OPM has issued a memo for agencies to implement an executive order – EO 13488 — issued last January mandating reciprocal recognition by federal agencies of a prior favorable determination of fitness or suitability.
The order is intended to simplify and streamline investigative and adjudicative processes where prior determinations are based on equivalent investigations and adjudicative criteria.
According to the memo, the order is applicable to individuals who have been granted a prior favorable fitness or suitability determination that are later appointed to an excepted service position or who are hired to perform work as a contractor employee for a federal agency.
The order applies to individuals who are appointed or hired on or after April 16, 2009, without a break in federal service and/or contractor employment.
The memo does not cover the portion of the order mandating reinvestigations of civilian employees in public trust positions, nor does it cover security clearance reciprocity.
