This section contains the group coverage qualification standards, associated individual occupational requirements (IOR), and individual qualification standards covering white collar occupations in the Federal competitive service. These standards describe the minimum qualification requirements (for example, educational, medical, age, experience, etc.) for each occupational series. You may search for information about specific qualification requirements using either the Index by Series Number or Index by Series Title.

The standards are written broadly for Governmentwide application and are not intended to provide detailed information about specific qualification requirements for individual positions at a particular agency. Such information (i.e., a description of the specialized experience requirements for a particular position) should be included in the vacancy announcements issued by the agency. Information about the work performed in a General Schedule occupational series is contained in the Handbook of Occupational Groups & Families and the Introduction to the Position Classification Standards, and is not repeated on this site.

Many occupations or positions that are covered by a group coverage qualification standard also have Individual Occupation Requirements (IOR). Some series are covered by a separate stand-alone individual qualification standard.

Each of the following Group Coverage Qualification Standards includes a list of covered occupations:

• Professional and Scientific Positions;
• Administrative and Management Positions;
• Technical and Medical Support Positions;
• Clerical and Administrative Support Positions; and
• Competitive Service Student Trainee Positions.

An occupational series has not been assigned to the following:

• Supervisory Guide;
• Policy Analysis and Administrative Analysis Positions;
• Positions Involving Equal Employment Opportunity Collateral Assignments; and
• Positions Requiring Collateral Correctional Skills.

They should be used in conjunction with the appropriate qualification standard for the specific occupational series. For example, an agency may plan to recruit for a supervisory computer scientist position. In this situation, the agency should use the qualification standard for the 1550 occupational series in conjunction with the Supervisory Guide.

The following links may be helpful in locating additional qualification-related information.

• Recent Issuances of Revised or New Qualification Standards
• Draft Qualification Standards
• Test Requirements

OPM posts draft versions of qualification standards on this site. Draft qualification standards may not be used to qualify applicants.

The following standards apply to white collar positions.

Draft Qualification Standards

Draft Title / Description	Comment Period

Final Standard	Issuance Date
General Schedule Qualifications Operating Manual	May 19, 2022
Executive Order 13932, Qualifications, Assessment, and Hiring Policy (FAQs)	May 19, 2022
Auditing Series, 0511	November 7, 2019
General Medical and Healthcare Series, 0601	September 27, 2017
Physician Series, 0602	September 27, 2017
Physician Assistant Series, 0603	September 27, 2017
Nursing Series, 0610	September 27, 2017
Dietetics and Nutrition Series, 0630	September 27, 2017
Occupational Therapy Series, 0631	September 27, 2017
Physical Therapy Series, 0633	September 27, 2017
Kinesiotherapy Series, 0635	September 27, 2017
Recreation/Creative Arts Therapy Series, 0638	September 27, 2017
Clinical Laboratory Science Series, 0644	September 27, 2017
Pharmacy Series, 0660	September 27, 2017
Optometry Series, 0662	September 27, 2017
Speech/Language Pathology and Audiology Series, 0665	September 27, 2017
Podiatry Series, 0668	September 27, 2017
Dentistry Series, 0680	September 27, 2017
Industrial Hygiene Series, 0690	September 27, 2017
Consumer Safety Series, 0696	September 27, 2017

Clerical and Administrative Support Positions

This qualification standard covers positions in the General Schedule that involve the performance of one-grade interval clerical and administrative support work. It contains common patterns of creditable experience and education to be used in making qualifications determinations.

A list of the occupational series covered by this standard is provided below.

This standard may also be used for one-grade interval positions other than those listed if the education and experience pattern is determined to be appropriate.

Experience and Education Requirements

The following table shows the amounts of education and/or experience required to qualify for positions covered by this standard.

GRADE/ POSITIONS	EXPERIENCE		EDUCATION
	GENERAL	SPECIALIZED
GS-1 All positions	None	None	None
GS-2 All positions	3 months	None	High school graduation or equivalent
GS-3 Clerk-Steno ----------------- All other positions	6 months	None	High school graduation or equivalent ----------------- 1 year above high school
GS-4 All positions	1 year	None	2 years above high school
GS-5 Clerk-Steno --------------- All other positions	2 years --------------- none	None --------------- 1 year equivalent to at least GS-4	4 years above high school (except Reporting Stenographer)
GS-6 and above All positions	None	1 year equivalent to at least next lower grade level	Generally, not applicable

Some of the occupational series covered by this standard include both one- and two-grade interval work. The qualification requirements described in this standard apply only to those positions that typically follow a one-grade interval pattern. While the levels of experience shown for most positions covered by this standard follow the grade level progression pattern outlined in the table, users of the standard should refer to E.3.(o) in the "Policies and Instructions" section for guidance on crediting experience for positions with different lines of progression.

General Experience (All positions except Reporting Stenographer, Shorthand Reporter, and Closed Micro-phone Reporter)--Progressively responsible clerical, office, or other work that indicates ability to acquire the particular knowledge and skills needed to perform the duties of the position to be filled.

Specialized Experience (All positions except Reporting Stenographer, Shorthand Reporter, and Closed Micro-phone Reporter)--Experience that equipped the applicant with the particular knowledge, skills, and abilities (KSA's) to perform successfully the duties of the position, and that is typically in or related to the position to be filled. To be creditable, specialized experience must have been equivalent to at least the next lower grade level. Applicants who have the 1 year of appropriate specialized experience, as indicated in the table, are not required by this standard to have general experience, education above the high school level, or any additional specialized experience to meet the minimum qualification requirements.

Experience for Reporting Stenographer, Shorthand Reporter, and Closed Microphone Reporter-- One year of experience equivalent to at least the next lower grade level using the skills and equipment appropriate to the position to be filled is required for all positions. Following is a description of qualifying experience for these positions.

• Reporting Stenographer, GS-5: Experience as a clerk-stenographer, secretary, reporting stenographer, or in other positions that included application of stenography and typing skills as a significant part of the work.
• Reporting Stenographer, Shorthand Reporter, and Closed Microphone Reporter, GS-6:Experience as a reporting stenographer, hearing reporter, or in other positions in which the primary duty was to make and transcribe manual or machine-written shorthand records of hearings, interviews, or similar proceedings.
• Shorthand Reporter and Closed Microphone Reporter, GS-7 and above: Experience as a court reporter, or hearing reporter, or in other positions in which the primary duty was to make verbatim records of proceedings.

Education: High school graduation or the equivalent is creditable at the GS-2 level for the occupations listed, except Clerk-Stenographer, where it is creditable at the GS-3 entry level.

Successfully completed education above the high school level in any field for which high school graduation or the equivalent is the normal prerequisite is creditable at grades GS-3 through GS-5 for all positions except Reporting Stenographer, GS-5. This education must have been obtained in an accredited business, secretarial or technical school, junior college, college or university. One year of full-time academic study is defined as 30 semester hours, 45 quarter hours, or the equivalent in a college or university, or at least 20 hours of classroom instruction per week for approximately 36 weeks in a business, secretarial, or technical school.

As a general rule, education is not creditable above GS-5 for most positions covered by this standard; however, graduate education may be credited in those few instances where the graduate education is directly related to the work of the position.

Intensive Short-Term Training-- Completion of an intensive, specialized course of study of less than 1 year may meet in full the experience requirements for GS-3. Courses of this type normally require completion of up to 40 hours per week of instruction rather than the usual 20 hours per week, and are usually of at least 3 months duration. Such courses may have been obtained through a variety of programs such as those offered by business or technical schools, and through military training programs. To be creditable, such a course must have been designed specifically as career preparation for the work of the position being filled, and must have provided the applicant with the necessary knowledge, skills, and abilities to do the work.

Combining Education and Experience: Equivalent combinations of successfully completed post-high school education and experience may be used to meet total experience requirements at grades GS-5 and below, except for Reporting Stenographer, GS-5.

• For GS-3 and GS-4 level positions, determine the applicant's total qualifying experience as a percentage of the experience required for the grade level; then determine the applicant's education as a percentage of the education required for the grade level; then add the two percentages. The total percentage must equal at least 100 percent to qualify an applicant for that grade level.
• For GS-5 level positions (except Clerk-Stenographer, which does not require specialized experience), only education in excess of the first 60 semester hours (i.e., beyond the second year) is creditable toward meeting the specialized experience requirement. One full academic year of study (30 semester hours) beyond the second year is equivalent to 6 months of specialized experience.

