432 or 752 of this chapter, whichever is applicable. This section does not preclude an employee from filing a complaint, appeal, or other matter within the independent jurisdiction of the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, the Merit Systems Protection Board, or the Office of Special Counsel, consistent with § 751.101(e) of this chapter.

[44 FR 44811, July 31, 1979, as amended at 90 FR 26729, June 24, 2025; 91 FR 54794, Aug. 25, 2026]

§ 316.301 Purpose and duration.

(a) An agency may make a term appointment for a period of more than 1 year but not more than 4 years to positions where the need for an employee's services is not permanent. Reasons for making a term appointment include, but are not limited to: project work, extraordinary workload, scheduled abolishment, reorganization, contracting out of the function, uncertainty of future funding, or the need to maintain permanent positions for placement of employees who would otherwise be displaced from other parts of the organization. Agencies may extend appointments made for more than 1 year but less than 4 years up to the 4-year limit in increments determined by the agency. The vacancy announcement should state that the agency has the option of extending a term appointment up to the 4-year limit.

(b) OPM may authorize exceptions beyond the 4-year limit when the extension is clearly justified and is consistent with applicable statutory provisions. Requests to make and/or extend appointments beyond the 4-year limit must be initiated by the employing office and sent to the appropriate OPM service center.

(c)(1) An agency may make a term appointment for a period of more than 1 year but not more than 10 years to a covered position defined in paragraph (c)(2) of this section when the need for an employee's services is not permanent. An agency may extend an appointment made for more than 1 year but fewer than 10 years up to the 10-year limit in increments determined by the agency. The vacancy announcement must state that the agency has the option of extending a term appointment under this section up to the 10-year limit. No appointment made under this section may last longer than 10 years from the date of the initial appointment.

(2) An agency may make a term appointment for more than 1 year but not more than 10 years to the following positions (as described in OPM's Handbook of Occupational Groups and Series):

(i) Social Science Series, 0101;

(ii) Economist Series, 0110;

(iii) Psychology Series, 0180;

(iv) Natural Resources Management and Biological Sciences Group (i.e., 0400 group);

(v) Medical, Hospital, Dental, and Public Health Group (i.e., 0600 group);

(vi) Engineering and Architecture Group (i.e., 0800 group);

(vii) Physical Science Group (i.e.,1300 group);

(viii) Mathematical Sciences Group (i.e., 1500 group); and

(ix) Information Technology Group (i.e., 2200 group).

[63 FR 63783, Nov. 17, 1998, as amended at 87 FR 73632, Dec. 1, 2022; 91 FR 54795, Aug. 25, 2026]

§ 316.302 Selection of term employees.

(a) Competitive term appointment. An agency may make a term appointment under part 332 of this chapter, by using competitive procedures, or under part 337 of this chapter, by using direct-hire procedures, as appropriate.

(b) Noncompetitive term appointment. An agency may give a noncompetitive term appointment, without regard to the requirements of parts 332 and 333 of this chapter, to an individual who is qualified for the position and who is eligible for:

(1) Reinstatement under § 315.401 of this chapter;

(2) Veterans recruitment appointment (VRA) under § 307.103 of this chapter. Term appointments under this section are permitted only at the grade levels authorized for VRA appointments. Such appointments are competitive service appointments not excepted VRA appointments and do not lead to conversion to career-conditional appointment;

(3) Career-conditional appointment under § 315.601, 315.604, 315.605, 315.606, 315.607, 315.608, 315.609, 315.612, or 315.711 of this chapter;

(4) Appointment under 5 U.S.C. 3112 (veterans with compensable service-connected disability of 30 percent or more). The disability must be documented by a notice of retirement or discharge due to service-connected disability from active military service dated at any time, or by a notice of compensable disability rating from the Department of Veterans Affairs, dated 1991 or later;

(5) Appointment under 31 U.S.C. 732(g) for current and former employees of the General Accounting Office;

(6) Appointment under 28 U.S.C. 602 for current and former employees of the Administrative Office of the U.S. Courts;

(7) Reappointment on the basis of having left a term appointment prior to serving the 4-year maximum amount of time allowed under the appointment per § 316.301(a), the maximum time allowed for an appointment authorized under this paragraph (b), or the 10-year maximum amount of time allowed under § 316.301(c). Reappointment must be to a position in the same agency for filling under the original term appointment and for which the individual qualifies. Combined service under the original term appointment and reappointment must not exceed the 4-year limit pursuant to § 316.301(a), the maximum time allowed for an appointment authorized under § 316.301(b), or the 10-year limit under § 316.301(c), as appropriate; or

(8) Conversion in the same agency from a current temporary appointment when the employee is or was within reach on a certificate of eligibles for term appointment at any time during service in the temporary position. Within reach means that the person could have been selected for the position under competitive hiring procedures, including veterans' preference. The certificate must have been actually used for term appointment. The person must have been continuously employed in the position from the date found within reach to the date converted to a term appointment.

(c) Term employees are eligible for an extension of their appointment in accordance with the time limits in § 316.301 even if their eligibility for noncompetitive appointment expires or is lost during the period they are serving under term employment.

[63 FR 63783, Nov. 17, 1998, as amended at 68 FR 35268, June 13, 2003; 69 FR 33275, June 15, 2004; 73 FR 60611, Oct. 14, 2008; 74 FR 40477, Aug. 12, 2009; 87 FR 73632, Dec. 1, 2022]

§ 316.303 Tenure of term employees.

(a) A term employee does not acquire a competitive status on the basis of his term appointment.

(b) The employment of a term employee ends automatically on the expiration of his term appointment unless he has been separated earlier in accordance with this chapter.

§ 316.304 Probationary period.

(a) The first year of service of a term employee is a probationary period regardless of the method of appointment. Prior Federal civilian service is credited toward completion of the required probationary period in the same manner as prescribed by § 11.4 of this chapter.

(b) The agency may terminate a term employee at any time during the probationary period. The employee is entitled to the procedures prescribed by the Director of the Office of Personnel Management under § 11.6 of this chapter.

[90 FR 26729, June 24, 2025]

§ 316.401 Purpose and duration.

(a) Appropriate use. An agency may make a temporary limited appointment—

(1) To fill a short-term position (i.e., one that is not expected to last longer than 1 year);

(2) To meet an employment need that is scheduled to be terminated within the timeframe set out in paragraph (c) of this section for such reasons as abolishment, reorganization, or contracting of the function, anticipated reduction in funding, or completion of a specific project or peak workload; or

(3) To fill positions on a temporary basis when the positions are expected to be needed for placement of permanent employees who would otherwise be displaced from other parts of the organization.

(b) Certification of appropriate use. The supervisor of each position filled by temporary appointment must certify that the employment need is truly temporary and that the proposed appointment meets the regulatory time limits. This certification may constitute appropriate documentation of compliance with the limits set out in paragraph (c) of this section. The reason(s) for making a temporary limited appointment must be stated on the form documenting each such appointment.

(c) Time limits—general. (1) An agency may make a temporary appointment for a specified period not to exceed 1 year. The appointment may be extended up to a maximum of 1 additional year (24 months of total service). Appointment to a successor position (i.e., to a position that replaces and absorbs the position to which an individual was originally appointed) is considered to be an extension of the original appointment. Appointment to a position involving the same basic duties and in the same major subdivision of the agency and same local commuting area as the original appointment is also considered to be an extension of the original appointment.

(2) An agency may not fill a position by temporary appointment if that position has previously been filled by temporary appointment(s) for an aggregate of 2 years, or 24 months, within the preceding 3-year period.

(d) Exceptions to general time limits. (1) Agencies may make and extend temporary appointments to positions involving intermittent or seasonal work without regard to the requirements in paragraph (c) of this section, provided that:

(i) Appointments and extensions are made in increments of 1 year or less.

(ii) Employment in the same or a successor position under this and any other appointing authority totals less than 6 months (1,040 hours), excluding overtime, in a service year. The service year is the calendar year that begins on the date of the employee's initial appointment in the agency. Should employment in a position filled under this exception total 6 months or more in any service year, the provisions of paragraph (c) of this section will apply to subsequent extension or reappointment unless OPM approves continued exception under this section. An individual may be employed for training for up to 120 days following initial appointment and up to 2 weeks a year thereafter without regard to the service year limitation.

(2) OPM will authorize exceptions to the limits set out in paragraph (c) of this section only when necessitated by major reorganizations or base closings or other unusual circumstances. Requests based on major reorganization, base closing, restructuring, or other unusual circumstances that apply agencywide must be made by an official at the headquarters level of the Department or agency. Requests involving extension of appointments to a specific position or project based on other unusual circumstances may be submitted by the employing office to the appropriate OPM service center.

[59 FR 46898, Sept. 13, 1994]

§ 316.402 Procedures for making temporary appointments.

(a) Competitive temporary appointments. In accordance with the time limits in § 316.401, an agency may make a temporary appointment under part 332 of this chapter, by using competitive procedures, or under part 337 of this chapter, by using direct-hire procedures, as appropriate.

(b) Noncompetitive temporary appointments. In accordance with the time limits in § 316.401, an agency may give a noncompetitive temporary appointment, without regard to the requirements of parts 332 and 333 of this chapter, to an individual who is qualified for the position and who is eligible for:

(1) Reinstatement under § 315.401 of this chapter;

(2) Veterans recruitment appointment under § 307.103 of this chapter. Temporary limited appointments under this section are permitted only at the grade levels authorized for VRA appointments. Such appointments are not VRA appointments and do not lead to conversion to career-conditional appointment;

(3) Career-conditional appointment under § 315.601, 315.604, 315.605, 315.606, 315.607, 315.608, 315.609, 315.612, 315.703, or 315.711 of this chapter;

(4) Appointment under 5 U.S.C. 3112 (veterans with compensable service-connected disability of 30 percent or more). The disability must be documented by a notice of retirement or discharge due to service-connected disability from active military service dated at any time, or by a notice of compensable disability rating from the Department of Veterans Affairs, dated 1991 or later;

(5) Appointment under 31 U.S.C. 732(g) for current and former employees of the General Accounting Office;

(6) Appointment under 28 U.S.C. 602 for current and former employees of the Administrative Office of the U.S. Courts;

(7) Reappointment on the basis of being a former temporary employee of the agency who was originally appointed from a certificate of eligibles or under the provisions of part 333 of this chapter. An agency may not reappoint a former temporary employee if the individual has already served the maximum time allowed in § 316.401 or if the position has been filled under temporary appointment for the maximum time allowed in § 316.401. Reappointment must be to the same position or another position appropriate for temporary appointment with the same qualification requirements;

(8) Reappointment on the basis of being a former temporary employee who was originally appointed from a certificate of eligibles or under the provisions of part 333 of this chapter and who sustained a compensable injury while serving on the temporary appointment. Reappointment must be to the same position or another position appropriate for temporary appointment with the same qualification requirements. If the compensable injury disqualifies the former individual from performing such a position, reappointment may be to any position for which the individual is qualified. Reappointment must be for a minimum of 120 days.

(c) Extension of temporary appointments. An individual who receives a valid temporary appointment will be eligible for an extension in accordance with § 316.401 even if his or her eligibility for noncompetitive appointment expires or is lost during the authorized period of temporary employment.

[63 FR 63784, Nov. 17, 1998, as amended at 68 FR 35268, June 13, 2003; 69 FR 33275, June 15, 2004; 73 FR 60611, Oct. 14, 2008; 74 FR 40477, Aug. 12, 2009; 91 FR 54795, Aug. 25, 2026]

§ 316.403 Designation of provisional appointments.

(a) Conditions for designation. An agency may designate a temporary appointment as a provisional appointment only when all of the following conditions are met:

(1) The appointment is made to fill a continuing position by a provisional appointment leading to permanent appointment when the position must be filled more quickly than would be possible under the procedures required for nontemporary appointment or when such a provisional appointment is a requirement of the applicable authority;

(2) The agency must have current budgetary and appointing authority for the nontemporary appointment (assuming satisfactory completion of the required procedures); and

(3) The agency must have a specific intention to convert the appointee to a nontemporary appointment under appropriate authority before the expiration of the temporary appointment, must state this intention in any written offer of employment and document this intention as part of the permanent record of the initial appointment in accordance with instructions issued by OPM.

(b) Authority for provisional appointments. Provisional appointments must be made under an authority established by law, Executive order, or regulation or granted by OPM. Appointments which may be treated as provisional appointments under this paragraph may be made under any appropriate authority, including, but not limited to:

(1) Noncompetitive temporary appointments of disabled veterans under § 316.402(b)(4), when the appointments are intended to afford eligibility for conversion in accordance with § 315.707 of this chapter and section 3112 of title 5, United States Code;

(2) Temporary appointments of nurses in the Department of Veterans Affairs, when the appointments are made under the provisions of section 7405 of title 38, United States Code, with the intention of converting the appointees to continuing appointments as soon as the appointees obtain required State certification or registration and/or the agency completes necessary verification of references;

(3) Temporary transitional Schedule C appointments made under § 213.3302 of this chapter, when the appointees are to be converted to nontemporary Schedule C appointments upon OPM approval and completion of necessary clearances;

(4) Senior Executive Service limited term and limited emergency appointments made under § 317.601 of this chapter, when the appointees are to be converted to nontemporary appointments in the Senior Executive Service or to nontemporary Presidential appointments, upon further action, such as OPM approval, White House clearance, and/or confirmation by the Senate; and

(5) Temporary appointments of severely physically handicapped individuals, when such appointments are required to demonstrate qualifications for nontemporary appointment under § 213.3102(u) of this chapter, and when the appointees will be converted to such nontemporary appointment upon successful performance in the trial position.

[56 FR 10142, Mar. 11, 1991, as amended at 60 FR 35120, July 6, 1995; 63 FR 63784, Nov. 17, 1998; 66 FR 66710, Dec. 27, 2001; 91 FR 54795, Aug. 25, 2026]

§ 316.601 Appointment without competitive examination in rare cases.

(a) An agency may make an appointment without competitive examination when:

(1) The duties and compensation of the position are such, or qualified persons are so rare, that in the interest of good civil service administration the position cannot be filled through open competitive examination;

(2) The person to be appointed meets all applicable qualification requirements for the position; and

(3) The appointment is specifically authorized by the Office or is made under an agreement between the agency and the Office providing for such appointments.

(b) A person appointed under paragraph (a) of this section does not acquire a competitive status on the basis of that appointment.

(c) When a position filled under paragraph (a) of this section becomes vacant, the agency may fill the vacancy by another appointment under paragraph (a) of this section only if the conditions of paragraph (a)(3) of this section are again met.

[44 FR 55132, Sept. 25, 1979]

§ 316.701 Public or private enterprise taken over by Government.

(a) When the Office, or an agency acting under an agreement with the Office, finds that the Federal Government has taken over a public or private enterprise, or an identifiable unit thereof, and that a position has thereby been brought into the competitive service, the agency may retain the incumbent of the position.

(b)(1) When an agency retains an employee under paragraph (a) of this section in a position which it determines to be a continuing one, the agency gives the employee a status quo appointment and shall decide on a timely basis whether it will convert that individual's employment to career or career-conditional under § 315.701 of this chapter.

(2) When an agency decides not to effect conversion under § 315.701 of this chapter, or the employee fails to qualify for conversion, the agency, in its discretion, may retain the employee as a status quo employee.

(c) An agency may retain an employee under paragraph (a) of this section in a position that it determines is noncontinuing under a temporary appointment. That appointment may be made for a period not to exceed 1 year and will be subject to the time limits set out in § 316.402.

[44 FR 55133, Sept. 25, 1979, as amended at 60 FR 39101, Aug. 1, 1995; 63 FR 63784, Nov. 17, 1998]

§ 316.702 Excepted positions brought into the competitive service.

(a) When the Office, or an agency acting under an agreement with the Office, finds that an excepted position has been brought into the competitive service by statute, Executive order, or the revocation of an exception under Civil Service Rule VI (§ 6.6 of this chapter), or is otherwise made subject to competitive examination, the agency may retain the incumbent of the position.

(b)(1) When an agency retains an employee under paragraph (a) of this section who was serving in an excepted position under an indefinite appointment or an appointment without time limit, the agency gives the employee a status quo appointment and may convert that employee's appointment to career or career-conditional under § 315.701 of this chapter.

(2) When the agency decides not to effect conversion under § 315.701 of this chapter, or the employee fails to qualify for conversion, the agency, in its discretion, may retain the employee as a status quo employee.

(c) An employee who was serving under an excepted appointment limited to 1 year or less may be retained as a temporary employee under paragraph (a) of this section until the scheduled expiration date of the employee's excepted appointment. Extension of the employee's temporary appointment beyond that date will be subject to the provisions of § 316.402.

(d) An employee who was serving under an excepted appointment with a definite time limit longer than 1 year may be retained under a term appointment. The term appointment is subject to all conditions and time limits applicable to term appointments. Service under excepted appointment does not count against the maximum time limit for term appointment in the competitive service.

[44 FR 55133, Sept. 25, 1979, as amended at 60 FR 39101, Aug. 1, 1995; 63 FR 63784, Nov. 17, 1998]

§ 316.703 Effect on tenure of position change of status quo employees.

(a) A status quo employee who is promoted, demoted, or reassigned becomes:

(1) An indefinite employee when the position change occurs while he is not serving overseas; or

(2) An overseas limited employee when the position change occurs while he is serving overseas.

(b) An employee referred to in paragraph (a) of this section who is changed back to his status quo position becomes a status quo employee.

§ 316.901 Appointment authority.

In accordance with the provisions of this section, an agency may make a time-limited appointment of an eligible and qualified post-secondary student, to any position in the competitive service, at the General Schedule (GS) 11 level or below (or equivalent), without regard to the provisions of 5 U.S.C. 3309 through 3319 and 3330. An agency may appoint an individual for an initial period not to exceed 1 year in accordance with § 316.401(c)(1), for an initial period expected to last more than 1 year but less than 4 years in accordance with § 316.301(a) and (b), or for a period of more than 1 year but not more than 10 years in accordance with § 316.301(c) to coincide with the individual's academic curriculum. An agency may extend or seek extension from OPM, as appropriate in accordance with this part, of an initial appointment for a period that will allow the post-secondary student to complete his or her academic requirements leading to the awarding of a degree, as appropriate.

[91 FR 7809, Feb. 19, 2026]

§ 316.902 Eligibility.

A post-secondary student means an individual who:

(a) Is enrolled or accepted for enrollment in an institution of higher education as defined by the Higher Education Act of 1965, in a section codified at 20 U.S.C.1001(a); and

(b) Is pursuing a baccalaureate or graduate degree on at least a part-time basis, as determined by the institution of higher education; and

(c) Meets the minimum qualification standards prescribed or approved by OPM for the position to which the individual is being appointed.

§ 316.903 Qualifications.

Agencies must evaluate eligible post-secondary students using the government-wide OPM prescribed qualification standard or an OPM-approved agency-specific qualification standard for the position being filled.

[91 FR 7809, Feb. 19, 2026]

§ 316.904 Classification.

Post-secondary student positions under the General Schedule or appropriate pay plan must be classified to the -99 series of the appropriate occupational group. Federal Wage System positions filled under the authority in this subpart must be classified to the -01 series of the appropriate occupational group. Agencies may refer to OPM's, “Introduction to the Position Classification Standards” at https://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/classification-qualifications/classifying-general-schedule-positions/positionclassificationintro.pdf for a definition of these positions. In addition, agencies can refer to the “Handbook of Occupational Groups and Families” available at https://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/classification-qualifications/classifying-general-schedule-positions/occupational handbook.pdf. Agencies may also attach career ladders or promotion potential beyond the General Schedule (GS) 11 grade level (or equivalent) with positions filled under this authority.

[86 FR 46107, Aug. 18, 2021, as amended at 91 FR 7809, Feb. 19, 2026]

§ 316.905 Public notification.

An agency must adhere to merit system principles and thus must provide public notification in a manner that recruits qualified individuals from appropriate sources in an endeavor to draw from all segments of society, before filling a position under the authority in this subpart. An agency may, but is not required to, use USAJOBS for this purpose. If the agency does not use USAJOBS to meet the requirements in this section, it must, at a minimum, publicly display information about the position to be filled on its public facing home page. An agency may, alternatively, provide an actual job announcement on its public facing home page or provide a link to the job announcement on its public facing home page. The agency should consider whether additional recruitment and advertising activities are necessary or appropriate to further merit system principles. A non-USAJOBS job announcement or information displayed on an agency's public facing homepage, must include, at a minimum, the following information:

(a) The position title, series, grade level;

(b) The geographic location where the position will be filled;

(c) The starting salary of the position;

(d) The minimum qualifications of the position;

(e) Whether individual in the position will be eligible for promotion both while a student and upon conversion;

(f) The time-limit applicable to the position and, in the case of a term appointment, the vacancy announcement must state that the agency has the option of extending the term appointment up to the applicable limit;

(g) The potential for conversion to the agency's permanent workforce;

(h) Any other relevant information about the position such as telework opportunities, recruitment incentives, etc.;

(i) Specific information instructing applicants on how to apply for the position; and

(j) Equal employment opportunity and reasonable accommodation statements. (Agencies may use the recommended statements located on OPM's USAJOBS website.)

[91 FR 7809, Feb. 19, 2026]

§ 316.906 Acquisition of competitive status.

A student appointed under § 316.901 acquires competitive status only upon completion of probationary period after any conversion, in accordance with the provisions of part 11 of this chapter. Time spent on a time-limited appointment under this part may count toward fulfillment of such probationary period.

[90 FR 26729, June 24, 2025]

§ 316.907 Tenure upon appointment.

An individual appointed under § 316.901 becomes a career-conditional employee upon completion of academic requirements and noncompetitive conversion to a permanent appointment in accordance with § 316.910, unless the individual has already satisfied the requirements for career tenure or is exempt from the service requirement pursuant to § 315.201 of this chapter.

§ 316.908 Breaks in program.

A break in program is defined as a period of time when a student is working for the agency but is unable to go to school or is neither attending classes nor working for the agency. An agency may use its discretion to approve or deny a request for a break in program. The agency may also establish policies that address the duration, number of breaks in service, and criteria used to approve a break in program.

[91 FR 7810, Feb. 19, 2026]

§ 316.909 Promotion.

Link to an amendment published at 91 FR 65903, Oct. 19, 2026.

(a) Students on term appointments. An agency may promote a student who was appointed for an initial period expected to last more than 1 year but less than 4 years provided the student meets the qualification requirements for the higher graded position, time in grade requirements in 5 CFR part 300, subpart F, and the public notification for the position filled by the student stated the potential for promotion and specified a career ladder.

(b) Students on temporary appointments. An agency may not promote a student who was appointed for an initial period expected to last up to one year.

(c) Promotions at the time of conversion. Students (on temporary or term appointments) may be eligible for non-competitive promotions upon conversion if:

(1) the agency has established a career ladder or promotion potential for the position;

(2) the public notification for the position filled by the student stated the potential for promotion and specified a career ladder; and

(3) the student has met the time-in-grade requirements in accordance with 5 CFR part 300, subpart F.

[91 FR 7810, Feb. 19, 2026]

§ 316.910 Conversion.

Link to an amendment published at 91 FR 65903, Oct. 19, 2026.

An agency may convert a student serving in an appointment under the authority in this subpart, prior to the expiration date of the appointment, to a permanent position in the competitive service within the agency without further competition if the student:

(a) Has completed the course of study leading to the baccalaureate or graduate degree;

(b) Has completed not less than 640 hours of current continuous employment in an appointment under § 316.902;

(c) Meets the OPM qualification standards for the position to which the student will be converted; and

(d) Meets the time-in-grade requirements in accordance with 5 CFR part 300, subpart F.

[86 FR 46107, Aug. 18, 2021, as amended at 91 FR 7810, Feb. 19, 2026]

§ 316.911 Reduction in force.

Post-secondary students are covered by part 351 of this chapter for purposes of a reduction in force (RIF) as follows:

(a) Students whose initial appointment was for a period of 1 year or less are not assigned a tenure group and do not compete with other employees in a RIF.

(b) Students whose initial appointment was for a period expected to last more than 1 year are placed in the competitive service tenure group for purposes of part 351 of this chapter upon completion of an initial probationary period.

[91 FR 49215, Aug. 3, 2026]

§ 316.912 Termination.

(a) Any appointment made under the authority in this subpart expires on the not-to-exceed date of that appointment unless the agency extends the appointment prior to expiration.

(b) An agency must terminate any student without regard to any provision of 5 U.S.C. chapter 35 or 75, who:

(1) Does not maintain eligibility in accordance with §§ 316.902 and 316.910; or

(2) Is not converted in accordance with § 316.910.

§ 316.913 Numerical limitation on the number of appointments.

(a) Except as provided in paragraph (b) of this section, the total number of students that an agency may appoint under this section during a fiscal year may not exceed the number equal to 15 percent of the number of students the agency head appointed during the previous fiscal year to a position at the GS-11 level or below (or equivalent). An appointing agency may count Pathways Internship Program appointments under § 213.3402(a) of this chapter; appointments made under this authority; and other appointments of students made using an appointing authority that was specifically created for the appointment of students. An agency may not count appointments made using direct hire authorities, other non-competitive authorities, other excepted service authorities, or selections under merit promotion authorities when establishing the limit for a given fiscal year. In calculating this limitation, agencies must round up or down to the nearest whole number, if necessary, to eliminate a decimal place. Values ending in “.5” or more may be rounded up to the nearest whole number in determining an agency's cap limitation. Values ending in less than “.5” should be rounded down to the nearest whole number in determining an agency's cap limitation.

(b) OPM may establish a lower limitation on the number of students that may be appointed by an agency under paragraph (a) of this section during a fiscal year based on any factors OPM considers appropriate. OPM shall notify agencies via the OPM website and other venues (such as the Chief Human Capital Officers Council) of any changes to the numerical limitation applicable governmentwide. Changes to the numerical limit for an individual agency will be communicated directly to the agency.

[91 FR 7810, Feb. 19, 2026]

§ 316.914 Special provisions for Department of Defense.

This subpart does not apply to the Department of Defense during the period that section 1106 of Public Law 114-328, as amended by section 1116 of Public Law 118-31, (see 10 U.S.C. note prec. 1580) or that any applicable successor statute, is effective.

[91 FR 7810, Feb. 19, 2026]

§ 317.201 Regulatory requirements.

This part contains the regulations of the Office of Personnel Management which implement the following provisions of law:

(a) Section 413 of title IV of the Civil Service Reform Act of 1978;

(b) Subchapter VIII of chapter 33 of title 5, U.S.C. on appointment, reassignment, and transfer in the Senior Executive Service; and

(c) Subchapter V of chapter 35 of title 5, U.S.C. on reinstatement to the Senior Executive Service.

[45 FR 8541, Feb. 8, 1980]

§ 317.202 Suitability inquiries regarding criminal history.

Agency inquiries regarding criminal history must be done in accordance with the requirements under chapter 92 of title 5, U.S. Code and part 920 of this chapter.

[88 FR 60329, Sept. 1, 2023]

§ 317.301 Conversion coverage.

(a) When applicable. These conversion provisions apply in the following circumstances.

(1) The implementation of the Senior Executive Service effective on July 13, 1979, and the initial conversions thereto.

(2) The implementation of the Senior Executive Service in an agency following the revocation of that agency's Presidential exclusion under 5 U.S.C. 3132(e). The Office of Personnel Management shall determine the date on which conversions under this authority shall become effective. Generally, this will be no later than six months following the effective date of the revocation of the Presidential exclusion.

(3) The implementation of the Senior Executive Service in a formerly excluded agency following statutory action extending coverage under 5 U.S.C. 3132(a)(1) to that agency. Except as otherwise provided by law, the Office of Personnel Management shall determine the date on which conversions under this authority shall become effective. Generally, this will be no later than six months following the effective date of the statutory action extending coverage under 5 U.S.C. 3132(a)(1).

(4) The implementation of the SES in a formerly excluded agency when OPM determines that the agency is an “Executive agency” under 5 U.S.C. 3132(a)(1).

(5) The exercise of a reemployment right by an individual who at the time of his/her former agency's implementation of the Senior Executive Service was under a reemployment agreement to a position in that agency which meets the grade level and functional criteria for inclusion under the Senior Executive Service. The effective date of a conversion under this authority is prescribed by § 317.302(d)(5).

(b) Employees covered. This subpart covers:

(1) An employee serving in a position at the time it is designated a Senior Executive Service position;

(2) An individual appointed or reinstated to a position after it has been designated a Senior Executive Service position;

(3) An employee transferred, promoted, voluntarily reassigned or voluntarily demoted to a position after it has been designated a Senior Executive Service position;

(4) An employee involuntarily reassigned or involuntarily demoted to a position after it has been designated a Senior Executive Service position; and

(5) An employee serving in a position which meets the grade level but not the functional criteria for designation as a Senior Executive Service position.

(6) An employee appointed in his/her former agency under a reemployment right provided, however, that the employee was under a reemployment agreement at the time the Senior Executive Service was implemented in his/her former agency and that the reemployment right was to a position which meets the grade level and functional criteria for inclusion under the Senior Executive Service.

(c) Employees excluded. The following employees are excluded from coverage of this subpart and are not entitled to conversion to the Senior Executive Service.

(1) An employee in a position designated as Senior Executive Service who is serving under a time limited appointment which will terminate before the operational date of the Senior Executive Service.

(2) An employee serving under a temporary promotion, detail, or temporary assignment in a position designated as Senior Executive Service unless the position which the employee encumbered on a permanent basis just prior to the current temporary action has been designated as Senior Executive Service.

[45 FR 8541, Feb. 8, 1980, as amended at 60 FR 6385, Feb. 2, 1995]

§ 317.302 Conversion procedures.

(a) Employees appointed prior to designation; employees involuntarily reassigned or demoted after designation—(1) Notice. Each employee covered by this subpart who was appointed prior to the designation of his/her position as a Senior Executive Service position, or who was involuntarily reassigned or involuntarily demoted to a position after it was designated a Senior Executive Service position, shall be given a written notice which includes the following information:

(i) A statement that the employee's position has been designated as either “general” or “career reserved”;

(ii) A statement that the employee is being offered an appointment under the Senior Executive Service or that the employee is not being offered an appointment under the Senior Executive Service but will be separated from the civil service pursuant to § 317.305(b)(4) or § 317.306(b)(4); If the employee is offered conversion, the notice shall also include:

(iii) A statement that the employee has 90 calendar days from the date of receipt of the written notice to elect either to join the Senior Executive Service or to remain in his/her current appointment system;

(iv) Identification of the position, SES pay rate, and kind of appointment which the employee will receive if the employee elects to convert to the Senior Executive Service;

(v) For excepted appointees who have reinstatement eligibility to a position in the competitive service, or, as determined by the Office of Personnel Management, have substantial career-oriented service under career-type appointments as defined in § 317.304(a)(2), a statement that the employee may request conversion to career appointment;

(vi) For employees under limited executive assignment who have reinstatement eligibility to a position in the competitive service, or as determined by the Office of Personnel Management, have substantial career-oriented service under career-type appointments as defined in § 317.304(a)(2), and who are covered under § 317.306(b)(3), a statement that the employee may request conversion to career appointment;

(vii) A summary of the features of the Senior Executive Service (this can be accomplished by appending descriptive material prepared by the Office);

(viii) A statement that the employee must submit his/her decision with regard to paragraphs (a)(1)(iii), (v) and (vi) of this section, in writing, on or before the end of the notice period; and

(ix) A statement of the right of an employee who is aggrieved to appeal an action under this subpart to the Merit Systems Protection Board.

An employee whose involuntary reassignment or involuntary demotion to a designated position occurs less than 90 days before the operational date of the Senior Executive Service, shall be given this notice at the time of the personnel action. The employee shall have 90 calendar days from the date of receipt of the notice to make an election on conversion.

(2) Pay. Upon conversion to the Senior Executive Service, an employee's SES rate will be determined under 5 CFR part 534, subpart D.

(3) Freedom of choice. The employee shall decide whether he/she accepts conversion to the Senior Executive Service. The employing agency shall not attempt to influence the employee's decision through coercion, intimidation or duress.

(4) Employee's election. On or before the end of the notice period, the employee shall signify in writing his/her decision to accept or to decline an appointment under the Senior Executive Service. An excepted or limited assignment employee covered under § 317.305(b)(3) or § 317.306(b)(3), respectively, shall also indicate whether he/she requests conversion to career appointment. Failure to respond shall be deemed a declination.

(b) Employees receiving appointments after designation but before the operational date of the Senior Executive Service—(1) Condition of appointment. Each individual appointed, reinstated, transferred, promoted, voluntarily reassigned or voluntarily demoted to a position after it has been designated a Senior Executive Service position shall be required to accept conversion to the Senior Executive Service. The agency shall advise the individual of this requirement prior to the appointment or other personnel action. The individual shall signify his/her acceptance of conversion in writing at the time of the personnel action.

(2) Notice. At the time of the personnel action, or 90 days before the Senior Executive Service becomes operational, whichever is later, the agency shall give the employee a written notice which identifies the position, SES pay rate, and kind of appointment the employee will receive under the Senior Executive Service.

(3) Pay. An employee's SES rate will be determined under 5 CFR part 534, subpart D.

(c) Employees whose positions are not designated Senior Executive Service positions—Notice. Each employee covered by § 317.301(b)(5) shall be given a written notice advising the employee that his/her position is not designated a Senior Executive Service position; that the employee is not entitled to conversion to the Senior Executive Service; and that the employee has a right to appeal an action under this subpart to the Merit Systems Protection Board.

(d) Employees appointed under a reemployment right—(1) Notice. At the time the employee exercises his/her reemployment right, the agency shall give the employee a written notice which includes the following information:

(i) A statement that the employee meets the requirements of § 317.301(b)(6) for eligibility for conversion to the Senior Executive Service and that he/she is being offered an appointment under the Senior Executive Service;

(ii) A statement that the employee has 90 calendar days from the date of receipt of the written notice to elect either to join the Senior Executive Service or to remain under the type of appointment upon which the reemployment right was based;

(iii) Identification of the position, SES pay rate, and kind of appointment which the employee will receive if the employee elects to convert to the Senior Executive Service;

(iv) If the reemployment right is to a position in the excepted service and the employee has reinstatement eligibility to a position in the competitive service, or, as determined by the Office of Personnel Management, has substantial career-oriented service under career-type appointments as defined in § 317.304(a)(2), a statement that the employee may request conversion to career appointment;

(v) A summary of the features of the Senior Executive Service (this can be accomplished by appending descriptive material prepared by the Office); and

(vi) A statment that the employee must submit his/her decision with regard to paragraphs (d)(1)(ii) and (iv) of this section, in writing, on or before the end of the notice period.

(2) Pay. An employee's SES rate will be determined under 5 CFR part 534, subpart D.

(3) Freedom of choice. The employee shall decide whether he/she accepts conversion to the Senior Executive Service. The employing agency shall not attempt to influence the employee's decision through coercion, intimidation or duress.

(4) Employee's election. On or before the end of the notice period, the employee shall signify in writing his/her decision to accept or to decline an appointment under the Senior Executive Service. An excepted service employee shall also indicate whether he/she requests conversion to career appointment. Failure to respond shall be deemed a declination.

(5) Effective date. A conversion under this section for an employee who elects to join the SES shall become effective at the end of the notice period.

[45 FR 8541, Feb. 8, 1980, as amended at 45 FR 19213, Mar. 25, 1980; 69 FR 2050, Jan. 13, 2004]

§ 317.303 Status of employees who decline voluntary conversion to the Senior Executive Service.

(a) An employee who declines conversion pursuant to § 317.302(a)(4) or § 317.302(d)(4) shall remain in his/her current appointment and pay system, and shall retain the grade, seniority, and other rights and benefits associated with such type of appointment and pay system. The employee may continue in the current SES position or be reassigned to another position within or outside the Senior Executive Service.

(b) The assignment of an employee who declines conversion under this subpart shall not result in the separation or reduction in grade of any other employee in the agency.

(c) Nothing in these regulations affects an agency's right to terminate a limited executive appointment pursuant to Civil Service Rule IX.

[45 FR 8541, Feb. 8, 1980, as amended at 45 FR 19213, Mar. 25, 1980]

§ 317.304 Conversion of career and career-type appointees.

(a) Coverage. This section covers employees serving under:

(1) A career or career-conditional appointment; or

(2) A similar type of appointment (“career-type” appointment) in an excepted service position as determined by the Office. A career-type appointment is an appointment in the excepted service other than an appointment:

(i) To a Schedule C position established under part 213 of this chapter;

(ii) To a position authorized to be filled by noncareer executive assignment under part 305 of this chapter;

(iii) To a position which meets the same criteria as a Schedule C position or a position authorized to be filled by non-career executive assignment; or

(iv) To a position where the incumbent is traditionally changed upon a change in Presidential Administrations.

(b) Senior Executive Service appointment. An employee covered by this section shall be converted to a Senior Executive Service career appointment. The employee may be assigned to either a “general” or a “career reserved” position.

§ 317.305 Conversion of excepted appointees.

(a) Coverage. This section covers employees serving under an excepted appointment in a position:

(1) In Schedule C of subpart C of part 213 of title 5, Code of Federal Regulations;

(2) Filled by noncareer executive assignment under subpart F of part 305 of title 5, Code of Federal Regulations;

(3) In the Executive Schedule under subchapter II of chapter 53 of title 5, United States Code, other than a career Executive Schedule position; or,

(4) Filled under an authority equivalent to paragraph (a) (1), (2), or (3) of this section.

(b) Senior Executive Service appointment. An employee covered by this section shall be subject to one of the following actions.

(1) If the employee's position is designated a “general” position, the agency may convert the employee to a Senior Executive Service noncareer appointment. The employee may be assigned only to a “general” position.

(2) If the employee's position is designated a “career reserved” position, the agency may convert the employee to a Senior Executive Service noncareer appointment and assign the employee to a “general” position. The employee cannot remain in a “career reserved” position.

(3) If the employee subject to § 317.302(a) or § 317.302(d) has reinstatement eligibility to a position in the competitive service, or, as determined by the Office of Personnel Management, had substantial career-oriented service under a career-type appointment as defined in § 317.304(a)(2), the employee may request conversion to a career appointment. Such request must be made on or before the end of the notice period.

(i) If the request is approved by the Office, the agency will convert the employee to a Senior Executive Service career appointment. The employee may be assigned to a “general” or a “career reserved” position. The name of the individual and basis for approving the request must be published in the Federal Register.

(ii) If the employee's request for conversion to career is not approved by the Office, or if the employee elects not to make such a request, the agency will convert the employee to a Senior Executive Service noncareer appointment. The employee may be assigned only to a “general” position.

(4) In lieu of action under paragraph (b) (1), (2), or (3) of this section, the agency may separate the employee from the civil service.

§ 317.306 Conversion of employees under time limited appointments.

(a) Coverage. This section covers employees serving under:

(1) A limited executive assignment under subpart E of part 305 of title 5, Code of Federal Regulations; or

(2) A similar type of time limited appointment in an excepted service position.

(b) Senior Executive Service appointment. An employee covered by this section shall be subject to one of the following actions.

(1) If the position in which the employee is serving under a limited executive assignment or similar type of time limited appointment will terminate within three years from the date of the proposed conversion action, the agency may convert the employee to a Senior Executive Service limited term appointment.

(2) If the position in which the employee is serving under a limited executive assignment or similar type of time limited appointment will not terminate within three years from the date of the proposed conversion action, the agency may convert the employee to a Senior Executive Service noncareer appointment and assign the employee to a “general” position.

(3) If the employee under a limited executive assignment has reinstatement eligibility to a position in the competitive service, or, as determined by the Office of Personnel Management, had substantial career-oriented service under a career-type appointment as defined in § 317.304(a)(2), and if immediately prior to the limited executive assignment and without a break in service the employee served under a career appointment or career-type appointment in a position now being designated a Senior Executive Service position then the employee may request conversion to a career appointment. Such request must be made on or before the end of the notice period.

(i) If the employee requests conversion to career, the agency will convert the employee to a Senior Executive Service career appointment. The employee may be assigned to a “general” or a “career reserved” position. The name of the individual and basis for approving the request must be published in the Federal Register.

(ii) If the employee does not request conversion to career, the agency will convert the employee as provided for in paragraphs (b) (1) and (2) of this section.

(4) In lieu of action under paragraph (b) (1), (2), or (3) of this section, the agency may separate the employee from the civil service.

§ 317.401 General.

(a) The head of each agency is responsible for establishing qualifications standards for Senior Executive Service (SES) positions in accordance with the procedures described in this subpart.

(b) A written qualification standard must be established for a position before any appointment is made to the position. If a position is being filled competitively, the standard must be established before the position is announced.

[54 FR 9758, Mar. 8, 1989, as amended at 60 FR 6385, Feb. 2, 1995]

§ 317.402 Career reserved positions.

(a) The qualifications standard must be in writing and identify the breadth and depth of the professional/technical and executive/managerial knowledges, skills, and abilities, or other qualifications, required for successful performance in the position.

(b) The standard must be specific enough to enable applicants to be rated and ranked according to their degree of qualifications when the position is being filled on a competitive basis.

(c) Each qualifications criterion in the standard must be job related. The standard may not emphasize agency-related experience, however, to the extent that it precludes otherwise well-qualified candidates from outside the agency from appointment consideration.

(d) The standard may not include—

(1) A minimum length of experience requirement beyond that authorized for similar positions in the General Schedule;

(2) A minimum education requirement beyond that authorized for similar positions in the General Schedule; or

(3) Any criterion prohibited by law or regulation.

§ 317.403 General positions.

An agency may apply the criteria in § 317.402 when developing qualifications standards for general positions. If it does not, OPM must be consulted before the agency develops the standard.

§ 317.404 Retention of qualifications standards.

If a qualifications standard is changed, or a position is cancelled, the former standard shall be retained for 2 years.

§ 317.501 Recruitment and selection for initial SES career appointment be achieved from the brightest and most diverse pool possible.

(a) Executive Resources Board (ERB). The head of each agency shall appoint one or more ERBs from among employees of the agency or commissioned officers of the uniformed services serving on active duty in the agency. The ERB shall, in accordance with the requirements of this section, conduct the merit staffing process for initial SES career appointment.

(b) Recruitment. (1) As a minimum, the source of recruitment to fill a SES position by career appointment must include all groups of qualified individuals within the civil service (as defined by 5 U.S.C. 2101). It may also include qualified individuals outside the civil service.

(2) Before an agency can fill an SES vacancy by career appointment, it must post a vacancy announcement in USAJOBS for at least 14 calendar days, including the date of publication. Each agency's SES vacancy announcement must comply with criteria in § 330.707 of subpart G of this chapter.

