5 C.F.R. § 412.301

(a) An SESCDP is an OPM-approved training program designed to develop the executive qualifications of employees with strong executive potential to qualify them for and authorize their initial career appointment in the SES. An agency conducting an SESCDP may submit program graduates for Qualifications Review Board (QRB) review of their executive qualifications under 5 CFR 317.502. A program graduate certified by a QRB may receive an initial career appointment without further competition to any SES position for which he or she meets the professional and technical qualifications requirements.

(b) An agency covered by 5 U.S.C. chapter 31, subchapter II, may apply to OPM to conduct an SESCDP alone or on behalf of a group of agencies. (In this subpart, the term “agency” refers to either a single agency or a group of agencies acting in partnership under this subpart.) In addition, OPM may establish a Governmentwide SESCDP consistent with 5 U.S.C. 3396 and this subpart. OPM will provide additional guidance concerning the Governmentwide SESCDP, as needed.

(c) Any agency developing an SESCDP must submit a single overarching policy document to OPM for formal approval before implementing the SESCDP. An agency implementing an SESCDP without first obtaining formal approval may not submit graduates of the program for QRB review. OPM may establish governmentwide SESCDP policy templates that agencies must use to describe program methodologies and address any needed program modifications or improvements.

(d) An agency must seek OPM re-approval (see § 412.303) on a triennial basis and must also seek OPM approval before implementing a change substantially altering how the SESCDP complies with the requirements of this part. OPM re-approval must be obtained before an agency initiates a new SESCDP; a substantial change constitutes a new SESCDP.

(e) An approved SESCDP policy will serve as an umbrella program policy and establish enterprise-wide requirements for the entire agency. An agency with an OPM-approved SESCDP policy may authorize a major agency component or subcomponent employing senior executives to conduct an SESCDP. The major agency component or subcomponent must utilize and adhere to the approved agency policy when administering an individual SESCDP cohort.

(f) As always, agencies should be mindful of merit principles in carrying out their functions under this subpart.