The following are examples of how education and experience may be combined. They are examples only, and are not all inclusive:

• The position to be filled is a Payroll Clerk, GS-4. An applicant has 8 months of qualifying experience and 20 semester hours of college. The applicant meets 67 percent of the required experience and 33 percent of the required education. The applicant meets 100 percent of the total requirements and is qualified for the position.
• The position to be filled is a Clerk-Typist, GS-4. The applicant has 4 months of qualifying experience and 1 year of business school. The applicant meets 33 percent of the required experience and 50 percent of the required education. The applicant meets 83 percent of the total requirements and is not qualified for the position.
• The position to be filled is a Clerk-Stenographer, GS-5. An applicant has 1 year of qualifying experience and 90 semester hours of college. The applicant meets 50 percent of the required experience and 75 percent of the required education. The applicant exceeds 100 percent of the total requirements and is qualified for the position.
• The position to be filled is an Editorial Assistant, GS-5. The applicant has 9 months of specialized experience and 75 semester hours of college (15 semester hours beyond the second year and the equivalent of 3 months of specialized experience). The applicant meets 75 percent of the required experience and 25 percent of the required education. The applicant meets 100 percent of the requirement for 1 year of specialized experience and is qualified for the position.

Proficiency Requirements

Clerk-Typist, Office Automation Clerk/Assistant, Clerk-Stenographer, Data Transcriber, and Positions with Parenthetical Titles of (Typing), (Office Automation), (Stenography), or (Data Transcription)

In addition to meeting experience or education requirements, applicants for these positions must show possession of the following skills, as appropriate. Applicants may meet these requirements by passing the appropriate performance test, presenting a certificate of proficiency from a school or other organization authorized to issue such certificates by the Office of Personnel Management local office, or by self-certifying their proficiency. Performance test results and certificates of proficiency are acceptable for 3 years. Agencies may verify proficiency skills of self-certified applicants by administering the appropriate performance test.

• Clerk-Typist, GS-2/4; Office Automation Clerk/ Assistant (any grade); (Typing) (any grade); and (Office Automation) (any grade):

  40 words per minute typing speed¹

• Data Transcriber, GS-2/4; and (Data Transcription) (any grade):

  skill in operating an alphanumeric data transcribing machine,
  or 20 words per minute typing speed¹ for GS-2 transcription duties
  or 25 words per minute typing speed¹ for GS-3 and GS-4 transcription duties

• Clerk-Stenographer, GS-3/4:

  40 words per minute typing speed¹ and
  80 words per minute dictation speed²

• Clerk-Stenographer, GS-5:

  40 words per minute typing speed¹ and
  120 words per minute dictation speed²

• (Stenography) (any grade):

  40 words per minute typing speed¹ and either
  80 words per minute dictation speed² for GS-3 and GS-4 stenographic duties
  or 120 words per minute dictation speed² for GS-5 stenographic duties

Reporting Stenographer, Shorthand Reporter, and Closed Microphone Reporter

In addition to meeting the experience requirements, applicants for these positions must show possession of the following skills with equipment appropriate to the specific position.

• Reporting Stenographer, GS-5/6: 120 words per minute dictation speed³

• Shorthand Reporter and Closed Microphone Reporter, GS-6: 160 words per minute dictation speed³

• Shorthand Reporter and Closed Microphone Reporter, GS-7 and above: 175 words per minute dictation speed³

Applicants must also be able to produce accurate typewritten transcripts of recorded proceedings.

Applicants for competitive appointment and inservice applicants for initial assignment to these three positions at all grade levels must demonstrate the specific skill and level of proficiency required by the position to be filled. Also, inservice applicants for promotion to positions that have a higher proficiency requirement than the position previously held must demonstrate the higher level of proficiency. Applicants may demonstrate that proficiency by either passing a dictation test at the required speed or presenting a certificate of proficiency showing speed and accuracy equivalent to those used in the Office of Personnel Management performance tests for these positions. The certificate must show that the candidate demonstrated the required proficiency, i.e., dictation speed and accuracy, to a teacher of stenography, shorthand reporting, or closed microphone reporting, within the past year. Applicants for these positions may not self-certify dictation proficiency.

Using Selective Factors For Positions Covered by this Standard

Selective factors must represent knowledge, skills, or abilities that are essential for successful job performance and cannot reasonably be acquired on the job during the period of orientation/training customary for the position being filled. It is unlikely, for example, that a requirement for experience with a particular brand of word processing software could be justified as a selective factor for an Office Automation Clerk position. Since knowledge of that software may be desirable, such knowledge could be appropriately used as a quality ranking factor. On the other hand, proficiency in the correct use of medical terminology may be needed immediately to perform the duties of a Medical Records Technician position to provide continuity in an agency's medical records program. If that is the case, knowledge of medical terminology could be used as a selective factor in filling the position.

1. Words per minute are based on a 5 minute sample with three or fewer errors.

2. The maximum number of errors allowed in a dictation sample equals 10 percent of the required dictation speed (80 words per minute or 120 words per minute) multiplied by the number of minutes in the sample.

3. The maximum number of errors allowed in a dictation sample for these three positions equals 5 percent of the required dictation speed multiplied by the number of minutes in the sample.

Occupational Coverage

A list of the occupational series covered by this qualification standard is provided below. The occupational series marked with an asterisk have individual occupational requirements.

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Technical and Medical Support Positions

This qualification standard covers positions in the General Schedule that involve the performance of one-grade interval technical or medical support work. It contains common patterns of creditable experience and education to be used in making qualifications determinations.

A list of the occupational series covered by this standard is provided below.

This standard may also be used for one-grade interval positions other than those listed if the education and experience pattern is determined to be appropriate.

Experience and education requirements

The following table shows the amounts of education and/or experience required to qualify for positions covered by this standard.

GRADE	EXPERIENCE		EDUCATION
	GENERAL	SPECIALIZED
GS-1	None	None	None
GS-2	3 months	None	High school graduation or equivalent
GS-3	6 months	None	1 year above high school with course(s) related to the occupation, if required
GS-4	6 months	6 months	2 years above high school with courses related to the occupation, if required
GS-5	None	1 year equivalent to at least GS-4	4-year course of study above high school leading to a bachelor's degree with courses related to the occupation, if required
GS-6 and above	None	1 year equivalent to at least next lower grade level	See the NOTE under the Education section

Equivalent combinations of education and experience are qualifying for all grade levels and positions for which both education and experience are acceptable.

While the levels of experience shown for most positions covered by this standard follow the grade level progression pattern outlined in the table, users of the standard should refer to E.3.(o) in the "General Policies and Instructions" for guidance on crediting experience for positions with different lines of progression.

General Experience: (l) Any type of work that demonstrates the applicant's ability to perform the work of the position, or (2) experience that provided a familiarity with the subject matter or processes of the broad subject area of the occupation.

Specialized Experience: Experience that equipped the applicant with the particular knowledge, skills, and abilities (KSA's) to perform successfully the duties of the position, and that is typically in or related to the work of the position to be filled. To be creditable, specialized experience must have been equivalent to at least the next lower grade level. Applicants who have the 1 year of appropriate specialized experience, as indicated in the table, are not required by this standard to have general experience, education above the high school level, or any additional specialized experience to meet the minimum qualification requirements.

Education: High school graduation or the equivalent is qualifying for GS-2.

Successfully completed post-high school education is qualifying for grades GS-3 through GS-5. This education must have been obtained in an accredited business or technical school, junior college, college or university for which high school graduation or the equivalent is the normal prerequisite. One year of full-time undergraduate study is defined as 30 semester hours, 45 quarter hours, or the equivalent in a college or university or at least 20 hours of classroom instruction per week for approximately 36 weeks in a business or technical school.

For some occupations covered by this standard, 6 semester hours of specific courses are included in the l year of education that meets the GS-3 requirements. The 6 semester hours allow for subjects that are common to a broad range of degree programs, e.g., subjects in the mathematical, physical, or biological sciences. This inclusion corresponds to the second part of the description of general experience, i.e., the subjects provide evidence of a familiarity with the subject matter or processes of the broad subject area of the occupation. At grades GS-4 and above, a portion of the education is usually directly related to the work of the position to be filled. Examples of related courses are provided in the individual occupational requirements where applicable. However, agencies may require other courses if they are considered to be more related to the position to be filled.

