DE CERTIFICATION 2026 STUDY GUIDE
BUNDLED MATERIALS
◉ At minimum, you must communicate with an application
concerning the status of their application with how many touch-
points?
A. 1
B. 2
C. 4
D. 6. Answer: C. 4- DEOH, Ch 4-12: You must communicate with
applicants concerning the status of their application, and it must be
done in a timely manner on at least four communication touch-
points. It is acceptable, however, if touch-points are combined into
two communications.
1. When the application is received. OPM suggests notifying
applicants no later than 5 business days after the application was
received.
2. When the application is assessed for minimum qualifications
(eligibility/ineligibility) for the job after all applications have been
assessed.
3. When applications are referred or certified (or not) to the hiring
official.
,4. When a selection is made (or not) for the position or the job is
canceled. OPM suggests non-selected candidates be notified no later
than 10 business days after the date on which the selected candidate
has accepted the job offer or the job was canceled.
◉ What are the three basic steps in reviewing applications?
A. 1. Determine minimum qualifications / 2. Determine eligibility /
3. Refer minimally qualified applicants based on assessment.
B. 1. Refer minimally qualified applicants based on assessment / 2.
Determine eligibility / 3. Determine minimum qualifications.
C. 1. Determine eligibility / 2. Determine minimum qualifications /
3. Refer minimally qualified applicants based on assessment.
D. Send applicants to a Subject Matter Expert for review of eligibility
and qualifications determination. Answer: C. 1. Determine eligibility;
2. Determine minimum qualifications; 3. Refer minimally qualified
applicants based on assessment. - DEOH, 4-13:
The application review phase of the hiring process is separate and
distinct from the assessment phase.
Applications are first reviewed to determine whether eligibility and
minimum qualification requirements are met. Then, Refer qualified
applicants for assessment to determine the degree to which the
applicant is qualified.
,◉ True or False: Under most circumstances you must select a "CTAP
eligible" candidate who applies and who meets your agency's
definition of a "well-qualified" applicant before you can appoint any
other eligible from within or outside your agency. Answer: True:
DEOH, Ch 4- 14: Although CTAP only applies while the
surplus/displaced employee is still on your agency's rolls, an
individual who has been separated may still be eligible for selection
priority under other programs, such as RPL and ICTAP.
◉ True or False: Under ICTAP, an agency must publicize job
openings for which it is recruiting from outside its own workforce in
the local commuting area. Answer: True: DEOH, Ch 4-15: ICTAP gives
those who meet the agency's definition of a "well-qualified" eligible,
selection priority over almost any other applicant from outside the
agency.
◉ True or False: Under ICTAP, Displaced Federal employees who
worked in the local commuting area and who apply for a local job
are entitled to selection priority if they are "well-qualified" and can
provide proof that they were or are about to be displaced by their
agency. Answer: True: 5 CFR § 330.704 / DEOH, Ch 4-14: ICTAP gives
those who meet the agency's definition of a "well-qualified" eligible
selection priority over almost any other applicant from outside the
agency.
◉ True or False: Jake is a GS-12 that has received a reduction-in-
force (RIF) notice from the Department of Treasury in San Francisco,
, CA. Mary has applied for a job as a GS-13 at the FDIC in San
Francisco. Mary has not yet accepted federal employment at any
other agency. Mary must receive priority consideration for the GS-13
at FDIC. Answer: False: DEOH, H-2: You are only entitled to priority
consideration if the position is at or below the grade level that you
are being separated from.
◉ True or False: James is a "well-qualified" GS-12 HR Specialist with
career tenure who received a RIF notice and is eligible for priority
consideration at FDIC, however, Jack, who is a 100% service
connected disabled Veteran has also applied and is eligible for the
same job. James does not get priority consideration. Answer: False:
DEOH, Ch 4-15: ICTAP gives those who meet the agency's definition
of a "well-qualified" eligible selection priority over almost any other
applicant from outside the agency regardless of Veterans'
Preference.
◉ Choose the applicable code for a 10-Point 30 Percent
Compensable Disability Preference based on a service-connected
disability of 30% or more:
A. XP
B. TP
C. CP
D. CPS Answer: D. CPS- DEOH, CH 4-18 / VA Handbook:
BUNDLED MATERIALS
◉ At minimum, you must communicate with an application
concerning the status of their application with how many touch-
points?
