Federal Register #2026-21319

OPM rule removes Time-in-Grade restriction for covered General Schedule promotions

The Office of Personnel Management finalized a rule removing the Time-in-Grade restriction for certain General Schedule promotions. - Government agency: U.S. Office of Personnel Management (OPM). - Rule change: Removes the prior 52-week time-in-grade requirement for covered competitive-service promotions to GS-6 and above. - Requirements that remain: Employees must meet applicable qualification standards, classification requirements, and any consistently applied, job-related prerequisites established by their agency. - Effect: The change allows eligible employees to be considered; it does not guarantee promotion or change merit promotion procedures, statutory qualifications, or within-grade increase rules. - Procurement details: This is a regulatory action, not a procurement opportunity. No products, services, quantities, part numbers, OEMs, or vendors are requested.

Description

The Office of Personnel Management is issuing a final rule eliminating the Time-in-Grade restriction on advancement to covered competitive service positions in the General Schedule. The rule removes the prior requirement that candidates generally complete 52 weeks at a specified lower grade before advancement to GS-6 or above. Employees must still meet applicable qualification standards and agency-established job-related requirements, and the rule does not create an entitlement to promotion. The rule is effective January 19, 2027.

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