 

Training: Completion of appropriate training such as inservice training programs, training acquired while serving in the Armed Forces, and government-sponsored developmental training programs will be allowed credit on a month-for-month basis, generally through the GS-5 level. Such training meets general or specialized experience requirements depending upon its applicability.

Completion of an intensive, specialized course of study of less than l year may meet in full the experience requirements for GS-3. Courses of this type normally require completion of up to 40 hours per week of instruction rather than the usual 20 hours per week, and are usually of at least 3 months duration. Such courses may have been obtained through a variety of programs such as those offered by technical schools and military training programs. To be creditable, such a course must have been designed specifically as career preparation for the work of the position being filled, and must have provided the applicant with the necessary knowledge, skills, and abilities to do the work.

Combining Experience and Education: Equivalent combinations of successfully completed post-high school education and experience are also qualifying. The combinations described below are those most typical for these positions, i.e., for grades GS-3 through GS-5. If education is used to meet specialized experience requirements, then such education must include courses directly related to the work of the position. (When crediting education, prorate the number of hours of related courses required as a proportion of the total education to be used.)

• For GS-3 level positions, determine the applicant's total qualifying experience as a percentage of the 6 months' experience required for GS-3; then deter-mine the applicant's education as a percentage of the l year of education that meets the requirements for GS-3. Add the two percentages. The total percentage must equal at least 100 percent to qualify an applicant for GS-3.

• For GS-4 level positions, determine the applicant's total qualifying experience as a percentage of the 1 year of experience required for GS-4; then determine the applicant's education as a percentage of the 2 years of education that meets the requirements for GS-4. Add the two percentages. The total percentage must equal at least 100 percent to qualify an applicant for GS-4.

• For GS-5 level positions, only education in excess of the first 60 semester hours of a course of study leading to a bachelor's degree is creditable toward meeting the specialized experience requirements. Two full academic years of study, or 60 semester hours, beyond the second year is equivalent to l year of specialized experience. Determine the applicant's total qualifying experience as a percentage of the year of specialized experience required at the GS-5 level. Then determine the applicant's education as a percentage of the education that meets the requirements for GS-5. Add the two percentages. The total percentage must equal at least 100 percent to qualify an applicant for GS-5.

The following are examples of how education and experience may be combined. They are examples only, and are not all-inclusive.

• The position to be filled is a Pharmacy Aid, GS-3. An applicant has 2 months of experience and 20 semester hours of college. The applicant meets 33 percent of the required experience and 67 percent of the required education. The applicant meets 100 percent of the total requirements and is qualified for the position.

• The position to be filled is an Industrial Engineering Technician, GS-4. An applicant has 5 months of general experience and 36 semester hours of college. The applicant meets 42 percent of the required experience and 60 percent of the required education. The applicant exceeds 100 percent of the total requirements and is qualified for the position. (This example assumes that education is being used to meet the specialized experience requirements, and that at least 7 of the 36 semester hours are in courses directly related to the work of the position.) Examples of such courses are provided in the individual occupational requirements for the Industrial Engineering Technician Series, GS-895.

• The position to be filled is a Recreation Assistant, GS-5. An applicant has 8 months of GS-4 level specialized experience and 80 semester hours of college. The applicant meets 67 percent of the required experience and 33 percent of the required education (i.e., 20 semester hours in excess of the first 60 semester hours). The applicant meets 100 percent of the total requirements and is qualified for the position. At least 8 of the 20 semester hours must be directly related to the work of the position. Examples of such courses are provided in the individual occupational requirements for the Recreation Aid and Assistant Series, GS-189.

Using selective factors for positions covered by this standard

Selective factors must represent knowledge, skills, or abilities that are essential for successful job performance and cannot reasonably be acquired on the job during the period of orientation/training customary for the position being filled. For example, a requirement for knowledge of microbiological laboratory techniques may be needed immediately to perform the duties of a Biological Technician position in a disease research laboratory. If that is the case, such knowledge could be justified as a selective factor in filling the position.

Using individual occupational requirements with this standard

General experience requirements at the GS-2 and GS-3 levels are described in the group coverage standard so that the applicant pool at those "trainee" levels will be as generally inclusive as possible. Thus, examples of qualifying general experience are not included in the "Individual Occupational Requirements" for positions covered by this qualification standard.

Positions at GS-4 and above require specialized experience, education, or training related to the occupation. Examples of qualifying specialized experience are provided for those occupations where such information is currently available. Examples of qualifying post-high school education or training are also provided.

Occupational Coverage

A list of the occupational series covered by this qualification standard is provided below. The occupational series marked with an asterisk have individual occupational requirements.

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Administrative and Management Positions

This qualification standard covers positions in the General Schedule that involve the performance of two-grade interval administrative and management work. It contains common patterns of creditable experience and education to be used in making qualifications determinations.

A list of the occupational series covered by this standard is provided below.

This standard may also be used for two-grade interval positions other than those listed if the education and experience pattern is determined to be appropriate.

Education and experience requirements

The following table shows the amounts of education and/or experience required to qualify for positions covered by this standard.

GRADE	EDUCATION	EXPERIENCE
		GENERAL	SPECIALIZED
GS-5	4-year course of study leading to a bachelor's degree	3 years, 1 year of which was equivalent to at least GS-4	None
GS-7	1 full year of graduate level education or superior academic achievement	None	1 year equivalent to at least GS-5
GS-9	master's or equivalent graduate degree or 2 full years of progressively higher level graduate education leading to such a degree or LL.B. or J.D., if related	None	1 year equivalent to at least GS-7
GS-11	Ph.D. or equivalent doctoral degree or 3 full years of progressively higher level graduate education leading to such a degree or LL.M., if related	None	1 year equivalent to at least GS-9
GS-12 and above	None	None	1 year equivalent to at least next lower grade level

Some of the occupational series covered by this standard include both one- and two-grade interval work. The qualification requirements described in this standard apply only to those positions that typically follow a two-grade interval pattern. While the levels of experience shown for most positions covered by this standard follow the grade level progression pattern outlined in the table, users of the standard should refer to E.3.(p) in the "Policies and Instructions" for guidance on crediting experience for positions with different lines of progression.

Undergraduate Education: Successful completion of a full 4-year course of study in any field leading to a bachelor's degree, in an accredited college or university, meets the GS-5 level requirements for many positions covered by this standard. Others have individual occupational requirements that specify that applicants must, in general, (1) have specific course work that meets the requirements for a major in a particular field(s), or (2) have at least 24 semester hours of course work in the field(s) identified. Course work in fields closely related to those specified may be accepted if it clearly provides applicants with the background of knowledge and skills necessary for successful job performance. One year of full-time undergraduate study is defined as 30 semester hours or 45 quarter hours.

Superior Academic Achievement: The superior academic achievement provision is applicable to all occupations covered by this standard. See the "General Policies and Instructions" for specific guidance on applying the superior academic achievement provision.

Graduate Education: Education at the graduate level in an accredited college or university in the amounts shown in the table meets the requirements for positions at GS-7 through GS-11. Such education must demonstrate the knowledge, skills, and abilities necessary to do the work.

One year of full-time graduate education is considered to be the number of credit hours that the school attended has determined to represent 1 year of full-time study. If that information cannot be obtained from the school, 18 semester hours should be considered as satisfying the 1 year of full-time study requirement.

Part-time graduate education is creditable in accordance with its relationship to a year of full-time study at the school attended.

For certain positions covered by this standard, the work may be recognized as sufficiently technical or specialized that graduate study alone may not provide the knowledge and skills needed to perform the work. In such cases, agencies may use selective factors to screen out applicants without actual work experience.

General Experience: For positions for which individual occupational requirements do not specify otherwise, general experience is 3 years of progressively responsible experience, 1 year of which was equivalent to at least GS-4, that demonstrates the ability to:

1. Analyze problems to identify significant factors, gather pertinent data, and recognize solutions;
2. Plan and organize work; and
3. Communicate effectively orally and in writing.

Such experience may have been gained in administrative, professional, technical, investigative, or other responsible work. Experience in substantive and relevant secretarial, clerical, or other responsible work may be qualifying as long as it provided evidence of the knowledge, skills, and abilities (KSA's) necessary to perform the duties of the position to be filled. Experience of a general clerical nature (typing, filing, routine procedural processing, maintaining records, or other nonspecialized tasks) is not creditable. Trades or crafts experience appropriate to the position to be filled may be creditable for some positions.

