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OPM.gov / Policy / Classification & Qualifications / General Schedule Qualification Standards
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General Schedule Qualification Standards

 

Overview

This section contains the group coverage qualification standards, associated individual occupational requirements (IOR), and individual qualification standards covering white collar occupations in the Federal competitive service. These standards describe the minimum qualification requirements (for example, educational, medical, age, experience, etc.) for each occupational series. You may search for information about specific qualification requirements using either the Index by Series Number or Index by Series Title.

The standards are written broadly for Governmentwide application and are not intended to provide detailed information about specific qualification requirements for individual positions at a particular agency. Such information (i.e., a description of the specialized experience requirements for a particular position) should be included in the vacancy announcements issued by the agency. Information about the work performed in a General Schedule occupational series is contained in the Handbook of Occupational Groups & Families and the Introduction to the Position Classification Standards, and is not repeated on this site.

Many occupations or positions that are covered by a group coverage qualification standard also have Individual Occupation Requirements (IOR). Some series are covered by a separate stand-alone individual qualification standard.

Each of the following Group Coverage Qualification Standards includes a list of covered occupations:

An occupational series has not been assigned to the following:

They should be used in conjunction with the appropriate qualification standard for the specific occupational series. For example, an agency may plan to recruit for a supervisory computer scientist position. In this situation, the agency should use the qualification standard for the 1550 occupational series in conjunction with the Supervisory Guide.

The following links may be helpful in locating additional qualification-related information.

Drafts

OPM posts draft versions of qualification standards on this site. Draft qualification standards may not be used to qualify applicants.

The following standards apply to white collar positions.

Draft Qualification Standards
Draft Title / Description Comment Period

Recently Revised or New Qualification Standards

Group Coverage Qualification Standards

Clerical and Administrative Support Positions

This qualification standard covers positions in the General Schedule that involve the performance of one-grade interval clerical and administrative support work. It contains common patterns of creditable experience and education to be used in making qualifications determinations.

A list of the occupational series covered by this standard is provided below.

This standard may also be used for one-grade interval positions other than those listed if the education and experience pattern is determined to be appropriate.

Experience and Education Requirements

The following table shows the amounts of education and/or experience required to qualify for positions covered by this standard.

GRADE/
POSITIONS
EXPERIENCEEDUCATION
GENERALSPECIALIZED
GS-1
All positions
None None None
GS-2
All positions
3 months None High school graduation
or equivalent
GS-3
Clerk-Steno
-----------------
All other positions
6 months None High school graduation
or equivalent
-----------------
1 year above high school
GS-4
All positions
1 year None 2 years above high school
GS-5
Clerk-Steno
---------------
All other positions

2 years
---------------
none

None
---------------
1 year equivalent to at least GS-4
4 years above high school
(except Reporting Stenographer)
GS-6 and
above
All positions
None 1 year equivalent to at least next lower grade level Generally, not applicable

NOTE: Equivalent combinations of education and experience are qualifying for all grade levels and positions for which both education and experience are acceptable. Proficiency requirements are described below.

Some of the occupational series covered by this standard include both one- and two-grade interval work. The qualification requirements described in this standard apply only to those positions that typically follow a one-grade interval pattern. While the levels of experience shown for most positions covered by this standard follow the grade level progression pattern outlined in the table, users of the standard should refer to E.3.(o) in the "Policies and Instructions" section for guidance on crediting experience for positions with different lines of progression.

General Experience (All positions except Reporting Stenographer, Shorthand Reporter, and Closed Micro-phone Reporter)--Progressively responsible clerical, office, or other work that indicates ability to acquire the particular knowledge and skills needed to perform the duties of the position to be filled.

Specialized Experience (All positions except Reporting Stenographer, Shorthand Reporter, and Closed Micro-phone Reporter)--Experience that equipped the applicant with the particular knowledge, skills, and abilities (KSA's) to perform successfully the duties of the position, and that is typically in or related to the position to be filled. To be creditable, specialized experience must have been equivalent to at least the next lower grade level. Applicants who have the 1 year of appropriate specialized experience, as indicated in the table, are not required by this standard to have general experience, education above the high school level, or any additional specialized experience to meet the minimum qualification requirements.

Experience for Reporting Stenographer, Shorthand Reporter, and Closed Microphone Reporter-- One year of experience equivalent to at least the next lower grade level using the skills and equipment appropriate to the position to be filled is required for all positions. Following is a description of qualifying experience for these positions.

  • Reporting Stenographer, GS-5: Experience as a clerk-stenographer, secretary, reporting stenographer, or in other positions that included application of stenography and typing skills as a significant part of the work.
  • Reporting Stenographer, Shorthand Reporter, and Closed Microphone Reporter, GS-6:Experience as a reporting stenographer, hearing reporter, or in other positions in which the primary duty was to make and transcribe manual or machine-written shorthand records of hearings, interviews, or similar proceedings.
  • Shorthand Reporter and Closed Microphone Reporter, GS-7 and above: Experience as a court reporter, or hearing reporter, or in other positions in which the primary duty was to make verbatim records of proceedings.

Education: High school graduation or the equivalent is creditable at the GS-2 level for the occupations listed, except Clerk-Stenographer, where it is creditable at the GS-3 entry level.

Successfully completed education above the high school level in any field for which high school graduation or the equivalent is the normal prerequisite is creditable at grades GS-3 through GS-5 for all positions except Reporting Stenographer, GS-5. This education must have been obtained in an accredited business, secretarial or technical school, junior college, college or university. One year of full-time academic study is defined as 30 semester hours, 45 quarter hours, or the equivalent in a college or university, or at least 20 hours of classroom instruction per week for approximately 36 weeks in a business, secretarial, or technical school.

As a general rule, education is not creditable above GS-5 for most positions covered by this standard; however, graduate education may be credited in those few instances where the graduate education is directly related to the work of the position.

Intensive Short-Term Training-- Completion of an intensive, specialized course of study of less than 1 year may meet in full the experience requirements for GS-3. Courses of this type normally require completion of up to 40 hours per week of instruction rather than the usual 20 hours per week, and are usually of at least 3 months duration. Such courses may have been obtained through a variety of programs such as those offered by business or technical schools, and through military training programs. To be creditable, such a course must have been designed specifically as career preparation for the work of the position being filled, and must have provided the applicant with the necessary knowledge, skills, and abilities to do the work.

Combining Education and Experience: Equivalent combinations of successfully completed post-high school education and experience may be used to meet total experience requirements at grades GS-5 and below, except for Reporting Stenographer, GS-5.

  • For GS-3 and GS-4 level positions, determine the applicant's total qualifying experience as a percentage of the experience required for the grade level; then determine the applicant's education as a percentage of the education required for the grade level; then add the two percentages. The total percentage must equal at least 100 percent to qualify an applicant for that grade level.
  • For GS-5 level positions (except Clerk-Stenographer, which does not require specialized experience), only education in excess of the first 60 semester hours (i.e., beyond the second year) is creditable toward meeting the specialized experience requirement. One full academic year of study (30 semester hours) beyond the second year is equivalent to 6 months of specialized experience.

The following are examples of how education and experience may be combined. They are examples only, and are not all inclusive:

  • The position to be filled is a Payroll Clerk, GS-4. An applicant has 8 months of qualifying experience and 20 semester hours of college. The applicant meets 67 percent of the required experience and 33 percent of the required education. The applicant meets 100 percent of the total requirements and is qualified for the position.
  • The position to be filled is a Clerk-Typist, GS-4. The applicant has 4 months of qualifying experience and 1 year of business school. The applicant meets 33 percent of the required experience and 50 percent of the required education. The applicant meets 83 percent of the total requirements and is not qualified for the position.
  • The position to be filled is a Clerk-Stenographer, GS-5. An applicant has 1 year of qualifying experience and 90 semester hours of college. The applicant meets 50 percent of the required experience and 75 percent of the required education. The applicant exceeds 100 percent of the total requirements and is qualified for the position.
  • The position to be filled is an Editorial Assistant, GS-5. The applicant has 9 months of specialized experience and 75 semester hours of college (15 semester hours beyond the second year and the equivalent of 3 months of specialized experience). The applicant meets 75 percent of the required experience and 25 percent of the required education. The applicant meets 100 percent of the requirement for 1 year of specialized experience and is qualified for the position.

Proficiency Requirements

Clerk-Typist, Office Automation Clerk/Assistant, Clerk-Stenographer, Data Transcriber, and Positions with Parenthetical Titles of (Typing), (Office Automation), (Stenography), or (Data Transcription)

In addition to meeting experience or education requirements, applicants for these positions must show possession of the following skills, as appropriate. Applicants may meet these requirements by passing the appropriate performance test, presenting a certificate of proficiency from a school or other organization authorized to issue such certificates by the Office of Personnel Management local office, or by self-certifying their proficiency. Performance test results and certificates of proficiency are acceptable for 3 years. Agencies may verify proficiency skills of self-certified applicants by administering the appropriate performance test.

