# Travel Regulations for Non-Defense Agencies, FTR Course (TDY Only) Canonical URL: ## Overview Learn the current rules and regulations for temporary duty (TDY) travel for civilian employees in non-DoD agencies from expert instructors. Participants will learn the rules for travel authorizations, use of Government Travel Charge Card (GTCC), per diem allowances, transportation allowances, reimbursable allowances, contract (city-pair) discounted airfares, deductible meals, Government lodging, mess availability and non-availability, international travel, actual expense allowances for high cost areas, and more. ## What you'll learn - Comply with current FTR as contained in 41 Code of Federal Regulations (CFR), chapters 300 through 304. - Define and describe travel orders and the requirements for civilian personnel who are performing TDY. - Identify and compute allowances and entitlements for civilian personnel who are performing TDY. - Calculate per diem entitlements, reimbursable expenses, and allowances for total TDY reimbursements in all situations. - Help civilian employees to resolve complex travel problems. - Apply the requirements as stated in FTR 41, CFR Chapters 300–304 (TDY/PCS), in order to determine allowable TDY expenses and travel-related entitlements. ## Curriculum #### Module 1: Introduction to FTR - Define and explain the purpose and authority of the FTR. - Describe and utilize the FTR paragraph numbering system. - Obtain and utilize the FTR amendments from the General Services Administration (GSA) website. - Define Approving Officer's responsibilities. - Define application of the FTR. - Identify justifiable TDY travel assignments. - Explain and utilize a TMC to arrange official travel. #### Module 2: TDY Travel Orders - Define travel orders as used for the reimbursement of per diem, transportation, and reimbursable expenses. - Describe the four purposes for travel orders. - Define the three types of orders. - List the relevant information needed for all travel orders. - Explain travel order amendments. - Define blanket travel orders. - Define invitational travel orders. #### Module 3: Government Travel Charge Card and TDY Advances - Define the policy for use of the GTCC by all federal government employees. - Define the different types of GTCCs. - List the types of expenses and circumstances when a contractor-issued travel card is used. - List exemptions from the mandatory use of travel charge cards. - Describe the regulations for travel advances and the expenses that are covered. - Explain the four situations that allow travel advances for non-cash transaction expenses. #### Module 4: TDY Per Diem Rules - Explain and utilize the per diem rules for TDY travel. - Describe the TDY rules and exceptions for CONUS and OCONUS travel. - Evaluate travelers' claims for allowances and entitlements based on a wide variety of TDY travel circumstances. - Calculate TDY travel entitlements for 24 hours or less. - Calculate TDY travel entitlements for more than 24 hours. #### Module 5: Transportation by Airplane - Describe and explain the different modes of transportation. - Identify and describe the three required categories for using airlines. - Identify who may authorize/approve "other than economy/coach" accommodations. - Describe coach-class service, and identify the requirements when business-class or first-class service is authorized. - Describe U.S. Certified Air Carriers (flag air carrier or ship service), and identify the requirements when use of foreign air carrier or ship service can be authorized. - Describe GSA city-pair airfares, and identify the requirements when non-city-pair airfares can be authorized. #### Module 6: Transportation by Other Modes - Describe and explain the different modes of transportation. - Describe and explain the regulations governing the use of government conveyance on TDY. - Describe and explain the regulations for special conveyances. - Describe and explain the regulations for using a privately owned conveyance. - Compute a traveler's privately owned conveyance mileage reimbursement. - Calculate cost considerations for using a traveler's privately owned conveyance in lieu of a common carrier. #### Module 7: Miscellaneous Expenses - List and describe allowable miscellaneous reimbursable expenses. - Compute per diem allowances and miscellaneous travel expenses for CONUS TDY travel. - Compute per diem allowances and miscellaneous travel expenses for OCONUS TDY travel. - Compute per diem allowances and miscellaneous travel expenses for mixed TDY CONUS/OCONUS