Federal Veterans' Preference

Five or ten points added to a passing score, or priority in category rating, for a qualifying veteran applying for a federal competitive service job, with ten points for a service-connected disability.

Also called: veterans preference, 5 point preference, 10 point preference, CPS, CP, SF-15, USAJOBS.

For: Veteran or service member, spouse, survivor.

Where it applies

Applies in states and territories.

Federal

Veterans' preference in federal hiring, under 5 U.S.C. 2108 and 3309, gives a preference eligible 5 or 10 points on top of a passing score, or places them ahead of non-preference applicants in the same quality category. It also protects them in reductions in force. Five-point preference reaches a veteran discharged under honorable conditions who served in a war, in a campaign or expedition with a campaign badge, from April 28, 1952, to July 1, 1955, for more than 180 consecutive days between February 1, 1955, and October 14, 1976, from August 2, 1990, to January 2, 1992, or for more than 180 consecutive days between September 11, 2001, and August 31, 2010. Ten-point preference reaches a veteran with a service-connected disability or a Purple Heart, and some spouses, widows, widowers and mothers of veterans. A veteran rated 30% or more (CPS) or 10% to 20% (CP) moves to the top of a list for most jobs above GS-9. A retiree at or above the rank of major or lieutenant commander gets no preference unless disabled. Claim 10-point preference on SF-15 with the VA letter.

Thresholds

Thresholds for Federal Veterans' Preference
Gate	Rule
Qualifying service and honorable conditions	A war, campaign, listed period, or a service-connected disability for 10 points.

Documents the source lists

What the official source lists for an application, and where to get each document. It is a reference read from the source, not a full list of what the office may ask for; check with the office or an accredited representative before you apply. Needed means the source asks for it; Helps means the source calls it optional or says it speeds things up.

Needed DD214 or other official documents from your branch of service
Where to get it Download it from milConnect if your branch has it there, or request it from the National Archives. A VA application can ask VA to request it for you.
Listed by OPM, Vet Guide for HR Professionals read 2026-10-10
Needed Certification that you will be discharged under honorable conditions within 120 days
If you are still on active duty and have no DD214 yet.
Where to get it Your branch of service, on its letterhead.
Listed by OPM, Vet Guide for HR Professionals read 2026-10-10

Sources

5 C.F.R. 211.102, Definitions (veterans’ preference)Official
Feds Hire Vets, veterans’ preferenceOfficial

Updated

Last updated 2026-10-08.

What changed then:

First published.

Request an update

Out of date, a broken link, or something else wrong? Say what you found, and an editor checks it against the official source.

Disclaimer

VetTOC is not affiliated with the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs or the Department of Defense. Information is for reference only and is not an eligibility determination. Verify with VA, the relevant state or territory, or an accredited VSO.