In actions subject to this part, each agency shall grant veteran preference as follows:

(a) When numerical scores are used in the evaluation and referral, the agency shall grant 5 additional points to preference eligibles under section 2108(3) (A) and (B) of title 5, United States Code, and 10 additional points to preference eligibles under section 2108(3) (C) through (G) of that title.

(b) When eligible candidates are referred without ranking, the agency shall note preference as “CP” for preference eligibles under 5 U.S.C. 2108(3)(C), as “XP” for preference eligibles under 5 U.S.C. 2108(3)(D) through (G), as “SSP” for preference eligibles under 5 U.S.C. 2108(3)(H) and as “TP” for all other preference eligibles under that title.

[55 FR 9407, Mar. 14, 1990, as amended at 85 FR 63191, Oct. 7, 2020]

Before making an appointment to a position covered by this part, each agency shall establish qualification standards such as those relating to experience and training, citizenship, minimum age, physical condition, etc., which shall relate to the duties to be performed. An agency may delegate the establishment of standards relating to a group of positions or a specific position to the appropriate administrative level or subdivision in accordance with the needs of the locality in which the position is located, but the agency shall determine that each standard established is in conformity with this part. Each agency shall make its standards a matter of record in the appropriate office of the agency, and shall furnish information concerning the standards for a position to an applicant on his/her request. Each agency shall apply the standards for a position uniformly to all applicants, except for such waivers as are provided in this part for a preference eligible. An agency shall not include a minimum educational requirement in qualification standards, except for a scientific, technical, or professional position the duties of which the agency decides cannot be performed by a person who does not have a prescribed minimum education. An agency shall not establish a maximum age requirement for any position. Each agency shall make a part of its records the reasons for its decision under this section and shall furnish those reasons to an applicant on his/her request. The qualification standards shall include:

(a) A provision for waiver by the agency of requirements as to age, height, and weight for each preference eligible when the requirements are not essential to the performance of the duties of the position; and

(b) A provision for waiver by the agency of physical requirements for each preference eligible when the agency, after giving due consideration to the recommendation of an accredited physician, finds that the applicant is physically able to discharge the duties of the position.

(a) The qualification standards established by an agency or by an administrative level or subdivision of an agency may provide that certain reasons disqualify an applicant for appointment. The following, among others, may be included as disqualifying reasons:

(1) Dismissal from employment for delinquency or misconduct;

(2) Criminal, infamous, dishonest, immoral, or notoriously disgraceful conduct;

(3) Intentional false statement or deception or fraud in examination or appointment;

(4) Habitual use of intoxicating beverages to excess;

(5) Reasonable doubt as to the loyalty of the person involved to the Government of the United States;

(6) Any legal or other disqualification which makes the individual unfit for service; or

(7) Lack of United States citizenship.

(b) An agency may not disqualify an applicant solely because of his/her retired status.