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Operating Manual for Qualification Standards for General Schedule Positions

Overview: How To Use This Site

The information on this website has been re-formatted and re-organized to make it easier to find specific information regarding qualification standards and related policy. Accordingly, this site is now divided into two main sections as described below.

  1. Policies and Instructions — This section contains eligibility and qualifications-related information that applies to Governmentwide occupations in the competitive service. We recommend you first review "General Policies" in sequential order for an overall orientation to evaluating qualifications and eligibility for Federal employment. "General Policies" is located on the left navigation of the "Policies and Instructions" web pages. "General Policies" is further divided into specific topics under paragraphs A through H. Links to Test Requirements, Medical Requirements, and Technical Notes and Updates are also located in the left navigation of the "Policies and Instructions" web pages.

  2. Standards — This is the largest section of the site and includes the following information:

    1. Group Coverage Standards — The group coverage standards describe common patterns of education, experience, and other requirements. These standards should be used with the associated individual occupational requirements, when applicable, and are listed below.

    2. Individual Occupational Requirements (IOR) — Each IOR describes the minimum qualification requirements for a particular occupational series, including any licensure or medical requirements. IORs are not used alone; they must be used in conjunction with the appropriate group coverage standard (see above).

    3. Individual Qualification Standard — Each individual qualification standard describes the minimum qualification requirements for a particular occupational series, including any licensure or medical requirements. These standards are not used in conjunction with a group coverage qualification standard.

    4. Specialty Qualification Areas — A specific occupational series is not assigned to the following qualification requirements. Instead, they should be used in conjunction with the appropriate individual qualification standard, IOR, and/or group coverage standard.

  3. Recent Issuances — This web page shows revised or new qualification standards issued within the past 12 months.

  4. Draft Standards — This web page shows draft qualification standards posted for comments from agencies.

  5. Medical Requirements — This web page provides a list of occupations that have medical requirements.”