(c) Merit staffing requirements. As a minimum, agencies must—

(1) Provide that competition be fair and open, that all candidates compete and be rated and ranked on the same basis, and that selection be based solely on qualifications and not on political or other non-job-related factors. If a candidate is a current SES career appointee or an SES reinstatement eligible, an agency may consider the candidate either competitively or noncompetitively.

(2) Provide that the ERB consider the executive and technical qualifications of each candidate, other than those found ineligible because they do not meet the requirements of the vacancy announcement. Preliminary qualifications screening, rating, and ranking of candidates may be delegated by the ERB.

(3) Provide that the rating procedures sufficiently differentiate among eligible candidates on the basis of the knowledges, skills, abilities, and other job-related factors in the qualifications standard for the position so as to enable the relative ranking of the candidates. For this purpose, eligible candidates may be grouped into broad categories, such as highly qualified, well qualified, and qualified. Numerical rating and ranking are not required.

(4) Provide that the record be adequately documented to show the basis of qualifications, rating, and ranking determinations.

(5) Provide that the ERB make written recommendations to the appointing authority on the eligible candidates and identify the best qualified candidates. Rating sheets may be used to satisfy the written recommendation requirement for individual candidates, but the ERB must certify in writing the list of candidates to the appointing authority.

(6) Provide that the appointing authority select from among the candidates identified as best qualified by the ERB and certify the candidate's executive and technical qualifications.

(7) Provide that the appointing authority or the ERB certify in writing that appropriate merit staffing procedures were followed.

(d) Retention of documentation. Agencies must keep such documentation as OPM prescribes for 2 years to permit reconstruction of merit staffing actions.

(e) Applicant inquiries and appeals. Individuals are entitled to obtain information from an agency regarding the process used to recruit and select candidates for career appointment to SES positions. Upon request, applicants must be told whether they were considered qualified for the position and whether they were referred for appointment consideration. Also, they may have access to questionnaires or other written material regarding their own qualifications, except for material that would identify a confidential source. There is no right of appeal by applicants to OPM on SES staffing actions taken by ERBs, Qualifications Review Boards, or appointing authorities.

(f) OPM review. OPM may review proposed career appointments to ensure that they comply with all merit staffing requirements and are free of any impropriety. An agency shall take such action as OPM may require to correct an action contrary to any law, rule, or regulation.

[54 FR 9758, Mar. 8, 1989, as amended at 58 FR 58261, Nov. 1, 1993; 60 FR 6385, Feb. 2, 1995; 65 FR 33740, May 25, 2000; 66 FR 63906, Dec. 11, 2001]

§ 317.502 Qualifications Review Board certification.

(a) A Qualification Review Board (QRB) convened by OPM must certify the executive/managerial qualifications of a candidate before initial career appointment may be made to an SES position. More than one-half of the members of a QRB must be SES career appointees.

(b) Agency requests for certification of a candidate by a QRB must contain such information as prescribed by OPM, including evidence that merit staffing procedures were followed and that the appointing authority has certified the candidate's qualifications for the position.

(c) Qualifications Review Board certification of executive qualifications must be based on demonstrated executive experience; successful completion of an OPM-approved candidate development program; or possession of special or unique qualities that indicate a likelihood of executive success. Any existing time limit on a previously approved certification is removed.

(d) OPM may determine the disposition of agency QRB requests where the QRB has not yet acted if the agency head leaves office or announces an intention to leave office, if the President has nominated a new agency head, or if there is a Presidential transition.

(e) An action to convert a “noncareer-type” employee to a career SES appointment in the employee's current position or a successor to that position will not be forwarded to a QRB. A “noncareer-type” employee includes a noncareer SES appointee, a Schedule C appointee, or equivalent.

(f) A new QRB certification is required for an individual to be reappointed as an SES career appointee following separation of the individual from an SES career appointment if:

(1) The individual was removed during the SES probationary period for performance or disciplinary reasons; or

(2) The individual completed an SES probationary period, or did not have to serve one, and was removed for a reason that made the individual ineligible for reinstatement to the SES under subpart G of this part.

[54 FR 9758, Mar. 8, 1989, as amended at 56 FR 170, Jan. 3, 1991; 60 FR 6385, Feb. 2, 1995; 61 FR 46533, Sept. 4, 1996; 65 FR 33740, May 25, 2000]

§ 317.503 Probationary period.

(a) An individual's initial appointment as an SES career appointee becomes final only after the individual has served a 1-year probationary period as a career appointee; there has been an assessment of the appointee's performance during the probationary period; and the appointing authority, or his or her designee, has certified that the appointee performed at the level of excellence expected of a senior executive during the probationary period.

(b) When a career appointee's executive qualification have been certified by a Qualifications Review Board on the basis of special or unique qualities, as described in § 317.502(c), the probationary assessment must address any executive development activities the agency identified in support of the request for QRB certification.

(c) The probationary period begins on the effective date of the personnel action initially appointing the individual to the SES as a career appointee and ends one calendar year later.

(d) The following conditions apply to crediting service towards completion of the probationary period.

(1) Time on leave with pay while in an SES position is credited. Earned leave for which the employee is compensated by lump-sum payment upon separation is not credited.

(2) Time in a nonpay status while in an SES position is credited up to a total of 30 calendar days (or 22 workdays). After 30 calendar days, the probationary period is extended by adding to it time equal to that served in a nonpay status.

(3) Time absent on military duty or due to compensable injury is credited upon restoration to the SES when no other break in SES service has occurred.

(4) Time following transfer to an SES position in another agency is credited, i.e., the individual does not have to start a new probationary period.

(e) Removal of a career appointee during the probationary period is covered by subpart D of part 359 of this chapter.

(f) A career appointee who resigns or is removed from the SES before completion of the probationary period may not receive another SES career appointment unless selected under SES merit staffing procedures. The individual, however, need not be recertified by a QRB unless the individual was removed for performance or disciplinary reasons.

(g) An individual who separated from the SES during the probationary period and who has been out of the SES more than 30 calendar days must serve a new 1-year probationary period upon reappointment and may not credit previous time in a probationary period. In the following situations, however, there is an exception and the individual is only required to complete the remainder of the previously served probationary period.

(1) The individual left the SES without a break in service for a Presidential appointment and is exercising reinstatement rights under 5 U.S.C. 3593(b).

(2) The individual left the SES without a break in service for other civilian employment that provides a statutory or regulatory reemployment right to the SES when no other break in service occurred.

(3) The break in SES service was the result of military duty or compensable injury, and the time credited under paragraph (c)(3) of this section was not sufficient to complete the probationary period.

[54 FR 9758, Mar. 8, 1989, as amended at 60 FR 6386, Feb. 2, 1995; 65 FR 33740, May 25, 2000]

§ 317.504 [Reserved]

§ 317.601 Authorization.

(a) An agency may make a noncareer or limited appointment only to a general position.

(b) Each use of a noncareer appointment authority must be approved individually by the Office of Personnel Management, and the authority reverts to the Office upon departure of the incumbent, unless otherwise provided by the Office.

(c) Use of a limited appointment authority is subject to the conditions in this paragraph.

(1) Agencies are provided a pool of limited appointment authorities equal to 3 percent of their Senior Executive Service (SES) position allocation, or one authority, whichever is greater. An agency may use the pool to make a limited appointment only of an individual who has a career or career-conditional appointment (or an appointment of equivalent tenure) in a permanent civil service position outside the SES. If necessary, the Office of Personnel Management may suspend use of the pool authority.

(2) Each use of a limited appointment authority other than under paragraph (c)(1) of this section must be approved individually by the Office, and the authority reverts to the Office upon departure of the incumbent, unless otherwise provided by the Office.

[60 FR 6386, Feb. 2, 1995, as amended at 65 FR 33741, May 25, 2000]

§ 317.602 Conditions of a limited appointment.

(a) Appointments authorized under this provision may be deemed provisional appointments for purposes of the regulations set out in parts 831, 842, 870, and 890 of this chapter if they meet the criteria set out in §§ 316.401 and 316.403 of this chapter.

(b) A limited appointment is not renewable. If an agency initially made the appointment for less than the maximum period authorized by the Office of Personnel Management, however, the agency may extend the appointment to the maximum period without the approval of the Office. The Office must be notified of the extension.

(c) A limited term or limited emergency appointee may not be appointed to, or continue to hold, a position under such an appointment if, within the preceding 48 months, the individual has served more than 36 months, in the aggregate, under any combination of limited term and limited emergency appointments.

[45 FR 62414, Sept. 19, 1980, as amended at 56 FR 10142, Mar. 11, 1991; 60 FR 6386, Feb. 2, 1995]

§ 317.603 Selection.

An agency may make a noncareer or limited appointment without the use of merit staffing procedures. The appointee, however, must meet the qualifications requirements for the position, as determined in writing by the appointing authority.

[45 FR 62414, Sept. 19, 1980, as amended at 60 FR 6386, Feb. 2, 1995]

§ 317.604 Reassignment.

(a) An agency may reassign a noncareer appointee only with the prior approval of the Office unless otherwise provided by the Office.

(b) An agency may make the following reassignments of limited appointees to positions for which qualified without the prior approval of the Office of Personnel Management. The Office must be notified of the reassignment, however.

(1) An agency may reassign a limited emergency appointee to another general position established to meet a bona fide, unanticipated, urgent need, except that the appointee may not serve in one or more positions in the agency under such appointment in excess of 18 months.

(2) An agency may reassign a limited term appointee to another general position the duties of which will expire at the end of 3 years or less except that the appointee may not serve in one or more positions in the agency under such appointment in excess of 3 years.

[45 FR 62414, Sept. 19, 1980, as amended at 60 FR 6386, Feb. 2, 1995]

§ 317.605 Tenure of appointees.

(a) A noncareer or limited appointee does not acquire status within the Senior Executive Service on the basis of the appointment.

(b) An agency may terminate a noncareer or limited appointment at any time, unless a limited appointee is covered under 5 CFR 752.601(c)(2). The agency must give the noncareer or limited appointee a written notice at least 1 day prior to the effective date of the removal.

(c) The employment of a limited appointee ends automatically on the expiration of the appointment if the appointment has not been terminated earlier.

(d) An employee: (1) Who received a limited appointment without a break of service in the same agency as the one in which the employee held a career or career conditional appointment (or an appointment of equivalent tenure) in a permanent civil service position outside the Senior Executive Service, and

(2) Whose limited appointment is terminated for reasons other than misconduct, neglect of duty, or malfeasance, shall be entitled to be placed in his/her former position or a position of like status, tenure, and grade.

[45 FR 62414, Sept. 19, 1980, as amended at 60 FR 6386, Feb. 2, 1995]

§ 317.701 Agency authority.

As provided for in §§ 317.702 and 317.703, an agency may reinstate a former SES career appointee without regard to the merit staffing requirements established by OPM in § 317.501(c).

§ 317.702 General reinstatement: SES career appointees.

(a) Eligibility for general reinstatement. A former SES career appointee who meets the following conditions is eligible for reinstatement under this section:

(1) The individual completed an SES probationary period under a previous SES career appointment or was exempted from that requirement; and

(2) The individual's separation from his or her last SES career appointment was not a removal under subpart C of part 359 of this chapter for failure to be recertified as a senior executive; or a removal under subpart E of part 359 of this chapter for less than fully successful executive performance; or under 5 U.S.C. 1207 by order of the Merit Systems Protection Board as a result of a disciplinary action initiated by the Special Counsel under 5 U.S.C. 1206; or under 5 U.S.C. 7532 (National Security); or under subpart F of part 752 of this chapter for misconduct, neglect of duty, or malfeasance; or a resignation after receipt of a notice proposing or directing removal under any of the above conditions. Removal for failure to accept a directed reassignment to another commuting area, or to accompany a position in a transfer of function to another commuting area, does not preclude reinstatement to the SES unless the appointment to the original position included acceptance of a written nationwide mobility agreement or policy.

(b) Applying for reinstatement; time limit. Application for reinstatement under this section shall be made directly to the agency in which SES employment is sought. There is no time limit for reinstatement under this section.

(c) Qualifications. The individual must meet the qualification requirements of the position to which reinstated. The agency makes this determination.

(d) Tenure upon reinstatement. An individual who is reinstated under § 317.702 becomes an SES career appointee.

[54 FR 9759, Mar. 8, 1989, as amended at 56 FR 172, Jan. 3, 1991]

§ 317.703 Guaranteed reinstatement: Presidential appointees.

(a) Eligibility for reinstatement. (1) A former SES career appointee who was appointed by the President to a civil service position outside the SES without a break in service, and who left the Presidential appointment for reasons other than misconduct, neglect of duty, or malfeasance, is entitled by law to be reinstated to the SES.

(2) If an individual is serving under a Presidential appointment with reinstatement entitlement and receives another Presidential appointment without a break in service between the two appointments, the individual continues to be entitled to be reinstated to the SES following termination of the second appointment. If there is an interim period between the two Presidential appointments, the individual must be reinstated as an SES career appointee before the effective date of the second appointment to preserve reinstatement entitlement following termination of the second appointment.

(b) Applying for reinstatement; time limit. Except as provided in paragraph (d) of this section, an application in writing for reinstatement under this section must be made to OPM within 90 days after separation from the Presidential appointment. An application may be submitted as soon as the Presidential appointee's resignation is requested or submitted.

(c) Directing reinstatement. (1) To the extent practicable, OPM will direct reinstatement within 45 days of the date of receipt by OPM of the application for reinstatement or the date of separation from the Presidential appointment, whichever is later.

(2) OPM will use the following order of precedence in directing reinstatement of a former Presidential appointee:

(i) The agency in which the individual last served as an SES career appointee before accepting the Presidential appointment;

(ii) The successor agency to the one in which the individual last served as an SES career appointee;

(iii) The agency or agencies in which the individual served as a Presidential appointee; or

(iv) Any other agency in the Executive branch with positions under the SES.

(3) The agency being directed to take the reinstatement action is responsible for assigning the individual to a position for which he or she meets the qualifications requirements.

(4) When directing the reinstatement of a Presidential appointee, OPM may, as appropriate, allocate an additional SES space authority to the agency.

(5) When a Presidential appointee tenders his or her resignation, voluntarily or upon request, the agency in which the Presidential appointment was held, upon approval by OPM, may place the appointee as an interim measure on an SES limited term or limited emergency appointment as appropriate, pending reinstatement, to preclude a break in service after the Presidential appointment has terminated.

(6) To preserve reinstatement rights under this section, an individual who has been serving in a presidential appointment, if selected by the President for another appointment in the same or a new agency, must be reinstated to an appropriate position as an SES career appointee before the effective date of the new Presidential appointment, unless service as a Presidential appointee would be continuous.

(d) Reinstatement following direct negotiations with an agency. (1) A Presidential appointee who qualifies under paragraph (a) of this section may initiate direct negotiations with an agency regarding reinstatement under this section.

(2) An agency may voluntarily reinstate a former Presidential appointee without an order from OPM directing such action.

(3) The agency is responsible for assigning the individual to a position for which he or she meets the qualification requirements.

(4) Direct negotiations with an agency do not extend the time limit stated in paragraph (b) of this section for making application to OPM.

(5) OPM may, when appropriate and upon request by the agency, allocate an additional SES space authority to an agency that voluntarily reinstates a former Presidential appointee under this paragraph.

(6) An individual who is reinstated under this paragraph because of direct negotiations with an agency is not entitled to further assistance by OPM.

(e) Tenure upon reinstatement. (1) An individual reinstated under § 317.703 becomes an SES career appointee.

(2) An individual reinstated under § 317.703 who was serving an SES probationary period at the time of his or her Presidential appointment is required to complete the 1-year SES probationary period upon reinstatement.

(f) Compliance. (1) An agency must comply with an order to reinstate issued by OPM under this section as promptly as possible, but not more than 30 calendar days from the date of the order.

(2) The agency will notify OPM of a reinstatement action taken under this section within 5 workdays of the effective date of the reinstatement.

(3) An individual who declines a reinstatement ordered by OPM is not entitled to further placement assistance by OPM under this section.

[54 FR 9759, Mar. 8, 1989, as amended at 60 FR 6386, Feb. 2, 1995]

§ 317.801 Retention of SES provisions.

(a) Coverage. This subpart applies to—

(1) A career appointee in the SES appointed at any time by the President to a civilian position in the executive branch with the advice and consent of the Senate at a rate of basic pay which is equal to or greater than the rate payable for Executive Level V; or

(2) A career appointee in the SES who is not covered under paragraph (a)(1) of this section and who was appointed on or after November 1, 1986, to a civilian position in the executive branch which is covered by the Executive Schedule, or the rate of basic pay for which is fixed by statute at a rate equal to one of the levels of the Executive Schedule.

(b) Election. (1) At the time of appointment, an appointee covered by paragraph (a) of this section may elect to retain some, all, or none of the following SES provisions related to basic pay (including the aggregate limitation on pay established by 5 U.S.C. 5307), performance awards, awarding of ranks, severance pay, leave, and retirement. That election will remain in effect for no less than 1 year, unless the appointee leaves the position sooner.

(2) The appointing agency is responsible for advising the appointee of the election opportunity. The election decision must be in writing.

(c) Change in election. Except as provided by paragraph (b) of this section, a career appointee is permitted to make an election for purposes of adding or dropping coverage no more than once during any twelve-month period.

[50 FR 6154, Feb. 14, 1985, as amended at 56 FR 15273, Apr. 16, 1991; 57 FR 54677, Nov. 20, 1992; 60 FR 6386, Feb. 2, 1995; 69 FR 2050, Jan. 13, 2004; 72 FR 12035, Mar. 15, 2007]

§ 317.901 Reassignments.

(a) In this section, reassignment means a permanent assignment to another SES position within the employing executive agency or military department. (See 5 U.S.C. 105 for a definition of “executive agency” and 5 U.S.C. 102 for a definition of “military department.”)

(b) A career appointee may be reassigned to any SES position for which qualified in accordance with the following conditions:

(1) Reassignment within a commuting area. For reassignment within a commuting area, the appointee must receive a written notice at least 15 days before the effective date of the reassignment. This notice requirement may be waived only when the appointee consents in writing.

(2) Reassignment outside of a commuting area. For reassignment outside of a commuting area, (i) the agency must consult with the appointee on the reasons for, and the appointee's preferences with respect to, the proposed reassignment; and (ii) following such consultation, the agency must provide the appointee a written notice, including the reasons for the reassignment, at least 60 days before the effective date of the reassignment. This notice requirement may be waived only when the appointee consents in writing.

(c) A career appointee may not be involuntarily reassigned within 120 days after the appointment of the head of an agency, or within 120 days after the appointment of the career appointee's most immediate supervisor who is a noncareer appointee and who has the authority to make an initial appraisal of the career appointee's performance under subpart C of part 430 of this chapter.

(1) In this paragraph—

(i) Head of an agency means the head of an executive or military department or the head of an independent establishment.

(ii) Noncareer appointee includes an SES noncareer or limited appointee, an appointee in a position filled by Schedule C, or an appointee in an Executive Schedule or equivalent position that is not required to be filled competitively.

(2) These restrictions do not apply to the involuntary reassignment of a career appointee under 5 U.S.C. 4314(b)(3) based on a final performance rating of “Unsatisfactory” that was issued before the appointment of a new agency head or a new noncareer supervisor as defined in paragraph (c)(1) of this section. If a moratorium is already underway at the time the final rating is issued, then that moratorium must be completed before the reassignment action can be effected.

(3) A voluntary reassignment during the 120-day period is permitted, but the appointee must agree in writing before the reassignment.

(4) For the purpose of calculating the 120-day period, any days, not to exceed a total of 60, during which the career appointee is serving on a detail or other temporary assignment apart from the appointee's regular position shall not be counted. Any days in excess of 60 days on one or more details or other temporary assignments shall be counted.

(5) The prohibition in this paragraph on involuntary reassignments may be applied by an agency, at its discretion, in the case of a detail of an individual as the head of an agency or of a noncareer appointee as a supervisor, or when a noncareer appointee in a deputy position is acting as the agency head or in a vacant supervisory position. If the individual later receives a permanent appointment to the position without a break in service, the 120-day moratorium initiated by the permanent appointment shall include any days spent in the position on an acting basis.

(d) A 15 or 60-day advance notice described in paragraph (b) of this section may be issued during the 120-day moratorium on the involuntary reassignment of a career appointee described in paragraph (c) of this section, but an involuntary reassignment may not be effected until the moratorium has ended.

[54 FR 9760, Mar. 8, 1989, as amended at 57 FR 10124, Mar. 24, 1992; 58 FR 58261, Nov. 1, 1993; 60 FR 6387, Feb. 2, 1995; 63 FR 34258, June 24, 1998]

§ 317.902 Transfers.

(a) Definition. In this section, transfer means a permanent assignment or appointment to another SES position in a different executive agency or military department.

(b) Requirements. Transfers are voluntary and cannot occur without the consent of the appointee and the gaining agency, except transfers connected with a transfer of functions to another agency.

§ 317.903 Details.

(a) Definition. In this section, detail means the temporary assignment of an SES member to another position (within or outside of the SES) or the temporary assignment of a non-SES member to an SES position, with the expectation that the employee will return to the official position of record upon expiration of the detail. For purposes of pay and benefits, the employee continues to encumber the position from which detailed. The provisions of this section cover details within or outside of the employing agency.

(b) Time limits. (1) Details within an executive agency or military department must be made in no more than 120-day increments.

(2) An agency may not detail an SES employee to unclassified duties for more than 240 days.

(3) An agency must use competitive procedures when detailing a non-SES employee to an SES position for more than 240 days unless the employee is eligible for a noncompetitive career SES appointment.

(4) An agency must obtain OPM approval for a detail of more than 240 days if the detail is of:

(i) A non-SES employee to an SES position that supervises other SES positions; or

(ii) An SES employee to a position at the GS-15 or equivalent level or below.

(c) SES career reserved positions. Only a career SES appointee or a career-type non-SES appointee may be detailed to a career reserved position.

(d) SES general positions. Any SES appointee or non-SES appointee may be detailed to a general position.

[54 FR 9760, Mar. 8, 1989, as amended at 60 FR 6387, Feb. 2, 1995]

§ 317.904 Change in type of SES appointment.

An agency may not require a career SES appointee to accept a noncareer or limited SES appointment as a condition of appointment to another SES position. If a career appointee elects to accept a noncareer or limited appointment, the voluntary nature of the action must be documented in writing before the effective date of the new appointment. A copy of such documentation must be retained permanently in the appointee's Official Personnel Folder.

§ 317.1001 OPM authority for corrective action.

If OPM finds that an agency has taken an action contrary to law or regulation under this part, it may require the agency to take appropriate corrective action.

[54 FR 9761, Mar. 8, 1989]

§ 319.101 Coverage.

(a) This part covers senior-level (SL) and scientific and professional (ST) positions that are classified above GS-15 and are paid under 5 U.S.C. 5376. See 5 CFR part 534, subpart E, for pay provisions.

(b) Positions that meet the criteria for placement in the Senior Executive Service (SES) under 5 U.S.C. 3132(a) may not be placed in the SL or ST system and are not covered by this part.

§ 319.102 Senior-level positions.

(a) SL positions are positions classified above GS-15 pursuant to 5 U.S.C. 5108 that are not covered by other pay systems (e.g. the SES and ST systems).

(b) Positions in agencies that are excluded from 5 U.S.C. chapter 51 (Classification) under section 5102(a), or positions that meet one of the exclusions in section 5102(c), are excluded from the SL system.

(c) SL positions in the executive branch are in the competitive service unless the position is excepted by statute, Executive order, or the Office of Personnel Management (OPM).

§ 319.103 Scientific and professional positions.

(a) ST positions are established under 5 U.S.C. 3104 to carry out research and development functions that require the services of specially qualified personnel.

(b) Research and development functions are defined in The Guide to Personnel Data Standards under the data element “Functional Classification.” The guide is available for inspection at the Office of Personnel Management library, 1900 E Street, NW., Washington DC 20415.

(c) An ST position must be engaged in research and development in the physical, biological, medical, or engineering sciences, or a closely related field.

(d) ST positions are in the competitive service.

§ 319.104 Applicable instructions.

Provisions in statute, Executive order, or regulations that relate in general to competitive and excepted service positions and employment apply to positions and employment under the SL and ST systems unless there is a specific provision to the contrary.

§ 319.105 Reporting requirements.

Agencies shall report such information as may be requested by OPM relating to SL and ST positions and employees.

§ 319.106 Suitability inquiries regarding criminal history.

Agency inquiries regarding criminal history must be done in accordance with the requirements under chapter 92 of title 5, U.S. Code and part 920 of this chapter.

[88 FR 60329, Sept. 1, 2023]

§ 319.201 Coverage.

This section applies to SL positions in an executive agency per 5 U.S.C. 5108 and ST positions in any agency per 5 U.S.C. 3104.

§ 319.202 Allocation of positions.

SL and ST positions may be established only under a position allocation approved by OPM.

§ 319.203 Establishment of positions.

(a) Prior approval of OPM is not required to establish individual SL and ST positions within an allocation, but the positions must be established in accordance with the standards and procedures in paragraph (b) of this section. OPM reserves the right to require the prior approval of individual positions if the agency is not in compliance with these standards and procedures.

(b) Before an SL or ST position may be established, an agency must:

(1) Prepare a description of the duties, responsibilities, and supervisory relationships of the position; and

(2) Determine, consistent with published position classification standards and guides and accepted classification principles, that the position is properly classified above GS-15. In addition, for an ST position an agency must determine that the position meets the functional research and development criteria described in § 319.103.

§ 319.301 Qualifications standards.

(a) General. Agency heads are responsible for establishing qualifications standards in accordance with the criteria in this section.

(1) The standard must be in writing and identify the breadth and depth of the knowledges, skills, and abilities, or other qualifications, required for successful performance in the position.

(2) Each criterion in the standard must be job related.

(3) The standard may not include any criterion prohibited by law or regulation.

(b) Standards for senior-level positions. (1) The standard must be specific enough to enable applicants to be rated and ranked according to their degree of qualifications when the position is being filled on a competitive basis.

(2) The standard may not include a minimum length of experience or minimum education requirement beyond that authorized for similar positions in the General Schedule.

(c) Standards for scientific and professional positions. (1) Unless the agency obtains the approval of OPM, the standard must provide that the candidate have at least 3 years of specialized experience in, or closely related to, the field in which the candidate will work. At least 1 year of this experience must have been in planning and executing difficult programs of national significance or planning and executing specialized programs that show outstanding attainments in the field of research or consultation.

(2) Agencies may require that at least 1 year of the specialized experience must be at least equivalent to experience at GS-15.

(3) Agencies may require applicants to furnish positive evidence that they have performed highly creative or outstanding research where similar abilities are required in the ST position.

§ 319.302 Individual qualifications.

Agency heads are delegated authority to approve the qualifications of individuals appointed to SL and ST positions. The agency head must determine that the individual meets the qualifications standards for the position to which appointed.

§ 319.401 Senior-level positions.

(a) General. SL positions may be in either the competitive or excepted service. This section only applies to appointments in the competitive service from a civil service register. Reassignments, promotions, transfers, and reinstatements to SL positions in the competitive service shall be made in accordance with applicable statutory and regulatory provisions. Employment of SL employees in the excepted service is covered by 5 CFR, part 302.

(1) Agency heads are delegated authority to recruit and examine applicants for SL positions in the competitive service, establish competitor inventories, and issue certificates of eligibility in conformance with the requirements of this section, other applicable regulations, and statute.

(2) Agencies shall take such action as OPM may require to correct an action taken under delegated authority.

(3) Delegated authority may be terminated or suspended at any time by OPM for reasons such as, but not limited to:

(i) Evidence of unequal treatment of candidates; or

(ii) Identifiable merit system abuses.

(b) Recruitment. (1) A recruiting plan, with appropriate emphasis on affirmative recruitment, must be developed and followed.

(2) Vacancy announcements must remain open for a minimum of 14 calendar days. The closing date may not be a nonworkday.

(3) State Job Service offices must be notified of the vacancy in accordance with 5 CFR 330.102. Publication in OPM's listing of Senior Executive Service and other executive vacancies, which is provided the offices, will satisfy this requirement.

(c) Evaluation and selection. Examination and selection procedures, and rights of applicants, are subject to the same provisions in statute and regulation that govern civil service examinations and appointments in general.

(d) Records. (1) Agencies must maintain records sufficient to allow reconstruction of the merit staffing process.

(2) Records must be kept for 2 years after an appointment, or, if no appointment is made, for 2 years after the closing date of the vacancy announcement.

§ 319.402 Scientific and professional positions.

(a) ST positions are filled without competitive examination under 5 U.S.C. 3325.

(b) ST positions are not subject to the citizenship requirements in 5 CFR part 338, subpart A. Agencies, however, must observe any restrictions on the employment of noncitizens in applicable appropriations acts.

(c) ST employees acquire competitive status immediately upon appointment. They are not required to serve a probationary or trial period.

§ 330.101 Definitions.

(a) In this part:

Agency means an Executive agency as defined in 5 U.S.C. 105, along with the Government Publishing Office, but does not include the Government Accountability Office.

Competitive service tenure group has the meaning given that term in § 351.203 of this chapter.

Component means the first major subdivision of an agency, separately organized, and clearly distinguished in work function and operation from other agency subdivisions (e.g., the Internal Revenue Service under the Department of the Treasury or the National Park Service under the Department of the Interior).

Local commuting area has the meaning given that term in § 351.203 of this chapter.

Permanent competitive service workforce and permanent competitive service employees mean agency employees serving under career or career-conditional appointments in the competitive service tenure group.

Position change has the meaning given that term in § 210.102 of this chapter.

Rating of record has the meaning given that term in § 351.203 of this chapter.

Representative rate has the meaning given that term in § 351.203 of this chapter.

(b) In this subpart:

Vacancy means a vacant position in the competitive service, regardless of whether the position will be filled by permanent or time-limited appointment, for which an agency is seeking applications from outside its current permanent competitive service workforce.

[75 FR 67593, Nov. 3, 2010, as amended at 91 FR 49216, Aug. 3, 2026]

§ 330.102 Methods of filling vacancies.

An agency may fill a vacancy in the competitive service by any method authorized in this chapter, including competitive appointment from a list of eligibles, noncompetitive appointment under special authority, reinstatement, transfer, reassignment, change to lower grade, or promotion. The agency must exercise its discretion in each personnel action solely on the basis of merit and fitness, without regard to political or religious affiliation, marital status, or race, and veterans' preference entitlements.

§ 330.103 Requirement to notify OPM.

An agency must provide the vacancy announcement information to OPM promptly when:

(a) Filling a vacancy for more than 120 days from outside the agency's current permanent competitive service workforce, as required by the Interagency Career Transition Assistance Plan, subpart G of this part, unless the action to be taken is listed in subpart G as an exception to that subpart;

(b) Filling any vacancy under the agency's merit promotion procedures when the agency will accept applications from outside its permanent competitive service workforce; and

(c) Filling a vacancy by open competitive examination, including direct hire procedures under part 337 of this chapter, or in the Senior Executive Service, as required by 5 U.S.C. 3327.

§ 330.104 Requirements for vacancy announcements.

(a) Each vacancy announcement must contain the following information:

(1) Name of issuing agency;

(2) Announcement number;

(3) Position title, series, pay plan, and grade (or pay rate);

(4) Duty location;

(5) Number of vacancies;

(6) Opening date and application deadline (closing date) and any other information concerning how receipt of applications will be documented, such as by date of receipt or postmark, and considered, such as by cut-off dates in open continuous announcements;

(7) Qualification requirements, including knowledge, skills, and abilities or competencies;

(8) Starting pay;

(9) Brief description of duties;

(10) Basis of rating;

(11) What to file;

(12) Instructions on how to apply;

(13) Information on how to claim veterans' preference, if applicable;

(14) Definition of “well-qualified,” as required by subparts F and G of this part;

(15) Information on how candidates eligible under subparts F and G of this part may apply, including required proof of eligibility;

(16) Contact person or contact point;

(17) Equal employment opportunity statement (Agencies may use the recommended equal employment opportunity statement located on OPM's USAJOBS website.); and

(18) Reasonable accommodation statement.

(b)(1) An agency may use wording of its choice in its statement that conveys the availability of reasonable accommodation required by § 330.104(a)(18). In its reasonable accommodation statement, an agency may not list types of medical conditions or impairments appropriate for accommodation.

(2) Agencies may use the recommended reasonable accommodation statement located on OPM's USAJOBS website.

(c) If an agency is sharing a certificate of eligibles under part 332 of this chapter, the original hiring agency must provide notice in the job opportunity announcement that the resulting list of eligible candidates may be used by one or more hiring agencies, and of how the applicant may opt-in to the disclosure of his or her applicant records to other hiring agencies.

[75 FR 67593, Nov. 3, 2010, as amended at 82 FR 5339, Jan. 18, 2017]

§ 330.105 Instructions on how to add a vacancy announcement to USAJOBS.

An agency can find the instructions to add a vacancy announcement to USAJOBS on OPM's Web site at http://www.usajobs.gov. An electronic file of the complete vacancy announcement must be included within USAJOBS.

§ 330.106 Funding.

Each year, OPM will charge a fee for the agency's share of the cost of providing employment information to the public and to Federal employees as authorized by 5 U.S.C. 3330(f).

§ 330.201 Purpose.

(a) The Reemployment Priority List (RPL) is a required component of an agency's placement programs to assist its current and former competitive service employees who will be or were separated by reduction in force (RIF) under part 351 of this chapter, or who have recovered from a compensable work-related injury after more than 1 year, as required by part 353 of this chapter. In filling vacancies, an agency must give its RPL registrants placement priority for most competitive service vacancies before hiring someone from outside its own permanent competitive service workforce. An agency may choose to consider RPL placement priority candidates before other agency permanent competitive service employees under its Career Transition Assistance Plan (CTAP) established under subpart F of this part, after fulfilling agency obligations to its CTAP selection priority candidates.

(b) Agencies must use an RPL to give placement priority to their:

(1) Current competitive service employees with a specific notice of RIF separation or a Certification of Expected Separation issued under part 351 of this chapter;

(2) Former competitive service employees separated by RIF under part 351 of this chapter; and

(3) Former competitive service employees fully recovered from a compensable injury (as defined in part 353 of this chapter) after more than 1 year.

(c) All agency components within the local commuting area use a single RPL and are responsible for giving placement priority to the agency's RPL registrants.

(d) With prior OPM approval, an agency may operate an alternate placement program which satisfies the basic requirements of this subpart, including veterans' preference, as an exception to the RPL regulations under this subpart. This provision is limited to reemployment priority because of RIF separation and allows agencies to adopt different placement strategies that are effective for their programs and satisfy employee entitlements to reemployment priority.

§ 330.202 Definitions.

In this subpart:

Competitive area means a competitive area as described in § 351.402 of this chapter.

Competitive service appointment includes new appointments, reinstatements, reemployment, and transfers as defined in § 210.102 of this chapter, and conversions as defined in OPM's “Guide to Processing Personnel Actions.”

Injury, in relation to the RPL, has the meaning given that term in § 353.102 of this chapter.

Overseas has the meaning given that term in § 210.102 of this chapter.

Qualified refers to an RPL registrant who:

(1) Meets OPM-established or -approved qualification standards and requirements for the position, including minimum educational requirements, and agency-established selective factors (as this term is used in OPM's “Operating Manual: Qualification Standards for General Schedule Positions”);

(2) Will not cause an undue interruption, as defined in § 351.203 of this chapter, that would prevent the completion of required work by the registrant 90 days after the registrant is placed in the position;

(3) Is physically qualified, with or without reasonable accommodation, to perform the duties of the position;

(4) Meets any special OPM-approved qualifying conditions for the position; and

(5) Has the capacity, adaptability, and special skills needed to satisfactorily perform the duties and responsibilities of the position. In determining these qualifications an agency must use an assessment that:

(i) Allows for demonstration of job-related skills, abilities, knowledge, and competencies;

(ii) Is based on a job analysis; and

(iii) Does not consist solely of, or principally rely on, an automated self-assessment.

(iv) Acceptable examples of the types of assessments include: structured interviews; a work-related exercise; a custom or generic procedure for measuring an employee's employment or career-related qualifications and interests; a structured resume review; or another assessment, provided that the assessment—

(A) Demonstrates job-related technical skills, abilities, and knowledge; and

(B) Is relevant for the position for which the assessment is developed; and

(6) Meets any other applicable requirements for competitive service appointment (including employment suitability requirements under part 731 of this chapter).

RPL eligible means a current or former employee of the agency who meets the conditions in either paragraph (a) or (b) of § 330.203. As used in this subpart, “RPL eligible” and “eligible” are synonymous.

RPL placement priority candidate means an RPL registrant who is qualified and available for a specific agency vacancy.

RPL registrant means an RPL eligible who submitted a timely RPL application and who is registered on the agency's RPL. As used in this subpart, “RPL registrant” and “registrant” are synonymous.

Vacancy means any vacant position to be filled by a competitive service permanent or time-limited appointment.

[75 FR 67593, Nov. 3, 2010, as amended at 91 FR 49216, Aug. 3, 2026; 91 FR 54795, Aug. 25, 2026]

§ 330.203 RPL Eligibility.

An employee must meet the conditions in either paragraph (a) or (b) of this section to be an RPL eligible.

(a) For eligibility based on part 351 of this chapter, the employee:

(1) Must be serving in an appointment in the competitive service in the competitive service tenure group (or another qualifying competitive service appointment, as determined by OPM);

(2) Must have received either a specific notice of separation or a Certification of Expected Separation under part 351 of this chapter that has not been cancelled, rescinded, or modified so that the employee is no longer under notice of separation;

(3) Must have received a rating of record of at least fully successful (Level 3) or equivalent as the most recent performance rating of record; and

(4) Must not have declined an offer under part 351, subpart G, of this chapter of a position with the same type of work schedule and with a representative rate at least as high as that of the position from which the employee will be separated.

(b) For eligibility based on part 353 of this chapter, the employee or former employee:

(1) Must be serving in, or separated from, an appointment in the competitive service in the competitive service tenure group (or another qualifying competitive service appointment, as determined by OPM);

(2) Must either have accepted a position at a lower grade or pay level in lieu of separation or have been separated because of a compensable injury or disability. (For the purposes of this subpart, any reference to the position from which an individual was or will be separated includes the position from which the RPL eligible accepted the lower graded or pay level position under this paragraph.);

(3) Must have fully recovered more than 1 year after compensation began; and

(4) Must have received notification from the Office of Workers' Compensation Programs, Department of Labor, that injury compensation benefits have ceased or will cease.

[75 FR 67593, Nov. 3, 2010, as amended at 91 FR 49216, Aug. 3, 2026]

§ 330.204 Agency requirements and responsibilities.

(a) An agency must establish policies and maintain an RPL for each local commuting area in which the agency has RPL eligibles.

(b) An agency must give each RPL eligible information about its RPL program, including Merit Systems Protection Board appeal rights under § 330.214, when:

(1) The agency issues a RIF separation notice or a Certification of Expected Separation under part 351 of this chapter; or

(2) The employee accepts a position at a lower grade or pay level or is separated from the agency because of a compensable work-related injury.

(c) An agency must register an RPL eligible on the appropriate RPL no later than 10 calendar days after receiving the eligible's written application.

(d) Agencies must include in their RPL policies established under this subpart how they will assist RPL eligibles who:

(1) Request an RPL application;

(2) Request help in completing the RPL application; and

(3) Request help in identifying and listing on the RPL application those positions within the agency for which they are qualified and interested.

(e) An agency must give RPL registrants placement priority for personnel actions as described in § 330.210.

(f) An agency must not remove an individual from the RPL under § 330.209(a)(1), (b)(1), or (b)(2) without evidence (such as a Postal Service return receipt signed by addressee only) showing that the offer, inquiry, or scheduled interview was made in writing. The written offer, inquiry, or scheduled interview must clearly state that failure to respond will result in removal from the RPL for positions at that grade or pay level and for positions at lower grades and pay levels for which registered.

§ 330.205 Agency RPL applications.

Agencies may develop their own application format which must, at a minimum:

(a) Allow an RPL eligible to register for positions at the same representative rate and work schedule (full-time, part-time, seasonal, or intermittent) as the position from which the RPL eligible was, or will be, separated; and

(b) Allow an RPL eligible to specify the conditions under which he or she will accept a position, including grades or pay levels, appointment type (permanent or time-limited), occupations (e.g., position classification series or career groups), and minimum number of hours of work per week, as applicable.

§ 330.206 RPL registration timeframe and positions.

(a) To register, an RPL eligible must:

(1) Meet the eligibility conditions under § 330.203(a) or (b);

(2) Complete an RPL application prescribed by the current or former agency and keep the agency informed of any significant changes in the information provided; and

(3) Submit the RPL application on or before the RIF separation date or, if an RPL eligible under § 330.203(b), within 30 calendar days after the:

(i) Date injury compensation benefits cease; or

(ii) Date the Department of Labor denies an appeal for continuation of injury compensation benefits.

(b) RPL eligibles may register and receive placement priority for positions for which they are qualified and that:

(1) Have a representative rate no higher than the position from which they were, or will be, separated unless the eligible was demoted in a previous RIF. If the eligible was so demoted as a competitive service tenure group employee in a previous RIF, the eligible can register for positions with a representative rate up to the representative rate of the position held on a permanent appointment immediately before the RIF demotion was effective;

(2) Have no greater promotion potential than the position from which they were, or will be, separated; and

(3) Have the same type of work schedule as the position from which they were, or will be, separated.

[75 FR 67593, Nov. 3, 2010, as amended at 91 FR 49216, Aug. 3, 2026]

§ 330.207 Registration area.

(a) Except as provided in paragraphs (b) through (e) of this section, RPL registration is limited to the local commuting area in which the eligible was, or will be, separated.

(b) If the agency has, or will have, no competitive service positions remaining in the local commuting area from which the RPL eligible will be separated under part 351 of this chapter, the agency may designate a different local commuting area where there are continuing positions for the RPL eligible to exercise placement priority. The agency has sole discretion over whether to offer this option and which local commuting area to designate, taking into consideration the size and locations of its workforce, available vacancies, and available funds.

(c) If the RPL eligible agreed to transfer with his or her function under part 351 of this chapter but will be separated by RIF from the gaining competitive area, registration is limited to the RPL covering the gaining competitive area's local commuting area.

(d) For an individual who is eligible under § 330.203(b), registration is initially limited to the RPL covering the local commuting area of the position from which the employee was separated. The agency must establish a fair and consistent policy that permits RPL eligibles to expand their registration to available local commuting areas mutually acceptable to the RPL eligible and the agency, up to agency-wide as required by 5 U.S.C. 8151. (For example, an agency could consider the number and location(s) of its positions and funding availability when establishing its policies on expanding consideration.) In lieu of expanded registration, the agency policy may provide for the RPL eligible to elect to receive placement priority for the next best available position in the former local commuting area.

