0 Point Preference

You are a 0-point preference eligible if you were released or discharged from a period of active duty from the armed forces, after August 29, 2008, by reason of being the only surviving child in a family in which the father or mother or one or more siblings:

1. Served in the armed forces, and
2. Was killed, died as a result of wounds, accident, or disease, is in a captured or missing in action status, or is permanently 100 percent disabled or hospitalized on a continuing basis (and is not employed gainfully because of the disability or hospitalization), where
3. The death, status, or disability did not result from the intentional misconduct or willful neglect of the parent or sibling and was not incurred during a period of unauthorized absence.

Note: No points are added to the passing score or rating of 0 point preference eligible, but you are entitled to be listed ahead of non-preference eligibles with the same score on an examination, or in the same quality category.

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5 Point Preference

You are a 5 point preference eligible if your active duty service meets any of the following:

1. For more than 180 consecutive days, other than for training, any part of which occurred during the period beginning September 11, 2001, and ending on August 31, 2010, the last day of Operation Iraqi Freedom, OR
2. During the Gulf War, between August 2, 1990 and January 2, 1992, OR
3. For more than 180 consecutive days, other than for training, any part of which occurred after January 31, 1955 and before October 15, 1976, OR
4. Between April 28, 1952 and July 1, 1955 OR
5. In a war, campaign or expedition for which a campaign medal or badge has been authorized.

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10 Point Preference

You are a 10 point preference eligible if you served at any time, and you:

1. have a service connected disability, OR
2. received a Purple Heart.

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Preference Categories

Now that we have discussed your preference eligibility and the associated points, let’s discuss preference groups. Preference eligibles are divided into five basic groups as follows:

• CPS – Disability rating of 30% or more (10 points)
• CP – Disability rating of at least 10% but less than 30% (10 points)
• XP – Disability rating less than 10% (10 points)
• TP – Preference eligibles with no disability rating (5 points)
• SSP – Sole Survivorship Preference (0 points)

Note: The letters preceding each category, e.g., “TP,” are a shorthand reference used by OPM in competitive examinations. Disabled veterans receive 10 points regardless of their disability rating.

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Documentation

You must provide acceptable documentation of your preference or appointment eligibility. Acceptable documentation may be:

• A copy of your DD-214, “Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty,” which shows dates of service and discharge under honorable conditions;
• A “certification” that is a written document from the armed forces that certifies the service member is expected to be discharged or released from active duty service in the armed forces under honorable conditions not later than 120 days after the date the certification is signed; OR
• A Standard Form (SF-15 (PDF file)), Application for 10-point Veterans’ Preference. If you are claiming 10 point preference, you will need to submit an (SF-15 (PDF file)).

You may obtain a letter from the Department of Veterans Affairs reflecting your level of disability for preference eligibility by visiting a VA Regional Office, contacting a VA call center or online.

Note: Prior to appointment, an agency will require the service member to provide a copy of the DD-214.