OPM Targets Time-in-Grade Rule

OPM in a February 6 Federal Register noticed proposed eliminating the time-in-grade restriction on advancement in certain federal jobs. Currently, employees in competitive service GS positions at grades 5 and above must serve 52 weeks in grade before becoming eligible for promotion to the next grade level. The proposal would remove that time requirement, but an employee still would have to meet job qualification requirements and any additional job-related qualification requirements for the position in order to be promoted. OPM said that the time minimum is no longer needed since qualification standards – which address issues such as the specific level of performance to meet, and possession of specific job-related competencies, knowledge, skills, and abilities — would prevent employees from advancing too quickly through the GS grades.