  • Clerk-Typist, GS-2/4; Office Automation Clerk/ Assistant (any grade); (Typing) (any grade); and (Office Automation) (any grade):

    40 words per minute typing speed1

  • Data Transcriber, GS-2/4; and (Data Transcription) (any grade):

    skill in operating an alphanumeric data transcribing machine,
    or 20 words per minute typing speed1 for GS-2 transcription duties
    or 25 words per minute typing speed1 for GS-3 and GS-4 transcription duties

  • Clerk-Stenographer, GS-3/4:

    40 words per minute typing speed1 and
    80 words per minute dictation speed2

  • Clerk-Stenographer, GS-5:

    40 words per minute typing speed1 and
    120 words per minute dictation speed2

  • (Stenography) (any grade):

    40 words per minute typing speed1 and either
    80 words per minute dictation speed2 for GS-3 and GS-4 stenographic duties
    or 120 words per minute dictation speed2 for GS-5 stenographic duties

NOTE: The level of proficiency for stenographic and data transcribing duties required by positions with parenthetical titles is based on the grade level of those duties and not necessarily on the overall grade of the position. For example, a position classified as Secretary (Stenography), GS-318-5, may require either 80 or 120 words per minute dictation speed depending upon the level of difficulty of the stenographic duties. A position classified as Payroll Clerk (Data Transcription), GS-544-4, may require either 20 or 25 words per minute typing speed depending upon the level of difficulty of the transcribing duties. Therefore, before filling positions of this type, first determine the grade level of the duties that require the additional skill, and then determine the skill level required.

Reporting Stenographer, Shorthand Reporter, and Closed Microphone Reporter

In addition to meeting the experience requirements, applicants for these positions must show possession of the following skills with equipment appropriate to the specific position.

  • Reporting Stenographer, GS-5/6: 120 words per minute dictation speed3

  • Shorthand Reporter and Closed Microphone Reporter, GS-6: 160 words per minute dictation speed3

  • Shorthand Reporter and Closed Microphone Reporter, GS-7 and above: 175 words per minute dictation speed3

Applicants must also be able to produce accurate typewritten transcripts of recorded proceedings.

Applicants for competitive appointment and inservice applicants for initial assignment to these three positions at all grade levels must demonstrate the specific skill and level of proficiency required by the position to be filled. Also, inservice applicants for promotion to positions that have a higher proficiency requirement than the position previously held must demonstrate the higher level of proficiency. Applicants may demonstrate that proficiency by either passing a dictation test at the required speed or presenting a certificate of proficiency showing speed and accuracy equivalent to those used in the Office of Personnel Management performance tests for these positions. The certificate must show that the candidate demonstrated the required proficiency, i.e., dictation speed and accuracy, to a teacher of stenography, shorthand reporting, or closed microphone reporting, within the past year. Applicants for these positions may not self-certify dictation proficiency.

Using Selective Factors For Positions Covered by this Standard

Selective factors must represent knowledge, skills, or abilities that are essential for successful job performance and cannot reasonably be acquired on the job during the period of orientation/training customary for the position being filled. It is unlikely, for example, that a requirement for experience with a particular brand of word processing software could be justified as a selective factor for an Office Automation Clerk position. Since knowledge of that software may be desirable, such knowledge could be appropriately used as a quality ranking factor. On the other hand, proficiency in the correct use of medical terminology may be needed immediately to perform the duties of a Medical Records Technician position to provide continuity in an agency's medical records program. If that is the case, knowledge of medical terminology could be used as a selective factor in filling the position.

  1. Words per minute are based on a 5 minute sample with three or fewer errors.

  2. The maximum number of errors allowed in a dictation sample equals 10 percent of the required dictation speed (80 words per minute or 120 words per minute) multiplied by the number of minutes in the sample.

  3. The maximum number of errors allowed in a dictation sample for these three positions equals 5 percent of the required dictation speed multiplied by the number of minutes in the sample.

Occupational Coverage

A list of the occupational series covered by this qualification standard is provided below. The occupational series marked with an asterisk have individual occupational requirements.

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Technical and Medical Support Positions

This qualification standard covers positions in the General Schedule that involve the performance of one-grade interval technical or medical support work. It contains common patterns of creditable experience and education to be used in making qualifications determinations.

A list of the occupational series covered by this standard is provided below.

This standard may also be used for one-grade interval positions other than those listed if the education and experience pattern is determined to be appropriate.

Experience and education requirements

The following table shows the amounts of education and/or experience required to qualify for positions covered by this standard.

GRADEEXPERIENCEEDUCATION
GENERALSPECIALIZED
GS-1 None None None
GS-2 3 months None

High school graduation or equivalent

GS-3 6 months None

1 year above high school with course(s) related to the occupation, if required

GS-4 6 months 6 months

2 years above high school with courses related to the occupation, if required

GS-5 None

1 year equivalent to at least GS-4

4-year course of study above high school leading to a bachelor's degree with courses related to the occupation, if required

GS-6 and above None

1 year equivalent to at least next lower grade level

See the NOTE under the Education section

Equivalent combinations of education and experience are qualifying for all grade levels and positions for which both education and experience are acceptable.

While the levels of experience shown for most positions covered by this standard follow the grade level progression pattern outlined in the table, users of the standard should refer to E.3.(o) in the "General Policies and Instructions" for guidance on crediting experience for positions with different lines of progression.

General Experience: (l) Any type of work that demonstrates the applicant's ability to perform the work of the position, or (2) experience that provided a familiarity with the subject matter or processes of the broad subject area of the occupation.

Specialized Experience: Experience that equipped the applicant with the particular knowledge, skills, and abilities (KSA's) to perform successfully the duties of the position, and that is typically in or related to the work of the position to be filled. To be creditable, specialized experience must have been equivalent to at least the next lower grade level. Applicants who have the 1 year of appropriate specialized experience, as indicated in the table, are not required by this standard to have general experience, education above the high school level, or any additional specialized experience to meet the minimum qualification requirements.

Education: High school graduation or the equivalent is qualifying for GS-2.

Successfully completed post-high school education is qualifying for grades GS-3 through GS-5. This education must have been obtained in an accredited business or technical school, junior college, college or university for which high school graduation or the equivalent is the normal prerequisite. One year of full-time undergraduate study is defined as 30 semester hours, 45 quarter hours, or the equivalent in a college or university or at least 20 hours of classroom instruction per week for approximately 36 weeks in a business or technical school.

For some occupations covered by this standard, 6 semester hours of specific courses are included in the l year of education that meets the GS-3 requirements. The 6 semester hours allow for subjects that are common to a broad range of degree programs, e.g., subjects in the mathematical, physical, or biological sciences. This inclusion corresponds to the second part of the description of general experience, i.e., the subjects provide evidence of a familiarity with the subject matter or processes of the broad subject area of the occupation. At grades GS-4 and above, a portion of the education is usually directly related to the work of the position to be filled. Examples of related courses are provided in the individual occupational requirements where applicable. However, agencies may require other courses if they are considered to be more related to the position to be filled.

 

NOTE: Graduate education or an internship meets the specialized experience required above GS-5 only in those instances where it is directly related to the work of the position. One full year of graduate education meets the requirements for GS-7. Two full years of graduate education or a master's degree meets the requirements for GS-9. One year of full-time graduate education is considered to be the number of credit hours that the school attended has determined to represent 1 year of full-time study. If that information cannot be obtained from the school, 18 semester hours should be considered as satisfying the 1 year of full-time study requirement. Part-time graduate education is creditable in accordance with its relationship to a year of full-time study at the school attended.

Training: Completion of appropriate training such as inservice training programs, training acquired while serving in the Armed Forces, and government-sponsored developmental training programs will be allowed credit on a month-for-month basis, generally through the GS-5 level. Such training meets general or specialized experience requirements depending upon its applicability.

Completion of an intensive, specialized course of study of less than l year may meet in full the experience requirements for GS-3. Courses of this type normally require completion of up to 40 hours per week of instruction rather than the usual 20 hours per week, and are usually of at least 3 months duration. Such courses may have been obtained through a variety of programs such as those offered by technical schools and military training programs. To be creditable, such a course must have been designed specifically as career preparation for the work of the position being filled, and must have provided the applicant with the necessary knowledge, skills, and abilities to do the work.

Combining Experience and Education: Equivalent combinations of successfully completed post-high school education and experience are also qualifying. The combinations described below are those most typical for these positions, i.e., for grades GS-3 through GS-5. If education is used to meet specialized experience requirements, then such education must include courses directly related to the work of the position. (When crediting education, prorate the number of hours of related courses required as a proportion of the total education to be used.)

