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PROPOSED RULECOMMENTS DUE NOVEMBER 17, 2026

Employment in the Excepted Service

Personnel Management Office

The Office of Personnel Management (OPM) proposes to amend its regulations governing the excepted service, Pathways Programs, and administrative law judge (ALJ) appointments. The proposed rule would conform OPM regulations to current excepted-service schedules, including Schedules E, Policy/Career, and G; modernize part 302 procedures while preserving veterans' preference, compensable-injury restoration rights, and other priority placement rights; authorize and clarify Pathways conversions to Schedule Policy/Career; and make related conforming amendments.

Published September 18, 2026Document 2026-19222

How to comment

Comments are due November 17, 2026. Submit through the link above or follow the instructions in the document's ADDRESSES section. Say who you are, how the rule affects you, and what should change, with evidence. Comments are usually public, so leave out anything private.

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From the Federal Register as of November 3, 2026. Deadlines can change; the official document governs. Not legal advice.

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