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Training and Development Policy Wiki

Page History: Continuing Service Agreements


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Page Revision: 11/1/2011 1:25:25 PM


Continuing Service Agreements

Each agency head determines the conditions for requiring employees to agree to continue in service after completing training e.g. 180 hours or more of Government or non-Government training. An employee selected for training must agree in writing with the Government before assignment to training to continue in service for a period at least equal to three times the length of the training period. Title 5 USC §4108(a)(1). If the employee leaves the Government before the agreed-upon amount of service, the agency has the right to require repayment for the amount of time not served. Id. at (b) and (c).

The head of an agency may waive in whole or in part the agency's right of recovery if it is shown that the recovery would be against equity and good conscience or against the public interest. Id. at (c). For example, if an employee who is under a continued service agreement decides to voluntarily leave Federal service due to an impending reduction-in-force, the agency may determine that waiving its right to recovery would be in the public interest and release the employee from the agreement.

Solve Problems

(How can I use a Continuing Service Agreement in my agency?)


A continued service agreement (CSA) is an agreement an employee makes to continue to work for the Government for a pre-established length of time in exchange for Government sponsored training or education. The service obligation begins when the training is completed. If the employee voluntarily leaves Government service before completing the service obligation, he or she must repay the Government all or some of the costs of the training (excluding salary).

Agencies may require service agreements for training of long duration or of high cost. With this authority, agencies protect their investment and secure a period of service from an employee once the employee completes the training.

Stay Current

Many agencies have created and implemented their own policies around Continued Service Agreements. OPM has also developed a Fact Sheet on Continuing Service Agreements for your reference. 

DC Department of Human Resources
The DC Dept of Human Resources has created the following Continuation in Service Agreement that can be used as a reference for other agencies looking to implement their own CSAs. 
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