News Release

Director James Announces OPM Program to Help Agency Managers Detect Bogus Education Credentials

Agencies reminded of adjudication responsibilities, need to protect integrity of civil service

WASHINGTON - Under the leadership of Director Kay Coles James, the U.S. Office of Personnel Management (OPM) will sponsor two seminars on August 12 and 13 for federal human resources and personnel security managers to establish the veracity of education achievements cited by prospective employees. James notified agency heads and chief human capital officers via a memorandum that also reminded agencies of their overall adjudication responsibilities. Recruiting a highly qualified federal workforce is a goal of President George W. Bush and this training session will assist managers in accomplishing that goal.

James said, "We saw the need to further assist agencies in the clearance process but we wanted to give them detailed instruction on how to spot and verify educational achievements during the hiring process, prior to the OPM background investigation. By training agencies how to spot bogus educational credentials earlier in the process we can make the hiring process more effective and efficient."

Several years ago OPM alerted federal agencies to the FBI's investigation of "diploma mills" that sell bogus college degrees and other professional credentials. OPM provided guidance for identifying diploma mills and to determine if qualifications fraud occurred and the appropriate action to take. OPM shares an active interest with agencies for dealing with this "diploma mill" problem. Agency human resources staffs have an important role in detecting and dealing with bogus degree claims.

"It is my goal to ensure that those hired to work for the federal government are of the highest integrity," James added. "That is why we are focused on trying to help human resources and personnel security professionals become more effective in their screening process. The federal civil service is based upon strong merit principles and agencies play a critical role in maintaining the positive reputation of their workforces while simultaneously honoring our tradition of high standards."

For more information contact the OPM Office of Communications at 202-606-2402.

OPM oversees the federal work force and provides the American public with up-to-date employment information. OPM also supports U.S. agencies with personnel services and policy leadership including staffing tools, guidance on labor-management relations and programs to improve work force performance.

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