--- kind: "section" citation: "5 C.F.R. § 731.203" title: "5" number: "731.203" heading: "Suitability actions by OPM and other agencies for the competitive service or career Senior Executive Service." url: "https://uscodex.org/cfr/5/731.203" --- # §731.203. Suitability actions by OPM and other agencies for the competitive service or career Senior Executive Service. - (a) This section pertains only to the competitive service or career Senior Executive Service as defined in [§ 731.101](/cfr/5/731.101.md). - (b) A suitability action may be taken only by OPM or an agency with delegated authority under the procedures in subparts C and D of this part. - (c) A non-selection, or cancellation of eligibility for the competitive service based on an objection to an eligible or pass over of a preference eligible under [5 CFR 332.406](/cfr/5/332.406.md), is not a suitability action even if it is based on reasons set forth in [§ 731.202](/cfr/5/731.202.md). - (d) A suitability action may be taken against an applicant or an appointee to the competitive service or career Senior Executive Service when OPM or an agency exercising delegated authority under this part finds that the applicant or appointee is unsuitable for the reasons cited in [§ 731.202](/cfr/5/731.202.md), subject to the agency limitations of § [731.103(c)](/cfr/5/731.103.md?p=c), [(e)](/cfr/5/731.103.md?p=e), and [(g)](/cfr/5/731.103.md?p=g). - (e) In taking a suitability action against an applicant, appointee, or employee in the competitive service or career Senior Executive Service pursuant to § [731.105(a)](/cfr/5/731.105.md?p=a) and [(d)](/cfr/5/731.105.md?p=d) and in accordance with [5 CFR 5.3](/cfr/5/5.3.md), OPM may require an agency to execute the action. - (f) OPM may cancel any reinstatement eligibility obtained as a result of a determination based on the criteria of [§ 731.202](/cfr/5/731.202.md). - (g) An action to remove an appointee or employee for suitability reasons under this part is not an action under 5 CFR part [11](/cfr/5/part11.md), [359](/cfr/5/part359.md), or 752. Where conduct covered by this part may also form the basis for an action under 5 CFR part [11](/cfr/5/part11.md), [359](/cfr/5/part359.md), or 752, an agency may take the action under 5 CFR part [11](/cfr/5/part11.md), [359](/cfr/5/part359.md), or 752, as appropriate, instead of under this part. An agency must notify OPM to the extent required in [§ 731.103(g)](/cfr/5/731.103.md?p=g) if it wants to take, or has taken, action under these authorities. OPM reserves the right to also take an action under this part. - (h) **An agency does not need approval from OPM before taking an unfavorable suitability action.** However, it is required to report to the Central Verification System or its successor, each unfavorable suitability action taken under this part within 30 days after it takes the action. Also, each suitability determination based on an investigation must be reported to the Central Verification System or its successor as soon as possible and in no event later than 90 days after receipt of the final report of investigation. ## Notes ### Amendments [89 FR 102695, Dec. 18, 2024, as amended at 91 FR 39381, June 30, 2026] ### Source Source: 89 FR 102695, Dec. 18, 2024, unless otherwise noted. ### Authority Authority: 5 U.S.C. 1302, 2301, 2302, 3301, 7301. E.O. 10577, 19 FR 7521, 3 CFR, 1954-1958 Comp., p. 218, as amended. E.O. 13467, 73 FR 38103, 3 CFR, 2009 Comp., p. 198, as amended. E.O. 13488, 74 FR 4111, 3 CFR, 2010 Comp., p. 189, as amended. E.O. 13764, 82 FR 8115, 3 CFR, 2017 Comp., p. 243. E.O. 14210, 90 FR 9669. Presidential Memorandum of January 31, 2014, 3 CFR, 2014 Comp., p. 340. Presidential Memorandum of March 20, 2025, 90 FR 13683. 5 CFR parts 1, 2, 5, and 6. Link to an amendment published at 91 FR 49065, Aug. 3, 2026. ### Source Source: 73 FR 20154, Apr. 15, 2008, unless otherwise noted. ### Amendments [89 FR 102695, Dec. 18, 2024, as amended at 91 FR 39381, June 30, 2026]