5 C.F.R. § 300.401
Definitions.
Cite as 5 C.F.R. § 300.401 (2026)
For purposes of this subpart:
(a) A
commercial recruiting firm
is a profit-making entity which, by contract, supplies individual candidates for consideration for specific Federal vacancies, in accordance with the requirements set by the Federal agency.
(b) A
nonprofit employment service
is one legally established as nonprofit under State law. It may be operated, for example, by professional societies, organizations of college graduates, social agencies, or a State or local government. Federal agencies may not, however, use a nonprofit employment service sponsored by a partisan political organization. By contract, a nonprofit employment service supplies individual candidates for consideration for specific Federal vacancies, in accordance with the requirements set by the Federal agency.