[Federal Register: August 22, 1997 (Volume 62, Number 163)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Page 44535]

[[Page 44535]]


-----------------------------------------------------------------------

OFFICE OF PERSONNEL MANAGEMENT

5 CFR Part 338

RIN 3206-AH85


Qualification Requirements (General)

AGENCY: Office of Personnel Management.

ACTION: Final rule.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

SUMMARY: The Office of Personnel Management (OPM) is issuing final
regulations concerning the use of qualification standards. The
regulations clarify the use of OPM's Operating Manual: Qualification
Standards for General Schedule Positions when considering experience in
making competitive service appointments.

EFFECTIVE DATE: September 22, 1997.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Christina Gonzales Vay, 202-606-0830,
FAX 202-606-2329, or TDD 202-606-0023.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Section 17 of the Lobbying Disclosure Act of
1995 (Pub. L. 104-65, December, 19, 1995) requires OPM to promulgate
requlations concerning the consideration of experience of applicants
who are being considered for competitive service positions. On June 5,
1997 (62 FR 30778), we proposed regulations to place a statement in
part 338 to clarify that experience is considered as outlined in OPM's
Operating Manual: Qualification Standards for General Schedule
Positions. We also indicated that the Operating Manual is available to
the public for review at agency personnel offices and Federal
depository libraries, and for purchase from the Government Printing
Office. We received no comments on the proposed regulations and are
adopting them as final regulations with no change.

Regulatory Flexibility Act

    I certify that this regulation will have a significant economic
impact on a substantial number of small entities because it affects
only certain Federal employees.

List of Subjects in 5 CFR Part 338

    Government employees.

U.S. Office of Personnel Management.
James B. King,
Director.

    Accordingly, OPM is amending part 338 of title 5, Code of Federal
Regulations, as follows:

PART 338--QUALIFICATION STANDARDS (GENERAL)

    1.The authority citation for part 338 is revised to read as
follows:

    Authority: 5 U.S.C. 3301, 3302, 3304; E.O. 10577, 3 CFR, 1954-
1958 comp., p. 218.
    2. Subpart C consisting of Sec. 338.301, is added to read as
follows:

Subpart C--Consideration for Appointment

Sec. 338.301  Competitive service appointment.

    Agencies must ensure that employees who are given competitive
service appointments meet the requirements included in the Office of
Personnel Management's Operating Manual: Qualification Standards for
General Schedule Positions. The Operating Manual is available to the
public for review at agency personnel offices and Federal depository
libraries, and for purchase from the Government Printing Office.

[FR Doc. 97-22005 Filed 8-21-97; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6325-01-M