General

Yes. Individuals responsible for DE policy, oversight, or accountability must have comprehensive knowledge of DE as policy staff create and/or provide DE guidance to the workforce while oversight and accountability staff evaluate and measure adherence to DE requirements and principles. Therefore, they are held to the same certification requirements as HR practitioners handling day-to-day operational DE work activities. 

In accordance with its oversight responsibility (5 U.S.C. § 1104), OPM requires agencies to ensure that individuals responsible for conducting DE activities, including those conducting the annual audits, have completed certification requirements and are currently certified to perform these activities (see the Delegated Examining Operations Handbook, Chapter 1, Sections C and D; and Interagency Delegated Examining Agreements between OPM and agencies).