Managing Senior Professional Performance

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 Parts 351, 430, 451, 534, 537, 630, and 894 [Docket ID: OPM-2025-0011] RIN 3206-AO88 Office of Management and Budget 5 CFR Part 1330 RIN 0348-AB92 AGENCY: Office of Personnel Management and the Office of Management and Budget. ACTION: Final rule. SUMMARY: The Office of Personnel Management (OPM) and the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) are issuing a final rule to strengthen the performance appraisal of senior-level (SL) and scientific or professional (ST) employees, collectively referred to as “senior professionals.” This final rule establishes a new subpart dedicated exclusively to senior professional performance appraisal that aligns more closely with Senior Executive Service (SES) performance appraisal regulations. The rule also eliminates senior professional appraisal programs, removes the prohibition of a standardized distribution of performance rating levels, and enhances oversight of the appraisal process. DATES: Effective November 18, 2026. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Aaron Gottesman, Senior Advisor to the Director, 202-606-8046 or by email at SESpolicy@opm.gov . SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Background The Office of Personnel Management (OPM) is issuing this final rule to revise the performance appraisal framework applicable to senior-level (SL) and scientific or professional (ST) employees, collectively referred to as “senior professionals.” These positions are established under 5 U.S.C. 5376 and ar…