Conversion based on service in a post-secondary student appointment under part 316, subpart I, of this chapter.

(a) Agency authority. An agency may convert to a career or career-conditional appointment from a time-limited appointment pursuant to 5 CFR part 316, subpart I, without further competition. (b) Eligibility. To be eligible for conversion the post-secondary student must: (1) Have completed the course of study leading to the baccalaureate or graduate degree; (2) Have completed not less than 640 hours of current continuous employment in an appointment under § 316.902 of this chapter; (3) Meet the OPM qualification standards for the position to which the student will be converted; and (4) Meet the time-in-grade requirements in accordance with 5 CFR part 300, subpart F. (c) Tenure on conversion. An employee whose employment converts to career or career-conditional employment under this section becomes: (1) A career-conditional employee except as provided in paragraph (c)(2) of this section; or (2) A career employee when he or she has completed the service requirement for career tenure or is excepted from it by § 315.201(c). (d) Acquisition of competitive status. A post-secondary student converted from time limited employment under this section acquires competitive status upon completion of probation in accordance with §§ 11.2, 11.4, and 11.5 of this chapter. [91 FR 7809, Feb. 19, 2026]