Strengthening Probationary Periods in the Federal Service

Purpose

Ensure Federal workforce is high-quality, efficient, and dedicated to the public interest.
Probationary and trial periods are critical for assessing the fitness of new Federal employees.
Government Accountability Office found ineffective use of these periods, retaining underperforming employees.
Agencies must certify probationary employees as assets before finalizing their appointments.

Scope: Applies to probationary periods in competitive service and trial periods in excepted service, excluding Senior Executive Service.
Probationary and Trial Periods:
- First year of service as a probationary period for competitive service employees.
- Trial period for excepted service varies: 1 year for preference eligibles, 2 years for others.
- Reassignments require completion of the probationary or trial period in the new role.
Crediting Service:
- Preceding Federal service counts towards completion if it's in the same agency and line of work.

Agencies must evaluate if continued employment advances the public interest.
Employees must be certified as advancing the public interest within 30 days prior to the end of their period.
Termination notices must be provided in writing.

OPM regulation on appeal procedures for terminations during probationary or trial periods.
Appeals are the exclusive means of contestation.

Subpart H of part 315 of title 5, CFR, superseded and rendered inoperative.
OPM to rescind subpart H and make necessary amendments.
Agencies must identify and evaluate employees nearing the end of their probationary period.

Order effective immediately, with some sections effective 90 days post-order.
Ensures no impairment of existing legal authority or budgetary functions.
The order does not create legally enforceable rights against the U.S. Government.

Issued by Donald J. Trump, The White House, April 24, 2025.