Federal Employment Preference

Eligibility (5-point preference, OPM code "TP"): Honorably discharged veterans who served on active duty during a war, in a campaign or expedition for which a campaign medal was authorized, or other qualifying service periods defined in 5 U.S.C. § 2108.

10-point preference: Veterans with a compensable service-connected disability of 10%-29% are designated "CP" (10 points). Veterans with a service-connected disability of 30% or more are designated "CPS" (10 points). Purple Heart recipients also qualify for 10-point preference. A 0% non-compensable rating alone does NOT qualify.

Derived preference ("XP"): 10-point preference may also be available to certain spouses, unremarried widows/widowers, and mothers of deceased or permanently/totally disabled veterans. See OPM's "Veteran Family Members" guide for criteria.

30%+ disability: Veterans rated 30% or higher qualify for non-competitive appointment authority and special placement on competitive certificates.

Points are added to your passing score on competitive federal job exams. You may also be placed ahead of non-preference candidates on hiring lists.

Indicate veteran status on your USAJOBS application and provide DD-214. For 10-point preference, also submit Standard Form SF-15 (Application for 10-Point Veteran Preference) with supporting documentation such as your VA disability letter.