  • For GS-3 level positions, determine the applicant's total qualifying experience as a percentage of the 6 months' experience required for GS-3; then deter-mine the applicant's education as a percentage of the l year of education that meets the requirements for GS-3. Add the two percentages. The total percentage must equal at least 100 percent to qualify an applicant for GS-3.

  • For GS-4 level positions, determine the applicant's total qualifying experience as a percentage of the 1 year of experience required for GS-4; then determine the applicant's education as a percentage of the 2 years of education that meets the requirements for GS-4. Add the two percentages. The total percentage must equal at least 100 percent to qualify an applicant for GS-4.

  • For GS-5 level positions, only education in excess of the first 60 semester hours of a course of study leading to a bachelor's degree is creditable toward meeting the specialized experience requirements. Two full academic years of study, or 60 semester hours, beyond the second year is equivalent to l year of specialized experience. Determine the applicant's total qualifying experience as a percentage of the year of specialized experience required at the GS-5 level. Then determine the applicant's education as a percentage of the education that meets the requirements for GS-5. Add the two percentages. The total percentage must equal at least 100 percent to qualify an applicant for GS-5.

The following are examples of how education and experience may be combined. They are examples only, and are not all-inclusive.

  • The position to be filled is a Pharmacy Aid, GS-3. An applicant has 2 months of experience and 20 semester hours of college. The applicant meets 33 percent of the required experience and 67 percent of the required education. The applicant meets 100 percent of the total requirements and is qualified for the position.

  • The position to be filled is an Industrial Engineering Technician, GS-4. An applicant has 5 months of general experience and 36 semester hours of college. The applicant meets 42 percent of the required experience and 60 percent of the required education. The applicant exceeds 100 percent of the total requirements and is qualified for the position. (This example assumes that education is being used to meet the specialized experience requirements, and that at least 7 of the 36 semester hours are in courses directly related to the work of the position.) Examples of such courses are provided in the individual occupational requirements for the Industrial Engineering Technician Series, GS-895.

  • The position to be filled is a Recreation Assistant, GS-5. An applicant has 8 months of GS-4 level specialized experience and 80 semester hours of college. The applicant meets 67 percent of the required experience and 33 percent of the required education (i.e., 20 semester hours in excess of the first 60 semester hours). The applicant meets 100 percent of the total requirements and is qualified for the position. At least 8 of the 20 semester hours must be directly related to the work of the position. Examples of such courses are provided in the individual occupational requirements for the Recreation Aid and Assistant Series, GS-189.

Using selective factors for positions covered by this standard

Selective factors must represent knowledge, skills, or abilities that are essential for successful job performance and cannot reasonably be acquired on the job during the period of orientation/training customary for the position being filled. For example, a requirement for knowledge of microbiological laboratory techniques may be needed immediately to perform the duties of a Biological Technician position in a disease research laboratory. If that is the case, such knowledge could be justified as a selective factor in filling the position.

Using individual occupational requirements with this standard

General experience requirements at the GS-2 and GS-3 levels are described in the group coverage standard so that the applicant pool at those "trainee" levels will be as generally inclusive as possible. Thus, examples of qualifying general experience are not included in the "Individual Occupational Requirements" for positions covered by this qualification standard.

Positions at GS-4 and above require specialized experience, education, or training related to the occupation. Examples of qualifying specialized experience are provided for those occupations where such information is currently available. Examples of qualifying post-high school education or training are also provided.

Occupational Coverage

A list of the occupational series covered by this qualification standard is provided below. The occupational series marked with an asterisk have individual occupational requirements.

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Administrative and Management Positions

This qualification standard covers positions in the General Schedule that involve the performance of two-grade interval administrative and management work. It contains common patterns of creditable experience and education to be used in making qualifications determinations.

A list of the occupational series covered by this standard is provided below.

This standard may also be used for two-grade interval positions other than those listed if the education and experience pattern is determined to be appropriate.

Education and experience requirements

The following table shows the amounts of education and/or experience required to qualify for positions covered by this standard.

GRADEEDUCATIONEXPERIENCE
GENERALSPECIALIZED
GS-5 4-year course of study leading to a bachelor's degree 3 years, 1 year of which was equivalent to at least GS-4 None
GS-7 1 full year of graduate level education

or

superior academic achievement
None 1 year equivalent to at least GS-5
GS-9 master's or equivalent graduate degree

or

2 full years of progressively higher level graduate education leading to such a degree

or

LL.B. or J.D., if related
None 1 year equivalent to at least GS-7
GS-11 Ph.D. or equivalent doctoral degree

or

3 full years of progressively higher level graduate education leading to such a degree

or

LL.M., if related
None 1 year equivalent to at least GS-9
GS-12
and
above
None None 1 year equivalent to at least next lower grade level

NOTE: Equivalent combinations of education and experience are qualifying for all grade levels for which both education and experience are acceptable.

Some of the occupational series covered by this standard include both one- and two-grade interval work. The qualification requirements described in this standard apply only to those positions that typically follow a two-grade interval pattern. While the levels of experience shown for most positions covered by this standard follow the grade level progression pattern outlined in the table, users of the standard should refer to E.3.(p) in the "Policies and Instructions" for guidance on crediting experience for positions with different lines of progression.

Undergraduate Education: Successful completion of a full 4-year course of study in any field leading to a bachelor's degree, in an accredited college or university, meets the GS-5 level requirements for many positions covered by this standard. Others have individual occupational requirements that specify that applicants must, in general, (1) have specific course work that meets the requirements for a major in a particular field(s), or (2) have at least 24 semester hours of course work in the field(s) identified. Course work in fields closely related to those specified may be accepted if it clearly provides applicants with the background of knowledge and skills necessary for successful job performance. One year of full-time undergraduate study is defined as 30 semester hours or 45 quarter hours.

Superior Academic Achievement: The superior academic achievement provision is applicable to all occupations covered by this standard. See the "General Policies and Instructions" for specific guidance on applying the superior academic achievement provision.

Graduate Education: Education at the graduate level in an accredited college or university in the amounts shown in the table meets the requirements for positions at GS-7 through GS-11. Such education must demonstrate the knowledge, skills, and abilities necessary to do the work.

One year of full-time graduate education is considered to be the number of credit hours that the school attended has determined to represent 1 year of full-time study. If that information cannot be obtained from the school, 18 semester hours should be considered as satisfying the 1 year of full-time study requirement.

Part-time graduate education is creditable in accordance with its relationship to a year of full-time study at the school attended.

For certain positions covered by this standard, the work may be recognized as sufficiently technical or specialized that graduate study alone may not provide the knowledge and skills needed to perform the work. In such cases, agencies may use selective factors to screen out applicants without actual work experience.

General Experience: For positions for which individual occupational requirements do not specify otherwise, general experience is 3 years of progressively responsible experience, 1 year of which was equivalent to at least GS-4, that demonstrates the ability to:

  1. Analyze problems to identify significant factors, gather pertinent data, and recognize solutions;
  2. Plan and organize work; and
  3. Communicate effectively orally and in writing.

Such experience may have been gained in administrative, professional, technical, investigative, or other responsible work. Experience in substantive and relevant secretarial, clerical, or other responsible work may be qualifying as long as it provided evidence of the knowledge, skills, and abilities (KSA's) necessary to perform the duties of the position to be filled. Experience of a general clerical nature (typing, filing, routine procedural processing, maintaining records, or other nonspecialized tasks) is not creditable. Trades or crafts experience appropriate to the position to be filled may be creditable for some positions.

For some occupations or positions, applicants must have had work experience that demonstrated KSA's in addition to those identified above. Positions with more specific general experience requirements than those described here are shown in the appropriate individual occupational requirements.

Specialized Experience: Experience that equipped the applicant with the particular knowledge, skills, and abilities to perform successfully the duties of the position, and that is typically in or related to the work of the position to be filled. To be creditable, specialized experience must have been equivalent to at least the next lower grade level in the normal line of progression for the occupation in the organization. Applicants who have the 1 year of appropriate specialized experience, as indicated in the table, are not required by this standard to have general experience, education above the high school level, or any additional specialized experience to meet the minimum qualification requirements.

Combining Education and Experience: Combinations of successfully completed post-high school education and experience may be used to meet total qualification requirements for the grade levels specified in the table, and may be computed by first determining the applicant's total qualifying experience as a percentage of the experience required for the grade level; then determining the applicant's education as a percentage of the education required for the grade level; and then adding the two percentages. The total percentages must equal at least 100 percent to qualify an applicant for that grade level. Only graduate education in excess of the amount required for the next lower grade level may be used to qualify applicants for positions at grades GS-9 and GS-11. (When crediting education that requires specific course work, prorate the number of hours of related courses required as a proportion of the total education to be used.)

The following are examples of how education and experience may be combined. They are examples only, and are not all-inclusive.

  • The position to be filled is a Quality Assurance Specialist, GS-1910-5. An applicant has 2 years of general experience and 45 semester hours of college that included 9 semester hours in related course work as described in the individual occupational requirements. The applicant meets 67 percent of the required experience and 38 percent of the required education. Therefore, the applicant exceeds 100 percent of the total requirement and is qualified for the position.

