VEOA: applying to federal "status" jobs as a veteran
The Veterans Employment Opportunities Act of 1998 (VEOA) lets eligible veterans apply to federal jobs that an agency posts under its merit promotion procedures, the announcements usually open only to current and former federal employees with "status." It applies when the agency is filling a permanent, competitive service position and is accepting candidates from outside its own workforce. VEOA gives you the chance to compete, not a job: you still have to rank among the best-qualified applicants, and veterans' preference points don't apply to these selections (OPM FedsHireVets, as of October 2026).
Who qualifies
According to OPM (as of October 2026), VEOA eligibility requires a latest discharge under honorable conditions (an honorable or general discharge), and being either:
- a preference eligible (defined in 5 U.S.C. 2108(3)), or
- a veteran who substantially completed 3 or more years of active service under honorable conditions. OPM says veterans released shortly before finishing a 3-year tour are considered eligible.
"Active service" here includes full-time training duty, annual training duty, full-time National Guard duty, and attendance at a service school while on active service. Family members entitled to derived preference count as preference eligibles for VEOA.
Current or former federal employees who meet these rules can apply under VEOA too, but current General Schedule employees are still subject to time-in-grade rules.
How VEOA works
- Where to look: when an agency recruits from outside its own workforce under merit promotion procedures, the announcement must say VEOA applies. Check "Who May Apply" on the job announcement.
- No geographic limits: VEOA applicants aren't held to the announcement's geographic area of consideration.
- How you're rated: you're rated and ranked with the other merit promotion candidates using the same criteria, without veterans' preference. The hiring official can select anyone among the best qualified.
- If you're selected: you get a career or career-conditional appointment, with a probationary period (OPM Vet Guide for HR Professionals, as of October 2026).
- "Agency" means the parent department: for example, the Department of Defense rather than the Department of the Army.
VEOA vs veterans' preference
| Veterans' preference | VEOA | |
|---|---|---|
| What it gives | Extra points or priority in competitive hiring for new appointments | The right to apply to merit promotion ("status") announcements open to outside candidates |
| Points added? | Yes: 0, 5 or 10 points depending on eligibility | No, preference doesn't apply to these selections |
| Who uses it | Preference-eligible veterans | Preference eligibles and veterans with 3+ years of active service |
Neither one entitles you to a job.
Documents to have ready
OPM says to provide proof of eligibility, preferably the member 4 copy of your DD-214. If you're claiming 10-point preference, you also submit SF-15, Application for 10-Point Veteran Preference. Under the VOW to Hire Heroes Act of 2011, you can apply before you separate with a certification that you'll be discharged under honorable conditions within 120 days of the certification's date.
What this means for your TSP when you separate
Moving from military to federal civilian service means a new set of TSP rules: the TSP keeps a separate civilian account alongside your uniformed services account, agency contributions to it follow FERS rules, and the two accounts can be combined. Leaving the military doesn't close your uniformed services account. See the BRS match vs the FERS match and the FERS pension. For the options on the money you leave behind (keep it, move it or withdraw it), see TSP withdrawal rules and timeline.
Common questions
Does veterans' preference apply to VEOA appointments?
No. OPM says veterans' preference doesn't apply to merit promotion actions. Under VEOA, the benefit is the chance to compete for jobs open to status candidates; you're rated and ranked with the other candidates.
Can I apply under VEOA if I'm still on active duty?
OPM says a service member can apply before discharge, and be considered as a preference eligible, with a certification that they're expected to be discharged under honorable conditions within 120 days of the certification date.
What counts as 3 years of active service for VEOA?
Active duty in a uniformed service, including full-time training duty, annual training duty, full-time National Guard duty and attendance at a designated service school. Veterans released shortly before completing a 3-year tour are considered eligible.
Can current federal employees use VEOA?
Yes, if they meet VEOA's eligibility rules. Current General Schedule employees applying under VEOA are subject to time-in-grade restrictions like any other GS employee.
Sources
- OPM FedsHireVets: Vets: VEOA eligibility, how it works, documentation, the 120-day certification
- OPM: Vet Guide for HR Professionals: VEOA appointments, preference not applied, parent-agency rule, preference categories
Educational information only. Not affiliated with OPM, DoD, the TSP or the U.S. government. Each job announcement sets who may apply; check it and USAJOBS for the details.