Updated on March 12, 2012

* Are non-U.S. citizens eligible for the program?
* Do I need to be admitted to the bar to participate in the Honors Program?
* Do I need to be licensed to practice law in D.C. to participate in the program or to be employed by the FCC?
* When is the next application deadline?
* I am graduating from law school in December 2012. Can I apply to the Fall 2013 Honors Program?
* I already graduated from law school and am not clerking for a judge this judicial term (2012-13). Am I eligible to participate in the Attorney Honors Program?
* When will I hear back from the FCC about my application?

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Are non-U.S. citizens eligible for the program?

According to the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2012, Pub. L. No. 112-74, Div. C, Title VII, § 704 (12/23/2011), if you are not a U.S. citizen you may be eligible for federal employment if you meet one of the following exceptions:

• Lawful permanent residents who are seeking citizenship as outlined in 8 U.S.C. 1324b(a)(3)(B);
• Individuals who are admitted refugees under 8 U.S.C. 1157 or granted asylum under 8 U.S.C. 1158 who have filed a declaration of intention to become a lawful permanent resident and then a citizen when eligible; or
• Individuals who owe allegiance to the United States (e.g., nationals of American Samoa, Swains Island)

In addition to meeting one of the above criteria, applicants are still subject to the requirements of immigration laws.  You must provide documentation supporting your eligibility prior to being hired.  For more information about citizenship requirements for federal employment, please visit the Office of Personnel Management’s website at http://www.usajobs.gov/ResourceCenter/Index/508/NonCitizensEmployment#icc.  Assuming you meet the criteria outlined and the specific Honors Program eligibility requirements you may be considered for the Honors Program.  If you have additional questions about the eligibility of non-U.S. citizens, please contact Sheila Shipp in the Office of Human Resources at (202) 418-0148 or at sheila.shipp@fcc.gov.

Do I need to be admitted to the bar to participate in the Honors Program?

When we accept applications from graduating and recently graduated law students, we do not require that they be admitted yet to any state bar.  However, all participants must be admitted to a state bar within 14 months of becoming an FCC employee.

Normally, when we accept applications from judicial law clerks or experienced attorneys, they must be admitted to the bar before beginning employment with the FCC.

Do I need to be licensed to practice law in D.C. to participate in the program or to be employed by the FCC?

No.  FCC attorneys may be admitted to the bar of any state and need not be admitted to the D.C. bar.

When we accept applications from graduating and recently graduated law students, we do not require that they be admitted yet to any state bar.  However, all participants must be admitted to a state bar within 14 months of becoming an FCC employee.

When is the next application deadline? 

On July 23, 2012 we will be accepting applications from graduating law students and judicial clerks serving in the 2012-13 judicial term until September 21, 2012.  For more information, go to www.fcc.gov/attorneyhonorsprogram.

I am graduating from law school in December 2012.  Can I apply to the Fall 2013 Honors Program? 

Yes.  We expect that Fall 2013 program participants will start work in September 2013.  Earlier start dates may be available, depending on the FCC’s budget and needs, but participants generally should not expect to be able to start work before September 2013.

I already graduated from law school and am not clerking for a judge this judicial term (2012-13).  Am I eligible to participate in the Attorney Honors Program?

At this time, we are only taking applications from graduating law students and judicial clerks.  We will update our program information if there is a separate application window for experienced attorneys.

When will I hear back from the FCC about my application?

You should receive an acknowledgement within a few days of submission that we have received your application.  We anticipate that during late September and early October, we will select candidates for interviews, and that the interviews will take place in October.  Candidates not selected for an interview will receive a notification about that decision in October as well.