  • The position to be filled is a Management Analyst, GS-343-9. An applicant has 6 months of specialized experience equivalent to GS-7 and 1 year of graduate level education. The applicant meets 50 percent of the required experience but none of the required education, since he or she does not have any graduate study beyond that which is required for GS-7. Therefore, the applicant meets only 50 percent of the total requirement and is not qualified for the position. (The applicant's first year of graduate study is not qualifying for GS-9.)

  • The position to be filled is a Music Specialist, GS-1051-11. An applicant has 9 months of specialized experience equivalent to GS-9 and 2 1/2 years of creditable graduate level education in music. The applicant meets 75 percent of the required experience and 50 percent of the required education, i.e., the applicant has 1/2 year of graduate study beyond that required for GS-9. Therefore, the applicant exceeds the total requirement and is qualified for the position. (The applicant's first 2 years of graduate study are not qualifying for GS-11.)

Using selective factors for positions covered by this standard

Selective factors must represent knowledge, skills, or abilities that are essential for successful job performance and cannot reasonably be acquired on the job during the period of orientation/training customary for the position being filled. For example, while the individual occupational requirements for Recreation Specialist provide for applicants to meet minimum qualifications on the basis of education or experience in any one of a number of recreational fields, a requirement for knowledge of therapeutic recreation may be needed to perform the duties of a position providing recreation services to persons with physical disabilities. If that is the case, such knowledge could be justified as a selective factor in filling the position.

Occupational Coverage

A list of the occupational series covered by this qualification standard is provided below. The occupational series marked with an asterisk have individual occupational requirements.

GS-006 Correctional Institution Administration*
GS-011 Bond Sales Promotion*
GS-017 Explosives Safety
GS-018 Safety and Occupational Health Management*
GS-023 Outdoor Recreation Planning*
GS-028 Environmental Protection Specialist
GS-030 Sports Specialist*
GS-062 Clothing Design*
GS-080 Security Administration
GS-089 Emergency Management Series
GS-105 Social Insurance Administration
GS-106 Unemployment Insurance*
GS-107 Health Insurance Administration
GS-132 Intelligence
GS-136 International Cooperation
GS-142 Workforce Development
GS-160 Civil Rights Analysis
GS-188 Recreation Specialist*
GS-201 Human Resources Management
GS-244 Labor Management Relations Examining*
GS-260 Equal Employment Opportunity
GS-301 Miscellaneous Administration and Program
GS-334 Computer Specialist* (Replaced by GS-2210)
GS-0306, Government Information Series
GS-0308 Records and Information Management
GS-340 Program Management
GS-341 Administrative Officer
GS-343 Management and Program Analysis
GS-346 Logistics Management
GS-360 Equal Opportunity Compliance
GS-362 Electric Accounting Machine Project Planning
GS-391 Telecommunications*
GS-501 Financial Administration and Program
GS-505 Financial Management*
GS-526 Tax Specialist*
GS-560 Budget Analysis
GS-570 Financial Institution Examining*
GS-669 Medical Records Administration*
GS-670 Health System Administration*
GS-671 Health System Specialist*
GS-672 Prosthetic Representative
GS-673 Hospital Housekeeping Management*
GS-685 Public Health Program Specialist*
GS-828 Construction Analyst*
GS-901 General Legal and Kindred Administration
GS-920 Estate Tax Examining
GS-930 Hearings and Appeals
GS-950 Paralegal Specialist
GS-958 Pension Law Specialist*
GS-965 Land Law Examining*
GS-967 Passport and Visa Examining*
GS-991 Workers' Compensation Claims Examining
GS-993 Railroad Retirement Claims Examining
GS-996 Veterans Claims Examining
GS-1001 General Arts and Information*
GS-1008 Interior Design*
GS-1010 Exhibits Specialist*
GS-1020 Illustrating*
GS-1035 Public Affairs
GS-1040 Language Specialist*
GS-1051 Music Specialist*
GS-1054 Theater Specialist*
GS-1056 Art Specialist*
GS-1071 Audiovisual Production*
GS-1082 Writing and Editing

GS-1083 Technical Writing and Editing*
GS-1084 Visual Information*
GS-1101 General Business and Industry*
GS-1103 Industrial Property Management*
GS-1104 Property Disposal
GS 1109 Grants Management
GS-1130 Public Utilities Specialist
GS-1140 Trade Specialist*
GS-1144 Commissary Store Management*
GS-1145 Agricultural Program Specialist*
GS-1146 Agricultural Marketing*
GS-1147 Agricultural Market Reporting
GS-1150 Industrial Specialist*
GS-1160 Financial Analysis*
GS-1161 Crop Insurance Administration*
GS-1162 Crop Insurance Underwriting*
GS-1163 Insurance Examining*
GS-1165 Loan Specialist*
GS-1169 Internal Revenue Officer*
GS-1170 Realty
GS-1171 Appraising
GS-1173 Housing Management
GS-1176 Building Management
GS-1361 Navigational Information*
GS-1397 Document Analysis*
GS-1421 Archives Specialist
GS-1601 Equipment, Facilities, and Services
GS-1630 Cemetery Administration
GS-1640 Facility Management*
GS-1654 Printing Management*
GS-1658 Laundry Operations Services
GS-1667 Food Services
GS-1670 Equipment Specialist*
GS-1702 Education and Training Technician
GS-1712 Training Instruction*
GS-1715 Vocational Rehabilitation*
GS-1801 General Inspection, Investigation, Enforcement, and Compliance Series*
GS-1805 Investigative Analysis Series
GS-1810 General Investigation
GS-1811 Criminal Investigation*
GS-1849 Wage and Hour Investigation Series*
GS-1850 Agricultural Warehouse Inspection Series *
GS-1860 Equal Opportunity Investigation
GS-1889 Import Compliance Series*
GS-1894 Customs Entry and Liquidating*
GS-1910 Quality Assurance*
GS-1980 Agricultural Commodity Grading*
GS-2001 General Supply
GS-2003 Supply Program Management
GS-2010 Inventory Management
GS-2030 Distribution Facilities and Storage Management
GS-2032 Packaging
GS-2050 Supply Cataloging
GS-2101 Transportation Specialist*
GS-2110 Transportation Industry Analysis*
GS-2123 Motor Carrier Safety*
GS-2125 Highway Safety*
GS-2130 Traffic Management*
GS-2150 Transportation Operations*
GS-2161 Marine Cargo*

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Professional and Scientific Positions

This qualification standard covers positions in the General Schedule that involve the performance of two-grade interval professional and scientific work. The specific requirements for entry into each occupation covered by this standard are described in individual occupational requirements. Subsection E.4.(g) of the "Policies and Instructions" provides guidance on interpreting minimum educational requirements.

A list of the occupational series covered by this standard is provided below.

Basic requirements for all grades

Applicants who meet the basic requirements described in the individual occupational requirements are fully qualified for the specified entry grade (generally grade GS-5). Applicants who wish to qualify for positions at higher grade levels (generally grade GS-7 and above) must also meet the requirements shown in the table on page IV-A-22, in addition to meeting the basic requirements.

The individual occupational requirements typically provide at least two methods for applicants to meet the basic requirements of the occupations covered by this standard:

  1. Successful completion of a full 4-year course of study in an accredited college or university leading to a bachelor's or higher degree that included a major field of study or specific course requirements generally as stated in paragraph A in the individual occupational requirements.

    Where specific course requirements are not indicated in paragraph A, the number of semester hours required to constitute a major field of study is the amount specified by the college or university attended. If this number cannot be obtained, 24 semester hours will be considered as equivalent to a major field of study. The nature and quality of this required course work must have been such that it would serve as a prerequisite for more advanced study in the field or subject-matter area. Related course work generally refers to courses that may be accepted as part of the program major.

  2. Appropriate combination of education and experience that is typically specified in paragraph B of the individual occupational requirements. The "paragraph B" method generally requires that an applicant possess a core of educational credit, such as described in paragraph A above, plus additional education and/or experience. The method of determining the number of semester hours required to constitute a major field of study is the same as described in paragraph A.

    The quality of the combination of education and experience must be sufficient to demonstrate that the applicant possesses the knowledge, skills, and abilities required to perform work in the occupation, and is comparable to that normally acquired through the successful completion of a full 4-year course of study with a major in the appropriate field. In addition to courses in the major and related fields, a typical college degree would have included courses that involved analysis, writing, critical thinking, research, etc. These courses would have provided an applicant with skills and abilities sufficient to perform progressively more responsible work in the occupation. Therefore, creditable experience should have demonstrated similarly appropriate skills or abilities needed to perform the work of the occupation.

The individual occupational requirements for some series make no provision for combining experience and education. Therefore, they do not include paragraph B provisions.

