# Suitability and Fitness Adjudication Course

Canonical URL: <https://www.graduateschool.edu/courses/suitability-and-fitness-adjudication>

## Overview

Learn to perform suitability adjudication and fitness determination required for federal employment. This course provides detailed guidance for federal agencies on how to assess an individual's suitability for sensitive positions and positions of public trust. Participants will learn the statutory and regulatory framework outlined in Title 5 CFR, Part 731, including criteria for suitability determinations and fitness adjudication using specific examples.

By the end of the course, participants will also be able to apply both traditional methodologies and those used by the Office of Personnel Management for designating position risk and making suitability determinations. Course content also includes the role of national security and evaluating a person's conduct, integrity and reliability. Participants will apply procedures for managing appeals, ensuring efficiency and promoting informed personnel management decisions across the federal government.

## What you'll learn

- Use Title 5, Code of Federal Regulations, Part 731 to identify responsibilities for the suitability and fitness process.
- Describe how to complete position risk designations and conduct the investigations process.
- Apply the suitability and fitness factors and additional considerations to suitability and fitness issues.
- Describe how to perform pre-employment screenings for suitability and fitness issues.
- Apply the traditional suitability and fitness adjudication determination guidelines to suitability and fitness issues

## Curriculum

#### Module 1: Introduction to Suitability and Fitness Adjudication

- Overview of suitability and fitness adjudication regulations.
- Roles and responsibilities of agencies, OPM, and adjudicators in the suitability and fitness process.
- Understanding the concept of "fitness" and "suitability" for federal employment.

#### Module 2: Position Risk Designations, Reciprocity, and Subject Engagement

- Designating federal public trust and national security positions based on risk levels.
- Understanding the investigative products provided by OPM/DCSA and how reciprocity applies.
- Recognizing the role of subject engagement in the suitability and fitness process.

#### Module 3: Suitability and Fitness Factors

- Understanding the nine suitability and fitness factors outlined in 5 CFR 731.
- Applying these factors to suitability and fitness issues and evaluating mitigating conditions.
- Recognizing the relationship between suitability, fitness, and qualifications for federal employment.

#### Module 4: Suitability and Fitness Pre-Employment Screening/Vetting Process

- Performing pre-employment screenings to identify suitability and fitness issues.
- Using the OF-306 form for initial screenings and referrals for adjudication.
- Applying suitability and fitness referral guidelines during the vetting process.

#### Module 5: Traditional Suitability and Fitness Adjudication Determination Guidelines

- Understanding the traditional suitability and fitness adjudication determination process.
- Applying the issue characterization chart and considering the recency and frequency of issues.
- Applying upgrades, downgrades, and additional considerations during adjudication.

#### Module 6: OPM’s New Suitability and Fitness Adjudication Determination Process

- Exploring the differences between traditional adjudication and OPM's new process.
- Understanding how to use OPM’s new worksheet for suitability and fitness determinations.

#### Module 7: Evidence – Supporting Your Determination

- Understanding the burden of proof in suitability and fitness cases.
- Identifying types of evidence and materials relied upon in adjudication.
- Exploring options for issue resolution and ensuring the dissemination and safeguarding of investigation materials.

#### Module 8: Identifying Merit Fraud

- Recognizing various types of merit fraud and the adjudicator’s role when merit fraud is found.
- Understanding the importance of maintaining the integrity of the merit system.

#### Module 9: Taking Action in Suitability and Fitness Cases – Unfavorable Determinations

- Understanding the steps involved in taking unfavorable actions under 5 CFR 731.
- Exploring the appeals process and the role of the Merit Systems Protection Board (MSPB) in suitability cases.

#### Module 10: Significant Precedent-Setting Cases

- Examining significant and precedent-setting cases in suitability and fitness adjudication.
- Understanding how case law influences future suitability and fitness decisions.

## Schedule
- Jul 14, 2026 – Jul 16, 2026 — Live Online
- Oct 7, 2026 – Oct 9, 2026 — Live Online

## Pricing

**Tuition:** $1299