Outreach Frequently Asked Questions

Answers to Frequently Asked Questions About the 2302(c) Certification Program

Answer: The program itself is voluntary but the requirement to inform agency employees of the rights and remedies available to them under the PPP and whistleblower provisions of Title 5 is a statutory obligation. The Certification Program provides a mechanism to meet this obligation. Moreover, the Office of Personnel Management recently announced that 2302(c) certification is a "suggested performance indicator" for 'getting to green' on the Strategic Management of Human Capital element of the President's Management Agenda.
Answer: OSC will report annually to Congress federal agencies’ participation with the 2302(c) Certification Program.
Answer: Call Shirine Moazed at (202) 254-3600 to discuss what outreach activities your agency is currently engaged in. She will inform you if your agency is in compliance.
Answer: If you have registered for the program, after completing the five requirements of the program, you will be asked to fill out a certificate of compliance form on the OSC web site. After OSC reviews the form, OSC will grant you a certificate of compliance indicating your conformity with 5 U.S.C. §2302(c).
Answer: Agencies need to be certified every three years.
Answer:Supervisors need to be trained every three years.
Answer: Employees need to get annual notification.
Answer: Our experience is that agency-wide education programs have not resulted in a substantial increase in the number of complaints filed by employees of that agency.
Answer: Some agencies have federal employees that are only covered by a limited number of Title 5 provisions. If any provisions of the WPA cover these employees, the agency is responsible for informing the employees of their rights and responsibilities under the statute.


  • Question: Is the program voluntary? 

    • Answer: The program itself is voluntary but the requirement to inform agency employees of the rights and remedies available to them under the PPP and whistleblower provisions of Title 5 is a statutory obligation. The Certification Program provides a mechanism to meet this obligation. Moreover, the Office of Personnel Management recently announced that 2302(c) certification is a "suggested performance indicator" for 'getting to green' on the Strategic Management of Human Capital element of the President's Management Agenda.

  • Question: What are the consequences of failing to comply with the statutory obligation?

    • Answer: OSC will report annually to Congress federal agencies’ participation with the 2302(c) Certification Program.

  • Question: How do I know if my agency is currently in compliance with 5 U.S.C. §2302(c)?

    • Answer: Call Shirine Moazed at (202) 254-3600 to discuss what outreach activities your agency is currently engaged in. She will inform you if your agency is in compliance.

  • Question: Once I register for the program, how will I know that my agency is in compliance with 5 U.S.C. §2302(c)?

    • Answer: If you have registered for the program, after completing the five requirements of the program, you will be asked to fill out a certificate of compliance form on the OSC web site. After OSC reviews the form, OSC will grant you a certificate of compliance indicating your conformity with 5 U.S.C. §2302(c).

  • Question: How often will agencies need to be certified as being in compliance with 5 U.S.C. §2302(c)?

    • Answer: Agencies need to be certified every three years.

  • Question: How often does an agency need to train supervisors on PPP's and the WPA? 

    • Answer:Supervisors need to be trained every three years.

  • Question: How often do employees need to get notification of their rights and remedies under the WPA? 

    • Answer: Employees need to get annual notification.

  • Question: Will this program generate frivolous complaints? 

    • Answer: Our experience is that agency-wide education programs have not resulted in a substantial increase in the number of complaints filed by employees of that agency.

  • Question: If an agency has employees that are not covered by all Title 5 provisions, will they need to comply with 5 U.S.C. §2302(c)? 

    • Answer: Some agencies have federal employees that are only covered by a limited number of Title 5 provisions. If any provisions of the WPA cover these employees, the agency is responsible for informing the employees of their rights and responsibilities under the statute.