For a small number of occupations or positions covered by this standard, applicants may possess certain kinds of experience in lieu of education. In such cases, applicants may meet minimum qualification requirements through experience equivalent to a 4-year degree. These situations are generally described in paragraph C of the individual occupational requirements.

Applicants whose experience is used to meet the basic requirements through a paragraph B or C provision may qualify for grades above the entry level if that experience includes 1 year of specialized experience. In such cases, the specialized experience would have to be evaluated to determine if it is at the appropriate grade level in the normal line of progression.

Experience and education requirements for GS-7 and above

In addition to meeting the basic entry qualification requirements, applicants must have specialized experience and/or directly related education in the amounts shown in the table below.

 

GRADE/
POSITIONS
EDUCATIONSPECIALIZED
EXPERIENCE
GS-7 1 year of graduate-level education or superior academic achievement 1 year equivalent to at least GS-5
GS-9 2 years of progressively higher level graduate education leading to a master's degree or master's or equivalent graduate degree 1 year equivalent to at least GS-7
GS-11 3 years of progressively higher level graduate education leading to a Ph.D. degree or Ph.D. or equivalent doctoral degree 1 year equivalent to at least GS-9
GS-12
and
above
  1 year equivalent to at least next lower grade level

Research Positions

GS-11
research positions
Master's or equivalent graduate degree 1 year equivalent to at least GS-9
GS-12
research positions
Ph.D. or equivalent doctoral degree 1 year equivalent to at least GS-11
GS-13 and above
research positions
  1 year equivalent to at least next lower grade level

NOTE: Education and experience may be combined for all grade levels for which both education and experience are acceptable.

While the levels of experience shown for most positions covered by this standard follow the grade level progression pattern outlined in the table, users of the standard should refer to E.3.(p) in the "Policies and Instructions" for guidance on crediting experience for positions with different lines of progression.

Combining Education and Experience: When combining education with experience, first determine the applicant's total qualifying education as a percentage of the education required for the grade level; then determine the applicant's experience as a percentage of the experience required for the grade level; finally, add the two percentages. The total percentage must equal at least 100 percent to qualify an applicant for that grade level. For example, an applicant for a GS-184, Sociology, position has successfully completed 60 undergraduate semester hours, including 24 semester hours in sociology, and, in addition, has 2 full-time years of appropriate experience that demonstrates that the applicant possesses the necessary analytical and communication skills. The applicant would qualify for GS-5, since the 60 semester hours (the equivalent of 2 years of undergraduate education, or 50 percent of the total requirement) were supplemented by 2 additional years of appropriate experience that provided the remaining 50 percent of the total required education and experience.

Specialized Experience: Experience that equipped the applicant with the particular knowledge, skills, and abilities to perform successfully the duties of the position, and that is typically in or related to the work of the position to be filled. To be creditable, specialized experience must have been equivalent to at least the next lower grade level in the normal line of progression for the occupation in the organization.

Superior Academic Achievement: The superior academic achievement provision is applicable to all occupations covered by this standard. See the "General Policies and Instructions" for specific guidance on applying the superior academic achievement provision.

Graduate Education: Completion of graduate level education in the amounts shown in the table, in addition to meeting the basic requirements, is qualifying for positions at grades GS-7 through GS-11, and GS-12 research positions if it provided the knowledge, skills, and abilities necessary to do the work. One year of full-time graduate education is considered to be the number of credit hours that the school attended has determined to represent 1 year of full-time study. If that number cannot be obtained from the school, 18 semester hours should be considered an academic year of graduate study. Part-time graduate education is creditable in accordance with its relationship to a year of full-time study at the school attended.

Research Positions: Positions that primarily involve scientific inquiry or investigation, or research-type exploratory development of a creative or advanced scientific nature, where the knowledge required to perform the work successfully is typically and primarily acquired through graduate study (master's or equivalent degree for GS-11, Ph.D. or equivalent for GS-12). The work is such that the academic preparation will equip the applicant to perform the full range of professional work of the position after a short orientation period.

  1. Qualification on the basis of education--Applicants for such research positions can be considered qualified for GS-11 if they possess an appropriate master's or equivalent graduate degree, and qualified for GS-12 if they possess a Ph.D. or equivalent doctoral degree.

  2. Qualification on the basis of experience--Applicants who furnish positive evidence that they have performed highly creative or outstanding research that has led or can lead to major advances in a specific area of research, to a major advance in the discipline or field of science involved, or to major advances in science in general, can be rated under this provision for highly demanding research positions requiring similar abilities. Under these circumstances, applicants can be rated eligible for the next higher grade level above that for which they would normally be rated, provided they have not been rated eligible at this higher grade on the basis of meeting the graduate study requirements described in paragraph 1 above. To receive this rating, the work must have been creative in the sense that it developed a basic principle, product, concept, method, approach, or technique, or provided a body of basic information that opened the way for a major advance in the discipline or field of science involved, or to advances in science in general, by providing a method of solving other problems, opening areas of research, or providing the means of exploiting the application of science in a major area.

    Applicants cannot receive an "extra" grade for education, and an additional "extra" grade for appropriate experience.

Combination of Graduate Education and Professional Experience: Combinations of successfully completed graduate level education and specialized experience may be used to meet total experience requirements. Only graduate level education in excess of the amount required for the next lower grade level may be combined with experience. For example, an applicant with 6 months of appropriate experience equivalent to GS-7 (50 percent of the experience requirement for GS-9) and 27 semester hours of appropriate graduate education (50 percent of the education requirement for GS-9, in excess of that required for GS-7) would be qualified for a GS-9 position (assuming that there is no evidence that the attended college or university requires more than 18 semester hours as equivalent to a year of graduate study).

Using selective factors for positions covered by this standard

There are a variety of situations where agencies would be warranted in limiting consideration to applicants who possess the particular qualifications required to perform the work of positions covered by this standard. For example, an agency may require specific kinds of training appropriate for filling positions concerned with scientific research and development activities, or may require specific educational courses or combinations of courses (where the individual occupational requirements permit applicants to qualify based on several combinations of educational course work) to meet other specialized agency requirements. An agency filling an international economist position may require knowledge of international economics. In this case, since applicants can qualify on the basis of education, the agency may require certain types of educational courses. Similarly, in some cases, consideration may be limited only to those applicants who possess an appropriate license, registration, or certification, if possession of such is determined to be necessary for carrying out the responsibilities of a position and/or required by statute.

Occupational Coverage

A list of the occupational series covered by this qualification standard is provided below. All occupational series covered by this standard have individual occupational requirements.

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Competitive Service Student Trainee Positions

This standard describes the qualification requirements for student trainee positions made under career-conditional or career appointments in the competitive service. This standard is not applicable to students who are temporarily employed during summer vacations and who have not been appointed to a student trainee program in the competitive service as described above.

A student may be appointed to any position that leads to qualification in a two-grade interval professional, administrative, or technical occupational series and that provides an opportunity for the student's growth and development toward the target position.

A list of the occupational series covered by this standard is provided below and on page IV-A-25.

Requirements for initial appointment

Student trainees qualify as described below.

GRADELEVEL OF EDUCATION
GS-2 High school diploma or equivalent
GS-3 Completion of 1 academic year of post-high school study
GS-4 Completion of 2 academic years of post-high school study or associate's degree

The required education must lead to a bachelor's degree with specialization in or directly related to the field in which the student trainees will receive training on the job. The degree of specialization in this field must satisfy on graduation the specific educational requirements in the qualification standard for the corresponding two-grade interval positions.

Promotion Requirements

Student trainees may be promoted to higher-graded trainee positions based on completion of portions of the education and student trainee work experience.

To GS-3: Completion of one full semester or the equivalent of post-high school study and one period of student trainee work experience.

To GS-4: (a) Completion of 1 academic year of study and two periods of student trainee work experience; or (b) completion of 1½ academic years of study and one period of student trainee work experience.

Upon completion of all the requirements for a bachelor's degree in an appropriate field, student trainees may be reassigned or promoted in the appropriate target series to GS-5 or GS-7 if they meet the qualification requirements of the target occupation, including minimum educational requirements, if any.

Explanation of terms

An academic year of undergraduate education is defined as 30 semester hours, 45 quarter hours, or the equivalent in an accredited college or university.

For purposes of this standard, a period of student trainee work experience is the equivalent of 2 months (320 hours) of full-time work experience.

Test Requirements

A written test is not required for these positions.

Occupational Coverage

A list of the occupational series covered by this qualification standard is provided below.

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Pathways Internship Positions

This standard describes the qualification requirements for Schedule D, Internship appointments under the Pathways Programs authorized by Executive Order 13562 and applies to the white collar occupations listed below under the section, "Occupational Coverage." For student trainee appointments in the competitive service, refer to the Student Trainee Qualification Standard for Competitive Service Positions.

