# Employment in the Excepted Service

**Action Urgency Score:** 80/100

| Field | Value |
|---|---|
| Agency | Personnel Management Office |
| Type | Proposed rule |
| Action | Proposed rule. |
| Published | 2026-09-18 |
| Comments close | 2026-11-17 |
| Significant | Yes (EO 12866) |
| CFR parts | 5 CFR 213, 5 CFR 302, 5 CFR 317, 5 CFR 359, 5 CFR 362 |
| Summary | 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. |
| Document number | 2026-19222 |

## Why this score
- Comment deadline within 30 days.
- Significant rule under EO 12866.

Source: Federal Register API (Office of the Federal Register) (https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2026/09/18/2026-19222/employment-in-the-excepted-service). Last refreshed: 2026-11-04T21:40:49.974Z.
Data from the Federal Register API; the published Federal Register document is authoritative. Informational only, not legal advice.