Suitability and Fitness

Document Headings Document headings vary by document type but may contain the following: the agency or agencies that issued and signed a document the number of the CFR title and the number of each part the document amends, proposes to amend, or is directly related to the agency docket number / agency internal file number the RIN which identifies each regulatory action listed in the Unified Agenda of Federal Regulatory and Deregulatory Actions See the Document Drafting Handbook for more details. Office of Personnel Management 5 CFR Part 731 [Docket ID: OPM-2025-0007] RIN 3206-AO84 ( printed page 39361) AGENCY: Office of Personnel Management. ACTION: Final rule. SUMMARY: The Office of Personnel Management (OPM) is amending the Federal Government personnel vetting adjudicative processes for determining suitability and taking suitability actions. The final rule will improve the efficiency, rigor, and timeliness by which OPM and agencies vet individuals for risk to the integrity and efficiency of the service and make clear that individuals who engage in serious misconduct while employed in Federal service are subject to the same suitability procedures and actions as applicants for employment. It also ensures that suitability determinations and actions are applied consistently with Merit System Principles. DATES: Effective July 30, 2026. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: For questions, contact Joe Knouff, Suitability Executive Agent Programs, by email at SuitEA@opm.gov or by phone at (202) 599-0090. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: I. Executive Summary OPM is issuing a final rule to improve the efficiency, rigor, and timeliness by which OPM and agencies vet individuals for risk to the integrity and efficiency of the service. In June 2025, OPM proposed updates to 5 CFR part 731 to the specific factors used to evaluate an individual's suitability or fitness for Federal service, as directed by E.O. 14210 of February 11, 2025, Implementing the President's “Department of Govern…