Agencies may:

  1. establish agency-specific qualification requirements,
  2. use this OPM qualification standard, or
  3. use the OPM qualification requirements for the competitive service.

Requirements for Internship Appointments

Appointments may be at the highest grade level for which the Intern is qualified. Interns with no previous related education or experience may qualify as described below.

GRADELEVEL OF EDUCATION
GS-1 Enrollment in a high school diploma or General Education Diploma (GED) program.
GS-2 Completion of high school or GED diploma.
GS-3 Completion of I full academic year of post-high school study.
GS-4 Completion of 2 full academic years of post-high school study or an associate's degree.
GS-5 Completion of 4 academic years of post-high school leading to a bachelor's degree or equivalent degree.
GS-7 Completion of 1 full academic year of graduate level education; or Eligibility under the Superior Academic Achievement Provision and completion of a bachelor's degree.
GS-9 Completion of 2 academic years of graduate level education, or a master's degree or equivalent graduate degree.
GS-11 For research positions, completion of all requirements for a master's or equivalent graduate degree. For non-research positions, completion of all requirements for a PhD or equivalent degree.

One full academic year of undergraduate; graduate; vocational; trades; technical or high school education is the number of credit hours determined by the college, university or school to represent 1 year of full-time study. The high school curriculum must be approved by a State or local governing body. All education beyond high school must be accredited by an accrediting body or organization recognized by the U.S. Department of Education.

Special Provisions/or Interns with Previous Related Education or Experience. Previous education and/or experience may be evaluated to determine the highest grade level for which the individual is qualified.

Assessment Requirements

Agencies are required to assess/evaluate the qualifications of applicants for positions covered under Schedule D.

Agencies may use selective factors to identify special requirements needed to perform the work of individual positions.

Agencies may waive OPM test requirements for both initial appointment and non-competitive conversion to the competitive service

Promotion Requirements

The advancement of Interns to higher-graded positions, prior to conversion, is strictly at the agency's discretion. To qualify for promotions, the Interns must have the same level and type of experience and/or education usually required for an initial appointment.

Conversion

Interns may be non-competitively converted to a term, career-conditional or career appointment within 120 days following successful completion of all of their educational and work experience requirements in accordance with 5 CFR 362.204.

Occupational Coverage

A list of the occupational series covered by this qualification standard is provided below.

0099 General Intern (covers occupations in the 0006 through 0095 series)
0199 Social Science, Psychology, and Welfare Intern
0299 Human Resources Intern
0399 General Administrative and Office Services Intern
0499 Natural Resources Management and Biological Sciences Intern
0599 Accounting and Budget Intern
0699 Medical, Hospital, Dental and Public Health Intern
0799 Veterinary Medical Science Intern
0899 Engineering and Architecture Intern
0999 Legal and Kindred Intern
1099 Information and Arts Intern
1199 Business and Industry Intern
1299 Copyright, Patent, and Trade-Mark Intern
1399 Physical Sciences Intern
1499 Library and Archives Intern
1599 Mathematics and Statistics Intern
1699 Equipment, Facilities, and Service Intern
1799 Education Intern
1899 Inspection, Investigation, Enforcement, and Compliance Intern
1999 Quality Assurance, Inspection, and Grading Intern
2099 Supply Intern
2199 Transportation Intern
2299 Information Technology Intern

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Standards by Occupational Series

Occupational Series -- 0000 - 0099 - Miscellaneous Occupations
Series Position Title Min. Ed. License
or
Certificate
Test Requirement Medical Requirement
0006 Correctional Institution Administration Series       X
0007 Correctional Officer Series       X
0011 Bond Sales Promotion Series     GS-5/7  
0017 Explosives Safety Series        
0018 Safety and Occupational Health Management Series     GS-5/7  
0019 Safety Technician Series        
0020 Community Planning Series X      
0021 Community Planning Technician Series        
0023 Outdoor Recreation Planning Series     GS-5/7  
0025 Park Ranger Series     GS-5/7  
0028 Environmental Protection Specialist Series     GS-5/7  
0029 Environmental Protection Assistant Series        
0030 Sports Specialist Series        
0050 Funeral Directing Series   X    
0060 Chaplain Series (No OPM-issued Qualification Standard)
0062 Clothing Design Series        
0072 Fingerprint Identification Series
  --one grade interval positions
       
0072 Fingerprint Identification Series
  --two grade interval positions
       
0080 Security Administration Series     GS-5/7  
0081 Fire Protection and Prevention Series       X
0082 United States Marshall Series     GS-5/7 X
0083 Police Series     GS-2 X
0083 Park Police     GS-5 X
0083 Police (Secret Service)     GS-4/5 X
0084 Nuclear Materials Courier Series       X
0085 Security Guard Series     GS-2 X
0086 Security Clerical and Assistance Series        
0089 Emergency Management Series        
0090 Guide Series        
0095 Foreign Law Specialist Series (No OPM-issued Qualification Standard)
0099 General Student Trainee Series        

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Occupational Series -- 0100 - 0199 - Social Science, Psychology, and Welfare
Series Position Title Min. Ed. License
or
Certificate
Test Requirement Medical Requirement
0101 Social Science Series        
0101 Correctional Treatment Specialist
(Dept. of Justice)
X     X
0102 Social Science Aid and Technician Series        
0105 Social Insurance Administration Series     GS-5/7  
0106 Unemployment Insurance Series     GS-5/7  
0107 Health Insurance Administration Series        
0110 Economist Series X   GS-5/7  
0119 Economics Assistant Series        
0130 Foreign Affairs Series        
0131 International Relations Series        
0132 Intelligence Series     GS-5/7  
0134 Intelligence Aid and Clerk Series        
0135 Foreign Agricultural Affairs Series (There is no OPM-issued Qualification Standard for this Position)
0136 International Cooperation Series        
0140 Workforce Research and Analysis Series X      
0142 Workforce Development Series     GS-5/7  
0150 Geography Series X      
0160 Civil Rights Analysis Series        
0170 History Series X      
0180 Psychology Series X      
0181 Psychology Aid and Technician Series        
0184 Sociology Series X      
0185 Social Work Series X      
0186 Social Services Aid and Assistant Series        
0187 Social Services Series     GS-5/7  
0188 Recreation Specialist Series        
0189 Recreation Aid and Assistant Series        
0190 General Anthropology Series X
some positions.
     
0193 Archeology Series        
0199 Social Science Student Trainee Series        

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Occupational Series -- 0200 - 0299 - Human Resources Management
Series Position Title Min. Ed. License
or
Certificate
Test Requirement Medical Requirement
0201 Human Resources Management Series     GS-5/7  
0203 Human Resources Assistance Series        
0241 Mediation Series        
0243 Apprenticeship and Training Series        
0244 Labor Management Relations Examining Series     GS-5/7  
0260 Equal Employment Opportunity Series        
0299 Human Resources Management Student Trainee        

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Occupational Series -- 0300 - 0399 - General Administrative, Clerical, and Office Services
Series Position Title Min. Ed. License
or
Certificate
Test Requirement Medical Requirement
0301 Miscellaneous Administration and Program Series     GS-5/7  
0301 Regulatory Impact Analyst (Research), GS-11/above
Qualification Standard for EPA
       
0302 Messenger Series        
0303 Miscellaneous Clerk and Assistant Series        
0304 Information Receptionist Series        
0305 Mail and File Series        
0306 Government Information Series        
0308 Records and Information Management Series        
0309 Correspondence Clerk Series        
0313 Work Unit Supervising Series        
0318 Secretary Series        
0319 Closed Microphone Reporting Series     GS-6/7/8/9  
0322 Clerk-Typist Series     GS-2/3/4  
0326 Office Automation Clerical and Assistance Series     GS-2/3/4  
0332 Computer Operation Series        
0335 Computer Clerk and Assistant Series        
0340 Program Management Series        
0341 Administrative Officer Series     GS-5/7  
0342 Support Services Administration Series        
0343 Management and Program Analysis Series     GS-5/7  
0344 Management and Program Clerical and Assistance Series        
0346 Logistics Management Series     GS-5/7  
0350 Equipment Operator Series        
0356 Data Transcriber Series     GS-2/3/4  
0359 Electric Accounting Machine Operation Series        
0360 Equal Opportunity Compliance Series        
0361 Equal Opportunity Assistance Series        
0362 Electric Accounting Machine Project Planning Series        
0382 Telephone Operating Series        
0390 Telecommunications Processing Series        
0391 Telecommunications Series     GS-5/7  
0392 General Telecommunications Series        
0394 Communications Clerical Series        
0399 Administration and Office Support Student Trainee Series        