A. 1
B. 2
C. 4
D. 6. Answer: C. 4- DEOH, Ch 4-12: You must communicate with
applicants concerning the status of their application, and it must be
done in a timely manner on at least four communication touch-
points. It is acceptable, however, if touch-points are combined into
two communications.
1. When the application is received. OPM suggests notifying
applicants no later than 5 business days after the application was
received.
2. When the application is assessed for minimum qualifications
(eligibility/ineligibility) for the job after all applications have been
assessed.
3. When applications are referred or certified (or not) to the hiring
official.
,4. When a selection is made (or not) for the position or the job is
canceled. OPM suggests non-selected candidates be notified no later
than 10 business days after the date on which the selected candidate
has accepted the job offer or the job was canceled.
◉ What are the three basic steps in reviewing applications?
A. 1. Determine minimum qualifications / 2. Determine eligibility /
3. Refer minimally qualified applicants based on assessment.
B. 1. Refer minimally qualified applicants based on assessment / 2.
Determine eligibility / 3. Determine minimum qualifications.
C. 1. Determine eligibility / 2. Determine minimum qualifications /
3. Refer minimally qualified applicants based on assessment.
D. Send applicants to a Subject Matter Expert for review of eligibility
and qualifications determination. Answer: C. 1. Determine eligibility;
2. Determine minimum qualifications; 3. Refer minimally qualified
applicants based on assessment. - DEOH, 4-13:
The application review phase of the hiring process is separate and
distinct from the assessment phase.
Applications are first reviewed to determine whether eligibility and
minimum qualification requirements are met. Then, Refer qualified
applicants for assessment to determine the degree to which the
applicant is qualified.
,◉ True or False: Under most circumstances you must select a "CTAP
eligible" candidate who applies and who meets your agency's
definition of a "well-qualified" applicant before you can appoint any
other eligible from within or outside your agency. Answer: True:
DEOH, Ch 4- 14: Although CTAP only applies while the
surplus/displaced employee is still on your agency's rolls, an
individual who has been separated may still be eligible for selection
priority under other programs, such as RPL and ICTAP.
◉ True or False: Under ICTAP, an agency must publicize job
openings for which it is recruiting from outside its own workforce in
the local commuting area. Answer: True: DEOH, Ch 4-15: ICTAP gives
those who meet the agency's definition of a "well-qualified" eligible,
selection priority over almost any other applicant from outside the
agency.
◉ True or False: Under ICTAP, Displaced Federal employees who
worked in the local commuting area and who apply for a local job
are entitled to selection priority if they are "well-qualified" and can
provide proof that they were or are about to be displaced by their
agency. Answer: True: 5 CFR § 330.704 / DEOH, Ch 4-14: ICTAP gives
those who meet the agency's definition of a "well-qualified" eligible
selection priority over almost any other applicant from outside the
agency.
◉ True or False: Jake is a GS-12 that has received a reduction-in-
force (RIF) notice from the Department of Treasury in San Francisco,
, CA. Mary has applied for a job as a GS-13 at the FDIC in San
Francisco. Mary has not yet accepted federal employment at any
other agency. Mary must receive priority consideration for the GS-13
at FDIC. Answer: False: DEOH, H-2: You are only entitled to priority
consideration if the position is at or below the grade level that you
are being separated from.
◉ True or False: James is a "well-qualified" GS-12 HR Specialist with
career tenure who received a RIF notice and is eligible for priority
consideration at FDIC, however, Jack, who is a 100% service
connected disabled Veteran has also applied and is eligible for the
same job. James does not get priority consideration. Answer: False:
DEOH, Ch 4-15: ICTAP gives those who meet the agency's definition
of a "well-qualified" eligible selection priority over almost any other
applicant from outside the agency regardless of Veterans'
Preference.
◉ Choose the applicable code for a 10-Point 30 Percent
Compensable Disability Preference based on a service-connected
disability of 30% or more:
A. XP
B. TP
C. CP
D. CPS Answer: D. CPS- DEOH, CH 4-18 / VA Handbook:
