U.S. FEDRegulation
OPM final rule eliminates time-in-grade restriction for General Schedule advancement
The Office of Personnel Management published a final rule on October 19, 2026 eliminating the time-in-grade restriction on advancement to competitive service General Schedule positions. The rule removes the requirement of 52 weeks in a position no more than one grade lower for advancement to GS-6 or above. It takes effect on January 19, 2027, and amends 5 CFR Parts 300, 315, 316, 352 and 410.
Key points
- OPM adopted the rule substantially as proposed, at 91 FR 65887 (FR Doc. 2026-21319); the proposal appeared May 28, 2026 at 91 FR 31669.Federal Register
- For two-grade-interval lines of work, the prior rule allowed advancement from two grades lower for positions at GS-6 through GS-11.Federal Register
- Employees remain subject to OPM qualification standards, agency job-related requirements, classification requirements and merit promotion procedures under 5 CFR Part 335.Federal Register
- The rule creates no entitlement to promotion and does not waive specialised-experience or education requirements or alter 5 U.S.C. chapter 33 requirements.Federal Register
- The restriction removed sat in 5 CFR Part 300, subpart F, with conforming amendments to Parts 315, 316, 352 and 410.Federal Register
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Federal Register