ExecutiveOrdersEO
EO 12596Executive OrderReagan · R

Executive Order 12596

Noncompetitive conversion to career status of certain employees in professional and administrative career positions

This executive order creates a pathway for certain Schedule B professional and administrative career employees to be converted noncompetitively to permanent career status at the GS-9 level, contingent on meeting OPM qualifications and passing a formal performance evaluation by their employing agency.

52 FR 17537
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Impact dates

  1. OPM regulations to implement order

Key directives

  • Allow noncompetitive conversion to career/career-conditional appointment at GS-9 for Schedule B Professional/Administrative Career employees under 5 C.F.R. 213.3202(l)
  • Require OPM Director to establish qualifications and requirements
  • Require employing agency to conduct careful and formal performance evaluation
  • OPM Director shall prescribe implementing regulations

Who is ordered

Timeline

Immediate

  • EO takes effect upon signing for eligible employees

Near term (90d)

  • OPM must draft implementing regulations

Long term

  • Potential conversions of qualified employees to career status subject to OPM regulations and agency evaluations

Risks & tensions

  • No explicit deadline for OPM regulations creates implementation uncertainty
  • 'Careful and formal evaluation' standard is vague and leaves room for inconsistent agency application
  • Limited to GS-9 level—may create friction with employees seeking higher-grade conversion
  • Noncompetitive nature may raise concerns about merit system principles, though authorized under existing statute
Executive Order 12596: Noncompetitive conversion to career status of certain employees in professional and administrative career positions · Executive Orders