U.S. Office of Personnel Management www.opm.gov - Recruiting, Retaining and Honoring a World-Class Workforce to Serve the American People

Implementation Guidelines

Select a link to learn how agencies can:

• Submit Request for Direct-Hire Authority

  Use the following steps to obtain approval for an agency-specific direct-hire authority:

  • Step 1: Ensure delegated examining authority is in place.
  • Step 2: Determine if hiring needs meet definition.
  • Step 3: Develop request for direct-hire authority.
  • Step 4: Submit request to OPM.
• Implement Agency or Governmentwide Authority

• Step 1: Ensure that you have delegated examining authority in place in accordance with 5 U.S.C. 1104(a)(2). If you need to obtain delegated examining authority, refer to the Delegated Examining Operations Handbook, Chapter 1 - OPM and Agency Responsibilities, Section A - What Is Delegated Examining Authority.

• Step 2: Determine if hiring need(s) meet definition. To determine if your hiring need qualifies, you must know the distinction between a severe shortage of candidates and a critical hiring need. The definitions of each follow:
• Severe shortage of candidates. A severe shortage of candidates for a particular position or group of positions means that an agency is unable to identify candidates with the competencies required to perform the job requirements despite:
  • Extensive recruitment.
  • Extended announcement periods.
  • The use, as applicable, of hiring flexibilities such as recruitment and relocation incentives.
• Critical hiring need. A critical hiring need for a particular position or group of positions means that an agency has an urgent need to fill the competitive service position(s) quickly to meet mission requirements brought about by conditions such as:
  • Emergency or potential threat.
  • Unanticipated or unusual mission requirement.
  • Congressional or other mandate to meet new or expanded mission requirements by a particular date.
  • Presidential directive.
  • Administration initiative.
  • Other unexpected or unusual events outside the agency's control.

• Step 3: Develop request for direct-hire authority. When making a request to OPM for direct-hire authority, provide the following information in writing. When developing the request you should:
  • Develop a justification.
  • Provide evidence.
  • Consider OPM decision factors.

Select this link for guidance on how to justify a severe shortage of candidates.

Select this link for guidance on how to justify a critical hiring need.

• Step 4: Submit request to OPM. Submit a written request for approval for direct-hire authority. The Chief Human Capital Officer or an equivalent must sign written requests for direct-hire authority. You must submit your request and supporting documentation to the Associate Director, Division for Strategic Human Resources Policy. Mail or fax your request to:

Associate Director
Division for Strategic Human Resources Policy
Office of Personnel Management
1900 E Street NW., Room 6500
Washington, DC 20415-1000
Fax: (202) 606-2329


Select this link to learn more about how to request direct-hire authority.

Implement Agency or Governmentwide Authority

If you are implementing a Governmentwide direct authority OR if you have received direct-hire approval, use the following steps to implement direct-hire authority:

• Step 1: Provide public notice, including posting on USAJOBS.
• Step 2: Follow Career Transition Assistance Program (CTAP) or Interagency Career Transition Assistance Program (ICTAP) requirements for applying special selection priority to eligible candidates. Select this link for additional information on the CTAP and ICTAP.
• Step 3: Hire qualified candidates.
• Step 4: Document hiring actions using the authority codes found in the Delegated Examining Operations Handbook, Chapter 2, Section A - Review Hiring Flexibilities.
• Step 5: Be aware of the authority's expiration date. In the case of agency-specific, direct-hire authorities, submit another request to OPM if needed.

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