For some occupations or positions, applicants must have had work experience that demonstrated KSA's in addition to those identified above. Positions with more specific general experience requirements than those described here are shown in the appropriate individual occupational requirements.

Specialized Experience: Experience that equipped the applicant with the particular knowledge, skills, and abilities to perform successfully the duties of the position, and that is typically in or related to the work of the position to be filled. To be creditable, specialized experience must have been equivalent to at least the next lower grade level in the normal line of progression for the occupation in the organization. Applicants who have the 1 year of appropriate specialized experience, as indicated in the table, are not required by this standard to have general experience, education above the high school level, or any additional specialized experience to meet the minimum qualification requirements.

Combining Education and Experience: Combinations of successfully completed post-high school education and experience may be used to meet total qualification requirements for the grade levels specified in the table, and may be computed by first determining the applicant's total qualifying experience as a percentage of the experience required for the grade level; then determining the applicant's education as a percentage of the education required for the grade level; and then adding the two percentages. The total percentages must equal at least 100 percent to qualify an applicant for that grade level. Only graduate education in excess of the amount required for the next lower grade level may be used to qualify applicants for positions at grades GS-9 and GS-11. (When crediting education that requires specific course work, prorate the number of hours of related courses required as a proportion of the total education to be used.)

The following are examples of how education and experience may be combined. They are examples only, and are not all-inclusive.

• The position to be filled is a Quality Assurance Specialist, GS-1910-5. An applicant has 2 years of general experience and 45 semester hours of college that included 9 semester hours in related course work as described in the individual occupational requirements. The applicant meets 67 percent of the required experience and 38 percent of the required education. Therefore, the applicant exceeds 100 percent of the total requirement and is qualified for the position.

• The position to be filled is a Management Analyst, GS-343-9. An applicant has 6 months of specialized experience equivalent to GS-7 and 1 year of graduate level education. The applicant meets 50 percent of the required experience but none of the required education, since he or she does not have any graduate study beyond that which is required for GS-7. Therefore, the applicant meets only 50 percent of the total requirement and is not qualified for the position. (The applicant's first year of graduate study is not qualifying for GS-9.)

• The position to be filled is a Music Specialist, GS-1051-11. An applicant has 9 months of specialized experience equivalent to GS-9 and 2 1/2 years of creditable graduate level education in music. The applicant meets 75 percent of the required experience and 50 percent of the required education, i.e., the applicant has 1/2 year of graduate study beyond that required for GS-9. Therefore, the applicant exceeds the total requirement and is qualified for the position. (The applicant's first 2 years of graduate study are not qualifying for GS-11.)

Using selective factors for positions covered by this standard

Selective factors must represent knowledge, skills, or abilities that are essential for successful job performance and cannot reasonably be acquired on the job during the period of orientation/training customary for the position being filled. For example, while the individual occupational requirements for Recreation Specialist provide for applicants to meet minimum qualifications on the basis of education or experience in any one of a number of recreational fields, a requirement for knowledge of therapeutic recreation may be needed to perform the duties of a position providing recreation services to persons with physical disabilities. If that is the case, such knowledge could be justified as a selective factor in filling the position.

Occupational Coverage

A list of the occupational series covered by this qualification standard is provided below. The occupational series marked with an asterisk have individual occupational requirements.

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Professional and Scientific Positions

This qualification standard covers positions in the General Schedule that involve the performance of two-grade interval professional and scientific work. The specific requirements for entry into each occupation covered by this standard are described in individual occupational requirements. Subsection E.4.(g) of the "Policies and Instructions" provides guidance on interpreting minimum educational requirements.

A list of the occupational series covered by this standard is provided below.

Basic requirements for all grades

Applicants who meet the basic requirements described in the individual occupational requirements are fully qualified for the specified entry grade (generally grade GS-5). Applicants who wish to qualify for positions at higher grade levels (generally grade GS-7 and above) must also meet the requirements shown in the table on page IV-A-22, in addition to meeting the basic requirements.

The individual occupational requirements typically provide at least two methods for applicants to meet the basic requirements of the occupations covered by this standard:

1. Successful completion of a full 4-year course of study in an accredited college or university leading to a bachelor's or higher degree that included a major field of study or specific course requirements generally as stated in paragraph A in the individual occupational requirements.

   Where specific course requirements are not indicated in paragraph A, the number of semester hours required to constitute a major field of study is the amount specified by the college or university attended. If this number cannot be obtained, 24 semester hours will be considered as equivalent to a major field of study. The nature and quality of this required course work must have been such that it would serve as a prerequisite for more advanced study in the field or subject-matter area. Related course work generally refers to courses that may be accepted as part of the program major.

2. Appropriate combination of education and experience that is typically specified in paragraph B of the individual occupational requirements. The "paragraph B" method generally requires that an applicant possess a core of educational credit, such as described in paragraph A above, plus additional education and/or experience. The method of determining the number of semester hours required to constitute a major field of study is the same as described in paragraph A.

   The quality of the combination of education and experience must be sufficient to demonstrate that the applicant possesses the knowledge, skills, and abilities required to perform work in the occupation, and is comparable to that normally acquired through the successful completion of a full 4-year course of study with a major in the appropriate field. In addition to courses in the major and related fields, a typical college degree would have included courses that involved analysis, writing, critical thinking, research, etc. These courses would have provided an applicant with skills and abilities sufficient to perform progressively more responsible work in the occupation. Therefore, creditable experience should have demonstrated similarly appropriate skills or abilities needed to perform the work of the occupation.

The individual occupational requirements for some series make no provision for combining experience and education. Therefore, they do not include paragraph B provisions.

For a small number of occupations or positions covered by this standard, applicants may possess certain kinds of experience in lieu of education. In such cases, applicants may meet minimum qualification requirements through experience equivalent to a 4-year degree. These situations are generally described in paragraph C of the individual occupational requirements.

Applicants whose experience is used to meet the basic requirements through a paragraph B or C provision may qualify for grades above the entry level if that experience includes 1 year of specialized experience. In such cases, the specialized experience would have to be evaluated to determine if it is at the appropriate grade level in the normal line of progression.

Experience and education requirements for GS-7 and above

In addition to meeting the basic entry qualification requirements, applicants must have specialized experience and/or directly related education in the amounts shown in the table below.

 

GRADE/ POSITIONS	EDUCATION	SPECIALIZED EXPERIENCE
GS-7	1 year of graduate-level education or superior academic achievement	1 year equivalent to at least GS-5
GS-9	2 years of progressively higher level graduate education leading to a master's degree or master's or equivalent graduate degree	1 year equivalent to at least GS-7
GS-11	3 years of progressively higher level graduate education leading to a Ph.D. degree or Ph.D. or equivalent doctoral degree	1 year equivalent to at least GS-9
GS-12 and above		1 year equivalent to at least next lower grade level
Research Positions
GS-11 research positions	Master's or equivalent graduate degree	1 year equivalent to at least GS-9
GS-12 research positions	Ph.D. or equivalent doctoral degree	1 year equivalent to at least GS-11
GS-13 and above research positions		1 year equivalent to at least next lower grade level

While the levels of experience shown for most positions covered by this standard follow the grade level progression pattern outlined in the table, users of the standard should refer to E.3.(p) in the "Policies and Instructions" for guidance on crediting experience for positions with different lines of progression.

Combining Education and Experience: When combining education with experience, first determine the applicant's total qualifying education as a percentage of the education required for the grade level; then determine the applicant's experience as a percentage of the experience required for the grade level; finally, add the two percentages. The total percentage must equal at least 100 percent to qualify an applicant for that grade level. For example, an applicant for a GS-184, Sociology, position has successfully completed 60 undergraduate semester hours, including 24 semester hours in sociology, and, in addition, has 2 full-time years of appropriate experience that demonstrates that the applicant possesses the necessary analytical and communication skills. The applicant would qualify for GS-5, since the 60 semester hours (the equivalent of 2 years of undergraduate education, or 50 percent of the total requirement) were supplemented by 2 additional years of appropriate experience that provided the remaining 50 percent of the total required education and experience.

Specialized Experience: Experience that equipped the applicant with the particular knowledge, skills, and abilities to perform successfully the duties of the position, and that is typically in or related to the work of the position to be filled. To be creditable, specialized experience must have been equivalent to at least the next lower grade level in the normal line of progression for the occupation in the organization.

