Standards
Draft --
Education and Experience Requirements for Professional and Scientific Positions
for GS-7 (or equivalent) and Above
Applicants must have directly-related education and/or specialized experience (as specified in the individual occupational requirements) as stated in the table below. At GS-13 and above grade (or equivalent) levels, specialized experience is required for all positions.
NOTE: Education and experience may be combined for all grade (or equivalent) levels for which both education and experience are acceptable.
| Level | Education | Experience |
|---|---|---|
| GS-7 (or equivalent) | bachelor's degree | 1 year of specialized experience equivalent to at least GS-5 (or equivalent) |
| GS-9 (or equivalent) | master's or equivalent graduate degree or at least 1 academic year of graduate education or law school |
1 year of specialized experience equivalent to at least GS-7 (or equivalent) |
| GS-11 (or equivalent) | Ph.D. or equivalent doctoral degree or J.D. or 3 academic years of progressively higher level graduate education leading to a doctoral or equivalent degree or For research positions only, master's or equivalent graduate degree |
1 year of specialized experience equivalent to at least GS-9 (or equivalent) |
| GS-12 (or equivalent) | For research positions only, Ph.D. or equivalent doctoral degree | 1 year of specialized experience equivalent to at least GS-11 (or equivalent) |
| GS-13 (or equivalent) | Not applicable because at GS-13 and above grade (or equivalent) levels, specialized experience is required for all positions | 1 year of specialized experience equivalent to at least GS-12 (or equivalent) |
