OPM Wants to Keep Asking 'Declare Your Fed Loyalty' Forever
Published Date: 8/4/2026
Notice
Summary
The Office of Personnel Management (OPM), Suitability Executive Agent Programs, is notifying the general public and Federal agencies that OPM proposes to request the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) renew a previously approved information collection, Optional Form 306 (OF 306), Declaration for Federal Employment, without change.
Analyzed Economic Effects
3 provisions identified: 1 benefits, 2 costs, 0 mixed.
OF-306 Required for Federal Job Candidates
If you are being considered for Federal or Federal contract employment, you must complete Optional Form 306 (OF 306) to get or keep the job. OPM estimates 217,102 respondents will spend about 15 minutes each completing the form, totaling 54,276 burden hours, and the form is required to determine acceptability, retirement status, and life insurance enrollment.
Electronic Collection via USA Staffing
OPM says the OF 306 is primarily collected electronically through USA Staffing, the government-wide hiring system used by more than 100 Federal agencies, but a limited number of agencies may collect it through other systems or on paper. OPM will continue to let agencies choose how to collect the form.
Sensitive Data Used for Suitability and Disclosures
The OF 306 requests personal identifying data and information about law violations, convictions, Federal debt delinquency, Selective Service, military service, and retirement or life insurance benefits; this information may be used in investigations for suitability or security clearances and disclosed to authorized officials. The OMB control number for the collection is 3206-0182.
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Key Dates
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