Superior Academic Achievement: The superior academic achievement provision is applicable to all occupations covered by this standard. See the "General Policies and Instructions" for specific guidance on applying the superior academic achievement provision.

Graduate Education: Completion of graduate level education in the amounts shown in the table, in addition to meeting the basic requirements, is qualifying for positions at grades GS-7 through GS-11, and GS-12 research positions if it provided the knowledge, skills, and abilities necessary to do the work. One year of full-time graduate education is considered to be the number of credit hours that the school attended has determined to represent 1 year of full-time study. If that number cannot be obtained from the school, 18 semester hours should be considered an academic year of graduate study. Part-time graduate education is creditable in accordance with its relationship to a year of full-time study at the school attended.

Research Positions: Positions that primarily involve scientific inquiry or investigation, or research-type exploratory development of a creative or advanced scientific nature, where the knowledge required to perform the work successfully is typically and primarily acquired through graduate study (master's or equivalent degree for GS-11, Ph.D. or equivalent for GS-12). The work is such that the academic preparation will equip the applicant to perform the full range of professional work of the position after a short orientation period.

1. Qualification on the basis of education--Applicants for such research positions can be considered qualified for GS-11 if they possess an appropriate master's or equivalent graduate degree, and qualified for GS-12 if they possess a Ph.D. or equivalent doctoral degree.

2. Qualification on the basis of experience--Applicants who furnish positive evidence that they have performed highly creative or outstanding research that has led or can lead to major advances in a specific area of research, to a major advance in the discipline or field of science involved, or to major advances in science in general, can be rated under this provision for highly demanding research positions requiring similar abilities. Under these circumstances, applicants can be rated eligible for the next higher grade level above that for which they would normally be rated, provided they have not been rated eligible at this higher grade on the basis of meeting the graduate study requirements described in paragraph 1 above. To receive this rating, the work must have been creative in the sense that it developed a basic principle, product, concept, method, approach, or technique, or provided a body of basic information that opened the way for a major advance in the discipline or field of science involved, or to advances in science in general, by providing a method of solving other problems, opening areas of research, or providing the means of exploiting the application of science in a major area.

   Applicants cannot receive an "extra" grade for education, and an additional "extra" grade for appropriate experience.

Combination of Graduate Education and Professional Experience: Combinations of successfully completed graduate level education and specialized experience may be used to meet total experience requirements. Only graduate level education in excess of the amount required for the next lower grade level may be combined with experience. For example, an applicant with 6 months of appropriate experience equivalent to GS-7 (50 percent of the experience requirement for GS-9) and 27 semester hours of appropriate graduate education (50 percent of the education requirement for GS-9, in excess of that required for GS-7) would be qualified for a GS-9 position (assuming that there is no evidence that the attended college or university requires more than 18 semester hours as equivalent to a year of graduate study).

Using selective factors for positions covered by this standard

There are a variety of situations where agencies would be warranted in limiting consideration to applicants who possess the particular qualifications required to perform the work of positions covered by this standard. For example, an agency may require specific kinds of training appropriate for filling positions concerned with scientific research and development activities, or may require specific educational courses or combinations of courses (where the individual occupational requirements permit applicants to qualify based on several combinations of educational course work) to meet other specialized agency requirements. An agency filling an international economist position may require knowledge of international economics. In this case, since applicants can qualify on the basis of education, the agency may require certain types of educational courses. Similarly, in some cases, consideration may be limited only to those applicants who possess an appropriate license, registration, or certification, if possession of such is determined to be necessary for carrying out the responsibilities of a position and/or required by statute.

Occupational Coverage

A list of the occupational series covered by this qualification standard is provided below. All occupational series covered by this standard have individual occupational requirements.

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Competitive Service Student Trainee Positions

This standard describes the qualification requirements for student trainee positions made under career-conditional or career appointments in the competitive service. This standard is not applicable to students who are temporarily employed during summer vacations and who have not been appointed to a student trainee program in the competitive service as described above.

A student may be appointed to any position that leads to qualification in a two-grade interval professional, administrative, or technical occupational series and that provides an opportunity for the student's growth and development toward the target position.

A list of the occupational series covered by this standard is provided below and on page IV-A-25.

Requirements for initial appointment

Student trainees qualify as described below.

GRADE	LEVEL OF EDUCATION
GS-2	High school diploma or equivalent
GS-3	Completion of 1 academic year of post-high school study
GS-4	Completion of 2 academic years of post-high school study or associate's degree

The required education must lead to a bachelor's degree with specialization in or directly related to the field in which the student trainees will receive training on the job. The degree of specialization in this field must satisfy on graduation the specific educational requirements in the qualification standard for the corresponding two-grade interval positions.

Promotion Requirements

Student trainees may be promoted to higher-graded trainee positions based on completion of portions of the education and student trainee work experience.

To GS-3: Completion of one full semester or the equivalent of post-high school study and one period of student trainee work experience.

To GS-4: (a) Completion of 1 academic year of study and two periods of student trainee work experience; or (b) completion of 1½ academic years of study and one period of student trainee work experience.

Upon completion of all the requirements for a bachelor's degree in an appropriate field, student trainees may be reassigned or promoted in the appropriate target series to GS-5 or GS-7 if they meet the qualification requirements of the target occupation, including minimum educational requirements, if any.

Explanation of terms

An academic year of undergraduate education is defined as 30 semester hours, 45 quarter hours, or the equivalent in an accredited college or university.

For purposes of this standard, a period of student trainee work experience is the equivalent of 2 months (320 hours) of full-time work experience.

Test Requirements

A written test is not required for these positions.

Occupational Coverage

A list of the occupational series covered by this qualification standard is provided below.

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Pathways Internship Positions

This standard describes the qualification requirements for Schedule D, Internship appointments under the Pathways Programs authorized by Executive Order 13562 and applies to the white collar occupations listed below under the section, "Occupational Coverage." For student trainee appointments in the competitive service, refer to the Student Trainee Qualification Standard for Competitive Service Positions.

Agencies may:

1. establish agency-specific qualification requirements,
2. use this OPM qualification standard, or
3. use the OPM qualification requirements for the competitive service.

Requirements for Internship Appointments

Appointments may be at the highest grade level for which the Intern is qualified. Interns with no previous related education or experience may qualify as described below.

GRADE	LEVEL OF EDUCATION
GS-1	Enrollment in a high school diploma or General Education Diploma (GED) program.
GS-2	Completion of high school or GED diploma.
GS-3	Completion of I full academic year of post-high school study.
GS-4	Completion of 2 full academic years of post-high school study or an associate's degree.
GS-5	Completion of 4 academic years of post-high school leading to a bachelor's degree or equivalent degree.
GS-7	Completion of 1 full academic year of graduate level education; or Eligibility under the Superior Academic Achievement Provision and completion of a bachelor's degree.
GS-9	Completion of 2 academic years of graduate level education, or a master's degree or equivalent graduate degree.
GS-11	For research positions, completion of all requirements for a master's or equivalent graduate degree. For non-research positions, completion of all requirements for a PhD or equivalent degree.

One full academic year of undergraduate; graduate; vocational; trades; technical or high school education is the number of credit hours determined by the college, university or school to represent 1 year of full-time study. The high school curriculum must be approved by a State or local governing body. All education beyond high school must be accredited by an accrediting body or organization recognized by the U.S. Department of Education.

Special Provisions/or Interns with Previous Related Education or Experience. Previous education and/or experience may be evaluated to determine the highest grade level for which the individual is qualified.

Assessment Requirements

Agencies are required to assess/evaluate the qualifications of applicants for positions covered under Schedule D.

Agencies may use selective factors to identify special requirements needed to perform the work of individual positions.

Agencies may waive OPM test requirements for both initial appointment and non-competitive conversion to the competitive service

Promotion Requirements

The advancement of Interns to higher-graded positions, prior to conversion, is strictly at the agency's discretion. To qualify for promotions, the Interns must have the same level and type of experience and/or education usually required for an initial appointment.

Conversion

Interns may be non-competitively converted to a term, career-conditional or career appointment within 120 days following successful completion of all of their educational and work experience requirements in accordance with 5 CFR 362.204.

Occupational Coverage

A list of the occupational series covered by this qualification standard is provided below.

