FAQs

Most positions within the Federal government can be found on the USAJOBS website: www.usajobs.gov. Additionally, individual agency websites may list employment opportunities.

Veterans' preference does not apply to internal agency actions such as promotions, transfers, reassignments and reinstatements.

Agencies develop their own procedures for interview practices. The decision to interview may depend on a variety of factors, including your ranking against other candidates, the number of positions being filled, and the number of people who applied.

No. Such an employee remains subject to time-in-grade restrictions.

No. You may not receive veterans’ preference in Federal employment as the spouse of a veteran if the veteran is living and qualified for Federal employment.

No. There is no limit to the number of times you can apply for positions when agencies are accepting applications under VRA.

You must provide acceptable documentation of your preference or appointment eligibility. The member 4 copy of your DD 214, "Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty," is preferable along with supporting documentation showing a service-connected disability rating of 30% or more.

If you are claiming veterans’ preference based on a service-connected disability, receipt of a Purple Heart or derived preference you may be required to submit a SF-15 along with supporting documentation.

As a Federal employee with a specific question as it relates to your personal circumstance, please contact your agency human resources office for additional information.  Your agency is in the best position to answer your specific questions.

Preference eligibles are divided into five basic groups as follows:

1. CPS - Disability rating of 30% or more (10 points)
2. CP - Disability rating of at least 10% but less than 30% (10 points)
3. XP - Disability rating less than 10% (10 points)
4. TP - Preference eligibles with no disability rating (5 points)
5. SSP - Sole Survivorship Preference (0 points)

These codes are used to designate on rating sheets and certificates the category of veterans’ preference to which an applicant is entitled.

Yes. There are number of special appointing authorities not specific to veterans such as Pathways (for students and recent graduates), Schedule A for Persons with Disabilities, etc. However, the most common special appointing authorities for veterans are the Veterans Recruitment Appointment (VRA), 30% or more disabled veteran and Veterans Employment Opportunity Act (VEOA).  The veteran should apply under any special hiring authorities for which he or she is eligible.

You must provide acceptable documentation of your appointment eligibility. The member 4 copy of your DD 214, "Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty," is preferable. If eligibility is based on a service-connected disability, you will need to submit a Standard Form 15 "Application for 10-point Veterans' Preference", along with the appropriate documentation. A fillable SF-15 is available at https://www.opm.gov/forms/pdf_fill/sf15.pdf.

No.

Maybe.  If you meet the criteria for veterans’ preference in absence of disability then yes, you can claim veterans’ preference. However, if eligibility for veterans’ preference is contingent upon a service-connected disability rating, then no.