PREP Act

HR 3094, the PREP Act, shortens probationary periods for new federal employees. It reduces the standard 1-year probation to 6 months for individuals who previously worked in the executive branch civil service, and to 12 months for all other new hires. This applies to competitive service positions (most federal jobs), excepted service roles, and the Senior Executive Service. The bill directly affects new federal employees by accelerating their transition to permanent status based on prior federal experience. It makes no changes to current employees or existing probationary terms.