(e) If the RPL eligible was, or will be, separated from an overseas position (see part 301 of this chapter), RPL registration is limited to the local commuting area in which the eligible was, or will be, separated, unless:

(1) The agency approves a written request by the RPL eligible for registration in the local commuting area from which employed for overseas service, or in another area within the United States that is mutually acceptable to the eligible and the agency; or

(2) The agency has a formal program for rotating employees between overseas areas and the United States, and the RPL eligible's preceding and prospective overseas service would exceed the maximum duration of an overseas duty tour in the rotation program. In this case, the eligible may register for a local commuting area within the United States that is mutually acceptable to the eligible and the agency.

§ 330.208 Duration of RPL registration.

(a) RPL registration expires 2 years from the date of reduction in force separation under part 351 of this chapter, or 2 years from the date the agency registers the RPL eligible because of recovery from a compensable work injury under § 330.206(a)(3)(i) or (ii). An RPL eligible remains registered for the full 2-year period unless the registrant is removed from the RPL for a reason specified in § 330.209.

(b)(1) OPM may extend the registration period when an RPL eligible does not receive a full 2 years of placement priority, for example, because of an agency's administrative or procedural error.

(2) Either the agency or the RPL eligible may request OPM to extend the registration period under paragraph (b)(1) of this section. The request must describe the administrative or procedural error that caused the RPL eligible to be registered for less than the full 2-year period. OPM may request additional information either from the agency or the RPL eligible in connection with any such request. OPM will notify both the agency and the RPL eligible of the decision to approve or deny an extension request. OPM's decision regarding an extension request is not subject to appeal under § 330.214.

§ 330.209 Removal from an RPL.

(a) An RPL registrant is removed from the RPL at all registered grades or pay levels if the registrant:

(1) Declines or fails to reply to the agency's inquiry about an RPL offer of a career, career-conditional, or excepted appointment without time limit for a position having the same type of work schedule and a representative rate at least as high as the position from which the registrant was, or will be, separated;

(2) Receives a written cancellation, rescission, or modification to:

(i) The RIF separation notice or Certification of Expected Separation so that the employee no longer meets the conditions for RPL eligibility in § 330.203(a); or

(ii) The notification of cessation of injury compensation benefits so that injury compensation benefits continue;

(3) Separates from the agency for any other reason (such as retirement, resignation, or transfer) before the RIF separation effective date. Registration continues if the RPL registrant retires on or after the RIF separation effective date. This paragraph does not apply to an RPL registrant under § 330.203(b);

(4) Requests the agency to remove his or her name from the RPL;

(5) Is placed in a position without time limit at any grade or pay level within the agency;

(6) Is placed in a position under a career, career-conditional, or excepted appointment without time limit at any grade or pay level in any agency; or

(7) Leaves the area covered by an overseas RPL (see 5 CFR part 301) or is ineligible for continued overseas employment because of previous service or residence.

(b) An RPL registrant is removed from the RPL at registered grades or pay levels with a representative rate at and below the representative rate of a position offered by the agency if the offered position is below the last grade or pay level held and the registrant:

(1) Declines or fails to reply to the agency's inquiry about an RPL offer of a career, career-conditional, or excepted appointment without time limit for a position meeting the acceptable conditions shown on the RPL registrant's application; or

(2) Declines or fails to appear for a scheduled interview.

(c) An RPL registrant removed from the RPL under paragraph (b) of this section at lower grades or pay levels than the last grade or pay level held remains on the RPL for positions with a representative rate higher than the offered position up to the grade or pay level last held, unless registration expires or otherwise terminates.

(d) Declination of time-limited employment does not affect RPL eligibility.

§ 330.210 Applying RPL placement priority.

(a) RPL placement priority applies to:

(1) Permanent and time-limited positions to be filled by competitive service appointment; and

(2) The grade or pay level at which the agency fills the position. If a position is available at multiple grades or pay levels, placement priority applies at the grade or pay level at which the position is ultimately filled.

(b) An agency must not effect a permanent or time-limited competitive service appointment of another individual if there is an RPL placement priority candidate registered for the vacancy, unless the action is listed as an exception in § 330.211.

(c) An agency must document that there are no RPL placement priority candidates for the vacancy when requesting a competitive certificate of eligibles under part 332 of this chapter. Similarly, an agency must offer the vacancy to any RPL placement priority candidate(s) before effecting an appointment under a noncompetitive appointing authority, such as under part 315 of this chapter.

(d) Once an agency has ensured there are no RPL placement priority candidates for a particular vacancy and documents in writing an employment offer that is accepted by another individual, the agency may fulfill that employment offer to that individual.

§ 330.211 Exceptions to RPL placement priority.

An agency may effect the following personnel actions as exceptions to § 330.210:

(a) Fill a vacancy with an employee of the agency's current permanent competitive service workforce through detail or position change, subject to the requirements of subpart F of this part;

(b) Appoint a 10-point preference eligible through an appropriate appointing authority;

(c) Appoint a current or former employee exercising restoration rights under part 353 of this chapter based on return from military service or recovery from a compensable injury or disability within 1 year;

(d) Appoint a current or former employee exercising other statutory or regulatory reemployment rights;

(e) Fill a specific position when all RPL placement priority candidates decline an offer of the position or fail to respond to a written agency inquiry about their availability;

(f) Convert an employee serving under an appointment that provides noncompetitive conversion eligibility to a competitive service appointment, including from:

(1) A Veterans Recruitment Appointment under part 307 of this chapter;

(2) An appointment under 5 U.S.C. 3112 and part 316 of this chapter of a veteran with a compensable service-connected disability of 30 percent or more; and

(3) An excepted service appointment under part 213 of this chapter;

(g) Reappoint without a break in service to the same position currently held by an employee serving under a temporary appointment of 1 year or less (only to another temporary appointment not to exceed 1 year or less);

(h) Extend an employee's temporary or term appointment up to the maximum permitted by the appointment authority or as authorized by OPM; or

(i) Appoint an individual under an excepted service appointing authority.

[75 FR 67593, Nov. 3, 2010, as amended at 77 FR 28215, May 11, 2012]

§ 330.212 Agency flexibilities.

An agency may provide the following flexibilities within its written RPL policies established under this subpart:

(a) Allow RPL eligibles to register only for certain sub-areas of a local commuting area when the agency has components dispersed throughout a large commuting area. However, an agency cannot deny registration throughout the local commuting area if the RPL eligible requests it.

(b) Suspend an RPL registration for all positions, permanent and time-limited, if the agency is unable, through documented written means, to contact the RPL registrant; however, the agency must reactivate an RPL registration when the registrant submits an updated application or otherwise requests reactivation in writing. Registration suspension and reactivation do not change the expiration date of the original registration period set in § 330.208.

(c)(1) Modify the OPM or OPM-approved qualification standard used to determine if an RPL eligible is qualified for a position, provided the exception is applied consistently and equitably in filling a position;

(2) Any modification to the qualification standard under paragraph (c)(1) of this section does not authorize a waiver of the selection order required under § 330.213.

(d) Permit RPL eligibles to register for positions with work schedules different from the work schedule of the position from which they were, or will be, separated.

(e) Permit RPL registrants to update their qualifications or conditions for accepting positions during the RPL registration period. If an agency provides this flexibility in its RPL policies, the agency must update the RPL registrant's registration information within 10 calendar days of receipt of the registrant's written request. The updated registration information would apply only to those vacancies becoming available after the agency updates the RPL registrant's registration.

[75 FR 67593, Nov. 3, 2010, as amended at 91 FR 49216, Aug. 3, 2026]

§ 330.213 Selection from an RPL.

(a) Methods. An agency must adopt one of the selection methods in paragraphs (b), (c), or (d) of this section for a single RPL. The agency may adopt the same method for each RPL it establishes or may vary the method by location, but it must adopt a written policy for each RPL it establishes and maintains. While an agency may not vary the method used for an individual vacancy, it may at any time change the selection method for all positions covered by a single RPL.

(b) Retention standing order. For each vacancy to be filled, the agency places qualified RPL placement priority candidates in order of retention standing in accordance with part 351 of this chapter. In making a selection, an agency may not pass over a candidate with a higher retention standing to select a candidate with lower retention standing.

(c) Numerical scoring. (1) For each vacancy to be filled, the agency rates RPL placement priority candidates according to their job-related skills, abilities, knowledge, and competencies, as measured by an assessment that does not principally rely on a self-assessment from an automated examination. The assessment must be based on a job analysis, and the agency must rate and rank RPL placement priority candidates in a fair and consistent manner. The agency assigns the candidates a numerical score of at least 70 on a scale of 100, based on the evaluation criteria developed under this paragraph. The agency must grant 5 additional points to veterans' preference eligibles under 5 U.S.C. 2108(3)(A) and (B), and 10 additional points to veterans' preference eligibles under 5 U.S.C. 2108(3)(C) through (G).

(2) RPL placement priority candidates with an eligible numerical score are ranked in the following order:

(i) Veterans' preference eligibles having a compensable service-connected disability of 10 percent or more in the order of their augmented ratings, unless the position to be filled is a professional or scientific position at or above the GS-9 level, or equivalent; and

(ii) All other candidates in the order of their augmented ratings. At each score, candidates entitled to 10-point veterans' preference will be entered ahead of all other candidates, and those entitled to 5-point veterans' preference will be entered ahead of those candidates not entitled to veterans' preference.

(3) The agency must make its selection from among the highest three candidates available and may not pass over a veterans' preference eligible to select a nonpreference eligible.

(d) Alternative rating and selection. (1) For each vacancy to be filled, the agency may use alternative rating and selection procedures (also called category rating) as described in 5 U.S.C. 3319 and part 337 of this chapter. The agency assesses RPL placement priority candidates against job-related evaluation criteria and then places them into two or more pre-defined quality categories.

(2) To use this method, the agency must:

(i) Establish a system for evaluating RPL placement priority candidates that provides for two or more quality categories;

(ii) Define each quality category through job analysis conducted in accordance with part 300 of this chapter. Each quality category must have a clear definition that distinguishes it from other quality categories; and

(iii) Place candidates into the appropriate quality categories based upon their job-related competencies, knowledge, skills, and abilities.

(3) Veterans' preference must be applied as prescribed in 5 U.S.C. 3319(b) and (c)(2). Veterans' preference points as prescribed in paragraph (c)(1) of this section are not applied under this method.

(4) The agency must make its selection from the highest quality category in accordance with its category rating policy established under part 337 of this chapter.

(e) Application-based procedure. (1) An agency may adopt an application-based procedure which allows RPL registrants to apply directly for RPL placement priority under an advertised vacancy announcement. Before using this procedure, the agency must establish policies and procedures for:

(i) Informing RPL registrants of available vacancies;

(ii) Informing RPL registrants of acceptable application formats, including how to permanently change initial registration information and how to apply changes only to the specific vacancy announcement for which the application is made;

(iii) Determining the method under which the RPL registrant will be rated and ranked (paragraph (b), (c), or (d) of this section); and

(iv) Informing each RPL registrant who applies under this method whether he or she was determined to be an RPL placement priority candidate and the outcome of the selection process, if the candidate was referred for selection.

(2) RPL registrants may not be removed from the RPL for failure to apply for a vacancy under this paragraph. Registration continues until it expires or the registrant is removed from the RPL under § 330.209.

[75 FR 67593, Nov. 3, 2010, as amended at 91 FR 48236, July 31, 2026; 91 FR 49216, Aug. 3, 2026]

§ 330.214 Appeal rights.

An RPL registrant who believes the agency violated his or her reemployment rights under this subpart by employing another person who otherwise could not have been appointed properly may appeal to the Merit Systems Protection Board under the Board's regulations in part 1200 of this chapter.

§ 330.401 Restricted positions.

Under 5 U.S.C. 3310, competitive examinations for the positions of custodian, elevator operator, guard, and messenger (referred to in this subpart as restricted positions) are restricted to preference eligibles as long as a preference eligible is available. For more information on these restricted positions, refer to the OPM Delegated Examining Operations Handbook.

§ 330.402 Exceptions to restriction.

(a) An agency may fill a restricted position with a nonpreference eligible under the following circumstances:

(1) By competitive examination when no preference eligible applies;

(2) By position change (promotion, demotion, or reassignment) to a position in the organizational entity (i.e., the part of an agency from which selections are normally made for promotion or reassignment to the position in question) in which the nonpreference eligible is employed;

(3) By reemployment in the agency where the nonpreference eligible was formerly employed when he or she is being appointed from the Reemployment Priority List under subpart B of this part;

(4) By reinstatement in the agency where the nonpreference eligible was formerly employed when he or she was last separated because of disability retirement; or

(5) By reappointment of certain temporary employees as provided for in part 316 of this chapter.

(b) Except as indicated in paragraph (a) of this section, OPM must authorize any other agency noncompetitive action (e.g., under an authority specified in part 315 of this chapter) to fill a restricted position with a nonpreference eligible.

§ 330.403 Positions brought into the competitive service.

An agency may convert the appointment of a nonpreference eligible whose restricted position was brought into the competitive service under part 316 of this chapter, and who meets the requirements for conversion under part 315 of this chapter, to career or career conditional appointment.

§ 330.404 Displacement of preference eligibles occupying restricted positions in contracting out situations.

An individual agency and OPM both have additional responsibilities when the agency decides, in accordance with the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) Circular A-76, to contract out the work of a preference eligible who holds a restricted position. These additional responsibilities as described in §§ 330.405 and 330.406 are applicable if a preference eligible holds a competitive service position (other than in the Government Publishing Office) that is:

(a) A restricted position as designated in 5 U.S.C. 3310 and § 330.401; and

(b) In the competitive service tenure group, as defined in § 351.203 of this chapter.

[91 FR 49217, Aug. 3, 2026]

§ 330.405 Agency placement assistance.

An agency that separates a preference eligible from a restricted position by reduction in force under part 351 of this chapter because of a contracting out situation covered in § 330.404 must, consistent with § 330.603, advise the employee of the opportunity to participate in available career transition programs. The agency is also responsible for:

(a) Applying OMB's policy directives on the preference eligible's right of first refusal for positions that are contracted out to the private sector; and

(b) Cooperating with State units as designated or created under title I of the Workforce Investment Act of 1998 to retrain displaced preference eligibles for other continuing positions.

§ 330.406 OPM placement assistance.

OPM's responsibilities include:

(a) Assisting agencies in operating positive placement programs, such as the Career Transition Assistance Plan, which is authorized by subpart F of this part;

(b) Providing interagency selection priority through the Interagency Career Transition Assistance Plan, which is authorized by subpart G of this part; and

(c) Encouraging cooperation between local Federal activities to assist these displaced preference eligibles in applying for other Federal positions, including positions with the U.S. Postal Service.

§ 330.407 Eligibility for the Interagency Career Transition Assistance Plan.

(a) A preference eligible who is separated from a restricted position by reduction in force under part 351 of this chapter because of a contracting out situation covered in § 330.404 has interagency selection priority under the Interagency Career Transition Assistance Plan, which is authorized by subpart G of this part.

(b) A preference eligible covered by this subpart is eligible for the Interagency Career Transition Assistance Plan for 2 years following separation by reduction in force from a restricted position.

§ 330.501 Purpose.

The restrictions in this subpart are designed to prevent circumvention of the open competitive examination system defined in Civil Service Rule 1.3 (5 CFR 1.3). These restrictions limit an appointee's immediate movement to another position after appointment from a competitive certificate of eligibles.

§ 330.502 General restriction on movement after competitive appointment.

(a) An agency must wait at least 90 days after an employee's latest nontemporary competitive appointment before the agency may take the following actions:

(1) Promote an employee;

(2) Transfer, reinstate, reassign, or detail an employee to a different position; or

(3) Transfer, reinstate, reassign, or detail an employee to a different geographical area.

(b) Upon written request from an agency, OPM may waive the restriction against movement to a different geographical area when moving such an employee is consistent with open competition principles.

§ 330.503 Ensuring agency compliance with the principles of open competition.

OPM will review appointments made from competitive examinations and subsequent position changes to determine if agencies are complying with open competition principles. The fact that an agency waited 90 days to make the changes, as required under this subpart, is not an absolute protection. If OPM finds that an agency has not complied with these principles, either in an individual instance or on a program-wide basis, OPM will order an agency to correct the situation.

§ 330.504 Exception to the general restriction.

The restrictions in this subpart do not apply to a person who is eligible for a competitive appointment from a certificate of eligibles under part 332 of this chapter.

§ 330.601 Purpose.

(a) An agency's Career Transition Assistance Plan (CTAP) provides intra-agency selection priority for the agency's eligible surplus and displaced employees. This subpart sets forth minimum requirements for agency plans and establishes requirements for CTAP selection priority.

(b) Consistent with these regulations and at their discretion, an agency may supplement these requirements to expand career transition opportunities to its surplus and displaced workers.

(c) With prior OPM approval, an agency may operate an alternate placement program that satisfies the basic requirements of this subpart as an exception to CTAP selection priority under this subpart. This provision allows agencies to adopt different placement strategies that are effective for their programs while satisfying employee entitlements to selection priority.

§ 330.602 Definitions.

For purposes of this subpart:

Agency means an Executive agency as defined in 5 U.S.C. 105.

CTAP eligible means an agency surplus or displaced employee who has a current performance rating of record of at least fully successful (Level 3) or equivalent. As used in this subpart, “CTAP eligible” and “eligible” are synonymous.

CTAP selection priority candidate means a CTAP eligible who applied for and was determined to be well-qualified by the agency and whom the agency must select over any other applicant for the vacancy, unless the action to be taken is listed as an exception under § 330.609.

Displaced describes an agency employee in one of the following two categories:

(1) A current competitive service employee in the competitive service tenure group at grade GS-15 (or equivalent) or below (or another qualifying competitive service appointment, as determined by OPM) who:

(i) Received a reduction in force (RIF) separation notice under part 351 of this chapter and has not declined an offer under part 351, subpart G, of this chapter of a position with the same type of work schedule and a representative rate at least as high as that of the position from which the employee will be separated; or

(ii) Received a notice of proposed removal under part 752 of this chapter for declining a directed geographic relocation outside of the local commuting area (e.g., a directed reassignment or change in duty station).

(2) A current excepted service employee on an appointment without time limit at grade level GS-15 (or equivalent) or below who:

(i) Is covered by a law providing both noncompetitive appointment eligibility to, and selection priority for, competitive service positions; and

(ii) Received a RIF separation notice under part 351 of this chapter or a notice of proposed removal under part 752 of this chapter for declining a directed geographic relocation outside the local commuting area (e.g., a directed reassignment or a change in duty station).

Surplus describes an agency employee in one of the following three categories:

(1) A current competitive service employee in the competitive service tenure group at grade GS-15 (or equivalent) or below (or another qualifying competitive service appointment, as determined by OPM) who received a Certification of Expected Separation under part 351 of this chapter or other official agency certification or notification indicating that the employee's position is surplus (for example, a notice of position abolishment or a notice of eligibility for discontinued service retirement).

(2) A current excepted service employee on an appointment without time limit at grade GS-15 (or equivalent) or below who:

(i) Is covered by a law providing both noncompetitive appointment eligibility to, and selection priority for, competitive service positions; and

(ii) Received a Certification of Expected Separation under part 351 of this chapter or other official agency certification or notification indicating that the employee's position is surplus (for example, a notice of position abolishment or a notice of eligibility for discontinued service retirement).

(3) A current excepted service employee on a Schedule A or B appointment without time limit at grade level GS-15 (or equivalent) or below who is in an agency offering CTAP selection priority to its excepted service employees and who:

(i) Received a Certification of Expected Separation under part 351 of this chapter or other official agency certification indicating that the employee is surplus (for example, a notice of position abolishment, or notice of eligibility for discontinued service retirement); or

(ii) Received a RIF notice of separation under part 351 of this chapter or a notice of proposed removal under part 752 of this chapter for declining a directed geographic relocation outside the local commuting area (e.g., a directed reassignment or a change in duty station).

Vacancy means a vacant competitive service position at grade GS-15 (or equivalent) or below to be filled for a total of 121 days or more, including all extensions, regardless of whether the agency issues a specific vacancy announcement.

[75 FR 67593, Nov. 3, 2010, as amended at 91 FR 49217, Aug. 3, 2026; 91 FR 58363, Sept. 15, 2026]

§ 330.603 Requirements for agency CTAPs.

(a) Each agency must establish a CTAP for its surplus and displaced employees. Each agency must send its plan, and any modifications, to OPM, Employee Services, after approval by an authorized agency official.

(b) Each agency must uniformly and consistently apply its CTAP and these regulations to all surplus and displaced employees.

(c) In addition to a description of the agency's selection priority policies required by § 330.604, a CTAP must describe the agency's policies with regard to how it will provide career transition services to all its surplus and displaced agency employees, including excepted service and Senior Executive Service employees. The plan must describe:

(1) The types of career transition services the agency will provide;

(2) Policies on employees' and former employees' use of transition services and facilities, including:

(i) Excused absences for transition-related activities;

(ii) Access to services or facilities after separation;

(iii) Orientation sessions on career transition services and information as described in § 330.608(a) and (b), respectively;

(iv) Retraining policies;

(v) Access to agency CTAP services and resources by all employees, including those with disabilities, those in field offices, and those in remote sites;

(vi) Access to other Federal, State, and local resources available to support career transition for employees with disabilities; and

(vii) Availability of employee assistance programs and services.

(d) An agency's CTAP must also describe the agency's policies and procedures for its Reemployment Priority List established under subpart B of this part and the Interagency Career Transition Placement Plan established under subpart G of this part.

§ 330.604 Requirements for agency CTAP selection priority.

In addition to the overall requirements of § 330.603, an agency's CTAP must describe:

(a) How the agency will provide CTAP selection priority to surplus and displaced employees for vacancies in the local commuting area before selecting any other candidate from either within or outside the agency;

(b) Procedures for reviewing CTAP eligibles' qualifications and resolving qualification issues or disputes;

(c) Decisions involving discretionary areas under § 330.607 (such as whether excepted service employees will receive CTAP selection priority, priority of surplus versus displaced employees, designation of agency components, and selection priority beyond the local commuting area); and

(d) When and how the agency will inform its surplus and displaced employees about CTAP eligibility criteria, as required by § 330.608(b), how to apply for agency vacancies, and how to request CTAP selection priority.

§ 330.605 Agency responsibilities for deciding who is well-qualified.

(a) An agency must define what constitutes a well-qualified candidate for its specific vacancies, consistent with this subpart, and uniformly apply that definition to all CTAP eligibles being considered for the vacancy.

(b) An agency must conduct an independent second review and document the specific job-related reasons whenever a CTAP eligible is determined to be not well-qualified under the agency's definition. The agency must give the CTAP eligible the written results of this review as required by § 330.608(e).

§ 330.606 Minimum criteria for agency definition of “well-qualified”.

(a) At a minimum, the agency must define “well-qualified” as having knowledge, skills, abilities, and/or competencies clearly exceeding the minimum qualification requirements for the vacancy. The agency definition may or may not equate to the highly or best qualified assessment criteria established for the vacancy; however, the agency definition of “well-qualified” must satisfy the criteria in paragraph (b) of this section.

(b) Under an agency's definition of “well-qualified,” the agency must be able to determine whether a CTAP eligible:

(1) Meets the basic eligibility requirements (including employment suitability requirements under part 731 of this chapter and any medical qualifications requirements), qualification standards (including minimum educational and experience requirements), and any applicable selective factors;

(2) Is physically qualified, with or without reasonable accommodation, to perform the essential duties of the position;

(3) Meets any special qualifying conditions of the position;

(4) Is able to satisfactorily perform the duties of the position upon entry; and

(5) At agency discretion, either:

(i) Rates at or above specified level(s) on all quality ranking factors; or

(ii) Rates above minimally qualified in the agency's rating and ranking process.

§ 330.607 Applying CTAP selection priority.

(a) An agency must not place any other candidate from within or outside the agency into a vacancy if there is an available CTAP selection priority candidate, unless the personnel action to be effected is an exception under § 330.609.

(b) In accordance with the conditions of part 300, subpart E, of this chapter, an agency may not procure temporary help services under that subpart until a determination is made that no CTAP eligible is available.

(c) CTAP selection priority applies to a vacancy that:

(1) Is at a grade or pay level with a representative rate no higher than the representative rate of the grade or pay level of the CTAP eligible's permanent position of record;

(2) Has no greater promotion potential than the CTAP eligible's permanent position of record;

(3) Is in the same local commuting area as the CTAP eligible's permanent position of record;

(4) Is filled during the CTAP eligible's eligibility period; and, if applicable,

(5) Is filled under the same excepted appointing authority as the CTAP eligible's permanent position of record if the CTAP eligible is an excepted service employee and the agency CTAP provides selection priority in the excepted service.

(d) An agency may take actions under § 335.102 of this chapter to place a permanent competitive service employee into a vacancy if there are no CTAP eligible employees in the local commuting area or if no CTAP eligibles apply for the vacancy.

(e) An agency component may place a component employee within the local commuting area in the vacancy after the component applies CTAP selection priority to its employees.

(f) If there are two or more CTAP selection priority candidates for a vacancy, the agency may place any of them. An agency may decide the specific order of selection among CTAP selection priority candidates. For example, an agency may:

(1) Provide a displaced candidate higher priority than a surplus candidate; or

(2) Provide an internal component candidate higher priority than another component's candidate.

(g) After an agency makes the vacancy available to its CTAP eligibles and meets its obligation to any CTAP selection priority candidates, the agency may place into the vacancy any other permanent competitive service candidate from within its workforce, under appropriate staffing procedures.

(h) An agency may provide CTAP selection priority to eligible employees from another commuting area after fulfilling its obligation to CTAP selection priority candidates in the local commuting area.

(i) An agency may deny a CTAP eligible future selection priority if the eligible:

(1) Declines an offer of a permanent appointment at any grade or pay level in the competitive or excepted service; or

(2) Fails to respond within a reasonable period of time, as defined by the agency, to an offer of a permanent appointment at any grade or pay level in the competitive or excepted service.

(j) Before appointing an individual from outside the agency's permanent competitive service workforce, the agency must follow the requirements of subparts B and G of this part.

§ 330.608 Other agency CTAP responsibilities.

(a) An agency must make a career transition orientation session available to all agency surplus and displaced employees with information on selection priority under this subpart and subparts B and G. Such orientation sessions may be in person or web-based through an agency automated training system or intranet.

(b) An agency must give each agency CTAP eligible written information on selection priority under its plan, explaining how to locate and apply for agency vacancies and request selection priority. The agency may meet this requirement by providing a copy of its CTAP established under § 330.603.

(c) An agency must take reasonable steps to ensure that agency CTAP eligibles have access to information on all vacancies, including how CTAP eligibles can apply, what proof of eligibility is required, and the agency definition of “well-qualified” for the vacancy.

(d) If the agency can document that there are no CTAP eligibles in a local commuting area, the agency need not post the vacancy for CTAP eligibles.

(e) An agency must provide a CTAP eligible who applied for a specific vacancy written notice of the final status of his or her application, including whether the eligible was determined to be well-qualified. The agency notice must include the results of the independent, second review under § 330.605(b), if applicable; whether another CTAP selection priority candidate was hired; whether the position was filled under an exception listed in § 330.609; and whether the recruitment was cancelled.

§ 330.609 Exceptions to CTAP selection priority.

An agency may take the following personnel actions as exceptions to § 330.607:

(a) Reemploy a former agency employee with regulatory or statutory reemployment rights, including the reemployment of an injured worker who either has been restored to earning capacity by the Office of Workers' Compensation Programs, Department of Labor, or has received a notice that his or her compensation benefits will cease because of full recovery from the disabling injury or illness;

(b) Reassign or demote an employee under part 432 or 752 of this chapter;

(c) Appoint an individual for a period limited to 120 or fewer days, including all extensions;

(d) Reassign agency employees between or among positions in the local commuting area (sometimes called job swaps) when there is no change in grade or promotion potential and no actual vacancy results;

(e) Convert an employee serving under an appointment that provides noncompetitive conversion eligibility to a competitive service appointment, including from:

(1) A Veterans Recruitment Appointment under part 307 of this chapter;

(2) An appointment under 5 U.S.C. 3112 and part 316 of this chapter of a veteran with a compensable service-connected disability of 30 percent or more;

(3) An excepted service appointment under part 213 of this chapter; and

(4) A post-secondary student appointment under 5 U.S.C. 3116 and part 316, subpart I, of this chapter;

(f) Effect a personnel action under, or specifically in lieu of, part 351 of this chapter;

(g) Effect a position change of an employee into a different position as a result of a formal reorganization, as long as the former position ceases to exist and no actual vacancy results;

(h) Assign or exchange an employee under a statutory program, such as subchapter VI of chapter 33 of title 5, United States Code (also called the Intergovernmental Personnel Act), or the Information Technology Exchange Program under chapter 37 of title 5, United States Code;

(i) Appoint an individual under an excepted service appointing authority;

(j) Effect a position change of an employee within the excepted service;

(k) Detail an employee within the agency;

(l) Promote an employee for a period limited to 120 or fewer days, including all extensions;

(m) Effect a position change of a surplus or displaced employee in the local commuting area;

(n) Effect a position change of an employee under 5 U.S.C. 8337 or 8451 to allow continued employment of an employee who is unable to provide useful and efficient service in his or her current position because of a medical condition;

(o) Effect a position change of an employee to a position that constitutes a reasonable offer as defined in 5 U.S.C. 8336(d) and 8414(b);

(p) Effect a position change of an employee resulting from a reclassification action (such as accretion of duties or an action resulting from application of new position classification standards);

(q) Promote an employee to the next higher grade or pay level of a designated career ladder position;

(r) Recall a seasonal or intermittent employee from nonpay status;

(s) Effect a position change of an injured or disabled employee to a position in which he or she can be reasonably accommodated;

(t) Effect a personnel action pursuant to the settlement of a formal complaint, grievance, appeal, or other litigation;

(u) Reassign or demote an employee under § 315.907 of this chapter for failure to complete a supervisory or managerial probationary period;

(v) Retain an individual whose position is brought into the competitive service under part 316 of this chapter and convert that individual, when applicable, under part 315 of this chapter;

(w) Retain an employee covered by an OPM-approved variation under Civil Service Rule 5.1 (5 CFR 5.1);

(x) Reemploy a former agency employee who retired under a formal trial retirement and reemployment program and who requests reemployment under the program's provisions and applicable time limits;

(y) Extend a time-limited promotion or appointment up to the maximum period allowed (including any OPM-approved extensions beyond the regulatory limit on the time-limited promotion or appointment), if the original action was made subject to CTAP selection priority and the original announcement or notice stated that the promotion or appointment could be extended without further announcement;

(z) Transfer an employee between agencies under appropriate authority during an interagency reorganization, interagency transfer of function, or interagency mass transfer;

(aa) Appoint a member of the Senior Executive Service into the competitive service under 5 U.S.C. 3594;

(bb) Transfer an employee voluntarily from one agency to another under a Memorandum of Understanding or similar agreement under appropriate authority resulting from an interagency reorganization, interagency transfer of function, or interagency mass transfer, when both the agencies and the affected employee agree to the transfer;

(cc) Reassign an employee whose position description or other written mobility agreement provides for reassignment outside the commuting area as part of a planned agency rotational program;

(dd) Effect a transfer or a position change of an employee under part 412 of this chapter;

(ee) Convert an employee's time-limited appointment in the competitive or excepted service to a permanent appointment in the competitive service if the employee accepted the time-limited appointment while a CTAP eligible;

(ff) Make an appointment using the college graduate hiring authority under 5 U.S.C. 3115 and part 315 of this chapter.

(gg) Make an appointment using the post-secondary student hiring authority under 5 U.S.C. 3116 and part 316, subpart I, of this chapter; or

(hh) Retain, or finalize the appointment of, an employee serving a probationary period pursuant to § 11.2 of this chapter.

[75 FR 67593, Nov. 3, 2010, as amended at 77 FR 28215, May 11, 2012; 86 FR 46109, Aug. 18, 2021; 86 FR 61047, Nov. 5, 2021; 91 FR 49217, Aug. 3, 2026; 91 FR 54795, Aug. 25, 2026]

§ 330.610 CTAP eligibility period.

(a) CTAP eligibility begins on the date the employee meets the definition of surplus or displaced in § 330.602.

(b) CTAP eligibility ends on the date the employee:

(1) Separates from the agency either voluntarily or involuntarily;

(2) Receives a notice rescinding, canceling, or modifying the notice which established CTAP eligibility so that the employee no longer meets the definition of surplus or displaced;

(3) Is placed in another position within the agency at any grade or pay level, either permanent or time-limited, before the agency separates the employee; or

(4) Is appointed to a career, career-conditional, or excepted appointment without time limit in any agency at any grade or pay level.

§ 330.611 Establishing CTAP selection priority.

(a) CTAP selection priority for a specific agency vacancy begins when:

(1) The CTAP eligible submits all required application materials, including proof of eligibility, within agency-established timeframes; and,

(2) The agency determines the eligible is well-qualified for the vacancy.

(b) An agency may allow CTAP eligible employees to become CTAP selection priority candidates for positions in other local commuting areas only if there are no CTAP selection priority candidates within the local commuting area of the vacancy.

(c) An agency may deny future CTAP selection priority for agency positions if the CTAP eligible declines an offer of permanent appointment at any grade level (whether it is a competitive or excepted appointment).

§ 330.612 Proof of eligibility.

(a) The CTAP eligible must submit a copy of one of the documents listed under the definition of displaced or surplus in § 330.602 to establish selection priority under § 330.611.

(b) The CTAP eligible may also submit a copy of a RIF notice with an offer of another position, accompanied by the signed declination of the offer. The RIF notice must state that declination of the offer will result in separation under RIF procedures.

§ 330.613 OPM's role in CTAP.

OPM has oversight of CTAP and may conduct reviews of agency compliance and require corrective action at any time.

§ 330.701 Purpose.

The Interagency Career Transition Assistance Program (ICTAP) provides eligible displaced Federal employees with interagency selection priority for vacancies in agencies that are filling positions from outside their respective permanent competitive service workforces. The ICTAP selection priority does not apply in the ICTAP eligible's current or former agency and it does not prohibit movement of permanent competitive service employees within an agency, as permitted by subpart F of this part. This subpart establishes requirements for ICTAP selection priority.

§ 330.702 Definitions.

In this subpart:

Agency means an Executive agency as defined in 5 U.S.C. 105.

Displaced describes an individual in one of the following categories:

(1) A current competitive service employee of any agency in the competitive service tenure group at grade GS-15 (or equivalent) or below (or another qualifying competitive service appointment, as determined by OPM) whose current performance rating of record is at least fully successful (Level 3) or equivalent and who:

(i) Received a reduction in force (RIF) separation notice under part 351 of this chapter and has not declined an offer under part 351, subpart G, of this chapter of a position with the same type of work schedule and a representative rate at least as high as that of the position from which the employee will be separated; or

(ii) Received a notice of proposed removal under part 752 of this chapter for declining a directed geographic relocation outside the local commuting area (e.g., a directed reassignment or a change in duty station).

(2) A former competitive service employee of any agency who was in the competitive service tenure group at grade GS-15 (or equivalent) or below (or another qualifying competitive service appointment, as determined by OPM), and whose last performance rating of record was at least fully successful (Level 3) or equivalent who was either:

(i) Separated by RIF under part 351 of this chapter and did not decline an offer under part 351, subpart G, of this chapter of a position with the same type of work schedule and a representative rate at least as high as that of the position from which the employee was separated; or

(ii) Removed under part 752 of this chapter for declining a directed geographic relocation outside the local commuting area (e.g., a directed reassignment or a change in duty station).

(3) A former career or career-conditional employee of any agency who was separated because of a compensable work-related injury or illness as provided under 5 U.S.C. chapter 81, subchapter I, whose compensation was terminated and who has received certification from the former employing agency that it is unable to place the employee as required by part 353 of this chapter.

(4) A former competitive service employee of any agency who was in the competitive service tenure group (or another qualifying competitive service appointment, as determined by OPM) who retired with a disability annuity under 5 U.S.C. 8337 or 8451 and who has received notification from OPM that the disability annuity has been or will be terminated.

(5) A former Military Reserve Technician or National Guard Technician receiving a special disability retirement annuity under 5 U.S.C. 8337(h) or 8456 and who has certification of such annuity from the military department or National Guard Bureau.

(6) A current or former excepted service employee on an appointment without time limit at grade GS-15 (or equivalent) or below whose current or last performance rating of record is or was at least fully successful (Level 3) or equivalent and who:

(i) Has been provided by law with both noncompetitive appointment eligibility and selection priority for competitive service positions; and

(ii) Has received a RIF separation notice under part 351 of this chapter or notice of proposed removal under part 752 of this chapter for declining a directed geographic relocation outside the local commuting area (e.g., a directed reassignment or a change in duty station) or has been separated by RIF procedures or removed for declining a geographic relocation outside the local commuting area.

ICTAP eligible means an individual who meets the definition of displaced. As used in this subpart, “ICTAP eligible” and “eligible” are synonymous.

ICTAP selection priority candidate means an ICTAP eligible who applied for a vacancy, was determined by the agency to be well-qualified for that vacancy, and who the agency must select over any other candidate from outside the agency's current competitive service workforce for the vacancy, unless the action to be taken is listed as an exception under § 330.707.

Vacancy means a vacant competitive service position at grade GS-15 (or equivalent) or below to be filled for 121 days or more, including extensions.

[75 FR 67593, Nov. 3, 2010, as amended at 91 FR 49217, Aug. 3, 2026]

§ 330.703 Agency responsibilities for deciding who is well-qualified.

(a) Agencies must define “well-qualified” for their specific vacancies, consistent with this subpart, and uniformly apply that definition to all ICTAP eligibles being considered for the vacancy.

(b) Agencies must conduct an independent second review and document the specific job-related reasons whenever an ICTAP eligible is determined to be not well-qualified for the vacancy under the agency's definition. An agency must give the ICTAP eligible the written results of this review as required by § 330.706(d).

§ 330.704 Minimum criteria for agency definition of “well-qualified”.

(a) At a minimum, agencies must define “well-qualified” as having knowledge, skills, abilities, and/or competencies clearly exceeding the minimum qualification requirements for the vacancy. The agency definition may or may not equate to the highly or best qualified assessment criteria established for the vacancy; however, the agency definition of “well-qualified” must satisfy the criteria in paragraph (b) of this section.

(b) Under an agency's definition of “well-qualified,” the agency must be able to determine whether an ICTAP eligible:

(1) Meets the basic eligibility requirements (including employment suitability requirements under part 731 of this chapter and any medical qualification requirements), qualification standards (including minimum educational and experience requirements), and any applicable selective factors;

(2) Is physically qualified, with or without reasonable accommodation, to perform the essential duties of the position;

(3) Meets any special qualifying conditions of the position;

(4) Is able to satisfactorily perform the duties of the position upon entry; and

(5) At agency discretion, either:

(i) Rates at or above specified level(s) on all quality ranking factors; or

(ii) Rates above minimally qualified in the agency's rating and ranking process.

§ 330.705 Applying ICTAP selection priority.

(a) An agency must not appoint any candidate from outside its permanent competitive service workforce into a vacancy if there is an ICTAP selection priority candidate available for the vacancy, unless the personnel action to be effected is an exception under § 330.707.

(b) ICTAP selection priority applies to a vacancy that:

(1) Is at a grade or pay level with a representative rate no higher than the representative rate of the grade or pay level of the ICTAP eligible's current or last permanent position of record;

(2) Has no greater promotion potential than the ICTAP eligible's current or last permanent position of record;

(3) Is in the same local commuting area as the ICTAP eligible's current or last permanent position of record; and

(4) Is filled during the ICTAP eligible's eligibility period.

(c) An agency may appoint any ICTAP selection priority candidate for a vacancy.

(d)(1) After an agency announces the vacancy and meets its obligation to any ICTAP selection priority candidates, the agency may appoint any other candidate from outside its current permanent competitive service workforce, under appropriate staffing procedures.

(2) An agency may make additional selections or reissue selection certificates in accordance with its merit promotion program without readvertising for ICTAP eligibles only if the additional selections are made from the applicant pool established by the original vacancy announcement, including readvertisements for the same vacancy, under which ICTAP eligibles had an opportunity to apply.

(e) An agency may deny an ICTAP eligible future selection priority for vacancies in that agency if the ICTAP eligible:

(1) Declines an offer of a permanent appointment at any grade or pay level in the competitive or excepted service; or

(2) Fails to respond within a reasonable period of time, as defined by the agency, to an offer or official inquiry of availability for a permanent appointment at any grade or pay level in the competitive or excepted service.

(f) An agency may deny an ICTAP eligible future selection priority for a position previously obtained through ICTAP if the eligible was terminated or removed from that position under part 432 or 752 of this chapter.

[75 FR 67593, Nov. 3, 2010, as amended at 91 FR 49217, Aug. 3, 2026]

§ 330.706 Other agency ICTAP responsibilities.

(a) Before appointing any other candidate from outside the agency's permanent competitive service workforce, the agency must first fulfill its obligation to any employees entitled to selection priority under subparts B and F of this part.

(b) In accordance with the conditions of part 300, subpart E, of this chapter, an agency may not procure temporary help services under that subpart until a determination is made that no ICTAP eligible is available.

(c) An agency must announce all vacancies it intends to fill from outside its permanent competitive service workforce. Vacancy announcements must meet the requirements of subpart A of this part.

(d) An agency must provide an ICTAP eligible who applied for a specific vacancy written notice of the final status of his or her application, including whether the eligible was determined to be well-qualified. The agency notice must include the results of the independent second review under § 330.703(b), if applicable; whether another ICTAP selection priority candidate was hired; whether the position was filled under an exception listed in § 330.707; and whether the recruitment was cancelled.

§ 330.707 Exceptions to ICTAP selection priority.

