Occupational Questionnaire

OMB Control No: 3206-0040	ICR Reference No: 201004-3206-023
Status: Historical Active	Previous ICR Reference No: 200908-3206-003
Agency/Subagency: OPM	Agency Tracking No:
Title: Occupational Questionnaire
Type of Information Collection: Revision of a currently approved collection	Common Form ICR:  No
Type of Review Request: Regular
OIRA Conclusion Action: Approved without change	Conclusion Date: 09/30/2010
Retrieve Notice of Action (NOA)	Date Received in OIRA: 04/29/2010
Terms of Clearance:

	Inventory as of this Action	Requested	Previously Approved
Expiration Date	09/30/2013	36 Months From Approved	09/30/2010
Responses	3,484,764	0	54,202
Time Burden (Hours)	2,613,573	0	27,101
Cost Burden (Dollars)	0	0	0

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Abstract: The OPM Form 1203 FX serves as a collection of information from applicants in a format suitable for automated processing and creates applicant records in OPM's automated examining system. OPM is increasing the burden estimate due to a change in how OPM reports OPM Form 1203-FX completion. Previously, OPM reported totals only for the completion of the paper version of the form. OPM now includes completion of the electronic version of the form in its totals. Also there has been a substantial increase in the number of applicants for Federal positions, increasing the number of OPM Form 1203-FX submissions. Also there has been a substantial increase in the number of applicants for Federal positions, i.e. military personnel overseas, independent contractors seeking employement with the Federal Government, which has increased the number of OPM Form 1203-FX submissions. The 1203-FX form has not been altered from the previously approved form except for the contact information in the Burden Statement for comments regarding the time estimate for completion of the form.

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Authorizing Statute(s): US Code: 5 USC 1104 Name of Law: null    US Code: 5 USC 1302 Name of Law: null    US Code: 5 USC 3301 Name of Law: null    US Code: 5 USC 3304 Name of Law: null

Citations for New Statutory Requirements: None

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Associated Rulemaking Information
RIN:	Stage of Rulemaking:	Federal Register Citation:	Date:
	Not associated with rulemaking

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Federal Register Notices & Comments
60-day Notice:	Federal Register Citation:	Citation Date:
	74 FR 47981	09/18/2009
30-day Notice:	Federal Register Citation:	Citation Date:
	74 FR 67254	12/18/2009
Did the Agency receive public comments on this ICR? Yes

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Number of Information Collection (IC) in this ICR: 1

IC Title Form No. Form Name Occupational Questionnaire OPM Form 1203-FX Occupational Questionnaire

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ICR Summary of Burden

	Total Approved	Previously Approved	Change Due to New Statute	Change Due to Agency Discretion	Change Due to Adjustment in Estimate	Change Due to Potential Violation of the PRA
Annual Number of Responses	3,484,764	54,202	0	3,430,562	0	0
Annual Time Burden (Hours)	2,613,573	27,101	0	2,586,472	0	0
Annual Cost Burden (Dollars)	0	0	0	0	0	0

Burden increases because of Program Change due to Agency Discretion: Yes

Burden Increase Due to: Miscellaneous Actions

Burden decreases because of Program Change due to Agency Discretion: No

Burden Reduction Due to:

Short Statement: The 1203-FX is used to collect qualifications information for a variety of occupations, as well as the varying levels of experience information of the applicants, completion time will always vary from year to year based on the number of questions each posted position requires. The burden estimate is influenced by the number of occupational questions for a specific vacancy announcement and the type of questionnaire used to assess applicants. OPM previously reported that 54,202 respondents per year would complete the paper version of the form. However; we found that on average 31,389 applicants used the paper version while an average of 3,484,764 respondents applied using the electronic version annually. The average completion time is 45 minutes for the 1203-FX; yielding an estimated annual burden of 2,613,573 hours. The electronic version of the 1203-FX was not previously reported due to a separation of duties and programs which separately maintained the electronic version and the paper form submission numbers. The burden estimate has increased due to a change in how OPM reports OPM Form 1203-FX completion. Previously, OPM reported totals only for the completion of the paper version of the form. OPM now includes completion of the electronic version of the form in its totals. Also there has been a substantial increase in the number of applicants for Federal positions, i.e. military personnel overseas, independent contractors seeking employement with the Federal Government, which has increased the number of OPM Form 1203-FX submissions. The 1203-FX form has not been altered from the previously approved form except for the address noted in the Burden Statement for comments regarding the time estimate for completion of the form.

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Annual Cost to Federal Government: $468,280

Does this IC contain surveys, censuses, or employ statistical methods? No

Is the Supporting Statement intended to be a Privacy Impact Assessment required by the E-Government Act of 2002? No

Is this ICR related to the Affordable Care Act [Pub. L. 111-148 & 111-152]? No

Is this ICR related to the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act, [Pub. L. 111-203]? Uncollected

Is this ICR related to the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (ARRA)? No

Is this ICR related to the Pandemic Response? Uncollected

Agency Contact: Denise Valentine-Tyson 2026065027 [email protected]

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Common Form ICR:  No

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On behalf of this Federal agency, I certify that the collection of information encompassed by this request complies with 5 CFR 1320.9 and the related provisions of 5 CFR 1320.8(b)(3).
The following is a summary of the topics, regarding the proposed collection of information, that the certification covers:
		(a) It is necessary for the proper performance of agency functions;
		(b) It avoids unnecessary duplication;
		(c) It reduces burden on small entities;
		(d) It uses plain, coherent, and unambiguous language that is understandable to respondents;
		(e) Its implementation will be consistent and compatible with current reporting and recordkeeping practices;
		(f) It indicates the retention periods for recordkeeping requirements;
		(g) It informs respondents of the information called for under 5 CFR 1320.8 (b)(3) about:
			(i) Why the information is being collected;
			(ii) Use of information;
			(iii) Burden estimate;
			(iv) Nature of response (voluntary, required for a benefit, or mandatory);
			(v) Nature and extent of confidentiality; and
			(vi) Need to display currently valid OMB control number;
		(h) It was developed by an office that has planned and allocated resources for the efficient and effective management and use of the information to be collected.
		(i) It uses effective and efficient statistical survey methodology (if applicable); and
		(j) It makes appropriate use of information technology.
If you are unable to certify compliance with any of these provisions, identify the item by leaving the box unchecked and explain the reason in the Supporting Statement.
Certification Date: 04/29/2010

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