OPM News Release On ALJ Register

From the Office of Personnel Management (OPM):

Washington, D.C. -- The U.S. Office of Personnel Management today established a new register of candidates from which federal benefits and regulatory agencies may draw in filling Administrative Law Judge (ALJ) vacancies.

The new register is the result of OPM's administration of the new ALJ examination, which began in May of this year. Historically, OPM has revised the ALJ examination from time to time to take advantage of new knowledge and capabilities in the examining field. Pursuant to that practice, and concurrent with revising the rules for the ALJ program, OPM conducted a revision of the ALJ examination to ensure the agency continues to measure the key competencies necessary to identify those applicants who would be successful as ALJs. By using USA Staffing, which allows applicants to apply on-line, OPM incorporated new examining technology into the examination process.

The federal government's approximately 1,400 ALJs serve as independent and impartial arbiters of fact in formal proceedings requiring a decision on the record. The Social Security Administration employs the largest number of ALJs, who are located across the country. Social Security Administration ALJs rule on individuals' benefits eligibility.

Individuals were placed on the new ALJ register following a multi-part assessment of their qualifications. The process began with each candidate supplying a written Accomplishment of Record; those who scored among the highest group of applicants advanced to a Written Demonstration and Structured Interview. Applicants who successfully completed all parts of the ALJ examination were issued a final numerical rating, which included Veterans' Preference, as applicable.

The previous ALJ register has been terminated. As required by law, individuals on that register were invited to participate in the new examination for inclusion on the new register.