travel. - Compute miscellaneous expenses allowances. #### Module 8: Deductible Meals and Staying in Government Lodging - List and describe sources for deductible meals. - Compute per diem allowances after subtracting deductible meals. - Compute the incidental expenses when lodging is government quality. #### Module 9: TDY Options and Exceptions - Compute per diem allowances and reimbursable expenses when voluntary returns to PDS/residence occur on non-workdays. - Compute per diem allowances and reimbursable returns to PDS/residence on a daily basis. - Describe and explain how to use the International Date Line to interpret per diem allowances. - Apply appropriate travel regulations when a TDY trip is canceled, curtailed, or interrupted. #### Module 10: Conferences, Time, and Leave Limits on TDY - Describe reimbursable expenses at conferences. - Describe and explain when light refreshments at an official conference are authorized. - Describe and explain the effect of leave on per diem for civilian employees. #### Module 11: Actual Expense Allowance - Define and explain an actual expense allowance. - Compute the actual expense allowance for a TDY trip. - Describe the TDY assignments that warrant an actual expense allowance. #### Module 12: Emergency Travel While TDY - Describe the official definition and conditions for emergency travel. - Define family as used for emergency travel situations. - List the allowable expenses payable to employees and their families as a result of emergency travel. - Describe conditions when expenses for emergency travel are not allowable. ## Schedule - Jun 15, 2026 – Jun 17, 2026 — Live Online - Aug 4, 2026 – Aug 6, 2026 — Live Online - Oct 14, 2026 – Oct 16, 2026 — Live Online - Dec 16, 2026 – Dec 18, 2026 — Live Online ## Instructors ### Alan B. Robinson — Instructor Mr. Robinson is a seasoned legal and federal employment expert with over two decades of experience. He recently retired from the U.S. Department of Agriculture, Agricultural Research Service, where he spent 11 years as Deputy Director/Director for the Office of Outreach, Diversity, and Equal Opportunity (ODEO) and 8 years as Chief of Employee and Labor Relations. In these roles, he provided extensive guidance on federal employment matters, showcasing his deep expertise in labor relations and diversity initiatives. A graduate of the University of Virginia with a B.A. in Government, Mr. Robinson earned his Juris Doctorate from the University of Maryland School of Law. He is licensed to practice law in Maryland and the District of Columbia. Before his federal service, he built a robust legal career, starting as a law clerk for the Baltimore City Orphan’s Court, followed by 10 years as a civil defense litigator with a D.C. law firm, and later operating his own solo practice for 5 years. His private practice focused on representing federal agencies, employees, municipalities, and private entities in employment-related cases before the EEOC, Merit Systems Protection Board, and various courts. Currently, Mr. Robinson shares his wealth of knowledge as an adjunct instructor with the Graduate School USA and serves as a registered arbitrator for the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA). His extensive background in law, federal employment, and diversity makes him a valuable resource in his field. ### Alan McCain — Curriculum Program Manager Alan McCain is a retired combat veteran who served as both an Air Force enlisted member and a Navy officer. He brings over 30 years of experience spanning federal and commercial budgeting, auditing, programming, operations, global logistics support, supply chain and inventory management, as well as major IT acquisition. He possesses extensive, hands-on budget and audit experience across Federal, State, and Local government operations, including work within the Executive Office of the President and the Departments of State, Defense, Homeland Security, Health and Human Services, Housing and Urban Development, and Education, as well as the Office of the Mayor of Washington, D.C., among others. Alan’s consulting background includes strategic planning and business development with the District of Columbia government, multiple federal agencies, Lockheed Martin, KPMG, and PricewaterhouseCoopers. He is a Certified Government/Defense Financial Manager (CGFM/DFM), holds a Teaching Certification from Harvard University’s Bok Center for Teaching and Learning, and earned an Executive MBA in International Business from The George Washington University. ## Pricing **Tuition:** $1199