Federal Hiring: OPM Rule Implements Rule of Many, Kills Rule of Three

The Office of Personnel Management (OPM) makes a significant change to the federal hiring process, finalizing the use of the “rule of many” instead of the “rule of three,” in a new rule published in the Federal Register. 

OPM says the change will allow the federal government to move to a more flexible hiring system based on merit, ultimately resulting in “improved workforce quality.” 

“This change allows agencies to consider a broader pool of qualified candidates when making competitive and excepted service appointments, ensuring agencies hire based on practical skill and merit, as measured by skills-based assessments,” said OPM in a memo. 

Rating System Options

The “rule of many” replaces the category rating system, which saw hiring managers sort candidates into three broad categories. That meant that candidates who had some but not all of the desired attributes for a job opening could be in the top bucket, even though they were not a top candidate.

With the new rule of many, agencies are encouraged to assess candidates based on skills and then rank the applicants. They can then use ranking methods such as a cut-off score based on job analysis data, a cut-off score based on business necessity, a set number of top-ranked applicants, or a percentage of top-ranked applicants, to find the top candidate for the job. Agencies can also remove more than one candidate at a time. 

“American taxpayers deserve a government that hires the most capable people to serve them, and this rule makes that possible,” said OPM Director Scott Kupor. 

The final rule takes effect on November 7, 2025. Agencies should be in full compliance by March 9, 2026. 

While the “rule of three” was still on the books in practice, most agencies phased it out by about 2010. OPM also hopes the new rule will reduce agencies’ use of direct-hire authority as the rule will create greater hiring flexibility.