An agency may take the following personnel actions as exceptions to § 330.705:

(a) Place a current or reinstate a former agency employee with RPL selection priority under subpart B of this part;

(b) Effect a position change of a current permanent competitive service agency employee;

(c) Appoint a 10-point veteran preference eligible through an appropriate appointing authority;

(d) Reemploy a former agency employee with regulatory or statutory reemployment rights, including the reemployment of an injured worker who either has been restored to earning capacity by the Office of Workers' Compensation Programs, Department of Labor, or has received a notice that his or her compensation benefits will cease because of recovery from disabling injury or illness;

(e) Appoint an individual for a period limited to 120 or fewer days, including all extensions;

(f) Effect a personnel action under, or specifically in lieu of, part 351 of this chapter;

(g) Appoint an individual under an excepted service appointing authority;

(h) Convert an employee serving under an appointment that provides noncompetitive conversion eligibility to a competitive service appointment, including from:

(1) A Veterans Recruitment Appointment under part 307 of this chapter;

(2) An appointment under 5 U.S.C. 3112 and part 316 of this chapter of a veteran with a compensable service-connected disability of 30 percent or more;

(3) An excepted service appointment under part 213 of this chapter; and

(4) A post-secondary student appointment under 5 U.S.C. 3116 and part 316, subpart I, of this chapter;

(i) Transfer an employee between agencies under appropriate authority during an interagency reorganization, interagency transfer of function, or interagency mass transfer;

(j) Reemploy a former agency employee who retired under a formal trial retirement and reemployment program and who requests reemployment under the program's provisions and applicable time limits;

(k) Effect a personnel action pursuant to the settlement of a formal complaint, grievance, appeal, or other litigation;

(l) Extend a time-limited appointment up to the maximum period allowed (including any OPM-approved extension past the regulatory limit on the time-limited appointment), if the original action was made subject to ICTAP selection priority and the original vacancy announcement stated that the appointment could be extended without further announcement;

(m) Reappoint a former agency employee into a hard-to-fill position requiring unique skills and experience to conduct a formal skills-based agency training program;

(n) Retain an individual whose position is brought into the competitive service under part 316 of this chapter and convert that individual, when applicable, under part 315 of this chapter;

(o) Retain an employee covered by an OPM-approved variation under Civil Service Rule 5.1 (5 CFR 5.1);

(p) Appoint an appointee of the Senior Executive Service into the competitive service under 5 U.S.C. 3594;

(q) Assign or exchange an employee under a statutory program, such as subchapter VI of chapter 33 of title 5, United States Code (also called the Intergovernmental Personnel Act), or the Information Technology Exchange Program under chapter 37 of title 5, United States Code;

(r) Detail an employee to another agency;

(s) Transfer employees under an OPM-approved interagency job swap plan designed to facilitate the exchange of employees between agencies to avoid or minimize involuntary separations;

(t) Transfer or reinstate an ICTAP eligible who meets the agency's definition of “well-qualified”;

(u) Transfer an employee voluntarily from one agency to another under a Memorandum of Understanding or similar agreement under appropriate authority resulting from an interagency reorganization, interagency transfer of function, or interagency realignment, when both the agencies and the affected employee agree to the transfer;

(v) Transfer or effect a position change of an employee under part 412 of this chapter;

(w) Retain, or finalize the appointment of, an employee serving a probationary period pursuant to § 11.2 of this chapter;

(x) Make an appointment using the college graduate hiring authority under 5 U.S.C. 3115 and part 315 of this chapter; or

(y) Make an appointment using the post-secondary student hiring authority under 5 U.S.C. 3116 and part 316, subpart I, of this chapter.

[75 FR 67593, Nov. 3, 2010, as amended at 77 FR 28215, May 11, 2012; 86 FR 46109, Aug. 18, 2021; 86 FR 61047, Nov. 5, 2021; 91 FR 49217, Aug. 3, 2026; 91 FR 54795, Aug. 25, 2026]

§ 330.708 ICTAP eligibility period.

(a) ICTAP eligibility begins on the date the employee or former employee meets the definition of displaced in § 330.702.

(b) ICTAP eligibility ends 1 year from the date of:

(1) Separation by RIF under part 351 of this chapter;

(2) Removal by the agency under part 752 of this chapter for declining a directed geographic relocation outside the local commuting area (e.g., a directed reassignment or a change in duty station);

(3) Agency certification that it cannot place the employee under part 353 of this chapter; or

(4) OPM notification that an employee's disability annuity has been, or will be, terminated.

(c) ICTAP eligibility ends 2 years after RIF separation if eligible under subpart D of this part.

(d) ICTAP eligibility also ends on the date the eligible:

(1) Receives a notice rescinding, canceling, or modifying the notice which established ICTAP eligibility so that the employee no longer meets the definition of displaced in § 330.702;

(2) Separates from the agency for any reason before the RIF or removal effective date; or

(3) Is appointed to a career, career-conditional, or excepted appointment without time limit in any agency at any grade or pay level.

(e) OPM may extend the eligibility period when an ICTAP eligible does not receive a full 1 year (or 2 years under subpart D of this part) of eligibility, for example, because of administrative or procedural error.

(f) ICTAP eligibility for a former Military Reserve Technician or National Guard Technician described in § 330.702 ends when the Technician no longer receives the special disability retirement annuity under 5 U.S.C. 8337(h) or 8456.

§ 330.709 Establishing ICTAP selection priority.

ICTAP selection priority for a specific vacancy begins when:

(a) The ICTAP eligible submits all required application materials, including proof of eligibility, within agency-established timeframes; and

(b) The agency determines the eligible is well-qualified for the vacancy.

§ 330.710 Proof of eligibility.

(a) The ICTAP eligible must submit a copy of one of the documents listed under paragraphs (1) or (3) through (6) of the definition of displaced in § 330.702, as applicable, to establish selection priority under § 330.709. To establish selection priority under the paragraph (2) of the definition of displaced in § 330.702, the ICTAP eligible must submit documentation of the separation or removal, as applicable, for example, the Notification of Personnel Action, SF 50.

(b) The ICTAP eligible may also submit a copy of the RIF notice with an offer of another position accompanied by the signed declination of that offer. The RIF notice must state that declination of the offer will result in separation under RIF procedures.

§ 330.711 OPM's role in ICTAP.

OPM has oversight of ICTAP and may conduct reviews of agency compliance and require corrective action at any time.

§ 330.1001 Withdrawal from competition.

An applicant for competitive examination, an eligible on a register, and an officer or employee in the executive branch of the Government may not persuade, induce, or coerce, or attempt to persuade, induce, or coerce, directly or indirectly, a prospective applicant to withhold filing application, or an applicant or eligible to withdraw from competition or eligibility, for a position in the competitive service, for the purpose of improving or injuring the prospects of an applicant or eligible for appointment. OPM will cancel the application or eligibility of an applicant or eligible who violates this section, and will impose such other penalty as it considers appropriate.

§ 330.1300 Timing of suitability inquiries in competitive hiring.

(a) A hiring agency may not make specific inquiries concerning an applicant's credit background of the sort asked on the OF-306, Declaration for Federal Employment, or other forms used to conduct suitability investigations for Federal employment (i.e., inquiries into an applicant's adverse credit history) unless the hiring agency has made a conditional offer of employment to the applicant. Agencies may make inquiries into an applicant's Selective Service registration, military service, citizenship status, where applicable, or previous work history, prior to making a conditional offer of employment to an applicant.

(b) However, in certain situations, agencies may have a business need to obtain information about the credit background of applicants earlier in the hiring process to determine if they meet the qualifications requirements or are suitable for the position being filled. If so, agencies must request an exception from the Office of Personnel Management in order to determine an applicant's ability to meet qualifications or suitability for Federal employment prior to making a conditional offer of employment to the applicant(s). OPM will grant exceptions only when the agency demonstrates specific job-related reasons why the agency needs to evaluate an applicant's adverse credit history earlier in the process. OPM will consider such factors as, but not limited to, the nature of the position being filled and whether a clean credit history record would be essential to the ability to perform one of the duties of the position effectively. OPM may also consider positions for which the expense of completing the examination makes it appropriate to review an applicant's credit background at the outset of the process (e.g., a position that requires that an applicant complete a rigorous training regimen and pass an examination based upon the training before the applicant's selection can be finalized). A hiring agency must request and receive an OPM-approved exception prior to issuing public notice for a position for which the agency will collect credit background information prior to completion of the assessment process and the making of a conditional offer of employment.

§ 330.1301 Suitability inquiries regarding criminal history.

Agency inquiries regarding criminal history must be done in accordance with the requirements under chapter 92 of title 5, U.S. Code and part 920 of this chapter.

§ 332.101 General policy of competition.

(a) Examinations for entrance into the competitive service shall be open competitive, except that OPM may authorize noncompetitive examinations when sufficient competent persons do not compete.

(b) An examination for promotion, demotion, reassignment, transfer, or reinstatement may be a noncompetitive examination.

§ 332.102 Definitions.

In this part:

Active military duty has the meaning given that term in 5 CFR 211.102(f).

Certificate means a list of eligibles from which an appointing officer selects one or more applicants for appointment.

Objection means an agency's request to remove a candidate from consideration on a particular certificate.

Pass over request means an objection filed against a preference eligible that results in the selection of a non-preference eligible.

[74 FR 30461, June 26, 2009]

§ 332.301 Termination of eligibility.

(a) Except as provided in paragraph (b) of this section, a person's eligibility on a register is terminated when:

(1) He accepts a career or career-conditional appointment from the register; or

(2) OPM terminates the eligibility of all persons on the register.

(b) OPM may determine that in particular types of cases eligibility may not be terminated in less than 1 year. OPM shall publish the conditions under which eligibility may not be terminated in less than 1 year.

[33 FR 12426, Sept. 4, 1968, as amended at 66 FR 66710, Dec. 27, 2001]

§ 332.311 Quarterly examinations.

(a) A 10-point preference eligible is entitled to file an application at any time for an examination for any position for which OPM maintains a register, for which a register is about to be established, or for which a nontemporary appointment was made in the preceding three years. For the purposes of this paragraph OPM shall hold an examination not later than the quarterly period succeeding that in which the application is filed.

(b) When there is no appropriate existing register, OPM may establish special registers containing the names of eligibles from the quarterly examinations authorized by paragraph (a) of this section, together with the names of eligibles described in § 332.322, and use these registers for certification to fill appropriate vacancies.

[35 FR 414, Jan. 13, 1970, as amended at 41 FR 22549, June 4, 1976]

§ 332.312 Applicants in military or overseas service.

Subject to the time limits and other conditions published by OPM in its operating manuals, the following persons are entitled to file applications for open competitive examinations after the closing date for receipt of applications when there is an existing register or a register about to be established:

(a) A person who could not file an application during the filing period, or appear for an assembled examination, because of military service, or hospitalization continuing for 1 year or less following discharge from military service;

(b) An employee of the Federal Government who, as a member of a reserve unit of the military service, could not file an application during the filing period, or appear for an assembled examination, because of active duty beyond 15 days with the military service even though the duty is designated for training purposes; and

(c) A United States citizen who could not file an application during the filing period, or appear for an assembled examination, because of overseas service with a Federal agency or with an international organization in which the United States Government participates.

[33 FR 12426, Sept. 4, 1968, as amended at 66 FR 66710, Dec. 27, 2001]

§ 332.313 Preference eligibles separated from competitive positions.

The following persons are entitled to have their names entered on an appropriate existing register in the order prescribed by § 332.401 if they were last employed under career or career-conditional appointments:

(a) A preference eligible who is declared eligible therefor after appeal from furlough or discharge; and

(b) A preference eligible who has been furloughed or separated without delinquency or misconduct and who applies within 90 days after furlough or separation.

§ 332.314 [Reserved]

§ 332.321 Preference eligibles who resigned from competitive positions.

A qualified preference eligible who resigned without delinquency or misconduct from career or career-conditional employment is entitled to have his name reentered on each register on which his name formerly appeared (or on a successor register) if he applies within 90 days after separation.

§ 332.322 Persons who lost eligibility because of military service.

(a) A person who lost a period of eligibility on a register because he has served on active military duty since June 30, 1950, is entitled to have his name restored to that register or a successor register when he meets the following conditions:

(1) He has not served more than four years following the date of his entrance on active military duty, exclusive of any additional service imposed pursuant to law. The date of entrance on duty means the first date between June 30, 1950, and July 1, 1971, on which he began a new period of active military duty, whether it was by original entry, reentry or extension.

(2) He is honorably separated from active military duty.

(3) He applies for restoration of eligibility within 90 days after discharge from active military duty or from hospitalization continuing for 1 year or less following separation from active military duty.

(4) He is still qualified to perform the duties of the position for which the register is used.

(b) When a person is entitled to have his name restored to a register under paragraph (a) of this section, OPM shall enter his name at the top of the appropriate group on the register if another eligible standing lower on the register on which his name formerly appeared was given a career or career-conditional appointment from that register. For professional and scientific positions in GS-9 and above and in comparable pay levels under other pay-fixing authorities, all eligibles are in one group. For all other positions, preference eligibles with a compensable service-connected disability of 10 percent or more are in one group and all other eligibles in another.

(c) When there is no appropriate existing register, OPM may establish special registers containing the names of persons entitled to priority of certification under paragraph (b) of this section, together with the names of eligibles described in § 332.311, and use these registers for certification to fill appropriate vacancies.

[33 FR 12426, Sept. 4, 1968, as amended at 35 FR 414, Jan. 13, 1970]

§ 332.323 Employees separated during probation.

An employee who is separated (voluntarily or involuntarily) without delinquency or misconduct during his probationary period is entitled to have his name restored to the register of eligibles from which he was appointed, if he applies for restoration while the register is still in use.

§ 332.401 Order on registers.

Subject to apportionment, residence, and other requirements of law and this chapter, OPM shall enter the names of eligibles on the appropriate register in accordance with their numerical ratings, except that the names of:

(a) Preference eligibles shall be entered in accordance with their augmented ratings and ahead of others having the same rating; and

(b) Preference eligibles who have a compensable service-connected disability of 10 percent or more shall be entered at the top of the register in the order of their ratings unless the register is for professional or scientific positions in GS-9 and above and in comparable pay levels under other pay-fixing authorities.

§ 332.402 Referring candidates for appointment.

OPM or a delegated examining unit (DEU) will use one of the mechanisms identified below to refer a sufficient number of candidates for consideration, in accordance with this section and the agency's delegated examining policies.

(a) Each agency must establish a policy on the use of these procedures.

(b) OPM or a DEU may determine, based on the position to be filled, which of the following mechanisms will best meet the hiring needs of the agency and result in at least three names for consideration.

(1) OPM or a DEU may establish a cut-off score based on the assessment(s) used, supported by job analysis data;

(2) OPM or a DEU may establish a cut-off score based on business necessity;

(3) OPM or a DEU may use a set number of the highest ranked eligible applicants to certify; or

(4) OPM or a DEU may use a set percentage of the highest ranked eligible applicants to certify.

(5) When using a set number of candidates or top percentage of eligible applicants, all applicants with the same score as the last candidate in the cut will also be referred.

(6) In selecting an appropriate mechanism, agencies should consider the number of positions to be filled, the assessment(s) used, historical applicant data, current labor market conditions, and other factors appropriate for the hiring action.

(c) The agency must determine the mechanism before announcing the vacancy, and the job opportunity announcement must state the mechanism to be used.

(d) The mechanism used must be clearly documented in the examining case file and available for reconstruction or third-party review.

(e) Hiring managers will receive sufficient names, when available, to allow them to consider at least three candidates for each vacancy.

(f) In instances when a certificate of eligibles results in fewer than three eligible and available candidates per vacancy and an agency needs to issue a supplemental certification, OPM or a DEU must have decided, before announcing the vacancy, how to expand the group of candidates in accordance with the guidance in the Delegated Examining Operations Handbook.

(g) OPM or a DEU will refer candidates for consideration by simultaneously listing a candidate on all certificates for which the candidate is interested, eligible, and within reach, except that, when it is deemed in the interest of good administration and candidates have been so notified, OPM or a DEU may choose to refer candidates for only one vacancy at a time.

[90 FR 43145, Sept. 8, 2025]

§ 332.403 Selective certification.

When there is no register appropriate as a whole for the certification of eligibles for a particular position, OPM may prepare a certificate from the most nearly appropriate existing register by the selective certification of eligibles qualified for the particular position in the order of their ranking on the register. Special overseas selection factors may also be used as a basis for selective certification from a register used for filling overseas positions. When appropriate, OPM may rerate the eligibles on the register on the basis of the particular requirements of the position.

§ 332.404 Order of selection from certificates.

An appointing officer, with sole regard to merit and fitness, shall select any eligible candidate certified for appointment on a certificate of eligibles, except the hiring manager may not pass over a preference eligible to select a lower standing non-preference eligible on the certificate unless the agency complies with pass over procedures in accordance with § 332.406.

[90 FR 43146, Sept. 8, 2025]

§ 332.405 Three considerations for appointment.

An appointing officer is not required to consider an eligible candidate who has been given bona fide consideration by one or more hiring managers for three separate appointments from the same or different certificates for the same position (i.e., the same title, series, and grade).

(a) Bona fide consideration. To use this provision:

(1) The hiring manager must review and consider the candidate's application material;

(2) The hiring manager must sign a written statement documenting the candidate received three considerations and recommending the candidate be removed from further consideration for the position(s) being filled due to a documented lack of a specific skills(s) or attribute(s) needed to perform the work of the position being filled (When more than one hiring manager is involved, a hiring manager may include information or evidence from another hiring manager.);

(3) The Human Resources Director (at the servicing personnel office level) must approve the request to remove the candidate from further consideration; and

(4) The agency must provide written notification to any candidate removed under this section upon request by the candidate.

(b) Document the case file. The agency must document in the case file the three valid selections that were made, and the Human Resources Director's concurrence to remove any candidate from further consideration in accordance with paragraph (a) of this section.

(c) Selection consideration. An agency may use the three considerations provision to remove one or more candidates from further consideration starting with the fourth selection (which may be from the same or different certificates for the same position (i.e., the same title, series, and grade)). The number removed may not exceed the remaining number of positions to be filled as long as bona fide consideration has been given and documented as required by this section.

(d) Applicability. The three considerations rule applies only to a certificate of eligibles issued under § 332.402. The rule does not apply to a certificate of eligibles issued under § 337.303 of this chapter.

[90 FR 43146, Sept. 8, 2025, as amended at 91 FR 58360, Sept. 15, 2026]

§ 332.406 Objections to eligibles.

(a) Delegated authority. Except as specified in paragraphs (a)(1) and (a)(2) of this section, OPM has delegated to agencies the authority to adjudicate objections to eligibles, including pass over requests.

(1) OPM retains exclusive authority to approve the sufficiency of an agency's request to pass over preference eligibles who are thirty percent (30%) or more compensably disabled. Such persons have the right, in accordance with 5 U.S.C. 3318, to respond to the pass over request before OPM makes a final decision.

(2) OPM also retains the exclusive authority to approve the sufficiency of an agency's reasons to medically disqualify or medically pass over a preference eligible or disabled veteran in certain circumstances, in accordance with part 339 of this chapter.

(3) An agency must refer any objection (including a pass over request) that is based on material, intentional false statement or deception or fraud in examination or appointment to OPM for a suitability action where warranted, under part 731 of this chapter.

(b) Standard for objections. An agency is not required to consider an individual for a position when an objection to (including a request to pass over) the particular individual is sustained or granted. An objection, including a pass over request, may be sustained only if it is based on a proper and adequate reason. The reasons set forth for disqualification by OPM in part 339 of this chapter constitute proper and adequate reasons to sustain an objection. Similarly, the criteria for making suitability determinations in part 731 of this chapter constitute proper and adequate reasons to sustain an objection. In addition, reasons published by OPM in the Delegated Examining Operations Handbook constitute proper and adequate reasons to sustain an objection.

(c) Sufficiency of the reasons for a pass over. Subject to the exception set forth in paragraph (e) of this section, an agency may not pass over a preference eligible to select a non-preference eligible unless OPM or an agency with delegated authority also makes a determination that the sufficiency of the reasons is supported by the evidence submitted for the pass over request.

(d) Agency's obligation while request for objection is pending. Subject to the exception set forth in paragraph (e) of this section, if an agency makes an objection against an applicant for a position (including seeking to pass over the applicant), and the individual that the agency wishes to select would be within reach of selection only if the objection is sustained, or the pass over granted, that agency may not make a selection for the position until a final ruling is made.

(e) Applicability of paragraphs (c) and (d). Paragraphs (c) and (d) of this section do not apply if the agency has more than one position to fill from the same certificate and holds open (in the event the objection is not sustained or the pass over request is denied) a position that could be filled by the individual against whom an objection or a pass over request has been filed.

(f) Procedures for objections and pass overs. Agencies must follow the procedures for objecting to or requesting to pass over an eligible that are published by OPM in the Delegated Examining Operations Handbook.

(g) No appeal rights to Merit Systems Protection Board (MSPB). An individual may not appeal to the MSPB a decision by OPM or an agency with delegated authority to sustain an objection pursuant to this part, including a decision to grant a pass over request, irrespective of the reason for the decision.

[74 FR 30461, June 26, 2009]

§ 332.407 Restriction of consideration to one sex.

An appointing officer may not restrict his consideration of eligibles or employees for competitive appointment or appointment by noncompetitive action to a position in the competitive service to one sex, except in unusual circumstances when OPM finds the action justified.

[34 FR 5367, Mar. 19, 1969. Redesignated at 42 FR 61240, Dec. 2, 1977]

§ 332.408 Shared use of a competitive certificate.

(a) General authority. (1) A hiring agency may share a competitive service certificate issued under its delegated examining authority with one or more hiring agencies for a position(s) to be filled on a permanent or term basis. Positions filled on a term basis are subject to the provisions of 5 CFR part 316, subpart C. Positions may be full-time or other than full-time (i.e., part-time, seasonal, on-call, and intermittent).

(2) Another Federal agency may make a selection from a certificate shared with it under paragraph (b) of this section only after it has considered individuals it is required to consider when filling positions from within its own workforce and other internal applicants under paragraph (c) of this section.

(3) All actions taken on a shared certificate must be made within the 240-day period beginning on the date the original hiring agency issued the certificate of eligibles. This period cannot be extended.

(4) The original hiring agency and any receiving agency using a shared certificate must each maintain case file documentation sufficient for each agency to reconstruct its own use of the certificate in accordance with the Delegated Examining Operations Handbook, and must safeguard testing and examination materials, examination results, and the names of applicants from disclosure to other persons in accordance with § 300.201 of this chapter.

(5) All actions taken on competitive certificates must be done in accordance with the Delegated Examining Operations Handbook and all applicable regulations in this part and part 337 of this chapter.

(6) Agencies sharing certificates must keep records of the instances of sharing certificates and/or using shared certificates.

(b) Requirements for the original hiring agency. (1) A hiring agency may share a competitive certificate it has issued under § 332.402 (for traditional rating and ranking) or under 5 CFR 337.303 (for category rating) with one or more hiring agencies for use in filling a position(s) if:

(i) The original hiring agency intends to use the certificate for its own hiring;

(ii) The original hiring agency has provided notice within the job opportunity announcement for the original vacancy that the resulting list of eligible candidates may be used by one or more hiring agencies;

(iii) The original hiring agency provided an opportunity for applicants to opt-in to have their applications and other personal information shared with one or more hiring agencies;

(iv) The original hiring agency's objections to eligibles or requests to pass over preference eligibles on the certificate under § 332.406 or § 337.304 of this chapter have been resolved by that agency's Delegated Examining Unit, or by OPM in the case of a disabled veteran with a thirty percent or more service-connected disability. The original hiring agency must notate on the certificate next to the name of any preference eligible veteran whom the agency successfully passed over.

(v) The original hiring agency has either made a selection from the certificate or has made no selection from the certificate, and has documented its reason for non-selection; and

(vi) The Delegated Examining Unit of the original hiring agency has closed and audited the certificate in accordance with the procedures in the Delegated Examining Operations Handbook.

(2) The original hiring agency may apply the three-consideration rule in § 332.405 during its use of a certificate issued under § 332.402 and remove candidates from consideration accordingly. The three-consideration rule does not apply to a certificate issued under § 337.303 of this chapter. Before sharing the certificate with another agency, the original hiring agency must notate the certificate next to the name of any applicant removed from consideration under § 332.405.

(3) When sharing a certificate of eligibles, the original hiring agency must share all documentation pertaining to the creation of that certificate, including but not limited to the job analysis, testing and examination materials, the job opportunity announcement, and applications, as relevant, and must safeguard any personally identifiable information not needed for effective use of the certificate by the receiving agency. The original hiring agency may share the assessment scores of certified applicants. The original hiring agency must share the certificate of eligibles in its original form in order to retain the original ordering of the certificate; must safeguard any personally identifiable information from unauthorized access during the transmission process; and must redact the names of applicants who did not opt-in to the shared certificate, and who therefore may not be considered by the receiving agency.

(4) The original hiring agency may share a certificate of eligibles with one or more agencies, one agency at a time or multiple agencies simultaneously.

(5) If the original hiring agency determines that it has made an error that may affect selections by a receiving agency or agencies, it must notify each affected receiving agency.

(c) Requirements for the receiving agency—(1) Vacancies that may be filled. A receiving agency may use a shared certificate to fill a vacancy in the same occupational series, at the same grade level (or a corresponding rate or level of pay for a position excluded from the General Schedule), with the same full performance level, and in the same duty location as was listed on the original hiring agency's certificate. If the original hiring agency's certificate is for an interdisciplinary position as described in the Delegated Examining Operations Handbook, the receiving agency may use it to fill an interdisciplinary position. The receiving agency must verify through its job analysis that the minimum qualification requirements (including use of any selective placement factors) and the competencies, or knowledge, skills, and abilities, that were used for the original position are appropriate for the position to be filled.

(2) Notification to individuals who applied to the original vacancy. Before using a shared certificate, a receiving agency must notify the list of candidates of its receipt of their names and application materials and its intention of considering them for a position. The receiving agency must also inform these individuals of its requirement to consider its own employees as well as other individuals the agency is required to consider pursuant to 5 CFR part 330, subparts B and F, before consideration of anyone on the shared certificate. At a minimum, the notification must include the agency, position title, series, grade level or equivalent, and duty location.

(3) Consideration of internal candidates. Before making a selection from a shared certificate, a receiving agency must provide notice of its intent to fill the available position(s) to its own employees and other individuals the agency is required to consider, to provide these internal candidates the opportunity to apply consistent with the provisions of part 335 of this chapter, and to review the qualifications of the internal candidates.

(i) Nothing in this paragraph affects agencies' right to fill a position from any appropriate source under §§ 330.102 and 335.103 of this chapter.

(ii) Agencies are prohibited from providing an application period any longer than 10 business days for internal candidates. This time limit cannot be waived or extended.

(iii) Before considering other candidates, a receiving agency must first provide for the consideration for selection required for individuals covered under its Reemployment Priority List and its Career Transition Assistance Plan under part 330, subparts B and F, of this chapter.

(4) Selection from the shared certificate. After considering internal candidates, a receiving agency may consider candidates referred on the shared certificate.

(i) Except as provided in paragraph (c)(4)(ii) of this section, the receiving agency must consider candidates on a shared certificate independently of the actions of any other agency with which the certificate is simultaneously shared under paragraph (b)(4) of this section.

(ii) The receiving agency may, but is not required to, consider any applicant designated on the certificate as being passed over under paragraph (b)(1)(iv) of this section, or as having received three bona fide considerations under paragraph (b)(2) of this section.

(iii) The receiving agency may not reassess the applicants for purposes of rating/ranking.

(iv) The receiving agency must provide selection priority to individuals eligible under the Interagency Career Transition Assistance Plan under part 330, subpart G, of this chapter, who applied to the original job announcement.

(5) Time limit on selection from a shared certificate. The receiving agency has 240 days from the date the certificate was issued (in the original hiring agency) to select individuals from the shared certificate.

(6) Limit on further sharing by the receiving agency. The receiving agency may not share or distribute the shared certificate to another Federal agency.

[91 FR 58360, Sept. 15, 2026]

§ 332.409 OPM-led pooled hiring actions for competitive examining.

(a) General authority. (1) OPM may issue lists of qualified applicants or competitive service certificates for use by one or more agencies under delegated examining procedures.

(2) Agencies may conduct technical assessments and certify applicants on lists of qualified applicants or make selections from certificates issued under this section in accordance with applicable law and regulation.

(b) Definitions. The following terms apply to this section:

OPM-led pooled hiring action means a hiring approach under which OPM will:

(1) Centrally recruit and provide agencies with lists of applicants who meet minimum requirements and qualifications for hiring agencies to conduct the technical assessment, certification, and selection processes; or

(2) Centrally recruit, screen applicants for minimum requirements and qualifications, conduct the technical assessment and certification processes, and provide agencies with ready-made certificates of qualified applicants to make selections. OPM at its discretion may provide agencies with lists of applicants eligible under 5 CFR part 330, subpart F, subpart G, or both.

Participating agency means an agency that receives a list of qualified applicants or a competitive service certificate from OPM under this section for a given OPM-led pooled hiring action.

(c) Lists of qualified applicants. (1) OPM may recruit applicants, determine minimum qualifications, and provide lists of qualified applicants to agencies.

(i) OPM will provide agencies with a list of eligible applicants with Interagency Career Transition Assistance Plan (ICTAP) eligibility who must be selected before other applicants from the OPM-generated certificate in accordance with 5 CFR part 330, subpart G.

(2) Participating agencies are responsible for conducting technical assessments and issuing certificates in accordance with this part and part 337 of this chapter.

(3) Agencies must satisfy all applicable requirements relating to Reemployment Priority List (RPL), Career Transition Assistance Plan (CTAP), and ICTAP before making selections.

(4) An agency may apply the three-consideration rule under § 332.405 to a certificate issued under § 332.402 and must notify OPM when doing so. The three-consideration rule does not apply to a certificate issued under § 337.303 of this chapter. OPM will notify all participating agencies when an applicant has been removed from further consideration under the three-consideration rule. An agency may, but is not required to, consider any applicant who received three bona fide considerations from another agency in accordance with § 332.405 and identified as such by OPM.

(5) An agency which passes over a preference eligible must notify OPM when the pass-over is sustained. OPM will notify all participating agencies when a pass-over request has been sustained, and the veteran is removed from further consideration. An agency may, but is not required to, consider any applicant notified that he or she was being passed over by another agency in accordance with § 332.406, the Delegated Examining Operations Handbook, and identified as such by OPM.

(d) OPM-created certificates for pooled hiring. (1) OPM may issue one or more competitive certificates for a hiring instance under delegated examining procedures.

(2) An agency using an OPM-generated certificate may not reassess applicants for purposes of rating or ranking.

(3) OPM may establish a policy for the timeframe within which an agency using a certificate may make a selection, and any extensions to this timeframe.

(4) OPM will provide agencies with a list of ICTAP-eligible applicants who must be selected before other applicants from the OPM-generated certificate in accordance with 5 CFR part 330, subpart G.

(5) Each agency using the certificate must clear RPL and CTAP before making a selection from the certificate in accordance with 5 CFR part 330, subparts B and F.

(6) An agency may apply the three-consideration rule under § 332.405 to a certificate issued under § 332.402 and must notify OPM when doing so. The three-consideration rule does not apply to a certificate issued under § 337.303 of this chapter. OPM will notify all participating agencies when an applicant has been removed from further consideration under the three-consideration rule. A participating agency may, but is not required to, consider any applicant who received three bona fide considerations from another agency in accordance with § 332.405 and identified as such by OPM.

(7) An agency which passes over a preference eligible must notify OPM when the pass over is sustained. OPM will notify all participating agencies when a pass over request has been sustained, and the veteran is removed from further consideration. An agency may, but is not required to, consider any applicant notified that he or she was being passed over by another agency in accordance with § 332.406, the Delegated Examining Operations Handbook, and identified as such by OPM.

[91 FR 58362, Sept. 15, 2026]

§ 334.101 Purpose.

The purpose of this part is to implement title IV of the Intergovernmental Personnel Act (IPA) of 1970 and title VI of the Civil Service Reform Act. These statutes authorize the temporary assignment of employees between the Federal Government and State, local, and Indian tribal governments, institutions of higher education and other eligible organizations.

§ 334.102 Definitions.

In this part:

Assignment means a period of service under chapter 33, subchapter VI of title 5, United States Code;

Employee, for purposes of participation in this Program, means an individual serving in a Federal agency under a career or career-conditional appointment, including a career appointee in the Senior Executive Service, an individual under an appointment of equivalent tenure in an excepted service position, or an individual employed for at least 90 days in a career position with a State, local, or Indian tribal government, institution of higher education, or other eligible organization;

Federal agency as defined in 5 U.S.C. 3371(3) means an Executive agency, military department, a court of the United States, the Administrative Office of the United States Courts, the Library of Congress, the Botanic Garden, the Government Printing Office, the Congressional Budget Office, the United States Postal Service, the Postal Rate Commission, the Office of the Architect of the Capitol, the Office of Technology Assessment, and such other similar agencies of the legislative and judicial branches as determined appropriate by the Office of Personnel Management;

Indian tribal government as defined in 5 U.S.C. 3371(2)(c) means any Indian tribe, band, nation, or other organized group or community, including any Alaska Native village as defined in the Alaska Native Claims Settlement Act (85 Stat. 668), which is recognized as eligible for the special programs and services provided by the United States to Indians because of their status as Indians and includes any tribal organization as defined in section 4(c) of the Indian Self-Determination and Education Assistance Act;

Institution of higher education means a domestic, accredited public or private 4-year and/or graduate level college or university, or a technical or junior college;

Local government as defined in 5 U.S.C. 3371(2)(A) and (B) means:

(1) Any political subdivision, instrumentality, or authority of a State or States; and

(2) Any general or special purpose agency of such a political subdivision, instrumentality, or authority;

Other organization as defined in 5 U.S.C. 3371(4) means:

(1) A national, regional, Statewide, area wide, or metropolitan organization representing member State or local governments;

(2) An association of State or local public officials;

(3) A nonprofit organization which offers, as one of its principal functions, professional advisory, research, educational, or development services, or related services, to governments or universities concerned with public management; or

(4) A federally funded research and development center.

State as defined in 5 U.S.C. 3371(1) means a State of the United States, the District of Columbia, the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, the Trust Territory of the Pacific Islands, the Northern Mariana Islands, and a territory or possession of the United States; an instrumentality or authority of a State or States; and a Federal-State authority or instrumentality.

[71 FR 54565, Sept. 18, 2006, as amended at 77 FR 28215, May 11, 2012]

§ 334.103 Requirements for approval of instrumentalities or authorities of State and local governments and “other organizations.”

(a) Organizations interested in participating in the IPA mobility program as an instrumentality or authority of a State or local government or as an “other organization” as set out in this part must have their eligibility certified by the Federal agency with which they are entering into an assignment.

(b) Written requests for certification must include a copy of the organization's:

(1) Articles of incorporation;

(2) Bylaws;

(3) Internal Revenue Service nonprofit statement; and

(4) Any other information which indicates that the organization has as a principal function the offering of professional advisory, research, educational, or development services, or related services to governments or universities concerned with public management.

(c) Federally funded research and development centers which appear on a master list maintained by the National Science Foundation are eligible to participate in the program.

(d) An organization denied certification by an agency may request reconsideration by the Office of Personnel Management (OPM).

§ 334.104 Length of assignment.

(a) The head of a Federal agency, or his or her designee, may make an assignment for up to 2 years, which may be extended for up to 2 more years if the parties agree.

(b) A Federal agency may not send an employee on an assignment if that person is a Federal employee and has participated in this program for more than a total of 6 years during his or her Federal career. OPM may waive this restriction upon the written request of the agency head, or his or her designee.

(c) A Federal agency may not send or receive an employee on an assignment if the employee has participated in this program for 4 continuous years without at least a 12-month return to duty with the organization from which the employee was originally assigned. Successive assignments with a break of no more than 60 calendar days will be regarded as continuous service under the mobility authority.

§ 334.105 Obligated service requirement.

(a) A Federal employee assigned under this part must agree, as a condition of accepting an assignment, to serve with the Federal Government upon completion of the assignment for a period equal to the length of the assignment.

(b) If the employee fails to carry out this agreement, he or she must reimburse the Federal agency for its share of the costs of the assignment (exclusive of salary and benefits). The head of the Federal agency, or his or her designee, may waive this reimbursement for good and sufficient reason.

§ 334.106 Requirement for written agreement.

(a) Before the assignment begins, the assigned employee and the Federal agency, the State, local, Indian tribal government, institution of higher education, or other eligible organization must enter into a written agreement recording the obligations and responsibilities of the parties, as specified in 5 U.S.C. 3373-3375.

(b) Federal agencies must maintain a copy of each assignment agreement form established under this part, including any modification to the agreement. The agency may determine the appropriate time period for retaining copies of its written agreements.

§ 334.107 Termination of agreement.

(a) An assignment may be terminated at any time at the request of the Federal agency or the State, local, Indian tribal government, institution of higher education, or other organization participating in this program. Where possible, the party terminating the assignment prior to the agreed upon date should provide 30-days advance notice along with a statement of reasons, to the other parties to the agreement.

(b) Federal assignees continue to encumber the positions they occupied prior to assignment, and the position is subject to any personnel actions that might normally occur. At the end of the assignment, the employee must be allowed to resume the duties of the employee's position or must be reassigned to another position of like pay and grade.

(c) An assignment is terminated automatically when the employer-employee relationship ceases to exist between the assignee or original employer.

(d) OPM has the authority to direct Federal agencies to terminate assignments or take other corrective actions when OPM finds assignments have been made in violation of the requirements of the Intergovernmental Personnel Act or this part.

§ 334.108 Reports required.

A Federal agency which assigns an employee to or receives an employee from a State, local, Indian tribal government, institution of higher education, or other eligible organization in accordance with this part must submit to OPM such reports as OPM may request.

§ 335.101 Effect of position change on status and tenure.

(a) Status. A position change authorized by § 335.102 does not change the competitive status of an employee.

(b) Tenure. Except as provided in paragraph (c) of this section and § 316.703 of this chapter, a position change authorized by § 335.102 does not change the tenure of an employee.

(c) Exceptions. (1) A career-conditional employee who is promoted, demoted, or reassigned to a position paid under chapter 45 of title 39, United States Code, or required by law to be filled on a permanent basis becomes a career employee.

(2) A career employee who is promoted, demoted, or reassigned from a position paid under chapter 45 of title 39, United States Code, or required by law to be filled on a permanent basis to a position under the career-conditional employment system becomes a career-conditional employee unless he has completed the service requirement for career tenure.

[33 FR 12428, Sept. 4, 1968]

§ 335.102 Agency authority to promote, demote, or reassign.

Subject to § 335.103 and, when applicable, to part 319 of this chapter, an agency may:

(a) Promote, demote, or reassign a career or career-conditional employee;

(b) Reassign an employee serving under a temporary appointment pending establishment of a register to a position to which his original assignment could have been made by the same appointing officer from the same recruiting list under the same order of consideration;

(c) Promote, demote, or reassign an employee serving under an overseas limited appointment of indefinite duration or an overseas limited term appointment to another position to which an initial appointment under § 301.201, § 301.202, or § 301.203 of this chapter is authorized;

(d) Promote, demote, or reassign (1) a status quo employee and (2) an employee serving under an indefinite appointment in a competitive position, except that this authority may not be used to move an employee:

(i) From a position in which an initial overseas limited appointment is authorized to another position; or

(ii) To a position in which an initial overseas limited appointment is authorized from another position; and

(e) Promote, demote, or reassign a term employee serving on a given project to another position within the project which the agency has been authorized to fill by term appointment;

(f) Make time-limited promotions to fill temporary positions, accomplish project work, fill positions temporarily pending reorganization or downsizing, or meet other temporary needs for a specified period of not more than 5 years, unless OPM authorizes the agency to make and/or extend time-limited promotions for a longer period.

(1) The agency must give the employee advance written notice of the conditions of the time-limited promotion, including the time limit of the promotion; the reason for a time limit; the requirement for competition for promotion beyond 120 days, where applicable; and that the employee may be returned at any time to the position from which temporarily promoted, or to a different position of equivalent grade and pay, and the return is not subject to the procedures in parts 351, 432, 752, or 771 of this chapter. When an agency effects a promotion under a nondiscretionary provision and is unable to give advance notice to the employee, it must provide the notice as soon as possible after the promotion is made.

(2) This paragraph applies to a career, career-conditional, status quo, indefinite, or term employee and to an employee serving under an overseas limited appointment of indefinite duration, or an overseas limited term appointment.

[33 FR 12428, Sept. 4, 1968, as amended at 35 FR 13075, Aug. 18, 1970; 45 FR 24855, Apr. 11, 1980; 57 FR 10124, Mar. 24, 1992; 58 FR 59347, Nov. 9, 1993]

§ 335.103 Agency promotion programs.

(a) Merit promotion plans. Except as otherwise specifically authorized by OPM, an agency may make promotions under § 335.102 of this part only to positions for which the agency has adopted and is administering a program designed to insure a systematic means of selection for promotion according to merit. These programs shall conform to the requirements of this section.

(b) Merit promotion requirements—(1) Requirement 1. Each agency must establish procedures for promoting employees that are based on merit and are available in writing to candidates. Agencies must list appropriate exceptions, including those required by law or regulation, as specified in paragraph (c) of this section. Actions under a promotion plan—whether identification, qualification, evaluation, or selection of candidates—must be made without regard to race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy and gender identity), national origin, age (as defined by the Age Discrimination in Employment Act of 1967, as amended), disability, genetic information (including family medical history), marital status, political affiliation, sexual orientation, labor organization affiliation or nonaffiliation, status as a parent, or any other non-merit-based factor, unless specifically designated by statute as a factor that must be taken into consideration when awarding such benefits, or retaliation for exercising rights with respect to the categories enumerated above, where retaliation rights are available, and must be based solely on job-related criteria.

(2) Requirement 2. Areas of consideration must be sufficiently broad to ensure the availability of high quality candidates, taking into account the nature and level of the positions covered. Agencies must also ensure that employees within the area of consideration who are absent for legitimate reason, e.g., on detail, on leave, at training courses, in the military service, or serving in public international organizations or on Intergovernmental Personnel Act assignments, receive appropriate consideration for promotion.

(3) Requirement 3. To be eligible for promotion or placement, candidates must meet the minimum qualification standards prescribed by the Office of Personnel Management (OPM). Methods of evaluation for promotion and placement, and selection for training which leads to promotion, must be consistent with instructions in part 300, subpart A, of this chapter. Due weight shall be given to performance appraisals and incentive awards.

(4) Requirement 4. Selection procedures will provide for management's right to select or not select from among a group of best qualified candidates. They will also provide for management's right to select from other appropriate sources, such as reemployment priority lists, reinstatement, transfer, handicapped, or Veteran Recruitment Act eligibles or those within reach on an appropriate OPM certificate. In deciding which source or sources to use, agencies have an obligation to determine which is most likely to best meet the agency mission objectives, contribute fresh ideas and new viewpoints, and meet the agency's affirmative action goals.

(5) Requirement 5. Administration of the promotion system will include recordkeeping and the provision of necessary information to employees and the public, ensuring that individuals' rights to privacy are protected. Each agency must maintain a temporary record of each promotion sufficient to allow reconstruction of the promotion action, including documentation on how candidates were rated and ranked. These records may be destroyed after 2 years or after the program has been formally evaluated by OPM (whichever comes first) if the time limit for grievance has lapsed before the anniversary date.

