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The Guide to Processing Personnel Actions (GPPA)

Official OPM guidance for Federal human resources offices on documenting personnel actions, including instructions for SF-50 and SF-52 forms, legal authorities, and data reporting.

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Personnel Documentation

Summary: The Guide to Processing Personnel Actions (GPPA) provides comprehensive instructions for Federal HR professionals on documenting personnel actions, ensuring accurate data reporting to the Enterprise Human Resources Integration (EHRI) system.

The Guide to Processing Personnel Actions (GPPA), updated July 2026, serves as the authoritative manual for Federal agencies regarding the documentation of personnel actions. It details the use of Standard Forms 52 and 50, explains the structure of Nature of Action Codes (NOACs), legal authorities, and remark codes, and provides specific procedural guidance for various employment events ranging from appointments and promotions to retirements and separations. The guide emphasizes the importance of data accuracy for policy formulation and employee benefits, and outlines the integration of personnel data into the Enterprise Human Resources Integration (EHRI) system.

Document outline

1. Chapter 1: Introduction to the Guide to Processing Personnel Actions 2. Chapter 3: General Instructions for Processing Personnel Actions 3. Chapter 4: Requesting and Documenting Personnel Actions 4. Chapter 6: Creditable Service for Leave Accrual (NOAC: 882) 5. Chapter 7: Documenting Veterans’ Preference (NOAC: 883) 6. Chapter 9: Career and Career-Conditional Appointments 7. Chapter 10: Nonstatus Appointments in the Competitive Service 8. Chapter 11: Excepted Service Appointments 9. Chapter 13: Senior Executive Service (SES) 10. Chapter 14: Promotions, Reassignments, and Position Changes 11. Chapter 15: Placement in Nonpay or Nonduty Status 12. Chapter 16: Return to Duty (RTD) from Nonpay Status 13. Chapter 17: Pay and Step Changes 14. Chapter 18: Exceptions to Reduction in Force Release 15. Chapter 19: Continuance Not to Exceed (NTE) 16. Chapter 20: Name Change 17. Chapter 21: Realignment and Mass Transfer 18. Chapter 22: Change in Federal Employees’ Group Life Insurance 19. Chapter 23: Change in Duty Station 20. Chapter 24: Change in Work Schedule/Hours 21. Chapter 26: Change in Tenure Group 22. Chapter 27: Phased Employment/Phased Retirement 23. Chapter 28: Change in Data Element 24. Chapter 29: Bonuses, Awards, and Other Incentives 25. Chapter 30: Retirements 26. Chapter 31: Separations by Other than Retirement 27. Chapter 32: Corrections, Cancellations, and Interim Relief Actions 28. Chapter 33: Documentation of Volunteer Service 29. Glossary

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7 days: 5,478

Technical metadata

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