0099 General Intern (covers occupations in the 0006 through 0095 series)
0199 Social Science, Psychology, and Welfare Intern
0299 Human Resources Intern
0399 General Administrative and Office Services Intern
0499 Natural Resources Management and Biological Sciences Intern
0599 Accounting and Budget Intern
0699 Medical, Hospital, Dental and Public Health Intern
0799 Veterinary Medical Science Intern
0899 Engineering and Architecture Intern
0999 Legal and Kindred Intern
1099 Information and Arts Intern
1199 Business and Industry Intern
1299 Copyright, Patent, and Trade-Mark Intern
1399 Physical Sciences Intern
1499 Library and Archives Intern
1599 Mathematics and Statistics Intern
1699 Equipment, Facilities, and Service Intern
1799 Education Intern
1899 Inspection, Investigation, Enforcement, and Compliance Intern
1999 Quality Assurance, Inspection, and Grading Intern
2099 Supply Intern
2199 Transportation Intern
2299 Information Technology Intern

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• 0000 - 0099 - Miscellaneous Occupations
• 0100 - 0199 - Social Science, Psychology, and Welfare
• 0200 - 0299 - Human Resources Management
• 0300 - 0399 - General Administrative, Clerical, and Office Services
• 0400 - 0499 - Biological Sciences
• 0500 - 0599 - Accounting and Budget
• 0600 - 0699 - Medical, Hospital, Dental, and Public Health
• 0700 - 0799 - Veterinary Medical Science
• 0800 - 0899 - Engineering and Architecture
• 0900 - 0999 - Legal and Kindred
• 1000 - 1099 - Information and Arts
• 1100 - 1199 - Business and Industry
• 1200 - 1299 - Copyright, Patent, and Trade-Mark
• 1300 - 1399 - Physical Sciences
• 1400 - 1499 - Library and Archives
• 1500 - 1599 - Mathematics and Statistics
• 1600 - 1699 - Equipment, Facilities, and Service
• 1700 - 1799 - Education
• 1800 - 1899 - Inspection, Investigation, Enforcement, and Compliance
• 1900 - 1999 - Quality Assurance, Inspection and Grading
• 2000 - 2099 - Supply
• 2100 - 2199 - Transportation
• 2200 - 2299 - Information Technology Management

Occupational Series -- 0000 - 0099 - Miscellaneous Occupations

Series	Position Title	Min. Ed.	License or Certificate	Test Requirement	Medical Requirement
0006	Correctional Institution Administration Series				X
0007	Correctional Officer Series				X
0011	Bond Sales Promotion Series			GS-5/7
0017	Explosives Safety Series
0018	Safety and Occupational Health Management Series			GS-5/7
0019	Safety Technician Series
0020	Community Planning Series	X
0021	Community Planning Technician Series
0023	Outdoor Recreation Planning Series			GS-5/7
0025	Park Ranger Series			GS-5/7
0028	Environmental Protection Specialist Series			GS-5/7
0029	Environmental Protection Assistant Series
0030	Sports Specialist Series
0050	Funeral Directing Series		X
0060	Chaplain Series	(No OPM-issued Qualification Standard)
0062	Clothing Design Series
0072	Fingerprint Identification Series   --one grade interval positions
0072	Fingerprint Identification Series   --two grade interval positions
0080	Security Administration Series			GS-5/7
0081	Fire Protection and Prevention Series				X
0082	United States Marshall Series			GS-5/7	X
0083	Police Series			GS-2	X
0083	Park Police			GS-5	X
0083	Police (Secret Service)			GS-4/5	X
0084	Nuclear Materials Courier Series				X
0085	Security Guard Series			GS-2	X
0086	Security Clerical and Assistance Series
0089	Emergency Management Series
0090	Guide Series
0095	Foreign Law Specialist Series	(No OPM-issued Qualification Standard)
0099	General Student Trainee Series

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Occupational Series -- 0100 - 0199 - Social Science, Psychology, and Welfare

Series	Position Title	Min. Ed.	License or Certificate	Test Requirement	Medical Requirement
0101	Social Science Series
0101	Correctional Treatment Specialist (Dept. of Justice)	X			X
0102	Social Science Aid and Technician Series
0105	Social Insurance Administration Series			GS-5/7
0106	Unemployment Insurance Series			GS-5/7
0107	Health Insurance Administration Series
0110	Economist Series	X		GS-5/7
0119	Economics Assistant Series
0130	Foreign Affairs Series
0131	International Relations Series
0132	Intelligence Series			GS-5/7
0134	Intelligence Aid and Clerk Series
0135	Foreign Agricultural Affairs Series	(There is no OPM-issued Qualification Standard for this Position)
0136	International Cooperation Series
0140	Workforce Research and Analysis Series	X
0142	Workforce Development Series			GS-5/7
0150	Geography Series	X
0160	Civil Rights Analysis Series
0170	History Series	X
0180	Psychology Series	X
0181	Psychology Aid and Technician Series
0184	Sociology Series	X
0185	Social Work Series	X
0186	Social Services Aid and Assistant Series
0187	Social Services Series			GS-5/7
0188	Recreation Specialist Series
0189	Recreation Aid and Assistant Series
0190	General Anthropology Series	X some positions.
0193	Archeology Series
0199	Social Science Student Trainee Series

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Occupational Series -- 0200 - 0299 - Human Resources Management

Series	Position Title	Min. Ed.	License or Certificate	Test Requirement	Medical Requirement
0201	Human Resources Management Series			GS-5/7
0203	Human Resources Assistance Series
0241	Mediation Series
0243	Apprenticeship and Training Series
0244	Labor Management Relations Examining Series			GS-5/7
0260	Equal Employment Opportunity Series
0299	Human Resources Management Student Trainee

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Occupational Series -- 0300 - 0399 - General Administrative, Clerical, and Office Services

Series	Position Title	Min. Ed.	License or Certificate	Test Requirement	Medical Requirement
0301	Miscellaneous Administration and Program Series			GS-5/7
0301	Regulatory Impact Analyst (Research), GS-11/above Qualification Standard for EPA
0302	Messenger Series
0303	Miscellaneous Clerk and Assistant Series
0304	Information Receptionist Series
0305	Mail and File Series
0306	Government Information Series
0308	Records and Information Management Series
0309	Correspondence Clerk Series
0313	Work Unit Supervising Series
0318	Secretary Series
0319	Closed Microphone Reporting Series			GS-6/7/8/9
0322	Clerk-Typist Series			GS-2/3/4
0326	Office Automation Clerical and Assistance Series			GS-2/3/4
0332	Computer Operation Series
0335	Computer Clerk and Assistant Series
0340	Program Management Series
0341	Administrative Officer Series			GS-5/7
0342	Support Services Administration Series
0343	Management and Program Analysis Series			GS-5/7
0344	Management and Program Clerical and Assistance Series
0346	Logistics Management Series			GS-5/7
0350	Equipment Operator Series
0356	Data Transcriber Series			GS-2/3/4
0359	Electric Accounting Machine Operation Series
0360	Equal Opportunity Compliance Series
0361	Equal Opportunity Assistance Series
0362	Electric Accounting Machine Project Planning Series
0382	Telephone Operating Series
0390	Telecommunications Processing Series
0391	Telecommunications Series			GS-5/7
0392	General Telecommunications Series
0394	Communications Clerical Series
0399	Administration and Office Support Student Trainee Series

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Occupational Series -- 0400 - 0499 - Biological Sciences

Series	Position Title	Min. Ed.	License or Certificate	Test Requirement	Medical Requirement
0401	Natural Resources Management and Biological Sciences	X
0403	Microbiology Series	X
0404	Biological Science Technician Series
0405	Pharmacology Series	X
0408	Ecology Series	X
0410	Zoology Series	X
0413	Physiology Series	X
0414	Entomology Series	X
0415	Toxicology Series	X
0421	Plant Protection Technician Series	X
0430	Botany Series	X
0434	Plant Pathology Series	X
0435	Plant Physiology Series	X
0437	Horticulture Series	X
0440	Genetics Series	X
0454	Rangeland Management Series	X
0455	Range Technician Series	X
0457	Soil Conservation Series	X
0458	Soil Conservation Technician Series
0459	Irrigation System Operation Series
0460	Forestry Series	X
0462	Forestry Technician Series	X
0470	Soil Science Series	X
0471	Agronomy Series	X
0480	Fish and Wildlife Administration Series
0482	Fish Biology Series	X
0485	Wildlife Refuge Management Series	X	X for Pilot duties		X for Pilot duties
0486	Wildlife Biology Series	X
0487	Animal Science Series	X
0499	Biological Science Student Trainee Series