(c) Covered personnel actions—(1) Competitive actions. Except as provided in paragraphs (c)(2) and (3) of this section, competitive procedures in agency promotion plans apply to all promotions under § 335.102 of this part and to the following actions:

(i) Time-limited promotions under § 335.102(f) of this part for more than 120 days to higher graded positions (prior service during the preceding 12 months under noncompetitive time-limited promotions and noncompetitive details to higher graded positions counts toward the 120-day total). A temporary promotion may be made permanent without further competition provided the temporary promotion was originally made under competitive procedures and the fact that might lead to a permanent promotion was made known to all potential candidates;

(ii) Details for more than 120 days to a higher grade position or to a position with higher promotion potential (prior service during the preceding 12 months under noncompetitive details to higher graded positions and noncompetitive time-limited promotions counts toward the 120-day total);

(iii) Selection for training which is part of an authorized training agreement, part of a promotion program, or required before an employee may be considered for a promotion as specified in § 410.302 of this chapter;

(iv) Reassignment or demotion to a position with more promotion potential than a position previously held on a permanent basis in the competitive service (except as permitted by reduction-in-force regulations);

(v) Transfer to a position at a higher grade or with more promotion potential than a position previously held on a permanent basis in the competitive service; and

(vi) Reinstatement to a permanent or temporary position at a higher grade or with more promotion potential than a position previously held on a permanent basis in the competitive service if the individual did not wait 1 year or more after separating from Federal employment before applying for reinstatement, or did not receive a rating of record for his or her most recent career or career-conditional position of at least Fully Successful (or equivalent).

(2) Noncompetitive actions. Competitive procedures do not apply to:

(i) A promotion resulting from the upgrading of a position without significant change in the duties and responsibilities due to issuance of a new classification standard or the correction of an initial classification error;

(ii) A position change permitted by reduction-in-force procedures in part 351 of this chapter; and

(iii) A retroactive temporary promotion to a higher-graded position pursuant to a determination by an appropriate authority as defined in 5 CFR 550.803.

(3) Discretionary actions. Agencies may at their discretion except the following actions from competitive procedures of this section:

(i) A promotion without current competition of an employee who was appointed in the competitive from a civil service register, by direct hire, by noncompetitive appointment or noncompetitive conversion, or under competitive promotion procedures for an assignment intended to prepare the employee for the position being filled (the intent must be made a matter of record and career ladders must be documented in the promotion plan);

(ii) A promotion resulting from an employee's position being classified at a higher grade because of additional duties and responsibilies;

(iii) A temporary promotion, or detail to a higher grade position or a position with known promotion potential, of 120 days or less;

(iv) Promotion to a grade previously held on a permanent basis in the competitive service (or in another merit system with which OPM has an interchange agreement approved under § 6.7 of this chapter) from which an employee was separated or demoted for other than performance or conduct reasons;

(v) Promotion, reassignment, demotion, transfer, reinstatement, or detail to a position having promotion potential no greater than the potential of a position an employee currently holds or previously held on a permanent basis in the competitive service (or in another merit system with which OPM has an interchange agreement approved under § 6.7 of this chapter) and did not lose because of performance or conduct reasons; and

(vi) Consideration of a candidate not given proper consideration in a competitive promotion action.

(vii) Appointments of career SES appointees with competitive service reinstatement eligibility to any position for which they qualify in the competitive service at any grade or salary level, including Senior-Level positions established under 5 CFR Part 319—Employment in Senior-Level and Scientific and Professional positions.

(viii) Reinstatement in accordance with 5 CFR part 315 to any position in the competitive service for which the individual is qualified at a higher grade level or with more promotion potential than a career or career-conditional position previously held by the individual; provided: The individual has been separated for at least one year before applying for reinstatement, and the individual must have received a rating of record for his or her most recent career or career-conditional position of at least Fully Successful (or equivalent).

(d) Grievances. Employees have the right to file a complaint relating to a promotion action. Such complaints shall be resolved under appropriate grievance procedures. The standards for adjudicating complaints are set forth in part 300, subpart A, of this chapter. While the procedures used by an agency to identify and rank qualified candidates may be proper subjects for formal complaints or grievances, nonselection from among a group of properly ranked and certified candidates is not an appropriate basis for a formal complaint or grievance. There is no right of appeal of OPM, but OPM may conduct investigations of substantial violations of OPM requirements.

[59 FR 67121, Dec. 29, 1994, as amended at 63 FR 34258, June 24, 1998; 70 FR 72067, Dec. 1, 2005; 79 FR 43922, July 29, 2014; 86 FR 30379, June 8, 2021; 89 FR 60298, July 25, 2024]

§ 335.104 Eligibility for career ladder promotion.

No employee shall receive a career ladder promotion unless his or her current rating of record under part 430 of this chapter is “Fully Successful” (level 3) or higher. In addition, no employee may receive a career ladder promotion who has a rating below “Fully Successful” on a critical element that is also critical to performance at the next higher grade of the career ladder.

[51 FR 8411, Mar. 11, 1986]

§ 335.105 Notice of job announcements to OPM.

Under 5 U.S.C. 3330, agencies are required to report job announcements to OPM for vacancies for which an agency will accept applications from outside the agency's work force. This requirement is implemented through part 330, subpart A of this chapter.

[66 FR 63906, Dec. 11, 2001, as amended at 75 FR 67605, Nov. 3, 2010]

§ 335.106 Special selection procedures for certain veterans under merit promotion.

Preference eligibles or veterans who have been separated under honorable conditions from the armed forces after completing (as determined by the agency) 3 or more years of continuous active military service may compete for vacancies under merit promotion when an agency accepts applications from individuals outside its own workforce. Those veterans selected will be given career or career conditional appointments under § 315.611 of this chapter.

[65 FR 14432, Mar. 17, 2000]

§ 335.107 Special selection procedures for land management eligibles under merit promotion.

A current or former land management employee of a land management agency, who is a land management eligible, as defined in § 315.613(b)(3) of this chapter, may compete, if otherwise qualified for:

(a) A permanent position at any agency (including, but not limited to, a land management agency), in accordance with the provisions of § 315.613 of this chapter, when that agency is accepting applications from individuals outside its own workforce under merit promotion procedures. A land management eligible so selected will be given a career or career-conditional appointment under § 315.613; or

(b) A permanent position at the land management agency with which the individual was most recently an employee, in accordance with the provisions of § 315.613 of this chapter, when the agency is accepting applications from individuals within the agency's workforce under its merit promotion procedures. A land management eligible so selected will be given a career or career-conditional appointment under § 315.613.

[88 FR 84690, Dec. 6, 2023]

§ 337.101 Rating applicants.

(a) OPM shall prescribe the relative weights to be given subjects in an examination, and shall assign numerical ratings on a scale of 100. Except as otherwise provided in this chapter, each applicant who meets the minimum requirements for entrance to an examination and is rated 70 or more in the examination is eligible for appointment.

(b) OPM shall add to the earned numerical ratings of applicants who make a passing grade:

(1) Five points for applicants who are preference eligibles under section 2108(3)(A) and (B) of title 5, United States Code; and

(2) Ten points for applicants who are preference eligibles under section 2108(3)(C)-(G) of that title.

(c) When experience is a factor in determining eligibility, OPM shall credit a preference eligible with:

(1) Time spent in the military service (i) as an extension of time spent in the position in which he was employed immediately before his entrance into the military service, or (ii) on the basis of actual duties performed in the military service, or (iii) as a combination of both methods. OPM shall credit time spent in the military service according to the method that will be of most benefit to the preference eligible.

(2) All valuable experience, including experience gained in religious, civic, welfare, service, and organizational activities, regardless of whether pay was received therefor.

[33 FR 12423, Sept. 4, 1968, as amended at 72 FR 12954, Mar. 20, 2007]

§ 337.102 Evaluating qualifications for employees who are in a retained grade.

(a) Employees who are in a retained grade must have the experience they gain subsequent to the downgrading action that placed them in a retained grade considered in the following manner. For placements during the period the employee is in a retained grade, agencies must consider the experience subsequent to the downgrading action to be either:

(1) At the level of the retained grade and in the series of the position which he or she occupied at the time of the downgrading; or

(2) At the grade and in the series of the position to which the employee is downgraded.

(b) Agencies must determine which experience to consider on the basis of which will most likely result in placement. For placements or promotions after the retained grade period, the experience is considered only at the grade level and in the series of the position to which the employee was downgraded.

[45 FR 18365, Mar. 21, 1980]

§ 337.201 Coverage and purpose.

OPM will permit an agency with delegated examining authority under 5 U.S.C. 1104(a)(2) to use direct-hire authority under 5 U.S.C. 3304(a)(3) for a permanent or nonpermanent position or group of positions in the competitive service at GS-15 (or equivalent) and below, if OPM determines that there is either a severe shortage of candidates or a critical hiring need for such positions. It is not required that this direct-hire authority be exercised by a delegated examining unit. Requests for direct-hire authority must be submitted by the agency's Chief Human Capital Officer (or equivalent) at the agency headquarters level. OPM will determine the length of the direct-hire authority based on the justification.

§ 337.202 Definitions.

In this subpart:

(a) A direct-hire authority permits hiring without regard to the provisions of 5 U.S.C. 3309 through 3318; part 211 of this chapter; and subpart A of part 337 of this chapter.

(b) A severe shortage of candidates for a particular position or group of positions means that an agency is having difficulty identifying candidates possessing the competencies or the knowledge, skills, and abilities required to perform the job requirements despite extensive recruitment, extended announcement periods, and the use, as applicable, of hiring flexibilities such as recruitment or relocation incentives or special salary rates.

(c) A critical hiring need for a particular position or group of positions means that an agency has a need to fill the position(s) to meet mission requirements brought about by circumstances such as, but not limited to, a national emergency, threat, potential threat, environmental disaster, or unanticipated or unusual event or mission requirement, or to conform to the requirements of law, a Presidential directive or Administration initiative.

§ 337.203 Public notice requirements.

Agencies must comply with public notice requirements as prescribed in 5 U.S.C. 3327 and 3330, and subpart A of part 330 of this chapter with respect to any position that an agency seeks to fill using direct-hire authority.

[69 FR 33275, June 15, 2004, as amended at 75 FR 67605, Nov. 3, 2010]

§ 337.204 Severe shortage of candidates.

(a) OPM will determine when a severe shortage of candidates exists for particular occupations, grades (or equivalent), and/or geographic locations. OPM may decide independently that such a shortage exists, or may make this decision in response to a written request from an agency.

(b) An agency when requesting direct-hire authority under this section, or OPM when deciding independently, must identify the position or positions that are difficult to fill and must provide supporting evidence that demonstrates the existence of a severe shortage of candidates with respect to the position(s). The evidence should include, as applicable, information about:

(1) The results of workforce planning and analysis;

(2) Employment trends including the local or national labor market;

(3) The existence of nationwide or geographic skills shortages;

(4) Agency efforts, including recruitment initiatives, use of other appointing authorities (e.g., schedule A, schedule B) and flexibilities, training and development programs tailored to the position(s), and an explanation of why these recruitment and training efforts have not been sufficient;

(5) The availability and quality of candidates;

(6) The desirability of the geographic location of the position(s);

(7) The desirability of the duties and/or work environment associated with the position(s); and

(8) Other pertinent information such as selective placement factors or other special requirements of the position, as well as agency use of hiring flexibilities such as recruitment or retention allowances or special salary rates.

(c) A department or agency head (other than the Secretary of Defense) may determine, pursuant to section 1413(a) of Public Law 108-136, as amended by section 853 of Public Law 110-181, that a shortage of highly qualified candidates exists for certain Federal acquisition positions (covered under section 433(g)(1)(A) of title 41, United States Code). To make such a determination, the deciding agency official must use the supporting evidence prescribed in 5 CFR 337.204(b)(1)-(8) and must maintain a file of the supporting evidence for documentation and reporting purposes.

(d) Information Technology (IT) positions. (1) The head of a covered agency, as defined in paragraph (d)(2) of this section, may determine whether a severe shortage of candidates exists at that agency for any position in the information technology management series, general schedule (GS)-2210 or equivalent. In making such a determination, a covered agency must adhere to and use the supporting evidence prescribed in 5 CFR 337.204(b)(1)-(8). For purposes of paragraph (b)(5) of this section, the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) need only determine whether a severe shortage of highly-qualified candidates exists. In addition, a covered agency must maintain a file of the supporting evidence for documentation and reporting purposes. Upon determination of such a finding, an agency head may approve a direct hire authority for covered positions within the agency.

(2) Covered agency. A covered agency is an entity listed in 31 U.S.C. 901(b) (except the Department of Defense), or an independent regulatory agency defined in 44 U.S.C. 3502(5).

(3) Notification to the U.S. Office of Personnel Management (OPM). Once the head of a covered agency affirmatively determines the presence of a severe shortage and the direct hire authority is approved by the agency head, he or she must notify OPM within 10 business days. Such notification must include a description of the supporting evidence relied upon in making the determination.

(4) Using this authority. A covered agency must adhere to all provisions of subpart B of this part.

(5) Length of appointments. A covered agency may use this authority to appoint individuals for a period of more than 1 year, but not more than 4 years.

(i) A covered agency may extend any appointment under this authority for up to 4 additional years, if the direct hire authority remains in effect.

(ii) No individual may serve more than 8 years on an appointment made under these provisions for information technology positions.

(iii) No individual hired under these provisions may be transferred to positions that are not IT positions.

[69 FR 33275, June 15, 2004, as amended at 70 FR 44847, Aug. 4, 2005; 74 FR 61263, Nov. 24, 2009; 84 FR 12875, Apr. 3, 2019]

§ 337.205 Critical hiring needs.

(a) OPM will determine when there is a critical hiring need for particular occupations, grades (or equivalent) and/or geographic locations. OPM may decide independently that such a need exists or may make this decision in response to a written request from an agency.

(b) An agency when requesting direct-hire authority under this section, or OPM when deciding on its own, must:

(1) Identify the position(s) that must be filled;

(2) Describe the event or circumstance that has created the need to fill the position(s);

(3) Specify the duration for which the critical need is expected to exist; and

(4) Include supporting evidence that demonstrates why the use of other hiring authorities is impracticable or ineffective.

(c) Information Technology (IT) positions. (1) The head of a covered agency, as defined in paragraph (c)(2) of this section, may determine whether a critical hiring need exists for any position in the information technology management series, general schedule (GS)-2210 or equivalent. In making such a determination, a covered agency must adhere to and use the supporting evidence criteria prescribed in paragraphs (b)(1) through (4) of this section. In addition, a covered agency must maintain a file of the supporting evidence for documentation and reporting purposes. Upon determination of such a finding, an agency head may approve a direct hire authority for covered positions within the agency.

(2) Covered agency. A covered agency is an entity listed in 31 U.S.C. 901(b) (excluding the Department of Defense), or an independent regulatory agency defined in 44 U.S.C. 3502(5).

(3) Notification to the U.S. Office of Personnel Management (OPM). Once the head of a covered agency affirmatively determines the presence of a critical hiring need and the direct hire authority is approved by the agency head, he or she must notify OPM within 10 business days. Such notification must include a description of the supporting evidence relied upon in making the determination.

(4) Using this authority. A covered agency must adhere to all provisions of subpart B of this part.

(5) Length of appointments. A covered agency may use this authority to appoint individuals for a period of more than 1 year, but not more than 4 years, if the direct hire authority remains in effect.

(i) A covered agency may extend an appointment under this authority for up to 4 additional years.

(ii) No individual may serve more than 8 years on an appointment made under these provisions for information technology positions.

(iii) No individual hired under these provisions may be transferred to positions that are not IT positions.

[69 FR 33275, June 15, 2004, as amended at 84 FR 12875, Apr. 3, 2019]

§ 337.206 Special rules for OPM.

(a) OPM may issue direct hire certificates in conjunction with any direct hire authority authorized under subpart B of this part.

(b) OPM will provide participating agencies information concerning applicants entitled to priority consideration under part 330, subpart G, of this chapter who applied to the pooled announcement, and each agency must provide such applicants selection priority in accordance with that subpart.

(c) Each agency using an OPM-issued direct hire certificate must clear RPL and CTAP before making a selection from the certificate in accordance with 5 CFR part 330, subparts B and F.

(d) Agencies using OPM-issued direct hire certificates may not assess applicants for purposes of determining relative qualifications through rating and ranking, but may select among qualified candidates on the basis of relative qualifications.

(e) The requirements of this section apply to OPM-issued direct hire certificates notwithstanding § 337.201(a).

[91 FR 58362, Sept. 15, 2026]

§ 337.207 Terminations, modifications, extensions, and reporting.

(a) Termination and modification. On a periodic basis, for each direct-hire authority, OPM will review agency use of the authority to ensure proper administration and to determine if continued use of the authority is supportable. OPM will terminate or modify a direct-hire authority if it determines that there is no longer a severe shortage of candidates or a critical hiring need. Likewise, when an agency finds there are adequate numbers of qualified candidates for positions previously filled under direct-hire authorities, based on severe shortage of candidates, the agency is required to report this change of events to OPM. OPM may also terminate an agency's authority when the agency has used an authority improperly.

(b) Extension. OPM may extend direct-hire authority if OPM determines, based on relevant, recent, and supportable data, that there is or will continue to be a severe shortage of candidates or a critical hiring need for particular positions as of the date the authority is due to expire. In their requests for extensions of direct-hire authorities, agencies must include an update of the supporting evidence that demonstrated the need for the original authority.

(c) Reporting requirement. On a periodic basis, OPM may request information from agencies regarding their use of these direct-hire authorities. The requested information may include numbers of positions, title, series, and grade of positions advertised under the direct-hire authority, the number of qualified applicants, the specific qualification criteria, and the number of applicants appointed under the authority.

(d) No new appointments may be made under the provisions of section 1413 of Public Law 108-136 after September 30, 2012.

[69 FR 33275, June 15, 2004, as amended at 70 FR 44847, Aug. 4, 2005; 74 FR 61263, Nov. 24, 2009. Redesignated at 91 FR 58362, Sept. 15, 2026]

§ 337.301 Coverage and purpose.

This subpart implements the category rating and selection procedures at 5 U.S.C. 3319. This law authorizes agencies with delegated examining authority under 5 U.S.C. 1104(a)(2) to develop a category rating method as an alternative process to assess applicants for jobs filled through competitive examining.

§ 337.302 Definitions.

In this subpart:

(a) Category rating is synonymous with alternative rating as described at 5 U.S.C. 3319, and is a process of evaluating qualified eligibles by quality categories rather than by assigning individual numeric scores. The agency assesses candidates against job-related criteria and then places them into two or more pre-defined categories.

(b) Quality categories are groupings of individuals with similar levels of job-related competencies or similar levels of knowledge, skills, and abilities.

§ 337.303 Agency responsibilities.

To use a category rating procedure, agencies must:

(a) Establish a system for evaluating applicants that provides for two or more quality categories;

(b) Define each quality category through job analysis conducted in accordance with part 300 of this chapter. Each category must have a clear definition that distinguishes it from other categories;

(c) Describe each quality category in the job announcement and apply the provisions of part 330, subparts B, F, and G of this chapter;

(d) Place applicants into categories based upon their job-related competencies or their knowledge, skills, and abilities; and

(e) Establish documentation and record keeping procedures for reconstruction purposes.

[69 FR 33276, June 15, 2004, as amended at 91 FR 48236, July 31, 2026]

§ 337.304 Veterans' preference.

In this subpart:

(a) Veterans' preference must be applied as prescribed in 5 U.S.C. 3319(b) and (c)(7);

(b) Veterans' preference points as prescribed in § 337.101 are not applied in category rating; and

(c) Sections 3319(b) and 3319(c)(7) of title 5 U.S.C. constitute veterans' preference requirements for purposes of 5 U.S.C. 2302(b)(11)(A) and (B).

[90 FR 43146, Sept. 8, 2025]

§ 338.101 Citizenship.

(a) A person may be admitted to competitive examination only if he is a citizen of or owes permanent allegiance to the United States.

(b) A person may be given an appointment in the competitive service only if he or she is a citizen of or owes permanent allegiance to the United States. However, a noncitizen may be given an appointment in rare cases under § 316.601 of this chapter, unless the appointment is prohibited by statute.

(c) Paragraph (b) of this section applies to reinstatement and transfer as well as to other noncompetitive appointments, and to conversion to career or career-conditional employment.

[33 FR 12429, Sept. 4, 1968, as amended at 57 FR 10124, Mar. 24, 1992]

§ 338.301 Competitive service appointment.

Agencies must ensure that employees who are given competitive service appointments meet the requirements included in the Office of Personnel Management's Operating Manual: Qualification Standards for General Schedule Positions. The Operating Manual is available to the public for review at agency personnel offices and Federal depository libraries, and for purchase from the Government Printing Office.

[62 FR 44535, Aug. 22, 1997]

§ 338.601 Prohibition of maximum-age requirements.

A maximum-age requirement may not be applied in either competitive or noncompetitive examinations for positions in the competitive service except as provided by:

(a) Section 3307 of title 5, United States Code; or

(b) Public Law 93-259 which authorizes OPM to establish a maximum-age requirement after determining that age is an occupational qualification necessary to the performance of the duties of the position.

[40 FR 42734, Sept. 16, 1975]

§ 339.101 Coverage.

This part applies to—

(a) Applicants for and employees in competitive service positions; and

(b) Applicants for and employees in positions excepted from the competitive service when medical issues arise in connection with an OPM regulation that governs a particular personnel action, such as removal of a preference eligible employee in the excepted service under part 752.

§ 339.102 Purpose and effect.

(a) This part defines the circumstances under which OPM permits medical documentation to be required and examinations and/or evaluations conducted to determine the nature of a medical condition that affects safe and efficient performance.

(b) Personnel decisions based wholly or in part on the review of medical documentation, as defined below, and the results of medical examinations and evaluations must be made in accordance with appropriate sections of this part.

(c) Failure to meet medical (which may include psychological) standards and/or physical requirements established under this part means that the applicant or employee is not qualified for the position, unless reasonable accommodation or a waiver is appropriate, in accordance with §§ 339.103 and 339.204. An employee's refusal to be examined or provide medical documentation, as defined below, in accordance with a proper agency order authorized under this part, constitutes a basis for appropriate disciplinary or adverse action. After a tentative job offer of employment conditioned on completion of a medical examination, an applicant's refusal to be examined or provide medical documentation, as defined below, may result in the applicant's removal from further consideration for the position.

§ 339.103 Compliance with disability laws.

(a) The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) of 1990, as amended by the Amendments Act of 2008 (collectively the ADA), establishes prohibitions against discrimination and the requirements for reasonable accommodation that apply to the Federal Government through the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, as amended, 29 U.S.C. 791(f). Consequently, actions under this part must comply with the non-discrimination provisions of the Rehabilitation Act, the non-discrimination provisions of the ADA, and their implementing regulations.

(b) Use of the term “qualified” in this part must comply with the Rehabilitation Act, as amended, and the ADA, as amended. Specifically, a “qualified individual with a disability” means that the individual possess the requisite skill, experience, education, and other job-related requirements of an employment position that the individual holds or seeks, and can perform the essential functions of the position with or without reasonable accommodation.

§ 339.104 Definitions.

For purposes of this part—

Accommodation means reasonable accommodation as described in the ADA.

Arduous or hazardous positions means positions that are dangerous or physically demanding to such a degree that an employee's medical and/or physical condition is necessarily an important consideration in determining ability to perform safely and efficiently.

Medical condition means a health impairment which results from birth, injury or disease, including mental disorder.

Medical documentation or documentation of a medical condition means a copy of a dated, written and signed statement, or a dated copy of actual medical office or hospital records, from a licensed physician or other licensed health practitioner, as these terms are defined below, that contains necessary and relevant information to enable the agency to make an employment decision. To be acceptable, the diagnosis or clinical impression must be justified according to established diagnostic criteria and the conclusions and recommendations must be consistent with generally accepted professional standards. The determination that the diagnosis meets these criteria is made by or in coordination with a licensed physician or, if appropriate, a practitioner of the same discipline as the one who issued the documentation. An acceptable diagnosis must include the information identified by the agency as necessary and relevant to its employment decision. This information may include, but is not limited to, the following:

(1) The history of the medical condition(s), including references to findings from previous examinations, treatment, and responses to treatment;

(2) Clinical findings from the most recent medical evaluation, including any of the following: Findings of physical examination; results of laboratory tests; X-rays; EKGs and/or other special evaluations or diagnostic procedures; and, in the case of psychiatric examination or psychological assessment, the findings of a mental status examination and/or the results of psychological tests, if appropriate;

(3) Diagnosis, including the current clinical status;

(4) Prognosis, including plans for future treatment and an estimate of the expected date of full or partial recovery;

(5) An explanation of the impact of the medical condition(s) on overall health and activities, including the basis for any conclusion as to whether restrictions or accommodations are necessary and, if determined to be necessary, an explanation supporting that determination; and, either of the following:

(6) An explanation of the medical basis for any conclusion that indicates the likelihood that the applicant or employee will suffer sudden incapacitation or subtle incapacitation by carrying out, with or without accommodation, the tasks or duties of a specific position; or

(7) Narrative explanation of the medical basis for any conclusion that the medical condition has or has not become static or well-stabilized and the likelihood that the applicant or employee may experience sudden incapacitation or subtle incapacitation as a result of the medical condition. In this context, “static or well-stabilized” medical condition means a medical condition which is not likely to change as a consequence of the natural progression of the condition, such as a result of the normal aging process, or in response to the work environment or the work itself.

Medical evaluation program means a program of recurring medical examinations or tests established by written agency policy or directive, to safeguard the health of employees whose work may subject them or others to significant health or safety risks due to occupational or environmental exposure or demands. For example, an agency policy or directive may include medical clearances and medical surveillance to test for occupational exposure to biological, chemical, and/or radiological hazardous agents, occupational diseases, and occupational risk.

Medical restriction is a medical determination that an applicant or employee is limited, or prevented from performing a certain type or duration of work or activity (e.g., standing and/or ability to concentrate) or motion (e.g., bending, lifting, pulling), because of a particular medical condition or physical limitation. The purpose of a medical restriction is to try to prevent aggravation, acceleration, exacerbation, or permanent worsening of the medical condition or physical limitation.

Medical standard is a written description of the minimum medical requirements necessary for an applicant or employee to perform essential job duties as a condition of employment.

Medical surveillance is the on-going systematic collection and analysis of health data to improve and protect the health and safety of employees in the workplace, and to monitor for health trends both in individual workers and in population of workers. Medical surveillance can include the tracking of occupational injuries, illnesses, hazards, and exposures, as well as laboratory and examination-based medical data, in order to identify findings that could provide an early warning of, or indicate the risk for, an occupational disease. Medical surveillance also is part of compliance with those Federal and state regulations that require medical monitoring when employees use or are exposed to certain hazardous materials.

Physical requirement is a written description of job-related physical abilities that are essential for performance of the duties of a specific position.

Physician means a licensed Doctor of Medicine or Doctor of Osteopathy, or a physician who is serving on active duty in the uniformed services and is designated by the uniformed service to conduct examinations under this part.

Practitioner means a person providing health services who is not a medical doctor, but who is certified by a national organization, licensed by a State, and/or registered as a health professional to provide the health service in question.

Subtle incapacitation means gradual, initially imperceptible impairment of physical or mental function, whether reversible or not, which is likely to result in safety, performance and/or conduct issues that may undermine the agency's commitment to maintaining a safe working environment for all employees and others.

Sudden incapacitation means abrupt onset of loss of control of physical or mental function(s), whether reversible or not, which is likely to result in safety, performance or conduct issues that may undermine the agency's commitment to maintaining a safe working environment for all employees and others.

§ 339.201 Disqualification by OPM.

OPM must review and decide upon an agency's request to pass over a candidate, who is a preference eligible, on medical grounds pursuant to § 339.306. OPM may deny an applicant employment by reason of physical or mental unfitness for the position for which he or she has applied. An OPM decision under this section or § 339.306 is separate and distinct from a determination of disability pursuant to statutory provisions for disability retirement under the Civil Service Retirement System and the Federal Employees' Retirement System.

§ 339.202 Medical standards.

OPM may establish and/or approve medical standards for a Governmentwide occupation (i.e., an occupation common to more than one agency) or approve revisions to its established medical standards. An individual agency may establish medical standards for positions that predominate in that agency (i.e., where the agency has 50 percent or more of the positions in a particular occupation). Such standards must be justified on the basis that the duties of the positions are arduous or hazardous, or require a certain level of health status for successful performance when the nature of the positions involves a high degree of responsibility toward the public or sensitive national security concerns. The rationale for establishing the standard must be documented and supported by a study(ies) or evaluation(s) establishing the medical standard is job-related to the occupation(s). Medical standards established by agencies must be approved by OPM prior to implementation. Standards established by OPM or an agency must be:

(a) Established by written directive and uniformly applied, and

(b) Directly related to the actual performance and requirements necessary for the performance of the duties of the position.

§ 339.203 Physical requirements.

(a) An agency may establish physical requirements for individual positions without OPM approval when such requirements are considered essential for performance of the duties of a specific position. Physical requirements must be clearly supported by the actual duties of the position, documented in the position description, and supported by a study(ies) or evaluation(s) establishing physical requirement(s) is job-related to the occupation(s).

(b) An applicant or employee may not be disqualified arbitrarily on the basis of physical requirements or other criteria that do not relate specifically to performance of the duties of a specific position.

§ 339.204 Waiver of standards and requirements and medical review boards.

(a) An agency must waive a medical standard or physical requirement established under this part when an applicant or employee, unable to meet that standard or requirement, presents sufficient evidence that the applicant or employee, with or without reasonable accommodation, can perform the essential duties of the position without endangering the health and safety of the applicant or employee or others. Additional information obtained by the agency may be considered in determining whether a waiver is appropriate. An agency may establish timeframes, in writing, for submission of initial or additional information for consideration, with allowance for reasonable extensions.

(b) Agencies may, but are not required to, establish medical review boards to help the agency provide a case-by-case, fact-based, individualized assessment whenever an individual is found to not meet agency medical standards or physical requirements. An agency may also use a medical review board as a forum for a higher level of review within the agency when medical questions or issues arise. If established, the Board is expected to recommend administrative actions that are consistent with applicable law, as well as applicable and current medical practice standards of care, through the combined expertise of its members.

(c) The use and composition of a medical review board will be determined by the agency. Upon request, an agency will provide to OPM information regarding the composition and use of medical review boards. OPM may issue guidance from time to time as to best practices with respect to the composition and use of such boards.

§ 339.205 Medical evaluation programs.

Agencies may establish periodic medical examinations, medical surveillance, or immunization programs by written policies or directives to safeguard the health of employees whose work may expose them or others to significant health or safety risks due to occupational or environmental exposure or demands. This may include the requirement to undergo vaccination with products approved by the Food and Drug Administration (e.g., for national security reasons or in order to fulfill the duties of a position designated as national security sensitive). The need for a medical evaluation program must be clearly supported by the nature of the work. The specific positions covered must be identified and the applicants or employees notified in writing of the reasons for including the positions in the program.

§ 339.206 Disqualification on the basis of medical history.

An employee or applicant may not be disqualified for any position solely on the basis of medical history. For positions subject to medical standards and/or physical requirements, and for positions under medical evaluation programs, a history of a particular medical condition may result in medical disqualification only if the condition at issue is itself disqualifying, recurrence of the condition is based on reasonable medical judgment, and the duties of the position are such that a recurrence of the condition would pose a significant risk of substantial harm to the health and safety of the applicant or employee or others that cannot be eliminated or reduced by reasonable accommodation or any other agency efforts to mitigate risk.

§ 339.301 Authority to require an examination.

(a) A routine pre-employment medical examination is appropriate only for a position with specific medical standards and/or physical requirements, or that is covered by a medical evaluation program established under this part.

(b) Subject to § 339.103, an agency may require an applicant or employee who has applied for or occupies a position that has medical standards and/or physical requirements, or is covered by a medical evaluation program established under this part, to report for a medical examination:

(1) Subsequent to a tentative offer of employment or reemployment (including return to work from medically based absence on the basis of a medical condition);

(2) On a regularly recurring, periodic basis after appointment in accordance with § 339.205; or

(3) Whenever the agency has a reasonable belief, based on objective evidence, that there is a question about an employee's continued capacity to meet the medical standards or physical requirements of a position.

(c) An agency may require an employee who has applied for or is receiving continuation of pay or compensation as a result of an injury or disease covered under the provisions of the Federal Employees' Compensation Act to report for an examination to determine medical limitations that may affect job placement decisions.

(d) An agency may require an employee who is released from his or her competitive level in a reduction in force under part 351 of this chapter to undergo a relevant medical evaluation if the position to which the employee has assignment rights has medical standards and/or physical requirements, that are different from those required in the employee's current position.

(e)(1) An agency may order a psychiatric examination (including a psychological assessment) only when:

(i) The result of a current general medical examination that the agency has the authority to order under this section indicates no physical explanation for behavior or actions that may affect the safe and efficient performance of the applicant or employee, the safety of others, and/or the vulnerability of business operation and information systems to potential threats, or

(ii) A psychiatric examination or psychological assessment is part of the medical standards for a position having medical standards or required under a medical evaluation program established under this part.

(2) A psychiatric examination or psychological assessment authorized under paragraphs (e)(1) of this section must be conducted in accordance with accepted professional standards by a licensed physician certified in psychiatry by the American Board of Psychiatry and Neurology or the American Osteopathic Board of Psychiatry and Neurology, or by a licensed psychologist or clinical neuropsychologist, and may only be used to make inquiry into a person's mental fitness as it directly relates to successfully performing the duties of the position without significant risk to the applicant or employee or others, and/or to the vulnerability of business operation and information systems to potential threats.

§ 339.302 Authority to offer examinations.

An agency may, at its option, offer a medical examination (including a psychiatric examination or psychological assessment) in situations where the agency needs additional medical documentation to make an informed management decision. This may include situations where an employee requests, for medical reasons, a change in duty status, assignment, working conditions, or any other different treatment (including reasonable accommodation or return to work on the basis of full or partial recovery from a medical condition) or where the employee has a performance or conduct problem that may require agency action. Reasons for offering an examination must be documented. When an offer of an examination has been made by an agency and the offer has been accepted by the applicant or employee, the examination must be carried out in accordance with the authorities cited in § 339.103. The results of the examination must also be used in accordance with the authorities cited in § 339.103.

§ 339.303 Medical examination procedures.

(a) When an agency requires or offers a medical or psychiatric examination or psychological assessment under this subpart, it must inform the applicant or employee in writing of its reasons for doing so, the consequences of failure to cooperate, and the right to submit medical information from his or her private physician or practitioner. A single written notification is sufficient to cover a series of regularly recurring or periodic examinations ordered under this subpart. An agency may establish timeframes, in writing, for submission of medical documentation, with allowances for reasonable extensions.

(1) Refusal or failure to report for a medical examination ordered by the agency may be a basis for a determination that the applicant or employee is not qualified for the position. In addition, an employee may be subject to adverse action.

(2) Refusal or failure on the part of an applicant or the employee to authorize release of any results from an agency ordered or offered medical examination issued in accordance with §§ 339.301 or 339.302, or the results of any previous medical treatments or evaluations relative to the identified medical issue, to authorized agency representatives, including the agency physician or medical review officer and/or independent medical specialists, may be a basis for disqualification for the position by the hiring agency. In addition, an employee may be subject to adverse action.

(b) The agency designates the examining physician or other appropriate practitioner, but must offer the applicant or employee an opportunity to submit medical documentation from his or her private physician or practitioner for consideration in the medical examination process. The agency must review and consider all such documentation supplied by the private physician or practitioner. The applicant or employee must authorize release of this documentation to all authorized agency representatives. In situations where the medical documentation of the applicant or employee's private physician or practitioner is contradictory and cannot be resolved by the examining physician or the agency physician or medical review officer, the agency may, at its option, pursue another opinion from an appropriate specialist at agency expense. An applicant or employee also may, at his or her option, pursue another opinion from an appropriate specialist at his or her expense in the event of conflicting or contradictory medical documentation.

§ 339.304 Payment for examination.

(a) An agency must pay for all medical and/or psychological and/or psychiatric examinations required or offered by the agency under this subpart, whether conducted by the agency's physician or medical review officer, an independent medical evaluation specialist (e.g., occupational audiologist) identified by the agency, or a licensed physician or practitioner chosen by the applicant or employee. This includes special evaluations or diagnostic procedures required by an agency.

(b) Following conclusion of the initial medical, psychological, and/or psychiatric examination, the agency physician or medical review officer will render a final medical determination. In certain final medical ineligibility determinations, the agency physician or medical review officer may reference supplemental medical examination, testing or documentation, which the applicant or employee may submit to the agency for consideration and further review relative to potential medical eligibility. Under these circumstances, the applicant or employee is responsible for payment of this further examination, testing and documentation.

(c) An applicant or employee must pay to obtain all relevant medical documentation from his or her private licensed physician or required practitioners in instances where no medical examination is required or offered by the agency, but where the agency requests the applicant or employee to provide medical documentation relative to an identified medical or physical condition in question or where the agency needs medical documentation to render an informed management decision.

(d) An applicant or employee must pay for a medical examination conducted by his or her private licensed physician or practitioner where the purpose of the examination is to secure a change sought by an applicant (e.g., new employment) or by an employee (e.g., a request for change in duty status, reasonable accommodation, and/or job modification).

§ 339.305 Records and reports.

(a) Agencies will receive and maintain all medical documentation and records of examinations obtained under this part in accordance with part 293, subpart E, of this chapter.

(b) The report of an examination conducted under this subpart must be made available to the applicant or employee under the provisions of part 297 of this chapter.

(c) Agencies must forward to the Office of Workers' Compensation Programs (OWCP), Employment Standards Administration, Department of Labor, a copy of all medical documentation and reports of examinations of employees who are receiving or have applied for injury compensation benefits under 5 U.S.C. chapter 81, including continuation of pay. The agency must also report to OWCP the failure of such employees to report for examinations that the agency orders under this subpart. When the employee has applied for disability retirement, this information and any medical documentation or reports of examination must be forwarded to OPM.

§ 339.306 Processing medical eligibility determinations.

(a) In accordance with the provisions of this part, agencies are authorized to medically disqualify a nonpreference eligible. A nonpreference eligible so disqualified has a right to a higher level review of the determination within the agency.

(b) OPM must approve the sufficiency of the agency's reasons to:

(1) Medically disqualify or pass over a preference eligible in order to select a nonpreference eligible for:

(i) A competitive service position under part 332 of this chapter; or

(ii) An excepted service position in the executive branch subject to title 5, U.S. Code;

(2) Medically disqualify or pass over a 30 percent or more compensably disabled veteran for a position in the U.S. Postal Service in favor of a nonpreference eligible;

(3) Medically disqualify a 30 percent or more compensably disabled veteran for assignment to another position in a reduction in force under § 351.702(d) of this chapter; or

(4) Medically disqualify a 30 percent or more disabled veteran for noncompetitive appointment, for example, under § 316.302(b)(4) of this chapter.

§ 340.101 Principal statutory requirements.

This subpart incorporates for the benefit of the user of the principal statutory requirements governing part-time career employment, as contained in 5 U.S.C. 3401-3408, and related provisions of Public Law 95-437.

Short Title

Sec. 1. This Act may be cited as the “Federal Employees Part-Time Career Employment Act of 1978”.

Congressional Findings and Purpose

Sec. 2. (a) The Congress finds that—

(1) many individuals in our society possess great productive potential which goes unused because they cannot meet the requirements of a standard workweek; and

(2) part-time permanent employment—

(A) provides older individuals with a gradual transition into retirement;

(B) provides employment opportunities to handicapped individuals or others who require a reduced workweek;

(C) provides parents opportunities to balance family responsibilities with the need for additional income;

(D) benefits students who must finance their own education or vocational training;

(E) benefits the Government, as an employer, by increasing productivity and job satisfaction, while lowering turnover rates and absenteeism, offering management more flexibility in meeting work requirements, and filling shortages in various occupations; and

(F) benefits society by offering a needed alternative for those individuals who require or prefer shorter hours (despite the reduced income), thus increasing jobs available to reduce unemployment while retaining the skills of individuals who have training and experience.

(b) The purpose of this Act is to provide increased part-time career employment opportunities throughout the Federal Government.

Ҥ 3401. Definitions

“For the purpose of this subchapter—

“(1) ‘agency’ means—

“(A) an Executive agency;

“(B) a military department;

“(C) an agency in the judicial branch;

“(D) the Library of Congress;

“(E) the Botanic Garden; and

“(F) the Office of the Architect of the Capitol; but does not include—

“(i) a Government controlled corporation;

“(ii) the Tennessee Valley Authority;

“(iii) the Alaska Railroad;

“(iv) the Virgin Island Corporation;

“(v) the Panama Canal Company;

“(vi) the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Department of Justice;

“(vii) the Central Intelligence Agency; and

“(viii) the National Security Agency, Department of Defense; and

“(2) ‘part-time career employment’ means part-time employment of 16 to 32 hours a week under a schedule consisting of an equal or varied number of hours per day, whether in a position which would be part-time without regard to this section or one established to allow job-sharing or comparable arrangements, but does not include employment on a temporary or intermittent basis.

Ҥ 3402. Establishment of part-time career employment programs

“(a) (1) In order to promote part-time career employment opportunities in all grade levels, the head of each agency, by regulation, shall establish and maintain a program for part-time career employment within such agency. Such regulations shall provide for—

“(A) the review of positions which, after such positions become vacant, may be filled on a part-time career employment basis (including the establishment of criteria to be used in identifying such positions);

“(B) procedures and criteria to be used in connection with establishing or converting positions for part-time career employment, subject to the limitations of section 3393 of this title;

“(C) annual goals for establishing or converting positions for part-time career employment, and a timetable setting forth interim and final deadlines for achieving such goals;

“(D) a continuing review and evaluation of the part-time career employment program established under such regulations; and

“(E) procedures for notifying the public of vacant part-time positions in such agency, utilizing facilities and funds otherwise available to such agency for the dissemination of information.

“(2) The head of each agency shall provide for communication between, and coordination of the activities of, the individuals within such agency whose responsibilities relate to the part-time career employment program established within that agency.

“(3) Regulations established under paragraph (1) of this subsection may provide for such exceptions as may be necessary to carry out the mission of the agency.

“(b) (1) The Civil Service Commission, by regulation, shall establish and maintain a program under which it shall, on the request of an agency, advise and assist such agency in the establishment and maintenance of its part-time career employment program under this subchapter.

“(2) The Commission shall conduct a research and demonstration program with respect to part-time career employment within the Federal Government. In particular, such program shall be directed to—

“(A) determining the extent to which part-time career employment may be used in filling positions which have not traditionally been open for such employment on any extensive basis, such as supervisory, managerial, and professional positions;

“(B) determining the extent to which job-sharing arrangements may be established for various occupations and positions; and

“(C) evaluating attitudes, benefits, costs, efficiency, and productivity associated with part-time career employment, as well as its various sociological effects as a mode of employment.

Ҥ 3403. Limitations

“(a) An agency shall not abolish any position occupied by an employee in order to make the duties of such position available to be performed on a part-time career employment basis.

