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Title 22, Foreign Relations and IntercourseRelease 119-110

§3946 Career Appointments

Title 22 › CHAPTER 52 — FOREIGN SERVICE › SUBCHAPTER III — APPOINTMENTS › § 3946

Last updated Sep 22, 2026|Official source

Summary

Before someone gets a career appointment in the Service, they must first work on a limited appointment for a trial period set by the Secretary. During that time the Secretary will either offer a career appointment under section 3943 or recommend the President give one under section 3942. The Secretary must make that decision using advice from boards made mostly of career members who check candidates’ fitness. This does not limit the Secretary’s or the Foreign Service Grievance Board’s authority under section 4137.

Full Legal Text

Title 22, §3946

Foreign Relations and Intercourse, Source: USLM XML via OLRC

(a)Trial period under limited appointment
Before receiving a career appointment in the Service, an individual shall first serve under a limited appointment as a career candidate for a trial period of service prescribed by the Secretary. During such trial period of service, the Secretary shall decide whether—
(1)to offer a career appointment to the candidate under section 3943 of this title, or
(2)to recommend to the President that the candidate be given a career appointment under section 3942 of this title.
(b)Decisions by Secretary
Decisions by the Secretary under subsection (a) shall be based upon the recommendations of boards, established by the Secretary and composed entirely or primarily of career members of the Service, which shall evaluate the fitness and aptitude of career candidates for the work of the Service.
(c)Foreign Service Grievance Board decisions
Nothing in this section shall be construed to limit the authority of the Secretary or the Foreign Service Grievance Board under section 4137 of this title.

Legislative History

Notes & Related Subsidiaries

Editorial Notes

Amendments

1987—Subsec. (c). Pub. L. 100–204 added subsec. (c).

Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries

Effective Date

of 1987 Amendment Pub. L. 100–204, title I, § 181(e), Dec. 22, 1987, 101 Stat. 1364, provided that: “The

Amendments

made by this section [amending this section and section 4010 and 4137 of this title] shall not apply with respect to any grievance in which the Board has issued a final decision pursuant to section 1107 of the Foreign Service Act of 1980 (22 U.S.C. 4137) before the date of enactment of this Act [Dec. 22, 1987].”

Reference

Citations & Metadata

Citation

22 U.S.C. § 3946

Title 22, Foreign Relations and Intercourse

Last Updated

Sep 22, 2026

Release point: 119-110