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Occupational Series -- 0500 - 0599 - Accounting and Budget

Series	Position Title	Min. Ed.	License or Certificate	Test Requirement	Medical Requirement
0501	Financial Administration and Program Series			GS-5/7
0503	Financial Clerical and Assistance Program Series
0505	Financial Management Series
0510	Accounting Series	X
0511	Auditing Series	X
0512	Internal Revenue Agent Series	X
0525	Accounting Technician Series
0526	Tax Specialist Series			GS-5/7
0530	Cash Processing Series
0540	Voucher Examining Series
0544	Civilian Pay Series
0545	Military Pay Series
0560	Budget Analysis Series			GS-5/7
0561	Budget Clerical and Technician Series
0570	Financial Institution Examining Series			GS-5/7 except FDIC
0592	Tax Examining Series
0599	Financial Management Student Trainee Series

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Occupational Series -- 0600 - 0699 - Medical, Hospital, Dental, and Public Health

Series	Position Title	Min. Ed.	License or Certificate	Test Requirement	Medical Requirement
0601	General Medical and Healthcare Series	X
0602	Physician Series	X	X
0603	Physician Assistant Series	X	X
0610	Nursing Series	X	X
0620	Practical Nurse Series		X
0621	Nursing Assistant Series
0622	Medical Supply Aide and Technician Series
0630	Dietetics and Nutrition Series	X	X
0631	Occupational Therapy Series	X	X
0633	Physical Therapy Series	X	X
0635	Kinesiotherapy Series	X	X
0636	Rehabilitation Therapy Assistant Series
0638	Recreation/Creative Arts Therapy Series	X
0640	Health Aid and Technician Series
0642	Nuclear Medicine Technician Series		X
0644	Clinical Laboratory Science Series	X
0645	Medical Technician Series
0646	Pathology Technician Series
0647	Diagnostic Radiologic Technologist Series		X
0648	Therapeutic Radiologic Technologist Series		X
0649	Medical Instrument Technician Series
0651	Respiratory Therapist Series
0660	Pharmacy Series	X	X		X
0661	Pharmacy Technician Series
0662	Optometry Series	X	X
0665	Speech/Language Pathology and Audiology Series	X	X
0667	Orthotist and Prosthetist Series
0668	Podiatry Series	X	X
0669	Medical Records Administration Series
0670	Health System Administration Series
0671	Health System Specialist Series
0672	Prosthetic Representative Series Series (Dept. of Veterans Affairs)
0673	Hospital Housekeeping Management Series			GS-5/7
0675	Medical Records Technician Series
0679	Medical Support Assistance Series
0680	Dentistry Series	X	X		X
0681	Dental Assistant Series		X
0682	Dental Hygiene Series	X Comm. Health	X
0683	Dental Laboratory Aid and Technician Series
0685	Public Health Program Specialist Series			GS-5/7
0688	Sanitarian Series
0690	Industrial Hygiene Series	X
0696	Consumer Safety Series	X
0698	Environmental Health Technician Series
0699	Medical and Health Student Trainee Series

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Occupational Series -- 0700 - 0799 - Veterinary Medical Science

Series	Position Title	Min. Ed.	License or Certificate	Test Requirement	Medical Requirement
0701	Veterinary Health Science Series	X
0704	Animal Health Technician Series
0799	Veterinary Student Trainee Series

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Occupational Series -- 0800 - 0899 - Engineering and Architecture

Series	Position Title	Min. Ed.	License or Certificate	Test Requirement	Medical Requirement
0800	All Professional Engineering Positions	X
0801	General Engineering Series	X
0802	Engineering Technician Series
0803	Safety Engineering Series	X
0804	Fire Protection Engineering Series	X
0806	Materials Engineering Series	X
0807	Landscape Architecture Series	X
0808	Architecture Series	X
0809	Construction Control Technical Series
0810	Civil Engineering Series	X
0817	Survey Technical Series
0819	Environmental Engineering Series	X
0828	Construction Analyst Series
0830	Mechanical Engineering Series	X
0840	Nuclear Engineering Series	X
0850	Electrical Engineering Series	X
0854	Computer Engineering Series	X
0855	Electronics Engineering Series	X
0856	Electronics Technical Series
0858	Bioengineering and Biomedical Engineering Series	X
0861	Aerospace Engineering Series	X
0871	Naval Architecture Series	X
0873	Marine Survey Technical Series
0880	Mining Engineering Series	X
0881	Petroleum Engineering Series	X
0890	Agricultural Engineering Series	X
0893	Chemical Engineering Series	X
0895	Industrial Engineering Technical Series
0896	Industrial Engineering Series	X
0899	Engineering and Architectural Student Trainee Series

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Occupational Series -- 0900 - 0999 - Legal and Kindred

Series	Position Title	Min. Ed.	License or Certificate	Test Requirement	Medical Requirement
0901	General Legal and Kindred Administration Series			GS-5/7
0904	Law Clerk Series	(There are No OPM Issued Qualification Standards for this position)
0905	General Attorney Series	(There are No OPM Issued Qualification Standards for this position)
0930	Hearings and Appeals Series
0950	Paralegal Specialist Series			GS-5/7
0958	Pension Law Specialist Series			GS-5/7
0962	Contact Representative Series
0963	Legal Instruments Examining Series
0965	Land Law Examining Series			GS-5/7
0967	Passport and Visa Examining Series			GS-5/7
0986	Legal Assistance Series Series
0987	Tax Law Specialist Series			GS-5/7
0991	Workers Compensation Claims Examining Series			GS-5/7
0993	Railroad Retirement Claims Examining Series			GS-4/5/7
0994	Unemployment Compensation Claims Examining Series			GS-5/7
0996	Veteran Claims Examining Series			GS-5/7
0998	Claims Assistance and Examining Series
0999	Legal Occupations Student Trainee Series

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Occupational Series -- 1000 - 1099 - Information and Arts

Series	Position Title	Min. Ed.	License or Certificate	Test Requirement	Medical Requirement
1001	General Arts and Information Series (One-Grade Interval Positions)
1001	General Arts and Information Series (Two-Grade Interval Positions)			GS-5/7 except fine arts
1001	International Radio Broadcaster (English)
1001	International Radio Broadcaster (Non-English)
1008	Interior Design Series
1010	Exhibits Specialist Series
1015	Museum Curator Series
1016	Museum Specialist and Technician Series			GS-2/3
1020	Illustrating Series
1035	Public Affairs Series			GS-5/7
1040	Language Specialist Series
1046	Language Clerical Series
1051	Music Specialist Series
1054	Theater Specialist Series
1056	Art Specialist Series
1060	Photography Series
1071	Audiovisual Production Series
1082	Writing and Editing Series			GS-5/7
1083	Technical Writing and Editing Series			GS-5/7
1084	Visual Information Series
1087	Editorial Assistance Series
1099	Information and Arts student Trainee Series

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Occupational Series -- 1100 - 1199 - Business and Industry

Series	Position Title	Min. Ed.	License or Certificate	Test Requirement	Medical Requirement
1101	General Business and Industry Series one-grade interval positions
1101	General Business and Industry Series two-grade interval positions			GS-5/7
1101	Business Opportunity Specialist (Small Business Administration)
1101	International Trade Analyst (U.S. International Trade Commission)			GS-5/7
1101	Open Mess Manager (Dept. of the Air Force)
1102	Contracting Series			GS-5/7
1103	Industrial Property Management Series			GS-5/7
1104	Property Disposal Series			GS-5/7
1105	Purchasing Series
1106	Procurement Clerical and Technician Series
1107	Property Disposal Clerical and Technician Series
1109	Grants Management
1130	Public Utilities Specialist Series			GS-5/7
1140	Trade Specialist Series			GS-5/7
1140	International Trade Specialist (Dept. of Commerce)			GS-5/7
1144	Commissary Management Series
1145	Agricultural Program Specialist Series			GS-5/7
1146	Agricultural Marketing Series			GS-5/7
1146	Grain Marketing Specialist (Dept. of Agriculture)			GS-5/7
1147	Agricultural Market Reporting Series			GS-5/7
1150	Industrial Specialist Series			GS-5/7
1152	Production Control Series
1160	Financial Analysis Series			GS-5/7
1161	Crop Insurance Administration Series
1162	Crop Insurance Underwriting Series
1163	Insurance Examining Series			GS-5/7
1165	Loan Specialist Series			GS-5/7
1169	Internal Revenue Officer Series			GS-5/7
1170	Realty Series			GS-5/7
1171	Appraising Series			GS-5/7
1173	Housing Management Series			GS-5/7
1176	Building Management Series			GS-5/7
1199	Business and Industry Student Trainee