“(b) Any person who is employed on a full-time basis in an agency shall not be required to accept part-time employment as a condition of continued employment.

Ҥ 3404. Personnel ceilings

“In administering any personnel ceiling applicable to an agency (or unit therein), an employee employed by such agency on a part-time career employment basis shall be counted as a fraction which is determined by dividing 40 hours into the average number of hours of such employee's regularly scheduled workweek. This section shall become effective on October 1, 1980.

Ҥ 340.101 Nonapplicability

“(a) If, on the date of enactment of this subchapter, there is in effect with respect to positions within an agency a collective-bargaining agreement which establishes the number of hours of employment a week, then this subchapter shall not apply to those positions.

“(b) This subchapter shall not require part-time career employment in positions the rate of basic pay for which is fixed at a rate equal to or greater than the minimum rate fixed for GS-16 of the General Schedule.

Ҥ 340.101 Regulations

“Before any regulation is prescribed under this subchapter, a copy of the proposed regulation shall be published in the Federal Register and an opportunity provided to interested parties to present written comment and, where practicable, oral comment. Initial regulations shall be prescribed not later than 180 days after the date of the enactment of this subchapter.

Ҥ 3407. Reports

“(a) Each agency shall prepare and transmit on a biannual basis a report to the Office of Personnel Management on its activities under this subchapter, including—

“(1) details on such agency's progress in meeting part-time career employment goals established under section 3392 of this title; and

“(2) an explanation of any impediments experienced by such agency in meeting such goals or in otherwise carrying out the provisions of this subchapter, together with a statement of the measures taken to overcome such impediments.

“(b) The Commission shall include in its annual report under section 1308 of this title a statement of its activities under this subchapter, and a description and evaluation of the activities of agencies in carrying out the provisions of this subchapter.

Ҥ 3408. Employee organization representation

“If an employee organization has been accorded exclusive recognition with respect to a unit within an agency, then the employee organization shall be entitled to represent all employees within that unit employed on a part-time career employment basis.”.

(b) Subpart B of the table of chapters of part III of the analysis of chapter 33 of title 5, United States Code, is amended by inserting after the item relating to section 3385 the following:

“SUBCHAPTER VII—PART-TIME CAREER EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES “Sec. “3401. Definitions. “3402. Establishment of part-time career employment programs. “3403. Limitations. “3404. Personnel ceilings. “3405. Nonapplicability. “3406. Regulations. “3407. Reports. “3408. Employee organization representation.

Sec. 4. (a) Section 8347(g) of title 5, United States Code, is amended by adding at the end thereof the following: “However, the Commission may not exclude any employee who occupies a position on a part-time career employment basis (as defined in section 3391(2) of this title).”.

(b) Section 8716(b) of such title 5 is amended—

(1) by striking out of the second sentence “or part-time”;

(2) by striking out “or” at the end of clause (1);

(3) by striking out the period at the end of clause (2) and inserting in lieu thereof “; or”; and

(4) by adding at the end thereof the following:

“(3) an employee who is occupying a position on a part-time career employment basis (as defined in section 3391(2) of this title).”.

(c) (1) Section 8913(b) of such title 5 is amended—

(A) by striking out “or” at the end of clause (1);

(B) by striking out the period at the end of clause (2) and inserting in lieu thereof “; or”; and

(C) by adding at the end thereof the following:

“(3) an employee who is occupying a position on a part-time career employment basis (as defined in section 3391(2) of this title).”.

(2) (A) Section 8906(b) of such title 5 is amended—

(i) by striking out “paragraph (2)” in paragraph (1) and inserting in lieu thereof “paragraphs (2) and (3)”; and

(ii) by adding at the end thereof the following new paragraph:

“(3) In the case of an employee who is occupying a position on a part-time career employment basis (as defined in section 3391 (2) of this title), the biweekly Government contribution shall be equal to the percentage which bears the same ratio to the percentage determined under this subsection (without regard to this paragraph) as the average number of hours of such employee's regularly scheduled workweek bears to the average number of hours in the regularly scheduled workweek of an employee serving in a comparable position on a full-time career basis (as determined under regulations prescribed by the Commission)”.

(B) The amendments made by subparagraph (A) shall not apply with respect to any employee serving in a position on a part-time career employment basis on the date of the enactment of this Act for such period as the employee continues to serve without a break in service in that or any other position on such part-time basis.

Sec. 5. Each report prepared by an agency under section 3397(a) of title 5, United States Code (as added by this Act), shall, to the extent to which part-time career employment opportunities have been extended by such agency during the period covered by such report to each group referred to in subparagraphs (A), (B), (C), and (D), of section 2(a)(2) of this Act.

[44 FR 57380, Oct. 5, 1979, as amended at 49 FR 17722, Apr. 25, 1984]

§ 340.201 Regulatory requirements.

This subpart contains the regulations of the Office of Personnel Management which implement the above sections of chapter 34 (as set out in § 340.101).

§ 340.202 General.

(a) Definitions. Part-time career employment means regularly scheduled work of from 16 to 32 hours per week performed by an employee of an agency as defined in 5 U.S.C. 3401 (a) through (f), who has an appointment in tenure group I or II and who becomes employed on such part-time basis on or after April 8, 1979.

Tenure group I applies to employees in the competitive service under career appointments who are not serving probation and permanent employees in the excepted service whose appointments carry no restrictions or conditions.

Tenure group II applies to employees in the competitive service serving probation, career-conditional employees, and career employees in obligated positions. It also includes employees in the excepted service serving trial periods, whose tenure is indefinite solely because they occupy obligated positions; or whose tenure is equivalent to career-conditional in the competitive service.

(b) Agency Exceptions. As an exception to the general definition of part-time employment in § 340.202(a) and under the authority provided in 5 U.S.C. 3402(a)(3), an agency may permit an employee who has an appointment in tenure group I or II to perform regularly scheduled work of from 1 to 15 hours per week.

(c) Mixed Tours of Duty. The provisions of this subpart and the term “part-time career employment” do not apply to employees with appointments in tenure groups I or II who work under mixed tours of duty. For this purpose, a mixed tour of duty consists of annually recurring periods of full-time, part-time, or intermittent service as long as the employee does not work part-time more than 6 pay periods per calendar year.

[44 FR 57380, Oct. 5, 1979, as amended at 49 FR 17722, Apr. 25, 1984; 60 FR 3061, Jan. 13, 1995]

§ 340.203 Technical assistance.

(a) The Office of Personnel Management shall provide, within available resources, consultation and technical advice and assistance to agencies to aid them in expanding career part-time employment opportunities. This assistance shall include but not be limited to:

(1) Help in developing part-time career employment programs;

(2) Information on public and private sector part-time employment practices;

(3) Development of special recruitment and selection techniques for filling part-time positions;

(4) Interpretations of part-time employment law, regulations and policy;

(5) Guidance on job sharing and position restructuring.

(b) Request for information and assistance should be directed to the Associate Director for Staffing Services, Office of Personnel Management, 1900 E Street, NW., Washington, DC 20415, or the nearest OPM regional office.

§ 340.204 Agency reporting.

(a) Agency reports required under 5 U.S.C. 3407 shall be based on data as of March 31 and September 30 each year and shall be provided to the Office of Personnel Management no later than May 15 and November 15 respectively.

(b) Each agency shall include with such reports a copy of any agencywide part-time career employment program regulations and instructions issued during the 6-month period preceding the report date.

(c) Reports should be sent to the Associate Director for Staffing Services, Office of Personnel Management, 1900 E Street, NW., Washington, DC 20415.

§ 340.401 Definitions.

(a) Seasonal employment means annually recurring periods of work of less than 12 months each year. Seasonal employees are permanent employees who are placed in nonduty/nonpay status and recalled to duty in accordance with preestablished conditions of employment.

(b) Intermittent employment means employment without a regularly scheduled tour of duty.

§ 340.402 Seasonal employment.

(a) Appropriate use. Seasonal employment allows an agency to develop an experienced cadre of employees under career appointment to perform work which recurs predictably year-to-year. Consistent with the career nature of the appointments, seasonal employees receive the full benefits authorized to attract and retain a stable workforce. As a result, seasonal employment is appropriate when the work is expected to last at least 6 months during a calendar year. Recurring work that lasts less than 6 months each year is normally best performed by temporary employees. Seasonal employment may not be used as a substitute for full-time employment or as a buffer for the full-time workforce.

(b) Length of the season. Agencies determine the length of the season, subject to the condition that it be clearly tied to nature of the work. The season must be defined as closely as practicable so that an employee will have a reasonably clear idea of how much work he or she can expect during the year. To minimize the adverse impact of seasonal layoffs, an agency may assign seasonal employees to other work during the projected layoff period. While in nonpay status, a seasonal employee may accept other employment, Federal or non-Federal, subject to the regulations on political activity (part 733 of this title) and on employee responsibilities and conduct (part 735), as well as applicable agency policies. Subject to the limitation on pay from more than one position (5 U.S.C. 5533), a seasonal employee may hold more than one appointment.

(c) Employment agreement. An employment agreement must be executed between the agency and the seasonal employee prior to the employee's entering on duty. At a minimum, the agreement must inform the employee:

(1) That he or she is subject to periodic release and recall as a condition of employment,

(2) The minimum and maximum period the employee can expect to work,

(3) The basis on which release and recall procedures will be effected, and

(4) The benefits to which the employee will be entitled while in a nonpay status.

(d) Release and recall procedures. A seasonal employee is released to nonpay status at the end of a season and recalled to duty the next season. Release and recall procedures must be established in advance and uniformly applied. They may be based on performance, seniority, veterans' preference, other appropriate indices, or a combination of factors. A seasonal layoff is not subject to the procedures for furlough prescribed in parts 351 and 752 of this title. Reduction in force or adverse action procedures, as applicable, are required for a seasonal layoff that is not in accordance with the employment agreement, for example, if an agency intends to have an employee work less than the minimum amount of time specified in the employment agreement. However, an agency may develop a new employment agreement to reflect changing circumstances.

(e) Noncompetitive movement. Seasonal employees serving under career appointment may move to other positions in the same way as other regular career employees.

§ 340.403 Intermittent employment.

(a) Appropriate use. An intermittent work schedule is appropriate only when the nature of the work is sporadic and unpredictable so that a tour of duty cannot be regularly scheduled in advance. When an agency is able to schedule work in advance on a regular basis, it has an obligation to document the change in work schedule from intermittent to part-time or full-time to ensure proper service credit.

(b) Noncompetitive movement. Intermittent employees serving under career appointment may move to other positions in the same way as other regular career employees.

§ 351.201 Use of regulations.

(a)(1) Each agency is responsible for determining the categories within which positions are required, where they are to be located, and when they are to be filled, abolished, or vacated. This includes determining when there is a surplus of employees at a particular location in a particular line of work.

(2) Each agency shall follow this part when it releases a competing employee from his or her competitive level by furlough for more than 30 days, separation, or demotion, or reassignment requiring displacement, when the release is required because of lack of work; shortage of funds; insufficient personnel ceiling; reorganization; or the exercise of reemployment rights or restoration rights.

(b) This part does not require an agency to fill a vacant position. However, when an agency, at its discretion, chooses to fill a vacancy by an employee who has been reached for release from a competitive level for one of the reasons in paragraph (a)(2) of this section, this part shall be followed.

(c) Each agency is responsible for assuring that the provisions in this part are uniformly and consistently applied in any one reduction in force.

(d) An agency authorized to administer foreign national employee programs under section 408 of the Foreign Service Act of 1980 (22 U.S.C. 3968) may include special plans for reduction in force in its foreign national employee programs. In these special plans an agency may give effect to the labor laws and practices of the locality of employment by supplementing the selection factors in subparts D and E of this part to the extent consistent with the public interest. Subpart I of this part does not apply to actions taken under the special plans authorized by this paragraph.

[51 FR 319, Jan. 3, 1986, as amended at 91 FR 49218, Aug. 3, 2026]

§ 351.202 Coverage.

(a) Employees covered. Except as provided in paragraph (b) of this section, this part applies to each civilian employee in:

(1) The executive branch of the Federal Government; and

(2) Those parts of the Federal Government outside the executive branch which are subject by statute to competitive service requirements or are determined by the appropriate legislative or judicial administrative body to be covered hereunder. Coverage includes administrative law judges except as modified by part 930 of this chapter.

(b) Employees exempted. This part does not apply to an employee:

(1) In a position in the Senior Executive Service; or

(2) Whose appointment is required by Congress to be confirmed by, or made with the advice and consent of, the United States Senate, except a postmaster.

(c) Actions exempted. This part does not apply to:

(1) The termination of a temporary or term promotion or the return of an employee to the position held before the temporary or term promotion or to one of equivalent grade and pay.

(2) A change to lower grade based on the reclassification of an employee's position due to the application of new classification standards or the correction of a classification error.

(3) A change to lower grade based on reclassification of an employee's position due to erosion of duties, except that an agency shall not undertake such a reclassification action between the time an agency has formally announced a reduction in force in the employee's competitive area and the completion of the reduction in force where the reclassification action would adversely affect an employee's retention standing in the announced reduction in force.

(4) The change of an employee from regular to substitute in the same pay level in the U.S. Postal Service field service.

(5) The release from a competitive level of a National Guard technician under section 709 of title 32, United States Code.

(6) Placement of an employee serving on an intermittent, part-time, on-call, or seasonal basis in a nonpay and nonduty status in accordance with conditions established at time of appointment.

(7) A change in an employee's work schedule from other-than-full-time to full-time. (A change from full-time to other than full-time for a reason covered in § 351.201(A)(2) is covered by this part.)

(d) Employees excluded from reduction in force competition. An employee holding one of the following appointments is not a “competing employee” for purposes of a reduction in force:

(1) In the excepted service:

(i) An employee serving under a temporary or time-limited appointment limited to one (1) year or less;

(ii) An employee serving a trial period;

(iii) An employee serving under a Schedule C appointment; and

(iv) An employee serving under a Schedule G appointment.

(2) In the competitive service:

(i) An employee serving under an indefinite appointment who is serving an initial probationary period;

(ii) A career-conditional employee serving an initial probationary period; and

(iii) An employee serving under a temporary appointment of one (1) year or less under subpart D of part 316 of this chapter.

(3) An employee holding one of these appointments is not a “competing employee” for purposes of a reduction in force. An agency may retain such an employee while releasing a competing employee, and may furlough, separate, demote, or reassign such an employee for a reason described in § 351.201(a)(2) without determining the employee's retention standing under subparts D and E of this part, applying the order-of-release provisions in subpart F of this part, or providing assignment rights under subpart G of this part, provided the action is otherwise consistent with the terms of the employee's appointment and applicable law.

(4) If an agency furloughs for more than 30 days, separates, demotes, or reassigns an employee described in paragraph (d)(1) or (2) of this section for a reason described in § 351.201(a)(2), and the action is not merely the expiration of a temporary or time-limited appointment according to its terms, the agency must provide written notice under § 351.801. The notice must include notification content in accordance with § 351.802(a)(1), (a)(3), (a)(5), (a)(6) and (b), and must state that the employee is not a competing employee under this paragraph and therefore was not ranked relative to competing employees on a retention register. The notice is not required to include the information described in § 351.802(a)(2) or (a)(4).

[51 FR 319, Jan. 3, 1986, as amended at 60 FR 3062, Jan. 13, 1995; 91 FR 49218, Aug. 3, 2026]

§ 351.203 Definitions.

Link to an amendment published at 91 FR 65916, Oct. 19, 2026.

In this part:

Agency means an Executive agency as defined in 5 U.S.C. 105, along with the Government Publishing Office, but does not include the Government Accountability Office.

Competing employee means an employee in the competitive service tenure group or the excepted service tenure group.

Competitive service tenure group means all employees in competitive service tenure subgroups I or II (as defined in § 351.502).

Current rating of record is the rating of record for the most recently completed appraisal period as provided in § 351.503(c)(3).

Days means calendar days.

Excepted service tenure group means all employees in excepted service tenure subgroups I or II (as defined in § 351.502).

Function means all or a clearly identifiable segment of an agency's mission (including all integral parts of that mission), regardless of how it is performed.

Furlough means the placement of an employee in a temporary nonduty and nonpay status for more than 30 consecutive calendar days, or more than 22 workdays if done on a discontinuous basis over a period not exceeding one (1) year; but it does not refer to an emergency shutdown furlough caused by a lapse in congressional appropriations where the ultimate duration of the furlough is not known by the agency at the outset of the furlough.

Government obligation means a legal or moral duty or action an agency takes or may take towards a competing employee, whether the duty is imposed by law, contract, promise, social relations, courtesy, kindness, or morality. A Government obligation may include, for example, retaining an employee to enable the employee to maintain and utilize his or her health insurance during the pregnancy of the employee or employee's spouse until the birth of a child or allowing an employee to use available paid parental leave to care for a newly born child or a child newly placed with the employee for adoption purposes.

Initial probationary period means the probationary period described in § 11.2 of this chapter and does not include the probationary period applicable on initial appointment to a supervisory or managerial position described in subpart I of part 315 of this chapter.

Local commuting area means the geographic area that usually constitutes one area for employment purposes. It includes any population center (or two or more neighboring ones) and the surrounding localities in which people live and can reasonably be expected to travel back and forth daily to their usual employment.

Military spouse means a spouse of a member of the armed forces (service member), as defined in § 315.612(b)(4)(i) of this chapter.

Modal rating is the summary rating level assigned most frequently among the actual ratings of record that are:

(1) Assigned under the summary level pattern that applies to the employee's position of record on the date of the reduction in force;

(2) Given within the same competitive area, or at the agency's option within a larger subdivision of the agency or agencywide; and

(3) On record for the most recently completed appraisal period prior to the date of issuance of reduction in force notices or the cutoff date the agency specifies prior to the issuance of reduction in force notices after which no new ratings will be put on record.

Rating of record means the performance rating prepared at the end of an appraisal period for performance of agency-assigned duties over the entire period and the assignment of a summary level within a pattern (as specified in § 430.208(e)). For an employee not subject to 5 U.S.C. Chapter 43 or part 430 of this chapter, it means the officially designated performance rating, as provided for in the agency's appraisal system, that is considered to be an equivalent rating of record under the provisions of § 430.201(c) of this chapter.

Reduction in force means the release of a competing employee from his or her competitive level by furlough, separation, or demotion, or reassignment requiring displacement, when the release is required because of lack of work; shortage of funds; insufficient personnel ceiling; reorganization; or the exercise of reemployment rights or restoration rights.

Reorganization means the planned elimination, addition, or redistribution of functions or duties in an organization.

Representative rate means:

(1) The fourth step of the grade for a position covered by the General Schedule, using the locality rate authorized by 5 U.S.C. 5304 and subpart F of part 531 of this chapter for General Schedule positions;

(2) The prevailing rate for a position covered by a wage-board or similar wage-determining procedure, such as provided in the definition of representative rate for Federal Wage System positions in 5 CFR 532.401 of this chapter;

(3) For positions in a pay band, the rate (or rates) the agency designates as representative of that pay band or competitive levels within the pay band, including (as appropriate) any applicable locality payment authorized by 5 U.S.C. 5304 and subpart F of part 531 of this chapter (or equivalent payment under other legal authority); and

(4) For other positions (e.g., positions in an unclassified pay system), the rate the agency designates as representative of the position, including (as appropriate) any applicable locality payment authorized by subpart F of part 531 (or equivalent payment under other legal authority).

Restoration protected employee means a competing employee restored or reemployed following uniformed service who, as of the date of a specific reduction in force notice, remains entitled under § 353.209(b) of this chapter to retention for six (6) months or one (1) year after restoration.

Transfer of function means the transfer of the performance of a continuing function from one agency to another agency, except when the function involved is virtually identical to functions already being performed in the other agency affected.

Trial period means the trial period described in § 11.3 of this chapter.

Undue interruption means a degree of interruption that would prevent the completion of required work by the employee 90 days after the employee has been placed in a different position under this part. The 90-day standard should be considered within the allowable limits of time and quality, taking into account the pressures of priorities, deadlines, and other demands. However, a work program would generally not be unduly interrupted even if an employee needed more than 90 days after the reduction in force to perform the optimum quality or quantity of work. The 90-day standard may be extended if placement is made under this part to a low priority program or to a vacant position.

[51 FR 319, Jan. 3, 1986, as amended at 58 FR 65533, Dec. 15, 1993; 60 FR 3062, Jan. 13, 1995; 62 FR 62500, Nov. 24, 1997; 73 FR 29388, May 21, 2008; 91 FR 49218, Aug. 3, 2026; 91 FR 54795, Aug. 25, 2026]

§ 351.204 Responsibility of agency.

Each agency covered by this part is responsible for following and applying the regulations in this part when the agency determines that a reduction in force is necessary and for ensuring that such regulations are administered and applied consistent with all applicable laws, including the merit system principles set forth in 5 U.S.C. 2301(b).

[91 FR 49219, Aug. 3, 2026]

§ 351.205 Authority of OPM.

The Office of Personnel Management may establish further guidance and instructions for the planning, preparation, conduct, and review of reductions in force. OPM may examine an agency's preparations for reduction in force at any stage. When OPM finds that an agency's preparations are contrary to the express provisions or to the spirit and intent of these regulations or that they would result in violation of employee rights or equities, OPM may require appropriate corrective action.

[51 FR 319, Jan. 3, 1986, as amended at 66 FR 66710, Dec. 27, 2001]

§ 351.301 Applicability.

(a) This subpart is applicable when the work of one or more employees is moved from one agency to another as a transfer of function regardless of whether or not the movement is made under authority of a statute, Executive order, reorganization plan, or other authority.

(b) In a transfer of function, the function must cease in the losing agency and continue in an identical form in the gaining agency.

[52 FR 10024, Mar. 30, 1987, as amended at 60 FR 3062, Jan. 13, 1995; 91 FR 49219, Aug. 3, 2026]

§ 351.302 Transfer of employees.

(a) Before a reduction in force is made in connection with the transfer of any or all of the functions of one agency to another agency, each competing employee in a position identified with the transferring function or functions must be transferred to the agency gaining the function without any change in the tenure of his or her employment.

(b) An employee whose position is transferred under this subpart and who is identified with a function or functions that will be terminated in the gaining agency within 60 days is not a competing employee for other positions in the agency gaining the function or functions and does not have a right to any continuing positions in the agency gaining the function or functions.

(c) Regardless of an employee's personal preference, a competing employee only has the right to transfer with his or her function when the alternative in the agency losing the function is separation or demotion.

(d) Except as permitted in paragraph (e) of this section, the losing agency must use the adverse action procedures found in 5 CFR part 752, if applicable, or other procedures required by law, regulation, or the terms of the employee's appointment, if it chooses to separate a competing employee who declines to transfer with his or her function.

(e) The losing agency may, at its discretion, include competing employees who decline to transfer with their function in a concurrent reduction in force.

(f) An agency may not separate a competing employee who declines to transfer with the function any sooner than it transfers competing employees who chose to transfer with the function to the gaining agency.

(g) Agencies may ask employees whose positions are identified with the transferring function pursuant to § 351.303, via a canvass letter, whether each employee prefers to transfer with the function when the function transfers to a different agency. The canvass letter must give each employee information regarding the consequences of accepting the offer to transfer, and the consequences of declining the offer to transfer. The agency may require an employee to respond to the canvass letter within a set period of time but must give the employee at least 30 calendar days to consider the offer. The agency may treat a failure to respond to the canvass letter as a declination of the offer to transfer with the function, unless the employee establishes that the failure to respond within the specified timeframe was due to circumstances beyond the employee's control such as the employee not receiving the letter or employee or family member illness.

[91 FR 49219, Aug. 3, 2026]

§ 351.303 Identification of positions with a transferring function.

(a) The agency losing the function is responsible for identifying the positions of competing employees with the transferring function. A competing employee is identified with the transferring function on the basis of the employee's official position.

(b) A competing employee is identified with a transferring function if the agency determines that employee performs the function during at least half of his or her work time.

(c) In determining what percentage of time an employee performs a function in the employee's official position, the agency may supplement the employee's official position description by the use of appropriate records (e.g., work reports, organizational time logs, work schedules, etc.) and information obtained from supervisors.

[91 FR 49219, Aug. 3, 2026]

§ 351.401 Determining retention standing.

Each agency shall determine the retention standing of each competing employee on the basis of the factors in this subpart and in subpart E of this part.

§ 351.402 Competitive area.

(a) Each agency shall establish competitive areas in which employees compete for retention under this part.

(b)(1) Except as authorized in paragraph (b)(2) of this section, a competitive area must be defined in terms of the agency's organizational unit(s) and, except as provided in paragraph (e) of this section, it must include all employees within the competitive area so defined. A competitive area may consist of any organizational unit or combination of units established on the agency's official organizational chart. Organizational charts must be available on the agency's public facing web page or otherwise appropriately documented by the agency. An organizational unit for these purposes must be designated/approved by the head of the agency, or designee, and the designation or approval cannot be delegated to an official below the agency's headquarters level. In addition, an organizational unit for these purposes must be clearly distinguished from other organizational units with regard to its operation, work function, staff, and supervisory oversight.

(2) An agency may define a geographic location (e.g., a national park or county) as a separate competitive area.

(3) Notwithstanding paragraph (b)(2) of this section, for the purposes of defining a competitive area, an agency must assign employees working at an approved alternate location to the organizational unit to which they are officially assigned.

(c) If an agency establishes or materially modifies a competitive area within 90 days before issuing specific reduction in force notices for that competitive area, the agency shall submit a description of the competitive area, along with a written statement explaining the bona fide organizational basis for the competitive area, to OPM for approval in advance of the reduction in force. Descriptions of all competitive areas, and accompanying explanations submitted to OPM, must be made readily available for review consistent with national security considerations and applicable laws including the Freedom of Information Act (5 U.S.C. 552), and the Privacy Act (5 U.S.C. 552a).

(d) Each agency shall establish a separate competitive area for each Inspector General activity established under authority of the Inspector General Act of 1978, Public Law 95-452, as amended, in which only employees of that office shall compete for retention under this part.

(e) When an agency finds that a competitive area defined under paragraph (b) of this section includes pay band positions and positions not covered by a pay band, the agency may, at its discretion, define a separate (and additional) competitive area, otherwise consistent with paragraph (b) of this section, to include only pay band positions. The original competitive area would then include only the remaining positions (i.e., those positions not covered by a pay band).

[51 FR 319 Jan. 3, 1986, as amended at 56 FR 65416, Dec. 17, 1991; 62 FR 62500, Nov. 24, 1997; 73 FR 46532, Aug. 11, 2008; 91 FR 49219, Aug. 3, 2026; 91 FR 54795, Aug. 25, 2026]

§ 351.403 Competitive level.

(a)(1) Each agency shall establish competitive levels consisting of all positions in a competitive area which are in the same grade (or occupational level) and classification series, and which are similar enough in duties, qualification requirements, pay schedules, and working conditions so that an agency may reassign the incumbent of one position to any of the other positions in the level without undue interruption.

(2)(i) Except as provided in paragraph (a)(2)(ii) of this section for pay band positions, competitive level determinations are based on each employee's official position of record (including the official position description), not the employee's personal qualifications.

(ii) To establish a competitive level comprised of pay band positions, an agency may supplement an employee's official position of record with other applicable records that document the employee's actual duties and responsibilities.

(3) Sex may not be the basis for a competitive level determination, except for a position OPM designates that certification of eligibles by sex is justified.

(4) A probationary period required by subpart I of part 315 of this chapter for initial appointment to a supervisory or managerial position is not a basis for establishing a separate competitive level.

(5) If a competitive area includes positions in one or more pay bands, each set of interchangeable positions in the pay band under paragraphs (a)(1) through (4) of this section is a separate competitive level (e.g., with interchangeable positions under paragraphs (a)(1) through (4) of this section, each pay band is one competitive level; if the positions are not interchangeable under paragraphs (a)(1) through (4) of this section, the pay band may include multiple competitive levels).

(b) Each agency shall establish separate competitive levels according to the following categories:

(1) By service. Separate levels shall be established for positions in the competitive service and in the excepted service.

(2) By appointment authority. Separate levels shall be established for excepted service positions filled under different appointment authorities.

(3) By pay schedule. Separate levels shall be established for positions under different pay schedules.

(4) By work schedule. Separate levels shall be established for positions filled on a full-time, part-time, intermittent, seasonal, or on-call basis. No distinction may be made among employees in the competitive level on the basis of the number of hours or weeks scheduled to be worked.

(5) By trainee status. Separate levels shall be established for positions filled by an employee in a formally designated trainee or developmental program having all of the characteristics covered in § 351.702(e)(1) through (e)(4) of this part.

(c) An agency may not establish a competitive level based solely upon:

(1) A difference in the number of hours or weeks scheduled to be worked by other-than-full-time employees who would otherwise be in the same competitive level;

(2) A requirement to work changing shifts;

(3) The grade promotion potential of the position; or

(4) A difference in the local wage areas when a competitive area includes positions covered by more than one wage-board or similar wage-determining procedure;

(5) A difference in locality payments under 5 U.S.C. 5304 and subpart F of part 531 of this chapter when a competitive level includes more than one locality pay area listed in § 531.603 of this chapter; or

(6) Representative rates in different local commuting areas when a competitive area includes General Schedule (GS) and Federal Wage System (FWS) positions in multiple GS locality pay areas, and/or FWS local wage areas.

[51 FR 319, Jan. 3, 1986, as amended at 60 FR 3062, Jan. 13, 1995; 62 FR 62500, Nov. 24, 1997; 73 FR 29388, May 21, 2008; 73 FR 46532, Aug. 11, 2008]

§ 351.404 Retention register.

(a) When a competing employee is to be released from a competitive level under this part, the agency shall establish a separate retention register for that competitive level. The retention register is prepared from the current retention records of employees. Upon displacing another employee under this part, an employee retains the same status and tenure in the new position. Except for an employee on military duty with a restoration right, the agency shall enter on the retention register, in the order of retention standing, the name of each competing employee who is:

(1) In the competitive level;

(2) Temporarily promoted from the competitive level by temporary or term promotion; or

(3) Detailed from the competitive level under 5 U.S.C. 3341 or other appropriate authority.

(b)(1) The name of each employee serving under a time limited appointment or promotion to a position in a competitive level shall be entered on a list apart from the retention register for that competitive level, along with the expiration date of the action.

(2) The agency shall list, at the bottom of the list prepared under paragraph (b)(1) of this section, the name of each employee in the competitive level with a written decision of removal under part 432 or 752 of this chapter.

[51 FR 319, Jan. 3, 1986, as amended at 62 FR 62500, Nov. 24, 1997]

§ 351.405 Demoted employees.

An employee who has received a written decision under part 432 or 752 of this chapter to demote him or her competes under this part from the position to which he or she will be or has been demoted.

[62 FR 62500, Nov. 24, 1997]

§ 351.501 Order of retention.

When determining the order of retention in a reduction in force under this part, an agency must classify competing employees on the appropriate retention register on the basis of four factors (tenure of employment, performance, veterans' preference, and length of service) as follows:

(a) By tenure group, with the competitive service tenure group and the excepted service tenure group listed on separate retention registers;

(b) Within each tenure group, by performance credit in descending order as determined in § 351.503, as augmented by veterans' preference as described in § 351.504;

(c) When two or more competing employees have the same performance credit, as augmented by veterans' preference as described in § 351.504, the competing employees are further ranked in descending order by tenure subgroups (as described in § 351.502), with tenure subgroup I listed ahead of tenure subgroup II, and then by years of service beginning with the earliest service computation date, as computed under § 351.505.

§ 351.502 Tenure of employment.

(a) Competitive service. Tenure groups and subgroups in the competitive service are defined as follows:

(1) The competitive service tenure group includes all employees in competitive service tenure subgroups I or II.

(2) Competitive service tenure subgroup I includes each career employee (as that term is used in part 315 of this chapter) in the competitive service who, as of the date the employee receives a specific reduction in force notice, is not serving an initial probationary period. The following employees are in competitive service tenure subgroup I as soon as the employee completes any required probationary period for initial appointment:

(i) An employee for whom substantial evidence exists of eligibility to acquire status and career tenure immediately, and whose case is pending final resolution by OPM (including cases under Executive Order 10826 to correct certain administrative errors);

(ii) An employee who acquires competitive status and satisfies the service requirement for career tenure when the employee's position is brought into the competitive service;

(iii) An administrative law judge appointed prior to establishment of excepted service schedule E and who remains in the competitive service;

(iv) An employee appointed under 5 U.S.C. 3104, which provides for the employment of specially-qualified scientific or professional personnel, or a similar authority; and

(v) An employee who acquired status under 5 U.S.C. 3304(c) on transfer to the competitive service from the legislative or judicial branches of the Federal Government.

(3) Competitive service tenure subgroup II includes each employee in the competitive service who, as of the date the employee receives a specific reduction in force notice, is not in competitive service tenure subgroup I and is not serving an initial probationary period or a temporary appointment of 1 year or less under subpart D of part 316 of this chapter.

(b) Excepted service. Tenure groups and subgroups in the excepted service are defined as follows:

(1) The excepted service tenure group includes all employees in excepted service tenure subgroups I or II.

(2) Excepted service tenure subgroup I includes all employees occupying a career position (as defined in part 213 of this chapter) in the excepted service who, as of the date the employee receives a specific reduction in force notice, are not serving a trial period and whose appointment carries no restriction or condition such as conditional, indefinite, or specific time limit.

(3) Excepted service tenure subgroup II includes all other employees occupying a career position (as defined in part 213 of this chapter) in the excepted service who, as of the date the employee receives a specific reduction in force notice, are not serving a trial period and who are not serving in a temporary or time-limited appointment of 1 year or less.

§ 351.503 Performance.

Link to an amendment published at 91 FR 65916, Oct. 19, 2026.

(a) Calculation of performance credit. Determine each competing employee's performance credit as follows:

(1) For each rating used, assign a numerical value as follows in conjunction with the patterns of summary level in 5 CFR 430.208(e): 7 for a Level 5 (Outstanding or equivalent) summary level, 5 for a Level 4 (Exceeds Fully Successful or equivalent) summary level, 3 for a Level 3 (Fully Successful or equivalent) summary level, 0 for a Level 2 (Minimally Satisfactory or equivalent) summary level, 0 for a Level 1 (Unacceptable) summary level.

(2) Sum the values assigned for each rating.

(b) Ratings used. (1) Subject to paragraph (c)(3) of this section, only ratings of record may be used as the basis for classifying an employee's performance in a reduction in force.

(2) For competing employees who received ratings of record while covered by part 430, subpart B, of this chapter, the summary levels assigned for those ratings of record must be used to establish the employee's performance credit in a reduction in force in accordance with paragraph (a) of this section (as augmented by veterans' preference in accordance with § 351.504).

(3) For competing employees who received performance ratings while not covered by the provisions of 5 U.S.C. chapter 43 and subpart B of part 430 of this chapter, those performance ratings must be considered ratings of record with summary levels for designating an employee's performance credit in a reduction in force only when the agency conducting the reduction in force determines, in its sole discretion, that those performance ratings are equivalent to ratings of record under the provisions of § 430.201(c).

(c) Consideration of performance. (1) A competing employee's entitlement to performance consideration under this subpart must be based on the employee's three most recent summary level ratings of record received during the 4-year period prior to the date of issuance of reduction in force notices, except as otherwise provided in this section.

(2) To provide adequate time to determine employee performance credit, an agency may provide for a cutoff date, a specified number of days prior to the issuance of reduction in force notices after which no new ratings of record will be put on record and used for purposes of this subpart. When a cutoff date is used, an employee's performance credit will be based on the three most recent ratings of record received during the 4-year period prior to the cutoff date.

(3) To be considered for purposes of this subpart, a rating of record and its assigned summary level (including any adjustments to performance consistent with this subpart) must have been issued to the employee, with all appropriate reviews and signatures, and must also be on record (i.e., the rating of record is available for use by the office responsible for establishing retention registers).

(4) The use of performance ratings of record and assigned summary levels (including any adjustments to performance) for purposes of this subpart must be uniformly and consistently applied within a competitive area, and must be consistent with an agency's appropriate issuance(s) that implement this part. Each agency must specify in its appropriate issuance(s):

(i) The conditions under which a rating of record is considered to have been received for purposes of determining whether it is within the 4-year period prior to either the date the agency issues reduction in force notices or the agency-established cutoff date for ratings of record, as appropriate; and

(ii) If the agency elects to use a cutoff date, the number of days prior to the issuance of reduction in force notices after which no new ratings of record will be put on record and used for purposes of this subpart.

(d) Single rating pattern. If all competing employees in a reduction in force competitive area have received ratings of record under a single pattern of summary levels as set forth in § 430.208(e), an agency must calculate performance credit as described in paragraph (a) of this section, except that an agency may, in its sole and exclusive discretion, assign additional points for performance for employees covered under a summary level appraisal system in which the highest summary level is a level “3” rating (i.e., a pattern A 'pass/fail', or pattern D system authorized under § 430.208(d) of this chapter, as in effect prior to the final rule published at 91 FR 41521 (July 7, 2026)), subject to the following limitations:

(1) An agency may, in its sole and exclusive discretion, assign additional points to level “3” employees with demonstrated exceptional performance if, within the 4-year period prior to either the date the agency issues reduction in force notices or the agency-established cutoff date for ratings of record, the agency has applied performance-related criteria and taken an action that recognizes the employee's exceptional performance. Such actions may include awarding an employee: the highest Agency or Departmental award (such as a Secretary's or Chairman's award), a special act or service award, a quality step increase, or other performance awards or bonuses (e.g., a 'time-off' for demonstrated performance above expectations).

(2) An agency may determine, in its sole and exclusive discretion, whether to give more weight to the performance-related action(s) described in paragraph (d)(1) of this section for purposes of differentiating performance on a retention register. Points may be added to the value assigned for the rating of record on an annual basis or as a single addition to the calculated performance credit.

(3) An agency that chooses to assign additional credit for performance must specify and document, in advance of the reduction in force, how it will prioritize performance awards for these purposes and make these criteria readily available for review.

(e) Multiple rating patterns. (1) If an agency has employees in a competitive area who have ratings of record under more than one pattern of summary levels, as set forth in § 430.208(e), it may, in its sole and exclusive discretion, elect to provide additional retention credit for performance in accordance with the following:

(i) An agency may transmute or assign an employee a higher summary level rating than what he or she received under their previous appraisal system only when there is documented evidence of exceptional or higher level performance as evidenced by an employee who received the highest Agency or Departmental award (such as a Secretary's or Chairman's award), a quality step increase, or appraisal performance awards or bonuses (e.g., a “time-off” for demonstrated performance above expectations in lieu of a cash bonus); and

(ii) If an agency chooses to provide additional retention credit for performance in accordance with paragraph (e)(1)(i) of this section, it must specify and document, in advance of the reduction in force, the basis on which it will transmute an employee's rating; i.e., the agency must describe how it will translate evidence of documented exceptional performance to a higher performance rating under the appraisal system (i.e., pattern of summary level) being applied to the reduction in force, make these criteria readily available for review, and apply them consistently to all competing employees.

(2) An agency that elects to provide additional retention credit to competing employees in accordance with paragraph (e)(1)(i) of this section must transmute the rating of the employee who meets the criteria set forth in that paragraph to the highest summary level of the pattern summary level being applied to the reduction in force (i.e., a level “4” rating if the agency conducting the reduction in force uses a pattern C or G summary level appraisal system, or a level “5” rating if the agency uses a pattern B, E, F, or H summary level appraisal system, as authorized under § 430.208(d) of this chapter, as in effect prior to the final rule published at 91 FR 41521 (July 7, 2026)). An agency cannot transmute a rating to a summary level which is not among those in the pattern being applied to the reduction in force.

(3) In situations in which the agency conducting the reduction in force is using a pattern summary level rating appraisal system with a summary level no higher than a level “3” (i.e., a pass/fail system) but has employees rated previously under a pattern with higher summary levels, the agency may, in its sole and exclusive discretion, elect to give more performance credit to the employees with the higher summary ratings than it gives to summary level “3” employees with no documented evidence of exceptional performance (before augmenting for veterans' preference in accordance with § 351.504).

(f) Missing ratings. Use of performance ratings for competing employees who do not have three actual ratings of record during the 4-year period prior to the date of issuance of reduction in force notices or the 4-year period prior to the agency-established cutoff date for ratings of record permitted in paragraph (c)(2) of this section must be determined under paragraph (c) of this section, as appropriate, and as follows:

(1) The performance credit of an employee who has not received any rating of record for any year during the 4-year period must be based on the modal rating as defined in § 351.203 for the summary level pattern that applies to the employee's official position of record at the time of the reduction in force.

(2) For an employee who has received two previous ratings of record during the 4-year period calculate the performance credit by using a proxy value for the missing rating. Calculate the proxy value by adding the assigned values for the two actual ratings of record and dividing by 2, with the result being either (1) a whole number or (2) a number with .5 decimal value. The performance credit is the sum of the value for the missing rating (i.e., the proxy value) and the values for the two actual ratings.

(3) For an employee with only one actual rating of record during the period, calculate the performance credit by multiplying the points assigned for that rating of record times three.

[91 FR 49220, Aug. 3, 2026; 91 FR 54795, Aug. 25, 2026]

§ 351.504 Veterans' preference.

(a) Veterans' preference for both competitive and excepted service employees is applied as follows:

(1) Each preference eligible employee who has a compensable service-connected disability of 30 percent or more receives an additional 5 points added to their performance credit. These employees must be identified as being in veterans' preference Subgroup AD on the retention register.

(2) Every other preference eligible employee receives an additional 3 points added to their performance credit. These employees must be identified as being in veterans' preference Subgroup A on the retention register.

(3) Non-preference eligible employees receive 0 additional points added to their performance credit. These employees must be identified as being in veterans' preference Subgroup B on the retention register.

(b) A retired member of a uniformed service is considered a preference eligible under this part only if the member meets at least one of the conditions of the following paragraphs (b)(1), (2), or (3) of this section, except as limited by paragraph (b)(4) or (b)(5):

(1) The employee's military retirement is based on disability that either:

(i) Resulted from injury or disease received in the line of duty as a direct result of armed conflict; or

(ii) Was caused by an instrumentality of war incurred in the line of duty during a period of war as defined by 38 U.S.C. 101 and 301.

(2) The employee's retired pay from a uniformed service is not based upon 20 or more years of full-time active service, regardless of when performed but not including periods of active duty for training.

(3) The employee has been continuously employed in a position covered by this part since November 30, 1964, without a break in service of more than 30 days.

(4) An employee retired at the rank of major or above (or equivalent) is considered a preference eligible under this part if such employee is a disabled veteran as defined in 5 U.S.C. 2108(2) and meets one of the conditions covered in paragraphs (b)(1), (2), or (3) of this section.

