# OPM Removes Promotion Time-in-Grade Rule

The signals describe an Office of Personnel Management (OPM) final rule eliminating the time-in-grade (TIG) requirement for federal promotions. One signal gives October 19, 2026 as the publication date and says the rule takes effect 90 days later; because the current date is October 18, 2026, that publication date is still in the future and the effective date should be verified before being treated as confirmed. The change concerns TIG, not specialized-experience qualifications, and the discussion says career-ladder promotions continue on one-year increments. No solicitation, contract value, or procurement opportunity is identified.

- Federal contractors providing workforce planning or human-capital support can review whether their agency clients’ promotion-planning assumptions depend on TIG; the signals do not identify a related acquisition.
- The discussion distinguishes removal of TIG from specialized-experience requirements, which remain relevant to qualifications. It also says career-ladder promotions continue on one-year increments.
- Claims in the discussion about performance-rating limits or use of Highest Previous Rate are unconfirmed; the signals provide no basis to treat them as established policy.

**Jurisdictions:** federal
**Topics:** Policy
**Published:** October 17, 2026

### Government Entities
- Office of Personnel Management (OPM)

### Key Quotes
> A GS-11 applying to a higher job would still need the specialized experience. Just not TIG.
> — Community commenter (role not specified)

### Sources
- [OPM final rule eliminates time-in-grade requirement for federal promotions](https://www.reddit.com/r/fednews/comments/1x8bwcz/opm_final_rule_eliminates_timeingrade_requirement) - reddit-fednews