Your rating can help you get a federal job

Why now

At VA's October VRCN meeting (VA News, Oct 28, 2026), leaders pointed Veterans to USAJOBS, apprenticeships, VET TEC 2.0 and VR&E. If you have a VA rating, that rating letter is also a federal hiring tool. Rules below come from OPM and FedsHireVets.

Veterans' preference: the points

You need an honorable or general discharge. Preference adds points (or places you higher in a quality category) in competitive hiring:

• 5-point (TP): based on when or where you served (for example, certain wartime periods, more than 180 days of active duty in some periods, or a campaign or expeditionary medal). Check OPM's list for your dates.
• 10-point compensable (CP): VA service-connected rating of 10% to 20%.
• 10-point 30% or more (CPS): rating of 30% or more.
• 10-point disability (XP): a present service-connected disability (including 0%) or a Purple Heart.
• Derived preference: some spouses, widows/widowers and mothers of Veterans.

For many jobs, CP and CPS applicants go to the top of the list, and an agency can't pass over a 30%+ disabled Veteran without OPM approving its reasons.

30% or More Disabled Veteran hiring authority

If VA rates you 30% or more (or you retired with a 30%+ disability rating), an agency may hire you noncompetitively, with no grade limit, into a temporary (more than 60 days) or term job, and convert you to permanent at any time. You still must meet the job's qualifications (5 U.S.C. 3112; 5 CFR 316.302). Related: the Veterans Recruitment Appointment (VRA) up to GS-11, and VEOA. See FedsHireVets special hiring authorities.

Proof to upload on USAJOBS

• DD-214 (Member 4 copy showing character of service and dates), or a certification letter if you're within 120 days of separation (VOW Act).
• VA rating letter dated within the time the posting asks for, showing your combined rating. Download it from VA.gov.
• SF-15, Application for 10-Point Veteran Preference, for CP, CPS, XP or derived preference. Get it from OPM forms.

Missing a document is a common reason preference is denied. Upload all three and claim the right category in your USAJOBS profile.

Training options

• VR&E (Chapter 31): for ratings of 10%+ with an employment handicap. See our Chapter 31 explainer. VR&E trainees can also do training at a federal agency.
• VET TEC 2.0: VA's high-tech training program for eligible Veterans. Details: VA.gov VET TEC.
• Apprenticeships and on-the-job training can be paid with GI Bill benefits.

Worried a job will affect your rating? Read working while rated (TDIU is the main exception to watch).

Watch for scams

Real federal jobs are posted on usajobs.gov and never charge a fee. Anyone asking you to pay for a job, or for your DD-214 or VA letter before a real offer, is a red flag. See Job scams: never pay to work.

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