# 2026-19598: FTC Simplifies Hiring Rules for Former Staff Experts

2026-19598, Rules of Practice, is a Federal Register rule from Federal Trade Commission published 2026-09-24, effective 2026-09-24; PRIA reads it as touching household money (as of 2026-10-01).

- Canonical: https://policyrisk.com/federal-register/2026-19598
- As of: 2026-10-01
- Plain-text twin of the page above; the HTML and this file carry the same facts.

## Facts
- Document number: 2026-19598
- Title: Rules of Practice
- Type: Rule
- Agencies: Federal Trade Commission
- Citation: 91 FR 60510
- Published: 2026-09-24
- Effective: 2026-09-24
- Comments close: not stated
- Significant: no
- Touches household money: yes
- Regulation identifier numbers: 3084-AB85
- Last updated: 2026-10-01

## In one line

FTC Simplifies Hiring Rules for Former Staff Experts

## Summary

The FTC is updating its rules to drop a confusing post-job approval step for former employees, making it easier to hire experts like economists and tech pros. They’re keeping ethics rules but clarifying what happens if someone breaks them. These changes kick in on September 24, 2026, with no new costs, just smoother, fairer rules for everyone involved.

## Abstract

The Federal Trade Commission ("Commission" or "FTC") is amending its rules of practice in order to eliminate the agency's post- employment clearance rule.

## Effects PRIA read

- FTC Drops Post‑Employment Clearance Rule: benefit, medium. If you work at the FTC or recruit former FTC staff, the agency has removed its separate post‑employment ethics clearance rule effective September 24, 2026. The rule’s removal is intended to make it easier for the FTC to recruit and hire specialists such as economists and technologists who faced ext…
- Post‑Government Work Limits Restated: cost, medium. If you are a former FTC employee, you must follow post‑employment restrictions in 18 U.S.C. 207 and related rules. The final rule reminds you that you may not (1) appear or communicate on a particular matter you participated in; (2) represent others before a Federal agency on matters that were unde…
- Disciplinary Sanctions Include Up to 5‑Year Ban: cost, medium. If an employee or former employee is convicted of violating 18 U.S.C. 207 or the Inspector General’s report supports a violation, the FTC may impose discipline including a reprimand, suspension from matters, or a prohibition (with intent to influence) on appearances or communications to FTC employe…
- Clarified Waiver Process for Small Conflicts: benefit, low. If you are an FTC employee seeking a waiver of an insubstantial financial conflict under 18 U.S.C. 208(b)(1), the rule clarifies that the official responsible for appointment must obtain a written recommendation from the FTC’s Designated Agency Ethics Official (DAEO), and the DAEO must consult with…

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- [2026-19597](https://policyrisk.com/federal-register/2026-19597): Rules of Practice, 2026-09-24
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## Sources
- [2026-19598 on federalregister.gov](https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2026/09/24/2026-19598/rules-of-practice)
- [2026-19598 as published (PDF)](https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/FR-2026-09-24/pdf/2026-19598.pdf)

## Related
- [Previous: 2026-19597, Rules of Practice](https://policyrisk.com/federal-register/2026-19597)
- [Next: 2026-19652, Implementation of Training Requirements for Personnel Serving on U.S.-Flagged P…](https://policyrisk.com/federal-register/2026-19652)
- [All Federal Register documents](https://policyrisk.com/federal-register)

Source: PRIA, https://policyrisk.com/federal-register/2026-19598 (as of 2026-10-01).