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Occupational Series -- 1200 - 1299 - Copyright, Patent, and Trade-Mark

Series	Position Title	Min. Ed.	License or Certificate	Test Requirement	Medical Requirement
1202	Patent Technician Series
1210	Copyright Series	(There are No OPM Issued Qualification Standards for this position)
1211	Copyright Technician Series	(There are No OPM Issued Qualification Standards for this position)
1220	Patent Administration Series	(There are No OPM Issued Qualification Standards for this position)
1221	Patent Advisor Series
1222	Patent Attorney Series	(There are No OPM Issued Qualification Standards for this position)
1223	Patent Classifying Series	X
1224	Patent Examining Series	X
1226	Design Patent Examining Series
1299	Copyright and Patent Student Trainee Series

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Occupational Series -- 1300 - 1399 - Physical Sciences

Series	Position Title	Min. Ed.	License or Certificate	Test Requirement	Medical Requirement
1301	General Physical Science Series	X
1306	Health Physics Series	X
1310	Physics Series	X
1311	Physical Science Technician Series
1313	Geophysics Series	X
1315	Hydrology Series	X
1316	Hydrologic Technician Series
1320	Chemistry Series	X
1321	Metallurgy Series	X
1330	Astronomy and Space Science Series	X
1340	Meteorology Series	X
1341	Meteorological Technician Series
1350	Geology Series	X
1360	Oceanography Series	X
1361	Navigational Information Series
1370	Cartography Series	X
1371	Cartographic Technician Series
1372	Geodesy Series	X
1373	Land Surveying Series	X
1374	Geodetic Technician Series
1380	Forest Products Technology Series	X
1382	Food Technology Series	X
1384	Textile Technology Series	X
1397	Document Analysis Series
1399	Physical Science Student Trainee Series

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Occupational Series -- 1400 - 1499 - Library and Archives

Series	Position Title	Min. Ed.	License or Certificate	Test Requirement	Medical Requirement
1410	Librarian Series	X
1411	Library Technician Series
1412	Technical Information Services			GS-5/7
1420	Archivist	X		GS-5/7
1421	Archives Technician Series (one-grade interval positions)
1421	Archives Technician Series (two-grade interval positions)			GS-5/7
1499	Library and Archives Student Trainee Series

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Occupational Series -- 1500 - 1599 - Mathematics and Statistics

Series	Position Title	Min. Ed.	License or Certificate	Test Requirement	Medical Requirement
1501	General Mathematics and Statistics Series	X
1510	Actuarial Science Series	X
1515	Operations Research Series	X
1520	Mathematics Series	X
1521	Mathematics Technician Series
1529	Mathematical Statistics Series	X
1530	Statistics Series	X
1531	Statistical Assistant Series
1541	Cryptanalysis Series
1550	Computer Science Series	X
1560	Data Science Series	X
1599	Mathematics and Statistics Student Trainee Series

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Occupational Series -- 1600 - 1699 - Equipment, Facilities, and Service

Series	Position Title	Min. Ed.	License or Certificate	Test Requirement	Medical Requirement
1601	Equipment, Facilities, and Services Series
1603	Equipment, Facilities, and Services Assistance Series
1630	Cemetery Administration Services Series
1640	Facility Operations Services Series
1654	Printing Services Series
1658	Laundry Operations Services Series
1667	Food Services Series
1670	Equipment Services Series
1699	Equipment, Facilities, and Services Student Trainee Series

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Occupational Series -- 1700 - 1799 - Education

Series	Position Title	Min. Ed.	License or Certificate	Test Requirement	Medical Requirement
1701	General Education and Training Series	X
1702	Education and Training Technician Series -- one-grade interval positions
1702	Education and Training Technician Series -- two-grade interval positions
1710	Education and Vocational Training Series	X
1712	Training Instruction Series
1715	Vocational Rehabilitation Series			GS-5/7
1720	Education Program Series
1725	Public Health Educator Series	X
1730	Education Research Series	X
1740	Education Services Series	X
1750	Instructional Systems Series	X
1799	Education Student Trainee Series

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Occupational Series -- 1800 - 1899 - Inspection, Investigation, Enforcement, and Compliance

Series	Position Title	Min. Ed.	License or Certificate	Test Requirement	Medical Requirement
1801	General Inspection, Investigation, Enforcement, and Compliance Series			GS-5/7 Some Positions
1801	Canine Enforcement Officer				X
1801	Surface Mining Reclamation Specialist				X
1802	Compliance Inspection and Support Series
1805	Investigative Analysis Series
1810	General Investigation Series			GS-5/7
1811	Criminal Investigation Series			GS-5/7	X
1811	Criminal Investigator --Treasury Enforcement Agent			GS-5/7	X
1815	Air Safety Investigating Series		X		X
1822	Mine Safety and Health Inspection Series				X
1825	Aviation Safety Series		X Some Positions		X
1849	Wage and Hour Investigation Series			GS-5/7
1850	Agricultural Warehouse Inspection Series				X
1860	Equal Opportunity Investigation Series
1862	Consumer Safety Inspection Series
1863	Food Inspection Series			GS-5/7	X
1881	Customs and Border Protection Interdiction Series				X
1889	Import Compliance Series			GS-5/7
1894	Customs Entry and Liquidating Series
1895	Customs and Border Protection Series			GS-5/7	X
1896	Border Patrol Enforcement Series			GS-5/7	X
1899	Investigation Student Trainee Series

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Occupational Series -- 1900 - 1999 - Quality Assurance, Inspection, and Grading

Series	Position Title	Min. Ed.	License or Certificate	Test Requirement	Medical Requirement
1910	Quality Assurance Series
1980	Agricultural Commodity Grading Series
1980	Agricultural Commodity Grader (Grain) - Department of Agriculture Series
1981	Agricultural Commodity Aid Series
1999	Quality Inspection Student Trainee Series

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Occupational Series -- 2000 - 2099 - Supply

Series	Position Title	Min. Ed.	License or Certificate	Test Requirement	Medical Requirement
2001	General Supply Series			GS-5/7
2003	Supply Program Management Series			GS-5/7
2005	Supply Clerical and Technician Series
2010	Inventory Management Series			GS-5/7
2030	Distribution Facilities and Storage Series			GS-5/7
2032	Packaging Series			GS-5/7
2091	Sales Store Clerical Series
2099	Supply Student Trainee Series

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Occupational Series -- 2100 - 2199 - Transportation

Series	Position Title	Min. Ed.	License or Certificate	Test Requirement	Medical Requirement
2101	Transportation Specialist Series			GS-5/7
2101	Airway Transportation Systems Specialist (Dept. of Transportation)			GS-5/7
2102	Transportation Clerk and Assistant Series
2110	Transportation Industry Analysis Series			GS-5/7
2121	Railroad Safety Series
2123	Motor Carrier Safety Series
2125	Highway Safety Series			GS-5/7
2130	Traffic Management Series			GS-5/7
2131	Freight Rate Series
2144	Cargo Scheduling Series
2150	Transportation Operations Series			GS-5/7
2151	Dispatching Series
2152	Air Traffic Control Series			GS-5/7 May be required above 7	X
2154	Air Traffic Assistance Series
2161	Marine Cargo Series
2181	Aircraft Operation Series		X		X
2183	Air Navigation Series
2185	Aircrew Technician Series	Mostly military reserve technician positions
2199	Transportation Student Trainee Series

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Occupational Series -- 2200 - 2299 - Information Technology Management

Series	Position Title	Min. Ed.	License or Certificate	Test Requirement	Medical Requirement
2210	Information Technology Management (Alternative A)
2210	Information Technology Management (Alternative B)			GS-5/7
2299	Information Technology Management Student Trainee

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• Qualification Standard for Administrative Law Judge Positions
• Supervisory Positions
• Policy Analysis and Administrative Analysis Positions
• Positions Involving Equal Employment Opportunity Collateral Assignments
• Positions Requiring Collateral Correctional Skills