SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

The OF 306 is completed by applicants who are under consideration for Federal or Federal contract employment. The information collected on this form is mainly used to determine a person's acceptability for Federal and Federal contract employment, and that person's retirement status and life insurance enrollment. The information on this form may be used in conducting an investigation to determine a person's suitability or ability to hold a security clearance, and it may be disclosed to authorized officials making similar, subsequent determinations. The form asks for personal identifying data and information about violations of the law, past convictions, imprisonments, probations, parole, military court martial, delinquency on a Federal debt, Selective Service Registration, United States military service, Federal civilian or military retirement benefits received or applied for, and life insurance enrollment. The information collected can be obtained at the pre-appointment stage and may support preliminary eligibility and suitability screening; additional investigative forms may be required where appropriate.

As required by the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (44 U.S.C. 3507(a)(1)(D)), OPM has submitted to OMB for review a request for renewal of a currently approved information collection. OPM published a 60-day Federal Register notice for this information collection on May 14, 2026, at 91 FR 27379. OPM received two comments that resulted in no changes to the form.

One commenter recommended changing the estimated completion-time range from 5-30 minutes to 15-30 minutes. The commenter did not provide data, testing results, or other information demonstrating that respondents cannot complete the form in fewer than 15 minutes. Based on OPM's experience administering the collection and the differing circumstances of respondents, OPM is retaining the existing estimated range.

The same commenter recommended “modernizing and revising” the form to make it electronic. It is important to note that this form is primarily collected via USA Staffing. USA Staffing is the primary government-wide hiring and onboarding system used by more than 100 Federal agencies. A limited number of agencies may collect the information through other systems or through paper forms, and OPM will continue to provide agencies flexibility in how the form is collected.

One additional commenter suggested adding a field for “email address[,]” however, because this form is mainly collected via USAStaffing, which is an electronic system that requires the individual provide their email address for other communication purposes, it is not necessary to duplicate the collection of email address on this form.

OPM invites comments on:

1. Whether the proposed collection of information is necessary for the proper performance of the functions of the agency, including whether the information will have practical utility;

2. The accuracy of the agency's estimate of the burden of the proposed collection of information;

3. Ways to enhance the quality, utility, and clarity of the information to be collected; and

4. Ways to minimize the burden of the collection of information on respondents, including through the use of appropriate automated, electronic, mechanical, or other technological collection techniques or other forms of information technology.

Analysis

Agency: Suitability Executive Agent Program, Office of Personnel Management.

Title: Optional Form 306 (OF 306), Declaration for Federal Employment.

OMB Control Number: 3206-0182.

Frequency: On occasion.

Affected Public: Individuals or households.

Number of Respondents: 217,102.

Estimated Time per Respondent: 15 minutes.

Total Burden Hours: 54,276.

Obligation To Respond: Required to obtain or retain a benefit.

Authority:44 U.S.C. 3507(a)(1)(D).

91 FR 49458