Summary

Extends most federal probationary and excepted‑service trial periods from one year to two years while keeping a one‑year period for preference eligible employees (for example, many veterans). It also raises the minimum length-of-service tests used to qualify employees for certain appeal and performance protections from one year to two years for most employees (but keeps one year for preference eligibles), adds procedural requirements for agency evaluations and notifications, and directs the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) to write implementing regulations within 180 days. The changes take effect one year after enactment and apply to appointments made on or after that date, with limited exclusions (Postal Service, Postal Regulatory Commission, and Congress/congressional agencies).

• Most initial probationary and excepted‑service trial periods increase from 1 year to 2 years; preference eligibles keep a 1‑year period.
• Time in a trial/probation carries over when employees move between covered positions within the civil service.
• Employees who leave more than 30 days after completing a trial generally must serve a new trial on reappointment, with limited exceptions.
• Length‑of‑service thresholds for certain adverse‑action/performance protections change to 1 year for preference eligibles and 2 years for others.
• Agencies must evaluate, document, and certify retention decisions to OPM and provide scheduled notices to applicants, employees, and supervisors.
• OPM must issue implementing regulations within 180 days; statutory changes take effect 1 year after enactment and apply to appointments on or after that date.
• Postal Service, Postal Regulatory Commission employees, and Congress/congressional agencies are excluded from these changes.
• A technical cross‑reference adds the new probation/trial provisions into aviation security statutory listings (textual change only).