(5) An employee who is eligible for retired pay under 10 U.S.C. chapter 67 and who retired at the rank of major or above (or equivalent) is considered a preference eligible under this part at age 60, only if such employee is a disabled veteran as defined in 5 U.S.C. 2108(2).

§ 351.505 Length of service.

(a) All civilian service as a Federal employee, as defined in 5 U.S.C. 2105(a), is creditable for purposes of this part. Civilian service performed in employment that does not meet the definition of Federal employee set forth in 5 U.S.C. 2105(a) is creditable for purposes of this part only if specifically authorized by statute as creditable for retention purposes.

(b)(1) As authorized by 5 U.S.C. 3502(a)(A), all active duty in a uniformed service, as defined in 5 U.S.C. 2101(3), is creditable for purposes of this part, except as provided in paragraphs (b)(2) and (b)(3) of this section.

(2) As authorized by 5 U.S.C. 3502(a)(B), a retired member of a uniformed service who is covered by § 351.504(b) is entitled to credit under this part only for:

(i) The length of time in active service in the Armed Forces during a war, or in a campaign or expedition for which a campaign or expedition badge has been authorized; or

(ii) The total length of time in active service in the Armed Forces if the employee is considered a preference eligible under 5 U.S.C. 2108 and 5 U.S.C. 3501(a), as implemented in § 351.504(b).

(3) An employee may not receive dual service credit for purposes of this part for service performed on active duty in the Armed Forces that was performed during concurrent civilian employment as a Federal employee, as defined in 5 U.S.C. 2105(a).

(c)(1) The agency is responsible for establishing the service computation date applicable to each employee competing for retention under this part. If applicable, the agency is also responsible for adjusting the service computation date to withhold retention service credit for non-creditable service.

(2) The service computation date includes all actual creditable service under paragraph (a) and paragraph (b) of this section.

(d) The service computation date is computed on the following basis:

(1) The effective date of appointment as a Federal employee under 5 U.S.C. 2105(a) when the employee has no previous creditable service under paragraph (a) or (b) of this section; or if applicable,

(2) The date calculated by subtracting the employee's total previous creditable service under paragraph (a) or (b) of this section from the most recent effective date of appointment as a Federal employee under 5 U.S.C. 2105(a).

§ 351.506 Records.

(a) The agency is responsible for maintaining correct personnel records that are used to determine the retention standing of its employees competing for retention under this part.

(b) The agency must allow its retention registers and related records to be inspected by:

(1) An employee of the agency who has received a specific reduction in force notice, and/or the employee's representative if the representative is acting on behalf of the individual employee; and

(2) An authorized representative of OPM.

(c) An employee who has received a specific notice of reduction in force under the authority of subpart H of this part has the right to review any completed records used by the agency in a reduction in force action that was taken, or will be taken, against the employee, including:

(1) The complete retention register, if applicable, with the released employee's name and other relevant retention information (including the names of all other employees listed on that register, the employee's performance credit calculated under § 351.503 as augmented by veterans' preference under § 351.504, and the employee's service computation date under § 351.505), so that the employee may consider how the agency constructed the competitive level, and how the agency determined the relative retention standing of the competing employees; and

(2) The complete retention registers, if applicable, for other positions that could affect the composition of the employee's competitive level, and/or the determination of the employee's assignment rights (e.g., registers to which the released employee may have potential assignment rights under § 351.701(b)).

(d) An employee who has not received a specific reduction in force notice has no right under this section to review the agency's retention registers and related records. This paragraph does not limit any right of access available under another statute or regulation.

(e) The agency is responsible for ensuring that each employee's access to retention records is consistent with both the Freedom of Information Act (5 U.S.C. 552), and the Privacy Act (5 U.S.C. 552a).

(f) The agency must preserve all registers and records relating to a reduction in force for at least 2 years after the date it issues a specific reduction in force notice.

[91 FR 49220, Aug. 3, 2026; 91 FR 54795, Aug. 25, 2026]

§ 351.507 Effective date of retention standing.

(a) The retention standing of each employee released from a competitive level in the order prescribed in § 351.601 is determined as of the date the employee receives a specific reduction in force notice.

(b) The retention standing of each employee retained in a competitive level as an exception under § 351.606(b), § 351.607, or § 351.608 is determined as of the date the employee receives a specific reduction in force notice, irrespective of when the employee would have been released had the exception not been used. The retention standing of each employee retained under any of these provisions remains fixed until completion of the reduction in force action which resulted in the temporary retention.

(c) When an agency discovers an error in the determination of an employee's retention standing, it must correct the error and adjust any erroneous reduction in force action to accord with the employee's proper retention standing as of the effective date established by this section.

§ 351.601 Order of release from competitive level.

(a) Each agency must select competing employees for release from a competitive level (including release from a competitive level involving a pay band) under this part in the inverse order of retention standing, beginning with the employee with the lowest retention standing on the retention register. An agency may not release a competing employee from a competitive level while retaining in that level an employee with lower retention standing except:

(1) As required under § 351.606 when an employee is retained under a mandatory exception or under § 351.806 when an employee is entitled to a new written notice of reduction in force; or

(2) As permitted under § 351.607 when an employee is retained under a permissive continuing exception or under § 351.608 when an employee is retained under a permissive temporary exception.

(b) At its option an agency may provide for intervening displacement within the competitive level before final release of the employee with the lowest-retention standing from the competitive level.

(c) When competing employees in the same tenure group have identical performance credits as calculated pursuant to § 351.503 (as augmented by veterans' preference as described in § 351.504), are in the same tenure subgroup, and have identical service dates (as calculated pursuant to § 351.505) and are therefore tied for release from a competitive level, the agency may select any tied employee for release.

[73 FR 29388, May 21, 2008, as amended at 91 FR 49223, Aug. 3, 2026]

§ 351.602 Prohibitions.

An agency may not release a competing employee from a competitive level while retaining in that level an employee with:

(a) A specifically limited temporary or term promotion; or

(b) A written decision under part 432 or 752 of this chapter of removal or demotion from the competitive level.

[91 FR 49223, Aug. 3, 2026]

§ 351.603 Actions subsequent to release from competitive level.

An employee reached for release from a competitive level shall be offered assignment to another position in accordance with subpart G of this part. If the employee accepts, the employee shall be assigned to the position offered. If the employee has no assignment right or does not accept an offer under subpart G, the employee shall be furloughed or separated.

§ 351.604 Use of furlough.

(a) An agency may furlough a competing employee only when it intends within 1 year to recall the employee to duty in the position from which furloughed.

(b) An agency may not separate a competing employee under this part while an employee with lower retention standing in the same competitive level is on furlough.

(c) An agency may not furlough a competing employee for more than 1 year.

(d) When an agency recalls employees to duty in the competitive level from which furloughed, it shall recall them in the order of their retention standing, beginning with highest standing employee.

§ 351.605 Abolishment of a competitive area.

(a) Appropriate use. An agency may use this provision to reduce the administrative burden of conducting a reduction in force when it will eliminate all positions (including the positions of employees otherwise excluded from reduction in force competition under § 351.202(d)) within a competitive area within 180 days.

(b) Abolishment of competitive area. When an agency is abolishing all positions in a competitive area within 180 days it may release a competing employee without regard to retention standing. When invoking this provision, an agency is not required to follow §§ 351.403, 351.404, and 351.501 through 351.505. The agency must provide for the exceptions under § 351.606. The agency may provide for the exceptions under § 351.608(c)-(f) without providing notice under § 351.608(a)(4).

(c) Notice. An agency must provide any competing employee released under this provision with written notice in accordance with § 351.801. The notice must include notification content in accordance with § 351.802(a)(1), (a)(3), (a)(5), (a)(6) and (b); must identify the competitive area being abolished; and must state that, because all positions in the employee's competitive area are being abolished pursuant to this section, the employee was not ranked relative to other competing employees in the reduction in force. The notice is not required to include the information described in § 351.802(a)(2) or (a)(4).

(d) Retention register not required. When using this provision, an agency is not required to rank competing employees in the abolished competitive area, and must not apply assignment rights pursuant to subpart G of this part, because no positions in the competitive area will remain.

[91 FR 49223, Aug. 3, 2026]

§ 351.606 Mandatory exceptions.

(a) Armed Forces restoration rights. (1) When an agency applies § 351.601 or § 351.605, it must provide a mandatory exception for each competing employee entitled under § 353.209(b) to retention for, as applicable, 6 months or 1 year after restoration.

(2) The agency shall first determine the employee's ordinary retention standing under subpart E of this part. The agency shall then apply this paragraph as a mandatory exception to the order of release. The agency may not release a restoration protected employee from his or her competitive level before the expiration of the applicable retention protection period if another competing employee may be released instead.

(3) If no other competing employee may be released (such as when an entire competitive area is abolished pursuant to § 351.605), the agency may not separate the restoration protected employee by reduction in force during the applicable retention protection period. The agency must instead reassign the employee, as necessary, to another position of like seniority, status, and pay for which the employee is qualified, consistent with part 353 of this chapter.

(4) If the entire agency is abolished and the employee's function has not been transferred to another agency, or if it is otherwise impossible or unreasonable for the agency to reassign the employee, OPM will offer placement assistance to the employee in accordance with 38 U.S.C. 4314 and § 353.110 of this chapter.

(5) This paragraph does not:

(i) Alter the restoration protected employee's retention standing under subpart E;

(ii) Affect the agency's authority to take an action against a restoration protected employee under part 432 or 752 of this chapter; or

(iii) Affect an agency's authority to make a mandatory, permissive continuing, or permissive temporary exception to the order of release under paragraph (b) of this section or § 351.607 or § 351.608 so long as required documentation is maintained and appropriate notice provided, and provided that such exception may not result in the discharge of a restoration protected employee during the period described in § 353.209(b).

(6) For each restoration protected employee, the agency must document the employee's ordinary retention standing, the basis for the restoration protection, the date the protection expires, and any employee released because the restoration protected employee was passed over. The agency must maintain this documentation on the retention register or, if no retention register is prepared under § 351.605, in the agency's reduction in force records.

(b) Use of annual leave to reach initial eligibility for retirement or continuance of health benefits. (1) An agency shall make a temporary exception under this section to retain an employee who is being involuntarily separated under this part, and who elects to use annual leave to remain on the agency's rolls after the effective date the employee would otherwise have been separated by reduction in force, in order to establish initial eligibility for immediate retirement under 5 U.S.C. 8336, 8412, or 8414, and/or to establish initial eligibility under 5 U.S.C. 8905 to continue health benefits coverage into retirement.

(2) An agency shall make a temporary exception under this section to retain an employee who is being involuntarily separated under authority of part 752 of this chapter because of the employee's decision to decline relocation (including transfer of function), and who elects to use annual leave to remain on the agency's rolls after the effective date the employee would otherwise have been separated by adverse action, in order to establish initial eligibility for immediate retirement under 5 U.S.C. 8336, 8412, or 8414, and/or to establish initial eligibility under 5 U.S.C. 8905 to continue health benefits coverage into retirement.

(3) An employee retained under paragraph (b) by this section must be covered by chapter 63 of title 5, United States Code.

(4) An agency may not retain an employee under paragraph (b) of this section past the date that the employee first becomes eligible for immediate retirement, or for continuation of health benefits into retirement, except that an employee may be retained long enough to satisfy both retirement and health benefits requirements.

(5) Except as permitted by 5 CFR 351.608(d), an agency may not approve an employee's use of any other type of leave after the employee has been retained under a temporary exception authorized by paragraph (b) of this section.

(6) Annual leave for purposes of paragraph (b) of this section is described in § 630.212 of this chapter.

(c) Documentation. Each agency shall record on the retention register, for inspection by each employee, the reasons for any deviation from the order of release required by § 351.601.

[62 FR 10682, Mar. 10, 1997, as amended at 91 FR 49223, Aug. 3, 2026; 91 FR 54795, Aug. 25, 2026]

§ 351.607 Discretionary continuing exceptions.

An agency may make an exception to the order of release in § 351.601 and to the action provisions of § 351.603 when needed to retain an employee (i.e., extend an employee's separation date) on duties that cannot be taken over within 90 days and without undue interruption to the activity by an employee with higher retention standing. The agency must notify in writing each higher-standing employee reached for release from the same competitive level of the reasons for the exception.

[91 FR 49224, Aug. 3, 2026]

§ 351.608 Discretionary temporary exceptions.

(a) General. (1) An agency may use one of the exceptions authorized under this section to retain an employee (i.e., extend an employee's separation date) after the effective date of a reduction in force, notwithstanding the order of release under § 351.601 or the action provisions under § 351.603. Temporary exceptions are time-limited, but the duration may vary depending on a variety of factors as provided in paragraphs (b) through (g) of this section.

(2) After the effective date of a reduction in force action, an agency may not amend or cancel the reduction in force notice of an employee retained under a temporary exception to avoid completion of the reduction in force action. This does not preclude the employee from receiving or accepting a job offer in the same competitive area in accordance with a Reemployment Priority List established under part 330, subpart B, of this chapter, or under a Career Transition Assistance Plan established under part 330, subpart F, of this chapter, or equivalent programs.

(3) Each exception under a paragraph in this section stands alone and may not be sequenced or stacked in combination with another exception. If an agency determines that it can approve more than one exception for an employee, the agency may apply the exception that provides for the longest period of retention.

(4) When an agency makes an exception under this section for more than 30 days, it must:

(i) Notify in writing each higher standing employee in the same competitive level reached for release of the reasons for the exception and the latest date the lower standing employee's retention is projected to end; and

(ii) List opposite the employee's name on the retention register the reasons for the exception and the latest date the employee's retention is projected to end.

(b) Undue interruption. An agency may make a temporary exception for not more than 90 days when needed to continue an activity without undue interruption.

(c) Government obligation. An agency may make a temporary exception to satisfy a Government obligation to an employee. Any application of this exception is subject to the conditions and limitations established by the agency and this section. The employee must use leave (paid or unpaid) or paid time off continuously to cover all tour of duty hours during the period the exception is in effect. The use of each type of leave or paid time off must be consistent with the established rules governing its use. Administrative leave under 5 CFR part 630, subpart N (or similar authority) may not be used. The exception may not take effect unless the employee signs a written agreement in which the employee attests that he or she understands and agrees with the conditions and limitations established by the agency and this section. Authorized agency applications of this exception include the following:

(1) An exception may be approved under this paragraph (c) for an employee who is eligible for, and has not exhausted, paid parental leave under 5 U.S.C. 6382(d)(2) (or equivalent authority) based on the birth of a child of the employee before the effective date of the reduction in force. The exception may be approved through the date by which the employee would be able to use all remaining available paid parental leave to the employee's credit in connection with the birth, if the leave is used continuously starting on the effective date of the reduction in force.

(2) An exception may be approved under this paragraph (c) for an employee who is eligible for, and has not exhausted, paid parental leave under 5 U.S.C. 6382(d)(2) (or equivalent authority) based on the placement of a child with the employee for adoption purposes before the effective date of the reduction in force. The exception may be approved through the date by which the employee would be able to use all remaining available paid parental leave to the employee's credit in connection with the placement, if the leave is used continuously starting on the effective date of the reduction in force.

(3) An exception may be approved under this paragraph (c) for an employee who is pregnant, or whose spouse is pregnant, as of the effective date of reduction in force and who would be eligible for paid parental leave under 5 U.S.C. 6382(d)(2) (or equivalent authority) based on the expected birth. The exception may be approved through the date that is 12 weeks after the birth.

(d) Leave for a sick leave purpose. An agency may make a temporary exception to retain an employee covered by 5 U.S.C. chapter 63 (or other applicable leave system for Federal employees), who has a condition or circumstance that would warrant continuous use of sick leave during all tour-of-duty hours of the period of retention if the employee had available sick leave, provided—

(1) Such condition or circumstance continues throughout the period of retention;

(2) The employee first uses any available sick leave in accordance with the requirements 5 CFR part 630, subpart D (or other applicable sick leave system), before using any other appropriate leave (paid or unpaid) or paid time off, consistent with any applicable requirements governing use of the leave or paid time off;

(3) The use of leave or paid time off is continuous through all tour-of-duty hours of the period of retention; and

(4) The period of retention does not exceed 90 days.

(e) Annual leave. (1) An agency may make a temporary exception to retain on accrued annual leave an employee who:

(i) Is being involuntarily separated under this part;

(ii) Is not covered by § 351.606(b) (because the employee is covered by a Federal leave system under an authority other than 5 U.S.C. chapter 63, a retirement law not referenced in § 351.606(b), or a health benefits law other than 5 U.S.C. chapter 89); and

(iii) Will attain first eligibility for an immediate retirement benefit under 5 U.S.C. 8336, 8412, or 8414 (or other authority), and/or establish eligibility under 5 U.S.C. 8905 (or other authority) to carry health benefits coverage into retirement during the period represented by the amount of the employee's accrued annual leave.

(2) An agency may not approve an employee's use of any other type of leave after the employee has been retained under this paragraph (e).

(3) This exception may not exceed the date the employee first becomes eligible for immediate retirement or for continuation of health benefits into retirement, except that an employee may be retained long enough to satisfy both retirement and health benefits requirements.

(4) Accrued annual leave includes all accumulated, accrued, and restored annual leave, as applicable, in addition to annual leave earned and available to the employee after the effective date of the reduction in force. When approving a temporary exception under this provision, an agency may not advance annual leave or consider any annual leave that might be credited to an employee's account after the effective date of the reduction in force other than annual leave earned while in an annual leave status.

(f) Military spouse. An agency may extend the separation date beyond the effective date of a reduction in force of a military spouse as defined in § 351.203. The agency may establish a maximum number of days, up to a maximum of 90 days, for which an exception may be approved.

(g) Other exceptions. An agency may make a temporary exception to extend an employee's separation date beyond the effective date of the reduction in force when the temporary retention of the lower standing employee does not adversely affect the right of any higher standing employee who is released ahead of the lower standing employee. The agency may establish a maximum number of days, up to 90 days, for which an exception may be approved.

[91 FR 49224, Aug. 3, 2026]

§ 351.701 Assignment involving displacement.

(a) General. When a competitive service tenure group employee with a current annual performance rating of record of minimally satisfactory (Level 2) or equivalent, or higher, is released from a competitive level, an agency must offer assignment, rather than furlough or separation, in accordance with paragraph (b) of this section to another competitive position that requires no reduction, or the least possible reduction, in representative rate. The employee must be qualified for the offered position. The offered position must be in the same competitive area and have the same type of work schedule (e.g., full-time, part-time, intermittent, or seasonal) as the position from which the employee is released. Upon accepting an offer of assignment, or displacing another employee under this part, an employee retains the same status and tenure in the new position. The promotion potential of the offered position is not a consideration in determining an employee's right of assignment.

(b) Assignment rights. In accordance with paragraph (a) of this section, a released employee shall be assigned to a position:

(1) That is held by another employee with lower retention standing in the same tenure group; and

(2) That is not more than three grades (or appropriate grade intervals or equivalent) below the position from which the employee was released, except that for a preference eligible employee with a compensable service-connected disability of 30 percent or more the limit is five grades (or appropriate grade intervals or equivalent). (The agency uses the grade progression of only the released employee's position of record to determine the applicable grades (or appropriate grade intervals or equivalent) of the employee's assignment right. The agency does not consider the grade progression of the position to which the employee has an assignment right); and

(3) For which the released employee is qualified, pursuant to the criteria set forth in § 351.702 and § 351.703.

(c) Pay rates. (1) The determination of equivalent grade intervals shall be based on a comparison of representative rates.

(2) Each employee's assignment rights shall be determined on the basis of the pay rates in effect on the date of issuance of specific reduction in force notices, except that when it is officially known on the date of issuance of notices that new pay rates have been approved and will become effective by the effective date of the reduction in force, assignment rights shall be determined on the basis of the new pay rates.

(d)(1) In determining applicable grades (or grade intervals) under paragraph (b)(2) of this section, the agency uses the grade progression of the released employee's position of record to determine the grade (or interval) limits of the employee's assignment rights.

(2) For positions covered by the General Schedule, the agency must determine whether a one-grade, two-grade, or mixed grade interval progression is applicable to the position of the released employee.

(3) For positions not covered by the General Schedule, the agency must determine the normal line of progression for each occupational series and grade level to determine the grade (or interval) limits of the released employee's assignment rights. If the agency determines that there is no normal line of progression for an occupational series and grade level, the agency provides the released employee with assignment rights to positions within three actual grades lower on a one-grade basis. The normal line of progression may include positions in different pay systems.

(4) For positions where no grade structure exists, the agency determines a line of progression for each occupation and pay rate and provides assignment rights to positions within three grades (or intervals) lower on that basis.

(5) If the released employee holds a position that is less than three grades above the lowest grade in the applicable classification system (e.g., the employee holds a GS-2 position), the agency provides the released employee with assignment rights up to three actual grades lower on a one-grade basis in other pay systems.

(e) If a competitive area includes more than one local commuting area, the agency determines assignment rights under this part on the basis of the representative rates for one local commuting area within the competitive area (i.e., the same local commuting area used to establish competitive levels under § 351.403(c)(4), (5), and (6)).

(f) If a competitive area includes positions under one or more pay bands, a released employee shall be assigned in accordance with paragraphs (a) and (b) of this section to a position in an equivalent pay band or one pay band lower, as determined by the agency, than the pay band from which released. A preference eligible with a service-connected disability of 30 percent or more must be assigned in accordance with paragraphs (a) and (b) of this section to a position in an equivalent pay band or up to two pay bands lower, as determined by the agency, than the pay band from which released.

(g) If a competitive area includes positions under one or more pay bands, and other positions not covered by a pay band (e.g., GS and/or FWS positions), the agency provides assignment rights under this part by:

(1) Determining the representative rate of positions not covered by a pay band, consistent with § 351.203;

(2) Determining the representative rate of each pay band, or competitive level within the pay band(s), consistent with § 351.203;

(3) As determined by the agency, providing assignment rights under paragraph (b) of this section, consistent with the grade intervals covered in paragraph (b)(2) of this section, and the pay band intervals in paragraph (f) of this section.

[91 FR 49225, Aug. 3, 2026]

§ 351.702 Qualifications for assignment.

(a) Except as provided in § 351.703, an employee is qualified for assignment under § 351.701 if the employee:

(1) Meets the OPM standards and requirements for the position, including any minimum educational requirement, and any selective placement factors established by the agency;

(2) Is physically qualified, with reasonable accommodation where appropriate, to perform the duties of the position;

(3) Meets any special qualifying condition which the OPM has approved for the position; and

(4) Has the capacity, adaptability, and special skills needed to satisfactorily perform the duties of the position without undue interruption. In determining these qualifications an agency must use an assessment that:

(i) Allows for demonstration of job-related skills, abilities, knowledge, and competencies;

(ii) Is based on a job analysis; and

(iii) Does not consist solely of, or principally rely on, an automated self-assessment.

(iv) Acceptable examples of the types of assessments include: structured interviews; a work-related exercise; a custom or generic procedure for measuring an employee's employment or career-related qualifications and interests; a structured resume review; or another assessment, provided that the assessment—

(A) Demonstrates job-related technical skills, abilities, and knowledge; and

(B) Is relevant for the position for which the assessment is developed.

(v) An agency is not required to administer an assessment under this paragraph if, during the 5-year period ending on the date the employee receives a specific reduction in force notice, the employee occupied the same position, or a position at the same grade or pay level with substantially the same duties, occupational series, qualification requirements, and conditions of employment, and received a rating of record of Level 3, Fully Successful, or higher, or the equivalent, for performance of those duties.

(b) The sex of an employee may not be considered in determining whether an employee is qualified for a position, except for positions which OPM has determined certification of eligibles by sex is justified.

(c) An employee who is released from a competitive level during a leave of absence because of a corpensable injury may not be denied an assignment right solely because the employee is not physically qualified for the duties of the position if the physical disqualification resulted from the compensable injury. Such an employee must be afforded appropriate assignment rights subject to recovery as provided by 5 U.S.C. 8151 and part 353 of this chapter.

(d) If an agency determines, on the basis of evidence before it, that a preference eligible employee who has a compensable service-connected disability of 30 percent or more is not able to fulfill the physical requirements of a position to which the employee would otherwise have been assigned under this part, the agency must notify the OPM of this determination. At the same time, the agency must notify the employee of the reasons for the determination and of the right to respond, within 15 days of the notification, to the OPM which will require the agency to demonstrate that the notification was timely sent to the employee's last known address. The OPM shall make a final determination concerning the physical ability of the employee to perform the duties of the position. This determination must be made before the agency may select any other person for the position. When the OPM has completed its review of the proposed disqualification on the basis of physical disability, it must sent its finding to both the agency and the employee. The agency must comply with the findings of the OPM. The functions of the OPM under this paragraph may not be delegated to an agency.

(e) An agency may formally designate as a trainee or developmental position a position in a program with all of the following characteristics:

(1) The program must have been designed to meet the agency's needs and requirements for the development of skilled personnel;

(2) The program must have been formally designated, with its provisions made known to employees and supervisors;

(3) The program must be developmental by design, offering planned growth in duties and responsibilities, and providing advancement in recognized lines of career progression; and

(4) The program must be fully implemented, with the participants chosen through standard selection procedures. To be considered qualified for assignment under § 351.701 to a formally designated trainee or developmental position in a program having all of the characteristics covered in paragraphs (e)(1), (2), (3), and (4) of this section, an employee must meet all of the conditions required for selection and entry into the program.

[51 FR 319, Jan. 3, 1986, as amended at 60 FR 3063, Jan. 13, 1995; 91 FR 49226, Aug. 3, 2026; 91 FR 54795, Aug. 25, 2026]

§ 351.703 Exception to qualifications.

An agency may assign an employee to a vacant position under § 351.201(b) or § 351.701 of this part without regard to OPM's standards and requirements for the position if:

(a) The employee meets any minimum education requirement for the position; and

(b) The agency determines that the employee has the capacity, adaptability, and special skills needed to satisfactorily perform the duties and responsibilities of the position.

[56 FR 65417, Dec. 17, 1991]

§ 351.704 Rights and prohibitions.

(a)(1) An agency may satisfy an employee's right to assignment under § 351.701 by assignment to a vacant position under § 351.201(b), or by assignment under any applicable administrative assignment provisions of § 351.705, to a position having a representative rate equal to that the employee would be entitled under § 351.701. An agency may also offer an employee assignment under § 351.201(b) to a vacant position in lieu of separation by reduction in force under 5 CFR part 351. Any offer of assignment under § 351.201(b) to a vacant position must meet the requirements set forth under § 351.701.

(2) An agency may, at its discretion, choose to offer a vacant other-than-full-time position to a full-time employee or to offer a vacant full-time position to an other-than-full-time employee in lieu of separation by reduction in force.

(b) Section 351.701 does not:

(1) Authorize or permit an agency to assign an employee to a position having a higher representative rate;

(2) Authorize or permit an agency to displace a full-time employee by an other-than-full-time employee, or to satisfy an other-than-full-time employee's right to assignment by assigning the employee to a vacant full-time position.

(3) Authorize or permit an agency to displace an other-than-full-time employee by a full-time employee, or to satisfy a full-time employee's right to assignment by assigning the employee to a vacant other-than-full-time position.

(4) Authorize or permit an agency to assign a competing employee to a temporary position (i.e., a position under an appointment not to exceed 1 year), except as an offer of assignment in lieu of separation by reduction in force under this part when the employee has no right to a position under § 351.701 or § 351.704(a)(1) of this part. This option does not preclude an agency from, as an alternative, also using a temporary position to reemploy a competing employee following separation by reduction in force under this part.

(5) Authorize or permit an agency to displace an employee or to satisfy a competing employee's right to assignment by assigning the employee to a position with a different type of work schedule (e.g., full-time, part-time, intermittent, or seasonal) than the position from which the employee is released.

[51 FR 319, Jan. 3, 1986, as amended at 56 FR 65417, Dec. 17, 1991; 60 FR 3063, Jan. 13, 1995; 63 FR 63591, Nov. 16, 1998]

§ 351.705 Administrative assignment.

(a) An agency may, at its discretion, adopt provisions that provide competing employees in the excepted service with assignment rights to other positions under the same appointing authority on the same basis as assignment rights provided to competitive service employees under § 351.701.

(b) Provisions adopted by an agency under paragraph (a) of this section:

(1) Shall be consistent with this part;

(2) Shall be uniformly and consistently applied in any one reduction in force;

(3) May not provide for the assignment of an other-than-full-time employee to a full-time position;

(4) May not provide for the assignment of a full-time employee to an other-than-full-time position;

(5) May not provide for the assignment of an employee in a competitive service position to a position in the excepted service; and

(6) May not provide for the assignment of an employee in an excepted position to a position in the competitive service.

[51 FR 319, Jan. 3, 1986, as amended at 62 FR 62502, Nov. 24, 1997; 91 FR 49226, Aug. 3, 2026]

§ 351.801 Notice period.

(a)(1) Each competing employee selected for release from a competitive level under this part is entitled to a specific written notice at least 60 full days before the effective date of release.

(2) At the same time an agency issues a notice to an employee, it must give a written notice to the exclusive representative(s), as defined in 5 U.S.C. 7103(a)(16), of each affected employee at the time of the notice. When a significant number of employees will be separated, an agency must also satisfy the notice requirements of §§ 351.803 (b) and (c).

(b) When a reduction in force is caused by circumstances not reasonably foreseeable, the Director of OPM, at the request of an agency head or designee, may approve a notice period of less than 60 days. The shortened notice period must cover at least 30 full days before the effective date of release. An agency request to OPM shall specify:

(1) The reduction in force to which the request pertains;

(2) The number of days by which the agency requests that the period be shortened;

(3) The reasons for the request; and

(4) Any other additional information that OPM may specify.

(c) The notice period begins the day after the employee receives the notice.

(d) When an agency retains an employee under § 351.607 or § 351.608, the notice to the employee shall cite the date on which the retention period ends as the effective date of the employee's release from the competitive level.

[60 FR 2678, Jan. 11, 1995, as amended at 60 FR 44254, Aug. 25, 1995; 63 FR 32594, June 15, 1998; 65 FR 25623, May 3, 2000]

§ 351.802 Content of notice.

(a) Except as otherwise provided in this part, a specific written notice under § 351.801 must include:

(1) The action to be taken, the reasons for the action, and its effective date;

(2) The employee's competitive area, competitive level, veterans' preference subgroup, tenure group and subgroup, service date, and three most recent ratings of record received during the last 4 years;

(3) A link to 5 CFR part 351 and information on how to access the agency's records pertinent to the reduction in force being taken.

(4) The reasons for retaining a lower-standing employee in the same competitive level under § 351.607 or § 351.608;

(5) Information on reemployment rights, except as permitted by § 351.803(a); and

(6) The employee's right, as applicable, to appeal to OPM, including the time limit for filing an appeal under § 351.902(b) of this part and the electronic filing system, identified on OPM's website, through which an appeal must be filed.

(b) When an agency issues an employee a notice, the agency must, upon the employee's request, provide the employee with a copy of OPM's retention regulations found in part 351 of this chapter.

[60 FR 2678, Jan. 11, 1995, as amended at 60 FR 44254, Aug. 25, 1995; 62 FR 62502, Nov. 24, 1997; 63 FR 32595, June 15, 1998; 91 FR 49226, 49263, Aug. 3, 2026; 91 FR 54795, Aug. 25, 2026]

§ 351.803 Notice of eligibility for reemployment and other placement assistance.

(a) An employee who receives a specific notice of separation under this part must be given information concerning the right to reemployment consideration and career transition assistance under subparts B (Reemployment Priority List), F, and G (Career Transition Assistance Programs) of part 330 of this chapter. The employee must also be given a release to authorize, at his or her option, the release of his or her resume and other relevant employment information for employment referral to the State unit or entity established under title I of the Workforce Investment Act of 1998 and potential public or private sector employers. The employee must also be given information concerning how to apply both for unemployment insurance through the appropriate State program and benefits available under the State's Workforce Investment Act of 1998 programs, and an estimate of severance pay (if eligible).

(b) When 50 or more employees in a competitive area receive separation notices under this part, the agency must provide written notification of the action, at the same time it issues specific notices of separation to employees, to:

(1) The State or the entity designated by the State to carry out rapid response activities under title I of the Workforce Investment Act of 1998;

(2) The chief elected official of local government(s) within which these separations will occur; and

(3) OPM.

(c) The notice required by paragraph (b) of this section must include:

(1) The number of employees to be separated from the agency by reduction in force (broken down by geographic area or other basis specified by OPM);

(2) The effective date of the separations; and

(3) Any other information specified by OPM, including information needs identified from consultation between OPM and the Department of Labor to facilitate delivery of placement and related services.

[60 FR 2679, Jan. 11, 1995, as amended at 62 FR 62502, Nov. 24, 1997; 65 FR 64133, Oct. 26, 2000]

§ 351.804 Expiration of notice.

(a) A notice expires when followed by the action specified, or by an action less severe than specified, in the notice or in an amendment made to the notice before the agency takes the action.

(b) An agency may not take the action before the effective date in the notice; instead, the agency may cancel the reduction in force notice and issue a new notice subject to this subpart.

[62 FR 62502, Nov. 24, 1997]

§ 351.805 New notice required.

(a) An employee is entitled to a written notice of at least 60 full days if the agency decides to take an action more severe than first specified.

(b) An agency must give an employee an amended written notice if the reduction in force is changed to a later effective date. An amended notice issued under this paragraph solely to state a later effective date is not a new specific reduction in force notice for purposes of § 351.507 and does not require the agency to redetermine or recalculate retention standing under subpart E of this part. Nothing in this paragraph affects the agency's obligation to correct an error under § 351.507(c).

(c) An agency must give an employee an amended written notice and allow the employee to decide whether to accept a better offer of assignment under subpart G of this part that becomes available before or on the effective date of the reduction in force. The agency must give the employee the amended notice regardless of whether the employee has accepted or rejected a previous offer of assignment, provided that the employee has not voluntarily separated from his or her official position.

[62 FR 62502, Nov. 24, 1997, as amended at 65 FR 25623, May 3, 2000; 91 FR 49226, Aug. 3, 2026]

§ 351.806 Status during notice period.

Link to an amendment published at 91 FR 65939, Oct. 19, 2026.

When possible, the agency shall retain the employee on active duty status during the notice period. When in an emergency the agency lacks work or funds for all or part of the notice period, it may place the employee on annual leave with or without his or her consent, or leave without pay with his or her consent, or in a nonpay status without his or her consent.

§ 351.807 Certification of Expected Separation.

(a) For the purpose of enabling otherwise eligible employees to be considered for eligibility to participate in dislocated worker programs under the Workforce Investment Act of 1998 administered by the U.S. Department of Labor, an agency may issue a Certificate of Expected Separation to a competing employee who the agency believes, with a reasonable degree of certainty, will be separated from Federal employment by reduction in force procedures under this part. A certification may be issued up to 6 months prior to the effective date of the reduction in force.

(b) This certification may be issued to a competing employee only when the agency determines:

(1) There is a good likelihood the employee will be separated under this part;

(2) Employment opportunities in the same or similar position in the local commuting area are limited or nonexistent;

(3) Placement opportunities within the employee's own or other Federal agencies in the local commuting area are limited or nonexistent; and

(4) If eligible for optional retirement, the employee has not filed a retirement application or otherwise indicated in writing an intent to retire.

(c) A certification is to be addressed to each individual eligible employee and must be signed by an appropriate agency official. A certification must contain the expected date of reduction in force, a statement that each factor in paragraph (b) of this section has been satisfied, and a description of Workforce Investment Act of 1998, title I, programs, the Interagency Placement Program, and the Reemployment Priority List.

(d) A certification may not be used to satisfy any of the notice requirements elsewhere in this subpart.

(e) An agency determination of eligibility for certification may not be appealed.

(f) An agency may also enroll eligible employees on the agency's Reemployment Priority List up to 6 months in advance of a reduction in force. For requirements and criteria, see subpart B of part 330 of this chapter.

[60 FR 2678, Jan. 11, 1995, as amended at 60 FR 44254, Aug. 25, 1995; 65 FR 64134, Oct. 26, 2000; 66 FR 29896, June 4, 2001; 91 FR 49263, Aug. 3, 2026]

§ 351.901 Right to appeal.

(a) Right of appeal. An employee who has been furloughed for more than 30 days, separated, or demoted by a reduction-in-force action taken under this part may appeal that action to OPM.

(b) Burden of proof. The employee (i.e., appellant) bears the burden of proof to demonstrate, by a preponderance of the evidence:

(1) The timeliness of the written appeal;

(2) That OPM possesses jurisdiction over the appeal;

(3) That the agency failed to comply with an applicable statute or OPM regulation governing reduction-in-force actions under this part; and

(4) That the failure prejudiced the appellant by causing the appellant to be subjected to the appealed action or to lose a materially more favorable outcome under this part.

(c) Exclusive appeal procedure. (1) The procedures in this subpart are the sole and exclusive means of appealing a reduction-in-force action taken under this part.

(2) A reduction-in-force action taken under this part, and any matter relating to an appeal of such an action, may not be raised under a negotiated grievance procedure or contested through grievance arbitration.

(3) Paragraphs (c)(1) and (2) of this section do not preclude an employee from filing a complaint, appeal, or other matter within the independent jurisdiction of the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, an Inspector General, the Merit Systems Protection Board, the Department of Labor Veterans' Employment and Training Service, or the Office of Special Counsel.

(4) A party cannot obtain judicial review of a decision under this subpart.

[91 FR 49263, Aug. 3, 2026; 91 FR 54796, Aug. 25, 2026]

§ 351.902 Procedures for submitting appeals.

(a) Filing an appeal. A party, or his or her authorized representative, seeking to file an initial appeal or reconsideration of an initial decision under this subpart must utilize the electronic filing system identified on OPM's website. Unless a party demonstrates good cause and seeks approval from OPM, OPM will not accept any pleadings, evidence, or documents via electronic mail or postal mail.

(b) Time limits. An employee may submit an appeal of a reduction-in-force action within 30 calendar days from the effective date of the action. An appeal is deemed timely when it is electronically filed by 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time on the 30th calendar day after the effective date of the action.

(1) In computing the number of days allowed for filing an appeal, the first day counted is the day after the effective date of an agency action. If the date that ordinarily would be the last day for filing falls on a Saturday, Sunday, or Federal holiday, the filing period will include the first workday after that date.

(2) If an employee does not submit an appeal within the time set by this section, the appeal will be dismissed as untimely filed unless the employee demonstrates good cause for an untimely appeal. The determination of good cause will be in the sole and exclusive discretion of OPM.

(3) If, before the expiration of the filing period in this paragraph (b), the employee timely filed a complaint, appeal, or other matter within the independent jurisdiction of an entity identified in § 351.901(c)(3), and the final decision on that matter materially affects the employee's retention standing, order of release, assignment rights, or other rights under this part, the employee may file an appeal under this subpart within 30 calendar days after the date on which the decision on that matter becomes final and is no longer subject to further administrative review. OPM will determine, in its sole and exclusive discretion, whether the decision on the collateral matter materially affects the employee's rights under this part.

(c) E-filing procedures. (1) All parties and their representatives to an appeal or reconsideration must register as instructed by OPM on its e-filing website using a unique email address.

(2) Registration as an e-filer constitutes consent to accept electronic service of pleadings, evidence, notices, orders, and other documents filed by other e-filers or issued by OPM. No party may electronically file any document with OPM or access an appeal or reconsideration of an appeal unless registered as an e-filer or exempted under paragraph (c)(7) of this section for good cause.

(3) All notices, orders, decisions, and other documents issued by OPM, as well as all documents filed by parties, will be made available for viewing and downloading at OPM's electronic filing system. Access to documents is limited to the parties and their representatives who are registered e-filers in the cases in which they were filed.

(4) All parties and their representatives must follow the instructions on OPM's website for properly filing all pleadings, evidence, and other documents. OPM may strike a document where an e-filer repeatedly fails to follow these instructions following receipt of a show cause order.

(5) Each e-filer must promptly update their profile in OPM's electronic filing system and notify OPM and other parties of any change in their address, telephone number, or email address by filing a pleading in each pending case with which they are associated. E-filers are responsible for monitoring case activity regularly in OPM's electronic filing system to ensure that they have received all case-related documents.

(6) A party or representative may withdraw their registration as an e-filer pursuant to the requirements posted on OPM's website. Withdrawing registration in OPM's e-filing system means that, effective upon OPM's processing of a proper withdrawal, pleadings, evidence, orders, and other documents filed by a party, a party's representative, or OPM will no longer be served on that person electronically and that person will no longer have electronic access to their case records through OPM's e-filing system. OPM may still process an appeal or request for reconsideration after a party withdraws as an e-filer. Withdrawal of e-filing registration by a party or representative will not be considered good cause for staying a case.

(7) OPM, in its sole and exclusive discretion, may exempt a party or representative from registering as an e-filer for good cause. A party or representative must promptly contact OPM as instructed on OPM's website to request an exemption from the e-filing requirements in this part. OPM will not find good cause for failing to timely file an appeal or seek reconsideration if the party or representative fails to contact OPM to request an exemption before any deadline to appeal or seek reconsideration.

(8) Documents filed in OPM's e-filing system are deemed received on the date of the electronic submission.

[91 FR 49263, Aug. 3, 2026; 91 FR 54796, Aug. 25, 2026]

§ 351.903 Form and content of RIF appeal and agency response.

(a) Initial appeal. An employee's appeal shall be in writing and shall state the basis of the employee's appeal; the name, address, and email address or phone number of the appellant and appellant's representative, if any; and any documentation supporting the appellant's appeal.

(b) Agency response. (1) The agency response to an appeal must be filed within 30 calendar days after service of the initial appeal and contain:

(i) The name of the appellant and of the agency whose action the appellant is appealing;

(ii) A statement identifying the agency action taken against the appellant and stating the reasons for taking the action;

(iii) All documents contained in the agency record of the action;

(iv) Designation of and signature by the authorized agency representative; and

(v) Any other documents or responses requested by OPM.

(2) The agency's 30 days to respond begins upon service of the appeal.

(3) The agency record of the action shall include, at a minimum:

(i) The appellant's specific written reduction-in-force notice, any amended notice, proof of service or receipt, and documents showing the effective date of the action;

(ii) Documents supporting the reason for the reduction in force, including whether the action was based on lack of work, shortage of funds, insufficient personnel ceiling, reorganization, or the exercise of reemployment or restoration rights;

(iii) Documents establishing the appellant's coverage, position, appointment, tenure group and subgroup, veterans' preference status, service computation date, work schedule, competitive area, competitive level, and status as a competing employee;

(iv) Documents establishing the competitive area and competitive level used for the reduction in force, including any required agency or OPM approval, written competitive area justification, organizational chart, position descriptions, classification records, representative rate determinations, and related records;

(v) The retention register applicable to the appellant, if one was prepared, and any related retention records that affected the appellant's retention standing, order of release, or assignment rights, including records supporting performance credit, veterans' preference credit, tenure subgroup, and service computation date;

(vi) Documents showing how the agency applied the order of release, including any tie determination, any correction of retention standing, and any mandatory or discretionary exception to the order of release;

(vii) Documents concerning the appellant's assignment rights, if any, including positions considered for assignment, qualification determinations, job analysis or assessment materials, offers of assignment, and any declination;

(viii) Documents concerning any special reduction-in-force circumstance relevant to the appellant, including abolishment of an entire competitive area, transfer of function, exclusion from RIF competition under § 351.202(d), restoration protection, or other basis for modified notice or treatment under this part; and

(ix) A certification that the agency has produced the complete agency record of the reduction-in-force action.

