---
kind: "section"
citation: "5 C.F.R. § 337.302"
title: "5"
number: "337.302"
heading: "Definitions."
url: "https://uscodex.org/cfr/5/337.302"
---

# §337.302. Definitions.


In this subpart:

- (a) **Category rating—** is synonymous with alternative rating as described at [5 U.S.C. 3319](/usc/5/3319.md), and is a process of evaluating qualified eligibles by quality categories rather than by assigning individual numeric scores. The agency assesses candidates against job-related criteria and then places them into two or more pre-defined categories.
- (b) **Quality categories—** are groupings of individuals with similar levels of job-related competencies or similar levels of knowledge, skills, and abilities.

## Notes

### Source

Source: 69 FR 33276, June 15, 2004, unless otherwise noted.

### Authority

Authority: 5 U.S.C. 1104(a), 1302, 2302, 3301, 3302, 3304, 3319, 5364; E.O. 10577, 3 CFR 1954-1958 Comp., p. 218; 33 FR 12423, Sept. 4, 1968; and 45 FR 18365, Mar. 21, 1980; 116 Stat. 2135, 2290; 117 Stat. 1392, 1665; and E.O. 13833.