[Code of Federal Regulations]
[Title 5, Volume 1]
[Revised as of January 1, 2006]
From the U.S. Government Printing Office via GPO Access
[CITE: 5CFR302.302]

[Page 137-138]
 
                    TITLE 5--ADMINISTRATIVE PERSONNEL
 
                CHAPTER I--OFFICE OF PERSONNEL MANAGEMENT
 
PART 302_EMPLOYMENT IN THE EXCEPTED SERVICE--Table of Contents
 
         Subpart C_Accepting, Rating, and Arranging Applications
 
Sec. 302.302  Examination of applicants.

    (a) Eligibility. An evaluation of the qualifications of applicants 
for positions covered by this part may be conducted at any time before 
an appointment is made. The evaluation may involve only determination of 
eligibility or ineligibility or may include qualitative rating of 
candidates. If the evaluation involves only basic eligibility numerical 
scores will not be assigned and eligible candidates will be referred in 
accordance with the procedures described in paragraph (b)(5) of Sec. 
302.304. If qualitative ranking is desired, numerical scores may be 
assigned in accordance with paragraph (b) of this section. Each agency 
shall make a part of the records the reasons for its decision to use 
ranked or unranked referral and, for ranked actions, the quality ranking 
factors used. This information shall be made available to an applicant 
on his/her request.
    (b) Rating. Numerical scores will be assigned on a scale of 100. 
Each applicant who meets the qualification requirements for the position 
established under Sec. 302.202 will be assigned a rating of 70 or more 
and will be eligible for appointment. Candidates scoring 70 or more will 
receive additional points for veteran preference as provided in Sec. 
302.201. Numerical ratings are not required when all qualified 
applicants will be offered immediate appointment. When there is an 
excessive number of applicants, numerical ratings are required only for 
a sufficient number of the highest qualified applicants to meet the 
anticipated needs of the agency within a reasonable period of time.

[[Page 138]]

The agency must, however, adopt procedures to insure the consideration 
of preference eligibles in the order in which they would have been 
considered if all applicants had been assigned numerical ratings. An 
agency shall furnish a notice of the rating assigned to an applicant on 
his/her request.
    (c) Nonpreference applicants for certain positions. An agency may 
not consider or rate an application for the position of elevator 
operator, messenger, guard, or custodian submitted by a nonpreference 
eligible as long as at least three qualified preference eligibles are 
available for the position.
    (d) Evaluating experience. When experience is a factor in 
determining eligibility, an agency shall credit a preference eligible 
(1) with time spent in the military service of the United States if the 
position for which he/she is applying is similar to the position which 
he/she held immediately before his/her entrance into the military 
service; and (2) with all valuable experience, including experience 
gained in religious, civic, welfare, service, and organizational 
activities, regardless of whether pay was received therefor.