OPM Finalizes Rule Eliminating Time-in-Grade Requirements for Promotions

Rules that will make it easier for federal employees to be promoted without spending a certain amount of time in their current paygrade are finalized and will take effect January 19, 2027. 

Under the finalized rules, the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) eliminated the time-in-grade requirement for promotions, meaning candidates in GS-6 positions and above will no longer have to spend one year in their current pay grade before becoming eligible for promotion to a position no more than one grade higher.

For certain occupations that use two-grade promotion steps, employees can be promoted without having to spend a year at a grade more than two grades below the position they are seeking.

Part of Merit-Based Changes

In an interview with Federal News Network, OPM Director Scott Kupor said the change is about promoting a merit-based workforce and will improve recruitment and retention. 

“It now gives managers the flexibility and ability to move people at the pace that is appropriate with their demonstrated skills,” said Director Kupor. 

The rule did not set formal governmentwide promotion standards. However, it left the door open for agencies to establish clear criteria for promotion such as demonstrating competencies and required training.

Worries About Favoritism

The change has its critics.

For example, Democracy Forward said that while it supports ending the time-in-grade, the lack of formal promotion standards could lead to favoritism.

“Eliminating [time-in-grade] without replacement safeguards creates the obvious risk of accelerated promotions and pay increases that can be used to reward loyalists or politically aligned employees, including Trump-era hires, while bypassing equally or more qualified career employees,” said Democracy Forward’s Civil Service Strong and Good Government Initiative Managing Director Rob Shriver.

OPM, however, argued that time-in-grade requirements were not an effective safeguard against favoritism.

“[Time in grade] prevents nothing that a supervisor intent on favoritism cannot accomplish by waiting 52 weeks,” stated OPM. “What it reliably prevents is the timely promotion of employees who are ready.”