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Occupational Series -- 0400 - 0499 - Biological Sciences
Series Position Title Min. Ed. License
or
Certificate
Test Requirement Medical Requirement
0401 Natural Resources Management and Biological Sciences X      
0403 Microbiology Series X      
0404 Biological Science Technician Series        
0405 Pharmacology Series X      
0408 Ecology Series X      
0410 Zoology Series X      
0413 Physiology Series X      
0414 Entomology Series X      
0415 Toxicology Series X      
0421 Plant Protection Technician Series X      
0430 Botany Series X      
0434 Plant Pathology Series X      
0435 Plant Physiology Series X      
0437 Horticulture Series X      
0440 Genetics Series X      
0454 Rangeland Management Series X      
0455 Range Technician Series X      
0457 Soil Conservation Series X      
0458 Soil Conservation Technician Series        
0459 Irrigation System Operation Series        
0460 Forestry Series X      
0462 Forestry Technician Series X      
0470 Soil Science Series X      
0471 Agronomy Series X      
0480 Fish and Wildlife Administration Series        
0482 Fish Biology Series X      
0485 Wildlife Refuge Management Series X X
for Pilot duties
  X
for Pilot duties
0486 Wildlife Biology Series X      
0487 Animal Science Series X      
0499 Biological Science Student Trainee Series        

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Occupational Series -- 0500 - 0599 - Accounting and Budget
Series Position Title Min. Ed. License
or
Certificate
Test Requirement Medical Requirement
0501 Financial Administration and Program Series     GS-5/7  
0503 Financial Clerical and Assistance Program Series        
0505 Financial Management Series        
0510 Accounting Series X      
0511 Auditing Series X      
0512 Internal Revenue Agent Series X      
0525 Accounting Technician Series        
0526 Tax Specialist Series     GS-5/7  
0530 Cash Processing Series        
0540 Voucher Examining Series        
0544 Civilian Pay Series        
0545 Military Pay Series        
0560 Budget Analysis Series     GS-5/7  
0561 Budget Clerical and Technician Series        
0570 Financial Institution Examining Series     GS-5/7
except FDIC
 
0592 Tax Examining Series        
0599 Financial Management Student Trainee Series        

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Occupational Series -- 0600 - 0699 - Medical, Hospital, Dental, and Public Health
Series Position Title Min. Ed. License
or
Certificate
Test Requirement Medical Requirement
0601 General Medical and Healthcare Series X      
0602 Physician Series X X    
0603 Physician Assistant Series X X     
0610 Nursing Series X X    
0620 Practical Nurse Series   X    
0621 Nursing Assistant Series        
0622 Medical Supply Aide and Technician Series        
0630 Dietetics and Nutrition Series X  X    
0631 Occupational Therapy Series X  X    
0633 Physical Therapy Series X X    
0635 Kinesiotherapy Series X  X    
0636 Rehabilitation Therapy Assistant Series        
0638 Recreation/Creative Arts Therapy Series X      
0640 Health Aid and Technician Series        
0642 Nuclear Medicine Technician Series   X    
0644 Clinical Laboratory Science Series X      
0645 Medical Technician Series        
0646 Pathology Technician Series        
0647 Diagnostic Radiologic Technologist Series   X    
0648 Therapeutic Radiologic Technologist Series   X    
0649 Medical Instrument Technician Series        
0651 Respiratory Therapist Series        
0660 Pharmacy Series X X   X
0661 Pharmacy Technician Series        
0662 Optometry Series X X    
0665 Speech/Language Pathology and Audiology Series X  X    
0667 Orthotist and Prosthetist Series        
0668 Podiatry Series X X    
0669 Medical Records Administration Series        
0670 Health System Administration Series        
0671 Health System Specialist Series        
0672 Prosthetic Representative Series Series
(Dept. of Veterans Affairs)
       
0673 Hospital Housekeeping Management Series     GS-5/7  
0675 Medical Records Technician Series        
0679 Medical Support Assistance Series        
0680 Dentistry Series X X   X
0681 Dental Assistant Series   X    
0682 Dental Hygiene Series X
Comm. Health
X    
0683 Dental Laboratory Aid and Technician Series        
0685 Public Health Program Specialist Series     GS-5/7  
0688 Sanitarian Series        
0690 Industrial Hygiene Series X      
0696 Consumer Safety Series X      
0698 Environmental Health Technician Series        
0699 Medical and Health Student Trainee Series        

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Occupational Series -- 0700 - 0799 - Veterinary Medical Science
Series Position Title Min. Ed. License
or
Certificate
Test Requirement Medical Requirement
0701 Veterinary Health Science Series X      
0704 Animal Health Technician Series        
0799 Veterinary Student Trainee Series        

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Occupational Series -- 0800 - 0899 - Engineering and Architecture
Series Position Title Min. Ed. License
or
Certificate
Test Requirement Medical Requirement
0800 All Professional Engineering Positions X      
0801 General Engineering Series X      
0802 Engineering Technician Series        
0803 Safety Engineering Series X      
0804 Fire Protection Engineering Series X      
0806 Materials Engineering Series X      
0807 Landscape Architecture Series X      
0808 Architecture Series X      
0809 Construction Control Technical Series        
0810 Civil Engineering Series X      
0817 Survey Technical Series        
0819 Environmental Engineering Series X      
0828 Construction Analyst Series        
0830 Mechanical Engineering Series X      
0840 Nuclear Engineering Series X      
0850 Electrical Engineering Series X      
0854 Computer Engineering Series X      
0855 Electronics Engineering Series X      
0856 Electronics Technical Series        
0858 Bioengineering and Biomedical Engineering Series X      
0861 Aerospace Engineering Series X      
0871 Naval Architecture Series X      
0873 Marine Survey Technical Series        
0880 Mining Engineering Series X      
0881 Petroleum Engineering Series X      
0890 Agricultural Engineering Series X      
0893 Chemical Engineering Series X      
0895 Industrial Engineering Technical Series        
0896 Industrial Engineering Series X      
0899 Engineering and Architectural Student Trainee Series        

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Occupational Series -- 0900 - 0999 - Legal and Kindred
Series Position Title Min. Ed. License
or
Certificate
Test Requirement Medical Requirement
0901 General Legal and Kindred Administration Series     GS-5/7  
0904 Law Clerk Series (There are No OPM Issued Qualification Standards for this position)
0905 General Attorney Series (There are No OPM Issued Qualification Standards for this position)
0930 Hearings and Appeals Series        
0950 Paralegal Specialist Series     GS-5/7  
0958 Pension Law Specialist Series     GS-5/7  
0962 Contact Representative Series        
0963 Legal Instruments Examining Series        
0965 Land Law Examining Series     GS-5/7  
0967 Passport and Visa Examining Series     GS-5/7  
0986 Legal Assistance Series Series        
0987 Tax Law Specialist Series     GS-5/7  
0991 Workers Compensation Claims Examining Series     GS-5/7  
0993 Railroad Retirement Claims Examining Series     GS-4/5/7  
0994 Unemployment Compensation Claims Examining Series     GS-5/7  
0996 Veteran Claims Examining Series     GS-5/7  
0998 Claims Assistance and Examining Series        
0999 Legal Occupations Student Trainee Series        

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Occupational Series -- 1000 - 1099 - Information and Arts
Series Position Title Min. Ed. License
or
Certificate
Test Requirement Medical Requirement
1001 General Arts and Information Series
(One-Grade Interval Positions)
       
1001 General Arts and Information Series
(Two-Grade Interval Positions)
    GS-5/7
except fine arts
 
1001 International Radio Broadcaster (English)        
1001 International Radio Broadcaster (Non-English)        
1008 Interior Design Series        
1010 Exhibits Specialist Series        
1015 Museum Curator Series        
1016 Museum Specialist and Technician Series     GS-2/3  
1020 Illustrating Series        
1035 Public Affairs Series     GS-5/7  
1040 Language Specialist Series        
1046 Language Clerical Series        
1051 Music Specialist Series        
1054 Theater Specialist Series        
1056 Art Specialist Series        
1060 Photography Series        
1071 Audiovisual Production Series        
1082 Writing and Editing Series     GS-5/7  
1083 Technical Writing and Editing Series     GS-5/7  
1084 Visual Information Series        
1087 Editorial Assistance Series        
1099 Information and Arts student Trainee Series        

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Occupational Series -- 1100 - 1199 - Business and Industry
Series Position Title Min. Ed. License
or
Certificate
Test Requirement Medical Requirement
1101 General Business and Industry Series
one-grade interval positions
       
1101 General Business and Industry Series
two-grade interval positions
    GS-5/7  
1101 Business Opportunity Specialist
(Small Business Administration)
1101 International Trade Analyst
(U.S. International Trade Commission)
    GS-5/7  
1101 Open Mess Manager
(Dept. of the Air Force)
       
