Category Rating and Selection Workshop Course (Self-Paced)

This course includes

12 hours of project-based training from experts
Answers from real instructors
Proprietary workbook included
Retake for free within 1 year
Verified digital certificate of completion
Learn at an accredited institution
Credits: 1.2 CEUs

This Course is self-paced. For live online or in-person instructions, take Category Rating and Selection Workshop.

This course prepares students to identify job-related criteria in order to define quality categories, identify and assign job candidates to the proper category, recognize veterans’ preference entitlement, and make selections of job candidates using this process.

This course has a prerequisite

At a minimum, students should have practical job experience in applying federal eligibility and qualifications requirements and completing job analyses, as required by the Uniform Guidelines OR have taken STAF7023 and STAF8005 within the past 3 years.

Tuition

Full Tuition

$1,049
Due before the class starts

This course includes

12 hours of project-based training from experts
Answers from real instructors
Proprietary workbook included
Retake for free within 1 year
Verified digital certificate of completion
Learn at an accredited institution
Credits: 1.2 CEUs

Learning Experience Highlights

Training from government‑experienced instructors

Receive instruction from subject‑matter experts who bring proven government experience.

Specialized for government & DoD

Courses that are regularly updated based on feedback and industry developments, ensuring versions are mapped to federal competencies.

The instructor was wonderful and so knowledgeable. The course materials were extremely relevant to what my job is. I feel like I can be better because of this class.
— 2025 student

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Real-world solutions

Directly addressing the day-to-day challenges of federal employees.

125+ departments & agencies served

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100% Online. Start Anytime

24/7 access to our premium course videos and projects.
Industry experts are assigned as your course instructor. Message your instructor with any questions.
Participate in GSUSA online discussion forums — share ideas and receive additional support.
Hands-on quizzes and mini projects to test and reinforce concepts.

Earn a Certificate of Completion

Upon completion of this course, you’ll receive an official certificate testifying to your mastery of the curriculum. We’ll send you a link where you can download your certificate, share it online with your friends, post it to your professional network on LinkedIn, and view all your earned certificates. Congratulations on your achievement!

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Category Rating and Selection Workshop Course (Self-Paced) Curriculum

What You'll Learn at a Glance

Explain the assessment and selection of job candidates using the category rating process for positions filled in the competitive service.
Identify the flexibilities provided in the category rating and selection process.
Define and describe the quality categories that are used in category rating and selection.
Apply veterans’ preference in category rating and selection.
Place qualified applicants into the appropriate category.
Ensure that proper selections are made from certificates.
Document the procedures and decisions made in the category rating and selection process.

Course Syllabus

Download Syllabus PDF

Module 1: Category Rating and Hiring Reform

Explain how category rating and selection came to be.
Understand regulations and guidelines behind category rating and selection.
Discuss significant initiatives and changes leading to category rating.

Module 2: Veterans' Preference and Priority Placement Requirements

Analyze the impact of Veterans’ Preference entitlement on the category rating process.
Apply priority consideration requirements of CTAP and RPL candidates.
Explain how ICTAP candidates should be considered in the category rating process.

Module 3: Defining and Describing Categories

Describe the process of using category rating and selection.
Define quality categories and assign candidates to appropriate categories.
Use simplified and amplified methods to identify eligible and qualified candidates.

Module 4: Preparing the Certificate and Making Selections

Determine the order of certification and categories for selection.
Identify when and how categories can be merged.
Explain the selection process based on category rating certificates.

Group Training

Since 1921, Graduate School USA has partnered with over 125 federal agencies and trained more than one million federal employees. Led by instructors with deep, real-world knowledge of federal regulations, policies, and practices, our private group programs are practical, mission-driven, and tailored to your agency’s objectives. We offer expertise across key federal domains—including human resources, financial management, acquisition and contracting, leadership, and more—to deliver training where and how your team needs it.

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Installments
	10% non-refundable deposit
$1,049.00	Total You Pay