Guidance on the Use of Self-Reported Assessments

This guidance clarifies the permissible use of self-assessments in hiring. A "self-assessment" is most often a questionnaire in which an applicant rates their own proficiency. Following the a September 30, 2025 memo, such self-assessments are supposed to be phased out of hiring. The guidance provides that self-assessments may still be used to determine whether applicants meet minimum qualifications and eligibility requirements, but may not be used to rate or rank candidates in the selection process. At least one validated technical or alternative assessment — such as a USA Hire assessment, structured interview, work sample, skills test, structured resume review, or situational judgment test — must be used in the pre-certification process instead. The Office of Personnel Management (OPM) may issue exceptions to this policy. The guidance clarified that crediting plans, which are not self-assessments and are instead structured evaluations of objective resume information (such as positions held, responsibilities, and accomplishments) are permissible when paired with a validated assessment.