(4) The agency must produce the complete agency record to OPM. The agency must serve the appellant with the agency record, except that the agency may redact or withhold information from the copy served on the appellant to the extent necessary to comply with the Privacy Act, applicable legal privileges, classified information or national security requirements, protective orders issued by OPM, and any other applicable limitation on disclosure required by law.

(c) Reply. An employee may file a reply to an agency response to an initial appeal within 15 calendar days of the agency response. The reply may only address the factual and legal issues raised by the agency in response to the initial appeal. The reply may not raise new allegations of error unless the basis rests on information first disclosed in the agency response or unless OPM grants leave for good cause.

(d) Inspection of OPM's appellate record. The employee, an employee's representative, and the agency will be permitted to inspect OPM's appellate record on request, subject to the Privacy Act, applicable legal privileges, classified information or national security requirements, protective orders issued by OPM, and any other applicable limitation on disclosure required by law.

(e) Service of documents. The employee, employee's representative, and agency will serve on each other copies of any and all information submitted to OPM with respect to an appeal, subject to the Privacy Act, applicable legal privileges, classified information or national security requirements, protective orders issued by OPM, and any other applicable limitation on disclosure required by law. Such information must be served on all other parties at the same time the information is submitted to OPM and must be accompanied by a certificate of service stating how and when service was made.

(f) Untimely filings. Untimely filings may be accepted upon a party's showing of good cause at the sole and exclusive discretion of OPM.

§ 351.904 Employee representatives.

(a) Designation of representative. An appellant may select a representative of his or her choice to assist in the preparation and presentation of an appeal, provided that the employee submits his or her designation of representative in writing related to the specific appeal.

(b) Federal employee representatives; official time and reimbursement. If the selected representative is a Federal employee, the representative may not perform such representational functions while in a duty status (including while on official time under 5 U.S.C. 7131), nor may the representative claim agency reimbursement for any expenses incurred while performing such representational function.

(c) Disallowance of representative. OPM or the agency whose action is under appeal may, in its sole and exclusive discretion, disallow an employee's choice of representative when the representative is an employee of that agency or OPM and the representative's activities would cause a conflict of interest or position.

[91 FR 49263, Aug. 3, 2026; 91 FR 54796, Aug. 25, 2026]

§ 351.905 Adjudication of appeals.

(a) Appeals by non-OPM employees. OPM will assign personnel to adjudicate an appeal under this subpart by an employee of an agency other than OPM. OPM personnel assigned to adjudicate an appeal under this subpart shall be insulated from officials who participated personally and substantially in the challenged personnel action or provided case-specific advice concerning that action. OPM adjudicators shall not consider material ex parte communications concerning the merits of an appeal. If such a communication occurs, OPM will place a summary of the communication in the record and provide the parties a reasonable opportunity to respond, unless disclosure is prohibited by law. In addition, no OPM employee may be assigned to adjudicate an appeal if the employee has a relationship with the appellant or, during the preceding two years, that person was an employee of the agency that is a party to the action to be assigned, or the employee was subject to an action covered under this part. When necessary, OPM may assign an administrative law judge to preside over the adjudication of an appeal.

(b) Appeals by OPM employees. OPM will assign an administrative law judge to adjudicate an appeal under this subpart by an OPM employee and to issue an initial decision. To insulate the adjudication of its own employees' appeals from agency involvement, OPM will not disturb initial decisions in those cases unless a party shows that there has been harmful procedural irregularity in the proceedings before the administrative law judge, a clear error of law, or a material factual error that affected the outcome of the appeal. For purposes of this paragraph (b), the term harmful procedural irregularity means an irregularity in the application of procedures that was likely to have caused the administrative law judge to reach a conclusion different from the one he or she would have reached in the absence or cure of the irregularity. The assignment of an administrative law judge under paragraph (b) or under paragraph (a) of this section does not make 5 U.S.C. 554, 556, or 557 applicable to an appeal under this subpart except to the extent those provisions are independently required by law or expressly incorporated in this part.

(c) Ascertainment of facts. OPM may require either party to provide additional information, and it may audit or investigate an agency's action in the course of adjudicating an appeal if it determines, in its sole discretion, that the existing record is insufficient to resolve a material issue within OPM's jurisdiction, and that the audit or investigation is reasonably likely to produce information material to resolving that issue. An individual serving as a representative of either party may not participate in an audit or investigation unless OPM specifically requests them to do so. The review of an agency action must be based solely on the developed written record unless OPM determines that a hearing is necessary and efficient in resolving an appeal. For purposes of this section, the phrase necessary and efficient means circumstances in which the written record is insufficiently developed to make a determination regarding one or more facts material to the outcome of the appeal, or where there is a disputed issue of witness credibility that is material to the outcome of the appeal. Where an investigation or audit is conducted, OPM will:

(1) Inform the employee, the employee's representative, and the agency of an investigation or audit; and

(2) Provide the employee, the employee's representative, and the agency with the results of an investigation or audit, and a reasonable opportunity to submit arguments or additional information to support their positions.

(d) Initial decision. OPM will notify the employee, employee's representative, and agency in writing of its decision.

(e) Remedies. (1) If the employee is the prevailing party, OPM will order relief including correction of the personnel action and any back pay, interest, and reasonable attorney fees consistent with subpart H of part 550 of this chapter. The employee as a prevailing party is not entitled to compensatory damages or other relief not authorized under 5 U.S.C. 5596(b).

(2) If the agency timely requests reconsideration of an initial decision or OPM reopens and reconsiders an initial decision, the agency must continue to provide the relief ordered unless OPM issues an order staying any such relief. No such stay may be ordered that would deprive the employee of pay and benefits while the initial decision is pending reconsideration.

[91 FR 49263, Aug. 3, 2026; 91 FR 54796, Aug. 25, 2026]

§ 351.906 Sanctions and protective orders.

(a) Cease-and-desist directive. OPM may issue a protective order or cease-and-desist directive to protect the integrity of the adjudicatory process, prevent threats, intimidation, targeted harassment, improper witness contact, disclosure of protected personal information, or misuse of nonpublic information obtained through the appeal. OPM may do this sua sponte, or at the request of a party, preemptively or at any juncture in the appeal process. A party requesting OPM to issue a protective order or cease-and-desist directive should file such request using the e-filing procedures prescribed at § 351.902(c), and must include a statement of reasons justifying the request, together with any relevant documentary evidence. Any protective order issued by OPM must be no broader than reasonably necessary and must not restrict lawful communications protected by law.

(b) Failure to comply with an OPM directive. When a party to an appeal fails to comply with a directive issued under paragraph (a) of this section, OPM may, except when prohibited by law:

(1) Draw all inferences in opposition to the noncompliant party with regard to the appeal in question;

(2) Prohibit the noncompliant party from introducing evidence, or additional evidence, concerning the appeal, or otherwise relying on the record; or

(3) Eliminate from consideration any appropriate part of the filings or other submissions of the noncompliant party.

(c) Scope of sanctions. Any sanction issued under paragraph (b) of this section must be proportionate, causally related to the violation, and no broader than necessary to protect the adjudicatory process.

§ 351.907 Reconsideration of an initial decision.

(a) Upon a request from either party to the dispute or upon its own initiative, OPM may, in its sole and exclusive discretion, reopen and reconsider an initial decision issued under this subpart. An employee, the employee's representative, or the agency may request reconsideration of an initial decision within 30 calendar days from issuance of the initial decision. The request for reconsideration must be filed in the same manner as an initial appeal.

(b) Grounds for which OPM may grant a request for reconsideration are:

(1) The initial decision contains erroneous findings of material fact sufficient to warrant an outcome different from that of the initial decision;

(2) The initial decision is based on an erroneous interpretation of statute or regulation or the erroneous application of the law to the facts of the case. The party must explain how the error affected the outcome of the case;

(3) New and material evidence or legal argument is available that, despite the party's due diligence, was not available when the record closed. To constitute new evidence, the information contained in the documents, not just the documents themselves, must have been unavailable despite due diligence when the record closed; or

(4) OPM finds good cause to reconsider an appeal.

(c) In any case that is reopened or reviewed, OPM may:

(1) Issue a reopened and reconsidered decision (“R&R decision”) that affirms, reverses, modifies, vacates, or otherwise decides the case, in whole or in part;

(2) Require the parties to submit argument and evidence;

(3) Take any other action necessary for final disposition of the case; and

(4) Issue an order with a date for compliance with the R&R decision.

(d) There is no further right of administrative appeal from the R&R decision.

§ 351.908 Review by the OPM Director.

The Director may, on the Director's own initiative and before a decision becomes final under § 351.909, reopen and reconsider any initial decision or reopened and reconsidered decision. In determining whether to exercise this authority, the Director may consider, among other things, whether the decision contains clear legal error; rests on an erroneous finding of material fact; involves an issue of exceptional importance, an issue affecting the governmentwide administration of the civil service laws, rules, regulations, or OPM policy, or a conflict among OPM decisions; or otherwise warrants Director review. This section does not create a right to request Director review. Upon reopening and reconsideration, the Director may take any action described in § 351.907(c).

§ 351.909 Final decision.

(a) The initial decision becomes OPM's final decision 30 calendar days after issuance unless, before that time, a party timely requests reopening and reconsideration under § 351.907 or the Director reopens the decision under § 351.908.

(b) A timely request under § 351.907 suspends finality. If OPM denies or dismisses the request without reopening the initial decision, the initial decision becomes OPM's final decision 30 calendar days after issuance of the denial or dismissal, unless the Director reopens the initial decision under § 351.908 before that time. If OPM grants the request, a reopened and reconsidered decision becomes OPM's final decision 30 calendar days after issuance unless the Director reopens that decision under § 351.908 before that time.

(c) An untimely request under § 351.907 does not suspend or otherwise affect finality. If OPM accepts and grants an untimely request for good cause, any resulting reopened and reconsidered decision becomes final as provided in paragraph (b) of this section.

(d) A decision by the Director pursuant to § 351.908 that disposes of the appeal is OPM's final decision and is effective upon issuance. If the Director remands the appeal or directs further proceedings, any resulting decision becomes final under this section.

(e) There is no further right of appeal of a final decision of OPM.

(f) Subject to applicable legal limits, including requirements protecting privacy, privileged information, protected personal information, law-enforcement-sensitive information, and other information that may not lawfully be disclosed, OPM shall maintain a publicly accessible website containing final decisions issued under this subpart that address a party's claim on the merits. Any final merits decision not made publicly available because of such legal limits shall be made available upon request to the Federal employee or former Federal employee involved in a proceeding under this subpart, his or her representative selected pursuant to § 351.904, or a representative of the Federal agency or office involved in the proceeding who has a need to know.

[91 FR 49263, Aug. 3, 2026; 91 FR 54796, Aug. 25, 2026]

§ 352.201 Letter of Authority.

(a) Definition. A Letter of Authority is an authorization from OPM to an agency appointing officer to grant reemployment rights.

(b) Scope of authority. A Letter of Authority shall specify the conditions under which it may be used, including the types of positions covered and the organizational and geographic areas to which it is restricted.

(c) Time limit of authority. A Letter of Authority shall remain in force for one year from date of issuance unless earlier revoked by OPM. Renewals or extensions will not be issued unless justified by exceptional circumstances.

§ 352.202 Request for Letter of Authority.

When an agency believes that an emergency situation is so critical as to justify offers of reemployment rights, it may request OPM to issue a Letter of Authority. In submitting the request the agency shall present its justification in terms of the standards provided in § 352.203.

§ 352.203 Standards for issuing Letters of Authority.

OPM will determine the standards to be used in issuing Letters of Authority, which shall include the following:

(a) The positions to be filled must be related to emergency situations for which the usual recruiting methods are inadequate.

(b) The positions must be a part of a specific program immediately essential to the national interest.

(c) The positions must be essential to the functioning of the program.

(d) There must be substantial basis for the belief that reemployment rights will be a significant and reasonable aid in meeting the emergency situation.

§ 352.204 Basic eligibility for reemployment rights.

(a) Employees eligible. The following employees in the executive branch of the Government are eligible to be granted reemployment rights when they are hired by another executive agency without break in service of a full workday by transfer or reinstatement, or by excepted appointment, in a position which the agency is currently authorized to fill with reemployment rights:

(1) An employee serving in a competitive position under a career or career-conditional appointment;

(2) An employee serving under a career appointment in the Senior Executive Service (SES); or

(3) A nontemporary excepted employee.

(b) Employees not eligible. The following employees are not eligible to be granted reemployment rights:

(1) An employee who is serving a probationary or trial period under an appointment to a position in the excepted or competitive service or the SES.

(2) An employee serving in an obligated position;

(3) An employee serving with reemployment rights granted under this subpart;

(4) An employee who has received a notice of involuntary separation because of reduction in force or otherwise; or

(5) An employee who has already submitted a resignation.

[33 FR 12433, Sept. 4, 1968, as amended at 51 FR 25187, July 11, 1986]

§ 352.205 Appeal of losing agency.

An appointing officer who intends to employ with reemployment rights an employee of another executive agency shall give the losing agency written notice at least 15 calendar days before the effective date of the proposed action. If the losing agency believes the grant of reemployment rights would be detrimental to the public interest, it may appeal the proposed grant to OPM within 15 calendar days after receipt of the notice. The losing agency, at the same time, shall furnish a copy of the appeal to the prospective appointing officer, who shall withhold the proposed grant pending decision on the appeal. OPM shall determine whether the employee will be given reemployment rights and notify both agencies accordingly. If the losing agency does not appeal within 15 calendar days, the employee shall be granted reemployment rights.

§ 352.205a Authority to return employee to his or her former or successor agency.

The transfer of an employee with a grant of reemployment rights under this subpart authorizes the return of the employee to his or her former or successor agency without regard to part 351, 752, or 771 of this chapter when the employee is reemployed in his or her former or successor agency—

(a) Without a break in service of 1 workday or more in a position at the same or higher grade in the same occupational field and geographical area as the position he or she last held in the former or successor agency; and

(b) At not less than the rate of pay he or she would have been receiving in the position last held in the former or successor agency if he or she had not been transferred.

[51 FR 25187, July 11, 1986]

§ 352.205b Authority to return an SES employee to his or her former or successor agency.

The transfer of a career SES appointee with a grant of reemployment rights under this subpart authorizes the return of the employee to his or her former or successor agency when the employee is reemployed in his or her former or successor agency—

(a) Without a break in service of 1 workday or more in any position in the SES for which the employee is qualified; and

(b) At not less than the SES rate of basic pay as determined under 5 CFR part 534, subpart D at which the employee was being paid immediately before his or her transfer.

[51 FR 25187, July 11, 1986]

§ 352.206 Expiration of reemployment rights.

Reemployment rights granted under a Letter of Authority expire at the end of 2 years following the date of the personnel action, unless exercised or otherwise terminated before that time, except that the reemployment rights of an employee serving outside the continental United States extend for an additional period of 3 months.

§ 352.207 Exercise or termination of reemployment rights.

(a) Exercise. The time limits for application for reemployment under this subpart are:

(1) Within 30 calendar days before the expiration of the term of reemployment rights;

(2) Within 30 calendar days after receipt of notice of involuntary separation;

(3) At least 30 calendar days in advance of the person's scheduled entry into active military duty. In this case he shall be reemployed and separated, furloughed, or granted leave of absence for military service by the reemploying agency; or

(4) At any time before the expiration of the term of reemployment rights with the written consent of the current employing agency if application for reemployment is made within 30 days after date of separation, or after receipt of advance notice of proposed demotion by the current employing agency.

(b) Termination. An employee's reemployment rights terminate if:

(1) He fails to apply within the time limits stated in paragraph (a) of this section;

(2) He resigns without the written consent of the current employing agency; or

(3) Within 10 calendar days, he fails to accept an offer of reemployment made under § 352.208 which is determined to be a proper offer of reemployment by the reemploying agency or by the Merit Systems Protection Board on appeal.

§ 352.208 Agency's obligation to reemploy.

(a) Employee's right to reemployment. An employee is entitled to be reemployed by the reemploying agency as promptly as possible but not more than 30 calendar days after receipt of his application. Except as provided in paragraph (c) of this section, the employee is entitled to reemployment in the occupational field and at the same grade or level and in the same geographical area as the position which the employee last held in that agency. If the reemployment would cause the separation or demotion of another employee, the applicant shall then be considered an employee for the purpose of applying the reduction-in-force regulations (5 CFR part 351) to determine to what, if any, position, he or she is entitled.

(b) Reemployment in a higher grade. The reemploying agency may reemploy the employee in a position of higher grade than that to which he is entitled, but not if this reemployment would cause the displacement of another employee.

(c) Reemployment in SES. When the employee's right is to a position in the SES, reemployment or return may be to any position in the SES for which the employee is qualified.

(d) Seniority in postal service. On reemployment in the postal service, the employee is entitled to the seniority he would have attained had he remained in the postal service.

(e) Basis for agency refusal to reemploy. An agency may refuse to reemploy under this section only when the employee was last separated for serious cause evidencing his unsuitability for reemployment.

[33 FR 12433, Sept. 4, 1968, as amended at 51 FR 25187, July 11, 1986]

§ 352.209 Employee appeals to the Merit Systems Protection Board.

When an agency denies reemployment to a person claiming reemployment rights under this subpart, the agency shall inform him or her of that denial by a written notice. In the same notice, the agency shall inform him/her of his/her right to appeal to the Merit Systems Protection Board under the provisions of the Board's regulations. The agency shall comply with the provisions of § 1201.21 of this title.

[44 FR 48952, Aug. 21, 1979]

§ 352.301 Purpose.

The purpose of this subpart is to encourage details and transfers of employees for service with international organizations as authorized by sections 3343 and 3581-3584 of title 5, United States Code, and to provide procedures for participation in the program.

§ 352.302 Definitions.

In this subpart:

(a) Agency, employee, international organization, and transfer have the meaning given them by section 3581 of title 5, United States Code;

(b) Detail has the meaning given it by section 3343 of title 5, United States Code; and

(c) Term of employment means not more than (1) 5 consecutive years of employment, except that when the Secretary of State determines it to be in the national interest, the detail or transfer may be extended up to an additional 3 years, or (2) the period of less than 5 years specified at the time of consent to transfer or detail, beginning with entrance on duty in the international organization.

§ 352.303 [Reserved]

§ 352.304 International organizations covered.

(a) An agency may detail or transfer an employee under this subpart, without prior approval, to an organization which the Department of State has designated as an international organization.

(b) An agency may detail or transfer an employee under this subpart to any other public international organization or international organization preparatory commission only when the Department of State agrees that the organization concerned could be designated as an international organization covered by sections 3343 and 3581 of title 5, United States Code.

[73 FR 64860, Oct. 31, 2008]

§ 352.305 Eligibility for detail.

An employee is eligible for detail to an international organization with the rights provided for in, and in accordance with, section 3343 of title 5, United States Code, and this subpart, except the following:

(a) A Presidential appointee (other than a postmaster, Foreign Service officer or a Foreign Service information officer), regardless of whether the appointment was made by and with the advice and consent of the Senate.

(b) A person serving in the executive branch in a confidential or policy-determining position excepted from the competitive service under Schedule C of part 213 of this chapter.

(c) A person serving under a non-career, limited emergency, or limited term appointment in the Senior Executive Service (SES).

(d) A person serving under a temporary appointment.

[73 FR 64860, Oct. 31, 2008]

§ 352.306 Length of details.

The total length of a detail or several details combined must not exceed 5 consecutive years, except that when the Secretary of State, on the recommendation of the head of the agency, determines it to be in the national interest, the 5 years allowed for details may be extended for up to an additional 3 years. A detail or combination of details and transfers must not exceed 8 years in the aggregate throughout an employee's Federal career.

[73 FR 64860, Oct. 31, 2008]

§ 352.307 Eligibility for transfer.

An employee is eligible for transfer to an international organization with the rights provided for in, and in accordance with, sections 3581-3584 of title 5, United States Code, and this subpart, except the following:

(a) A Presidential appointee (other than a postmaster, a Foreign Service officer or a Foreign Service information officer), regardless of whether his appointment was made by and with the advice and consent of the Senate.

(b) A person serving in the executive branch in a confidential or policy-determining position excepted from the competitive service under Schedule C of part 213 of this chapter.

(c) A person serving under a noncareer, limited emergency, or limited term appointment in the SES.

(d) A person serving under a temporary appointment pending establishment of a register.

(e) A person serving under an appointment specifically limited to 1 year or less.

(f) A person serving on a seasonal, intermittent, or part-time basis.

[35 FR 16525, Oct. 23, 1970, as amended at 51 FR 25188, July 11, 1986; 57 FR 10124, Mar. 24, 1992]

§ 352.308 Effecting employment by transfer.

(a) Authority to approve transfers. On written request by an international organization for the services of an employee, the agency may authorize the transfer of the employee to the organization for any period not to exceed 5 years, except that when the Secretary of State determines it to be in the national interest, a period of employment by transfer may be extended, subject to the approval of the head of the agency, for up to an additional 3 years. A transfer or series of transfers or combination of details and transfers shall not exceed 8 years in the aggregate. Refusal by the head of the agency to authorize the transfer or the extension of the transfer is not reviewable by or appealable to OPM.

(b) Letter of consent. When an agency consents to the transfer of an employee, the agency shall give its consent in writing to the international organization and shall furnish the employee with a copy of the consent.

(c) Effective date. The agency and the international organization shall establish the effective date of transfer by mutual agreement.

(d) Recording requirement. The agency must furnish the employee with a leave statement, showing his or her annual and sick leave balances at the time of transfer. In addition, the notification of personnel action effecting the employee's separation for transfer must include:

(1) Identification of the international organization to which the employee is transferring,

(2) A clear statement of the period during which the employee has reemployment rights in the agency under section 3582 of title 5, United States Code, and this subpart, and

(3) The legal and regulatory conditions for reemployment.

[35 FR 16525, Oct. 23, 1970, as amended at 73 FR 64860, Oct. 31, 2008]

§ 352.309 Retirement, health benefits, and group life insurance.

(a) Agency action. An employee who is transferred to an international organization with the consent of the employing agency is entitled to retain coverage for retirement, health benefits, and group life insurance purposes if he or she so chooses. The period during which coverage, rights, and benefits are retained under this paragraph, during employment with the international organization, is deemed employment by the United States. At the time an employing Federal agency consents to the transfer of an employee, the agency must advise the employee in writing of the employee's right to continue retirement, health benefits, and group life insurance coverage, as applicable, for the duration of the assignment or transfer. The notice must explain the conditions for continued coverage and the employee's obligations and responsibilities with regard to continued coverage. The notice must also explain that, if the employee elects to retain coverage, the agency will continue to make the agency contributions to the funds, and the employee's coverage will continue as long as employee payments are currently deposited in the respective funds.

(b) Employee action. The employee must acknowledge, in writing, receipt of the notice and state whether or not he or she wishes to retain coverage under the retirement, health benefits, and group life insurance systems or any of them by continuing the required employee payments. The employee must make a written election to retain benefits, as applicable, and make arrangements for the required employee payments. An employee who transfers to an international organization is not eligible to participate in the Thrift Savings Plan (TSP) while employed by the international organization even if he or she elects to retain Federal retirement coverage. However, upon reemployment, an employee who elected to retain Federal retirement coverage while employed by the international organization and has made all deposits required for such coverage may make contributions to the TSP which he or she missed as a result of the service with an international organization, and receive make-up agency contributions and lost earnings on the agency contributions, as provided under § 352.311(e).

(c) Agency responsibility. For retirement and group life insurance purposes, the employing agency is responsible for determining the applicable rate of pay in accordance with the provisions of section 3583 of title 5, United States Code. The agency is also responsible for collecting, accounting for, and depositing in the respective funds all retirement, health benefits, and group life insurance employee payments required to be made for the purpose of protecting the rights of the employee so transferred; and for accounting for and depositing in the respective funds all agency contributions. The agency must furnish the employee with specific information as to how, when, and where the payments are to be submitted.

(d) Coverage. Employee payments are considered to be currently deposited if received by the agency before, during, or within 3 months after the end of the pay period covered by the deposit. If the contributions are not currently deposited, coverage terminates on the last day of the pay period for which the required contributions were currently deposited, subject to a 31-day extension of group life insurance and health benefits coverage as provided in parts 870 and 890 of this chapter and to the conversion benefits provided in parts 870 and 890 of this chapter. Coverage so terminated may not be re-established before the employee actually enters on duty, on the first day in a pay status in an agency. However, terminated retirement, health benefits, and group life insurance coverage must be reinstated retroactively when, in the judgment of OPM, the failure to make the required current deposit was due to circumstances beyond the employee's control and the required payments were deposited at the first opportunity. Coverage under a system other than the Civil Service Retirement System must be reinstated retroactively if the agency which administers the retirement system determines that the failure to make the required current deposit was due to circumstances beyond the control of the employee and the required payments were deposited at the first opportunity.

[73 FR 64860, Oct. 31, 2008]

§ 352.310 [Reserved]

§ 352.311 Reemployment.

Link to an amendment published at 91 FR 65903, Oct. 19, 2026.

(a) An employee who transferred to an international organization with the consent of the employing agency is entitled to be reemployed in his or her former position, or one of like seniority, status, and pay, within 30 days of applying for reemployment if the employee:

(1) Is separated, either voluntarily or involuntarily, without cause, within the term of employment with an international organization; and

(2) Applies for reemployment with the employing agency or its successor no later than 90 days after separation from the international organization.

(b) Pay upon reemployment will be set at that to which the employee would have been entitled had the employee remained with the employing agency.

(c) When an employee's reemployment right is to a position in the SES, reemployment may be to any position in the SES for which the employee is qualified. The employee must be returned at not less than the SES rate of basic pay as determined under 5 CFR part 534, subpart D, at which the employee was being paid immediately before transfer to the international organization, or if pay has been adjusted under § 352.314(c), at not less than the adjusted pay level.

(d) The period of separation caused by the employment of the employee with the international organization and the period necessary to effect reemployment are creditable service for all appropriate civil service employment purposes (e.g., tenure, service computation date, retirement, time in grade). Employees, upon return, are also entitled to restoration of any sick leave.

(e) An employee who elected to retain Federal retirement coverage while employed by the international organization and has made all deposits required for such coverage may make contributions to the TSP which he or she missed as a result of the service with the international organization, and receive make-up agency contributions and lost earnings on the agency contributions, consistent with applicable TSP requirements.

[73 FR 64861, Oct. 31, 2008]

§ 352.312 When to apply.

An employee may apply for reemployment, in writing, either before or after separation from the international organization. If the employee applies before separation, the 30-day period prescribed in § 352.311 begins either with the date of the application or 30 days before the employee's date of separation from the international organization, whichever is later. If the employee applies for reemployment after separation, the application must be received by the employing agency no later than 90 days after separation from the international organization.

[73 FR 64861, Oct. 31, 2008]

§ 352.313 Failure to reemploy and right of appeal.

(a) When an agency fails to reemploy an employee within 30 days of receiving the employee's application, it must notify the employee, in writing, of the reasons and of the employee's right to appeal to the Merit Systems Protection Board under the provisions of the Board's regulations. The agency must comply with the provisions of § 1201.21 of this title.

(b) If the agency fails to reach and issue a decision to the employee within 30 days from the date of the application for reemployment, the employee is entitled to appeal the agency's failure to issue a decision to the Merit Systems Protection Board under the provisions of the Board's regulations.

(c) An employee may submit an appeal, alleging that the agency has failed to comply with any of the other provisions of sections 3343 and 3581-3584 of title 5, United States Code, or of this part, to the Merit Systems Protection Board under the provisions of the Board's regulations.

[73 FR 64861, Oct. 31, 2008]

§ 352.314 Consideration for promotion and pay increases.

(a) The employing agency must consider an employee who is detailed or transferred to an international organization for all promotions for which the employee would be considered if not absent. A promotion based on this consideration is effective on the date it would have been effective if the employee were not absent.

(b) When the position of an employee who is absent on detail or transfer to an international organization is upgraded during the employee's absence, the employing agency must place the employee in the upgraded position upon return.

(c) The employing agency must consider an employee who is detailed or transferred to an international organization from an ungraded pay system for all pay increases for which the employee would have been considered if not absent. An increase is effective on the date it would have been effective if the employee were not absent.

[73 FR 64861, Oct. 31, 2008]

§ 352.401 Purpose.

The purpose of this subpart is to implement section 6(b) of the International Atomic Energy Agency Participation Act of 1957 and Executive Order 10774 as amended by Executive Order 10804 to protect the civil service rights and privileges, wherever appropriate, of Presidential appointees and elected officers who leave their positions and within 90 days enter employment with the International Atomic Energy Agency.

§ 352.402 Coverage.

This subpart applies to all officers, as defined in § 352.403(b), of any branch of the Federal Government.

§ 352.403 Definitions.

In this subpart:

(a) Agency means the International Atomic Energy Agency;

(b) Officer means any Presidential appointee or elected officer who leaves his position after August 27, 1957, and within 90 days enters employment with the agency; and

(c) Term of employment means not more than 3 consecutive years of employment beginning with entrance on duty in the agency.

§ 352.404 Retirement and insurance.

(a) Coverage. (1) To obtain retirement benefits for a term of employment with the agency, an officer covered by subchapter III of chapter 83 of title 5 United States Code, within 90 days after the date he is separated from the agency, shall pay to OPM all necessary employee deductions and agency contributions for coverage under that subchapter for his term of employment with the agency. Interest shall not be charged an officer on any payment of necessary employee deductions and agency contributions. The amount of the employee deductions so paid shall be added to the officer's lump-sum credit in the Civil Service Retirement and Disability Fund.

(2) To retain coverage under chapter 87 of title 5, United States Code, during his term of employment with the agency, an officer covered by that chapter shall currently pay employee deductions and agency contributions necessary for coverage under that chapter for his term of employment with the agency. Collections may be made under procedures which may be determined in accordance with written agreements reached between accounting representatives of OPM and the agency.

(3) All retirement and insurance benefits and obligations shall be computed in the same manner as if the rate of basic pay the officer was receiving on the last day he was in his Federal position before employment with the agency had continued without change.

(4) An officer not covered by either subchapter III of chapter 83, or chapter 87, of title 5, United States Code, in the Federal position which he last held or from which he separates to enter employment with the agency does not acquire coverage or benefits under these statutes based on employment with the agency.

(b) Death coverage. An officer who dies during his term of employment or within 90 days of his separation therefrom is deemed to have died in the Federal Service.

§ 352.405 Resumption of Federal service.

(a) Pay increase. Except for an employee whose right is to a position in the Senior Executive Service (SES), an officer who is reemployed in the Federal position which he or she left or one of like seniority, status, and pay within 90 days of his or her separation from the agency following a term of employment, is entitled to the rate of basic pay to which he/she would have been entitled had he or she remained in the Federal service. When the employee's right is to a position in the SES, this subpart authorizes reemployment to any position in the SES for which the employee is qualified at not less than the SES rate of basic pay as determined under 5 CFR part 534, subpart D at which the employee was being paid immediately before his or her transfer.

(b) Sick leave account. An officer shall have any sick leave account which he may have had in his last Federal position reestablished for credit or charge, if he returns to an appropriate leave system within 52 calendar weeks after the date he is separated from his term of employment with the agency.

(c) Service credit for agency employment. An officer who is reemployed in the Federal service within 90 days after completion of his term of employment with the agency is entitled to credit as Federal service for his term of employment with the agency. However, OPM shall give service credit for subchapter III of chapter 83 of title 5, United States Code, purposes only if the officer complies with the requirements of § 352.404(a)(1).

[33 FR 12433, Sept. 4, 1968, as amended at 51 FR 25188, July 11, 1986]

§ 352.501 Purpose.

This subpart governs reinstatement authorized by sections 233(d) and 625(b) of the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961, as amended (22 U.S.C. 2193(d) and 22 U.S.C. 235(b)).

[36 FR 13897, July 28, 1971]

§ 352.502 Coverage.

This subpart applies to any of the following serving in a position in the Federal Government:

(a) A person serving in the competitive service under a career or career-conditional appointment.

(b) A person serving under a career appointment in the Senior Executive Service (SES).

(c) A person serving in the excepted service under an appointment without a specific time limitation.

(d) A person appointed or assigned under authority of the Foreign Service Act of 1946, as amended (22 U.S.C. 801 et seq.).

[33 FR 12433, Sept. 4, 1968, as amended at 51 FR 25188, July 11, 1986]

§ 352.503 Definitions.

In this subpart:

(a) Act means the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961, as amended (22 U.S.C. 2151 et seq.); and

(b) Former position means the position that an employee was occupying at the time of his appointment to a position under authority of section 233(d) or section 625(b) of the Act.

[36 FR 13897, July 28, 1971]

§ 352.504 Basic entitlement.

Subject to the conditions specified in this subpart, an employee who is appointed to a position under authority of section 233(d) or section 625(b) of the Act is entitled, on termination of that appointment for any reason other than his or her own misconduct or delinquency, to be reinstated in his or her former position or in one of like seniority, status, and pay in the same agency. When the employee's right is to a position in the SES, reinstatement may be to any position in the SES for which the employee is qualified. The employee shall be returned at not less than the SES rate of basic pay as determined under 5 CFR part 534, subpart D at which the employee was being paid immediately before his or her transfer. If the functions with which the employee's former position was identified have been transferred to another agency, the employee's right to reinstatement is in the gaining agency.

[51 FR 25188, July 11, 1986]

§ 352.505 Proposed termination.

At least 45 days before termination of the appointment of an employee entitled to reinstatement, the agency terminating the employee shall notify the employee and his former agency in writing of the proposed termination. However, notification under this section is not required when:

(a) The termination is at the employee's own request; or

(b) The employee is reinstated without a break in service under an arrangement made between the agencies concerned.

§ 352.506 Application for reinstatement.

An employee who desires reinstatement shall apply for reinstatement, in writing, no later than 30 days after his appointment under authority of section 233(d) or section 625(b) of the Act is terminated, unless arrangement has been made for his reinstatement without a break in service under § 352.505(b).

[36 FR 13897, July 28, 1971]

§ 352.507 Reinstatement.

An employee eligible for reinstatement is entitled to be reinstated as soon as possible after his application for reinstatement, filed in accordance with § 352.506, is received. In any event, he is entitled to be reinstated (a) within 30 days after his application for reinstatement is received, or (b) on termination of the appointment made under authority of section 233(d) or section 625(b) of the act, whichever is later.

[36 FR 13897, July 28, 1971]

§ 352.508 Appeals to the Merit Systems Protection Board.

(a) If an agency determines that an employee who has applied for reinstatement is not eligible for reinstatement, it shall notify the employee as promptly as possible of its decision, of the basis therefor, and of the employee's appeal rights under this subpart. The employee is entitled to appeal the decision to the Merit Systems Protection Board under the provisions of the Board's regulations. The agency shall comply with the provisions of § 1201.21 of this title.

(b) If an agency fails to reinstate an employee within the time limits specified in § 352.507, the employee is entitled to appeal to the Merit Systems Protection Board under the provisions of the Board's regulations.

(c) If an employee considers that his reinstatement is not in accordance with the act and this subpart, he or she is entitled to appeal to the Merit Systems Protection Board under the provisions of the Board's regulations.

[44 FR 48952, Aug. 21, 1979]

§ 352.701 Purpose.

This subpart governs reemployment rights authorized by section 105(i) of the Indian Self-Determination Act (88 Stat. 2210; Pub. L. 93-638, the Act) and E.O. 11899 after service in an Indian tribal organization under the Act.

§ 352.702 Definitions.

In this subpart:

(a) Agency means the Bureau of Indian Affairs and the Indian Health Service. For reemployment purposes, the Public Health Service shall be considered the agency to which Indian Health Service employees may return.

(b) Competitive area is the same as defined in § 351.402 of this title.

(c) Tribal organization is defined in section 4(c) of the Indian Self-Determination Act (88 Stat. 2204).

§ 352.703 Basic entitlement to reemployment rights on leaving Federal employment.

(a) Employees entitled. The following employees of the Bureau of Indian Affairs, Department of the Interior, and the Indian Health Service and the Public Health Service of the Department of Health and Human Services, are granted reemployment rights subject to the conditions of this subpart, to the Bureau of Indian Affairs, the Indian Health Service, or the Public Health Service, as appropriate, if they leave their Federal employment to be employed, with no break in service following separation from their agency, by an Indian tribal organization to work in a function of their respective agency contracted under the Indian Self-Determination Act to be performed by that tribal organization:

(1) An employee serving in a competitive position under a career or career-conditional appointment and who has satisfactorily completed at least 6 months of a probationary period; or

(2) A non-temporary excepted service employee who has satisfactorily completed at least 6 months of a trial period if one is required by the agency.

(3) An employee serving under a career appointment in the Senior Executive Service (SES) who is not serving a probationary period.

(b) Employees not entitled. The following employees are not entitled to reemployment rights under this subpart:

(1) An employee who has received a notice of involuntary separation because of reduction in force, or other cause, not directly related to contracting under the Act to a tribal organization;

(2) An employee whose resignation has been accepted for reasons other than to accept tribal employment under this subpart; or

(3) An employee serving under a Schedule C excepted appointment.

(c) Not related to other benefits. Entitlement to reemployment rights does not depend on continuation of Federal employee benefits coverage during service with a tribal organization.

[41 FR 27713, July 6, 1976, as amended at 51 FR 25188, July 11, 1986; 57 FR 10124, Mar. 24, 1992]

§ 352.704 Duration of reemployment rights.

(a) Termination of authority. Rights are not granted to persons who leave Federal employment for employment with a tribal organization after the date (December 31, 1985, at present) specified in section 105(e) of the Indian Self-Determination Act (88 Stat. 2209).

(b) Maximum period of entitlement. Entitlement to reemployment terminates at the end of 6 years following the date employment commences in the tribal organization unless exercised or otherwise terminated before that time as provided in this subpart.

§ 352.705 Return to Federal employment.

(a) Conditions. Reemployment rights may be exercised only under the following conditions. The individual must apply in writing to the former employing agency for reemployment not later than 30 calendar days after:

(1) Receipt of notice of involuntary separation from tribal employment. For this purpose, involuntary separation means any separation against the will and without consent of the individual.

(2) Reversion of the function to Federal operation, whether reversion is through tribal or Federal action; or

(3) Separation with the joint consent of the tribal organization and the Federal agency for reasons of personal hardship or other special circumstances.

(b) Termination. A former employee's entitlement to reemployment terminates for:

(1) Failure to apply for reemployment within the time limit stated in paragraph (a) of this section;

(2) Resignation from tribal service without the joint consent, described in paragraph (a)(3) of this section, of the tribal organization and the Federal employer; or

(3) Failure to accept, within 10 calendar days of receipt thereof, an offer of reemployment made under § 352.706 which is determined by the employing agency or by the Merit Systems Protection Board on appeal to be a proper offer of reemployment.

§ 352.706 Agency response to reemployment application.

(a) Employee's right to reemployment. An employee is entitled to be reemployed by the reemploying agency as promptly as possible, and, in any event, within 45 calendar days after agency receipt of application.

(1) Within the competitive area the employee is entitled to reemployment in:

(i) The position held immediately before leaving the agency;

(ii) One in the same competitive level; or

(iii) Another position for which qualified and eligible at the same grade or level and in the same competitive area as the position the employee last held in the agency. The employing agency determines the position under paragraph (a)(1) (i), (ii), or (iii) of this section to which the employee is entitled. Reduction-in-force procedures shall be applied where necessary in determining the position to which the employee has a right. In applying the reduction-in-force regulations, the applicant shall be considered an employee of the agency.

(2) Extending the area. Responsibility for reemploying an applicant is nation-wide within the agency. If the applicant is not placed under paragraph (a)(1) of this section, the agency must extend reemployment rights, based on the employee's availability, for assignment outside the competitive area. The employee is entitled to a position, for which qualified and eligible, at the same grade or level as the position last held in the agency. Where necessary, reduction-in-force procedures shall be applied in determining the position to which the employee has a right. The applicant shall be considered an employee for the purpose of applying the reduction-in-force regulations.

(b) Employee option. Before the competitive area is extended under paragraph (a)(2) of this section, an employee who cannot be placed under paragraph (a)(1) of this section, in the competitive area at the same grade or level as the position last held is entitled, if the employee elects, to reemployment in a position at a lower grade or level identified under the same conditions and procedures as paragraph (a)(1) of this section.

(c) Agency option. At any stage in the process, the agency has the option to satisfy the employee's right to reemployment by offering a vacant position which, under reduction-in-force regulations, is in accord with the employee's rights. Also, with the employee's consent, right to reemployment can be met by placement in a vacant position, for which the employee is qualified according to agency determination, and available, outside the organizational or geographic area of entitlement, either at the appropriate grade or at a grade other than the one to which entitled.

(d) Reemployment to an SES position. When the employee's right is to a position in the SES, reemployment or return may be to any position in the SES for which the employee is qualified. The employee shall be returned at not less than the SES rate of basic pay as determined under 5 CFR part 534, subpart D at which the employee was being paid immediately before his or her transfer.

(e) Basis for agency refusal to reemploy. An agency may refuse to reemploy when the employee was last separated from tribal employment for serious cause establishing unsuitability for reemployment.

(f) Basis for agency inability to reemploy. An agency may find it is unable to reemploy in the event no position can be found under procedures in this section.

[41 FR 27713, July 6, 1976, as amended at 51 FR 25188, July 11, 1986]

§ 352.707 Employee appeals to the Merit Systems Protection Board.

(a) If an agency denies reemployment to a person claiming reemployment rights under this subpart, the agency shall inform the individual of that denial and of the reasons therefor by a written notice. In the same notice, the agency shall inform the employee of the right to appeal to the Merit Systems Protection Board under the provisions of the Board's regulations. The agency shall comply with the provisions of § 1201.21 of this title.

(b) If an employee considers reemployment to be not in accordance with this subpart, the employee is entitled to appeal to the Merit Systems Protection Board under the provisions of the Board's regulations.

(c) Refusal of a tribe to hire a Federal employee is not appealable to the Merit Systems Protection Board.

[44 FR 48953, Aug. 21, 1979]