Click here to skip navigation
This website uses features which update page content based on user actions. If you are using assistive technology to view web content, please ensure your settings allow for the page content to update after initial load (this is sometimes called "forms mode"). Additionally, if you are using assistive technology and would like to be notified of items via alert boxes, please follow this link to enable alert boxes for your session profile.
Change Search Collection
Select a Search Collection:
An official website of the United States Government.

Frequently Asked Questions Policy on Political Appointees

Advanced Search
How will OPM determine the five-year period for former political appointees?

We determine this period by looking back five years from the closing date of the vacancy announcement.  If an applicant for a career Federal job held a political appointment covered by OPM’s policy during that five-year period, OPM will review the proposed selection to ensure it meets merit system principles.  We recognize that vacancy announcements are not always used for excepted service positions.  In such cases, the five-year period will be determined by looking back five years from the date an agency submits its request for pre-hiring review to OPM.

Unexpected Error

There was an unexpected error when performing your action.

Your error has been logged and the appropriate people notified. You may close this message and try your command again, perhaps after refreshing the page. If you continue to experience issues, please notify the site administrator.

Working...