1102 Contracting Series     GS-5/7  
1103 Industrial Property Management Series     GS-5/7  
1104 Property Disposal Series     GS-5/7  
1105 Purchasing Series        
1106 Procurement Clerical and Technician Series        
1107 Property Disposal Clerical and Technician Series        
1109 Grants Management        
1130 Public Utilities Specialist Series     GS-5/7  
1140 Trade Specialist Series     GS-5/7  
1140 International Trade Specialist
(Dept. of Commerce)
    GS-5/7  
1144 Commissary Management Series        
1145 Agricultural Program Specialist Series     GS-5/7  
1146 Agricultural Marketing Series     GS-5/7  
1146 Grain Marketing Specialist
(Dept. of Agriculture)
    GS-5/7  
1147 Agricultural Market Reporting Series     GS-5/7  
1150 Industrial Specialist Series     GS-5/7  
1152 Production Control Series        
1160 Financial Analysis Series     GS-5/7  
1161 Crop Insurance Administration Series        
1162 Crop Insurance Underwriting Series        
1163 Insurance Examining Series     GS-5/7  
1165 Loan Specialist Series     GS-5/7  
1169 Internal Revenue Officer Series     GS-5/7  
1170 Realty Series     GS-5/7  
1171 Appraising Series     GS-5/7  
1173 Housing Management Series     GS-5/7  
1176 Building Management Series     GS-5/7  
1199 Business and Industry Student Trainee        

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Occupational Series -- 1200 - 1299 - Copyright, Patent, and Trade-Mark
Series Position Title Min. Ed. License
or
Certificate
Test Requirement Medical Requirement
1202 Patent Technician Series        
1210 Copyright Series (There are No OPM Issued Qualification Standards for this position)
1211 Copyright Technician Series (There are No OPM Issued Qualification Standards for this position)
1220 Patent Administration Series (There are No OPM Issued Qualification Standards for this position)
1221 Patent Advisor Series        
1222 Patent Attorney Series (There are No OPM Issued Qualification Standards for this position)
1223 Patent Classifying Series X      
1224 Patent Examining Series X      
1226 Design Patent Examining Series        
1299 Copyright and Patent Student Trainee Series        

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Occupational Series -- 1300 - 1399 - Physical Sciences
Series Position Title Min. Ed. License
or
Certificate
Test Requirement Medical Requirement
1301 General Physical Science Series X      
1306 Health Physics Series X      
1310 Physics Series X      
1311 Physical Science Technician Series        
1313 Geophysics Series X      
1315 Hydrology Series X      
1316 Hydrologic Technician Series        
1320 Chemistry Series X      
1321 Metallurgy Series X      
1330 Astronomy and Space Science Series X      
1340 Meteorology Series X      
1341 Meteorological Technician Series        
1350 Geology Series X      
1360 Oceanography Series X      
1361 Navigational Information Series        
1370 Cartography Series X      
1371 Cartographic Technician Series        
1372 Geodesy Series X      
1373 Land Surveying Series X      
1374 Geodetic Technician Series        
1380 Forest Products Technology Series X      
1382 Food Technology Series X      
1384 Textile Technology Series X      
1397 Document Analysis Series        
1399 Physical Science Student Trainee Series        

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Occupational Series -- 1400 - 1499 - Library and Archives
Series Position Title Min. Ed. License
or
Certificate
Test Requirement Medical Requirement
1410 Librarian Series X      
1411 Library Technician Series        
1412 Technical Information Services     GS-5/7  
1420 Archivist X   GS-5/7  
1421 Archives Technician Series (one-grade interval positions)        
1421 Archives Technician Series (two-grade interval positions)     GS-5/7  
1499 Library and Archives Student Trainee Series        

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Occupational Series -- 1500 - 1599 - Mathematics and Statistics
Series Position Title Min. Ed. License
or
Certificate
Test Requirement Medical Requirement
1501 General Mathematics and Statistics Series X      
1510 Actuarial Science Series X      
1515 Operations Research Series X      
1520 Mathematics Series X      
1521 Mathematics Technician Series        
1529 Mathematical Statistics Series X      
1530 Statistics Series X      
1531 Statistical Assistant Series        
1541 Cryptanalysis Series        
1550 Computer Science Series X      
1560 Data Science Series X      
1599 Mathematics and Statistics Student Trainee Series        

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Occupational Series -- 1600 - 1699 - Equipment, Facilities, and Service
Series Position Title Min. Ed. License
or
Certificate
Test Requirement Medical Requirement
1601 Equipment, Facilities, and Services Series        
1603 Equipment, Facilities, and Services Assistance Series        
1630 Cemetery Administration Services Series        
1640 Facility Operations Services Series        
1654 Printing Services Series        
1658 Laundry Operations Services Series        
1667 Food Services Series        
1670 Equipment Services Series        
1699 Equipment, Facilities, and Services Student Trainee Series        

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Occupational Series -- 1700 - 1799 - Education
Series Position Title Min. Ed. License
or
Certificate
Test Requirement Medical Requirement
1701 General Education and Training Series X      
1702 Education and Training Technician Series -- one-grade interval positions        
1702 Education and Training Technician Series
-- two-grade interval positions
       
1710 Education and Vocational Training Series X      
1712 Training Instruction Series        
1715 Vocational Rehabilitation Series     GS-5/7  
1720 Education Program Series        
1725 Public Health Educator Series X      
1730 Education Research Series X      
1740 Education Services Series X      
1750 Instructional Systems Series X      
1799 Education Student Trainee Series        

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Occupational Series -- 1800 - 1899 - Inspection, Investigation, Enforcement, and Compliance
Series Position Title Min. Ed. License
or
Certificate
Test Requirement Medical Requirement
1801 General Inspection, Investigation, Enforcement, and Compliance Series     GS-5/7
Some Positions
 
1801 Canine Enforcement Officer       X
1801 Surface Mining Reclamation Specialist       X
1802 Compliance Inspection and Support Series        
1805 Investigative Analysis Series        
1810 General Investigation Series     GS-5/7  
1811 Criminal Investigation Series     GS-5/7 X
1811 Criminal Investigator
--Treasury Enforcement Agent
    GS-5/7 X
1815 Air Safety Investigating Series   X   X
1822 Mine Safety and Health Inspection Series       X
1825 Aviation Safety Series   X
Some Positions
  X
1849 Wage and Hour Investigation Series     GS-5/7  
1850 Agricultural Warehouse Inspection Series       X
1860 Equal Opportunity Investigation Series        
1862 Consumer Safety Inspection Series        
1863 Food Inspection Series     GS-5/7 X
1881 Customs and Border Protection Interdiction Series       X
1889 Import Compliance Series     GS-5/7  
1894 Customs Entry and Liquidating Series        
1895 Customs and Border Protection Series     GS-5/7 X
1896 Border Patrol Enforcement Series     GS-5/7 X
1899 Investigation Student Trainee Series        

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Occupational Series -- 1900 - 1999 - Quality Assurance, Inspection, and Grading
Series Position Title Min. Ed. License
or
Certificate
Test Requirement Medical Requirement
1910 Quality Assurance Series
1980 Agricultural Commodity Grading Series
1980 Agricultural Commodity Grader (Grain) - Department of Agriculture Series
1981 Agricultural Commodity Aid Series
1999 Quality Inspection Student Trainee Series

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Occupational Series -- 2000 - 2099 - Supply
Series Position Title Min. Ed. License
or
Certificate
Test Requirement Medical Requirement
2001 General Supply Series     GS-5/7  
2003 Supply Program Management Series     GS-5/7  
2005 Supply Clerical and Technician Series        
2010 Inventory Management Series     GS-5/7  
2030 Distribution Facilities and Storage Series     GS-5/7  
2032 Packaging Series     GS-5/7  
2091 Sales Store Clerical Series        
2099 Supply Student Trainee Series        

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Occupational Series -- 2100 - 2199 - Transportation
Series Position Title Min. Ed. License
or
Certificate
Test Requirement Medical Requirement
2101 Transportation Specialist Series     GS-5/7  
2101 Airway Transportation Systems Specialist
(Dept. of Transportation)
    GS-5/7  
2102 Transportation Clerk and Assistant Series        
2110 Transportation Industry Analysis Series     GS-5/7  
2121 Railroad Safety Series        
2123 Motor Carrier Safety Series        
2125 Highway Safety Series     GS-5/7  
2130 Traffic Management Series     GS-5/7  
2131 Freight Rate Series        
2144 Cargo Scheduling Series        
2150 Transportation Operations Series     GS-5/7  
2151 Dispatching Series        
2152 Air Traffic Control Series     GS-5/7
May be required above 7
X
2154 Air Traffic Assistance Series        
2161 Marine Cargo Series        
2181 Aircraft Operation Series   X   X
2183 Air Navigation Series        
2185 Aircrew Technician Series Mostly military reserve technician positions
2199 Transportation Student Trainee Series        

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Occupational Series -- 2200 - 2299 - Information Technology Management
Series Position Title Min. Ed. License
or
Certificate
Test Requirement Medical Requirement
2210 Information Technology Management (Alternative A)        
2210 Information Technology Management (Alternative B)     GS-5/7  
2299 Information Technology Management Student Trainee        

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