Defense and national security · Veterans

Executive Order 13473: To Authorize Certain Noncompetitive Appointments in the Civil Service for Spouses of Certain Members of the Armed Forces

President: George W. Bush

Authorized noncompetitive federal appointments for certain military spouses.

Status: In effect. Is Executive Order 13473 still in effect? Yes. Executive Order 13473 remains in effect. See Federal Register record.

What does Executive Order 13473 do?

OPM adopted implementing hiring regulations in August 2009 and later described statutory changes to the authority in a 2016 rulemaking.

Administration position: The authority is limited by eligibility and later statute; it does not promise a particular federal job.
SignedSeptember 25, 2008
Original directionAuthorized noncompetitive federal appointments for certain military spouses.
Later evidenceOPM adopted implementing hiring regulations in August 2009 and later described statutory changes to the authority in a 2016 rulemaking.
Review dateSeptember 26, 2026

Before and after

Before the order

Military moves and service-related disability or death could disrupt spouses' federal employment opportunities.

After the order

OPM adopted implementing hiring regulations in August 2009 and later described statutory changes to the authority in a 2016 rulemaking.

The authority is limited by eligibility and later statute; it does not promise a particular federal job.

Who had to do what

Source: Signed Federal Register text.
Agency / officeActionTiming / position
Heads of executive agenciesMay noncompetitively appoint qualified spouses of relocating active-duty members, totally disabled retired or separated members, or members killed on active duty; shall also use other available appointment authorities as appropriate.When making appointments; no deadline specified.
Director of the Office of Personnel ManagementMay prescribe regulations governing the noncompetitive appointment authority.No deadline specified.
Secretary of DefenseDetermine whether a member is on active duty under orders authorizing a permanent change of station, for the relocating-spouse eligibility category.When establishing eligibility under section 3(a).
Later actionOPM adopted implementing hiring regulations in August 2009 and later described statutory changes to the authority in a 2016 rulemaking.August 12, 2009

What happened next

EO 13473 signed.

OPM adopted implementing hiring regulations in August 2009 and later described statutory changes to the authority in a 2016 rulemaking.