---
kind: "section"
citation: "45 C.F.R. § 681.36"
title: "45"
number: "681.36"
heading: "When does the initial decision of the ALJ become final?"
url: "https://uscodex.org/cfr/45/681.36"
---

# §681.36. When does the initial decision of the ALJ become final?

- (a) The initial decision of the ALJ becomes the final decision of NSF, and shall be binding on all parties 30 days after it is issued, unless any party timely files a motion for reconsideration or any defendant adjudged to have submitted a false, fictitious, or fraudulent claim or statement timely appeals to the authority head of NSF, as set forth in [§ 681.37](/cfr/45/681.37.md).
- (b) If the ALJ disposes of a motion for reconsideration by denying it or by issuing a revised initial decision, the ALJ's order on the motion for reconsideration becomes the final decision of NSF 30 days after the order is issued, unless a defendant adjudged to have submitted a false, fictitious, fraudulent claim or statement timely appeals to the authority head of NSF, as set forth in [§ 681.37](/cfr/45/681.37.md).

## Notes

### Source

Source: 74 FR 26794, June 4, 2009, unless otherwise noted.