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Outbyte PC Repair FREERepair Windows errors before they cause bigger problemsFix Now →Outbyte Driver Updater FREEScan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minuteDriver Scan →The 2025 federal hiring freeze’s final extension ended on October 15, 2025. On that date, Executive Order 14356 established a successor framework for executive-branch hiring, including agency committee approvals and annual staffing plans. The original freeze did not simply continue unchanged after October 15. Whether a particular federal vacancy or offer can proceed depends on the rules governing that hiring action and the agency’s decision.
Federal hiring freeze dates and changes
| Date | What changed |
|---|---|
| January 20, 2025 | The President issued the initial “Hiring Freeze” memorandum covering federal civilian hiring across the executive branch. Initial OMB and OPM guidance addressed vacant and new positions, exemptions, and agency reporting. White House memorandum |
| April 17, 2025 | A presidential memorandum extended the freeze through July 15, 2025. It continued restrictions on filling vacant civilian positions and creating new ones, subject to the memorandum and applicable law, and tied hiring to the Merit Hiring Plan once adopted. White House extension memorandum |
| May 29, 2025 | OPM issued the Merit Hiring Plan referenced in the later memoranda under Executive Order 14170. The sources establish its issuance date and relevance, but do not provide enough detail here to describe all of its criteria. April extension memorandum |
| July 7, 2025 | A further presidential memorandum extended the freeze through October 15, 2025. OPM published an FAQ explaining the extension’s implementation and exceptions. White House extension memorandum · OPM FAQ |
| October 15, 2025 | The July extension ran through this date. Executive Order 14356, “Ensuring Continued Accountability in Federal Hiring,” established a subsequent framework with agency strategic hiring committees, annual staffing plans coordinated with OPM and OMB, and quarterly progress updates beginning in the second quarter of fiscal year 2026. Executive Order 14356 |
| June 2, 2026 | OPM’s published-memos index lists a memo titled “Current OPM Cross-Government Hiring Actions.” The listing confirms that later guidance was posted, but does not establish its operative details or any specific agency’s hiring status. OPM published memos |
What the freeze covered
OPM described the July extension as applying to executive departments and agencies regardless of funding, and to federal civilian appointments regardless of appointment length. As a general rule, a covered vacant civilian position could not be filled and a new position could not be created unless the memorandum or applicable law allowed it. Hiring also had to align with the Merit Hiring Plan. OPM FAQ
The April extension likewise reached executive departments and agencies regardless of operational or programmatic funding. Executive Order 14356 also applied broadly to executive departments and agencies regardless of funding, but it created its own approval and staffing-plan requirements rather than simply restating the dated extension. April extension memorandum · Executive Order 14356
How restrictions and approval rules changed
Through October 15, 2025: the July extension
The July memorandum and OPM FAQ listed exceptions for military personnel; positions related to immigration enforcement, national security, or public safety; and the Executive Office of the President. OPM’s FAQ also enumerated presidentially appointed or Senate-confirmed positions, certain noncareer Senior Executive Service and excepted-service appointments, temporary organization appointments under 5 U.S.C. § 3161, specified noncareer hires approved by presidentially appointed leadership, and positions affecting Social Security, Medicare, or veterans’ healthcare or benefits. OPM could grant additional exemptions. July extension memorandum · OPM FAQ
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For departments and independent establishments authorized to use the FAQ’s approval process, certain hires could proceed one business day after written approval by the agency head, chief of staff, or a presidentially appointed officer was transmitted to OPM. OPM exemptions granted earlier remained effective unless withdrawn. These were specific procedures under the July extension, not a universal approval route for every federal hiring action. OPM FAQ
From October 15, 2025: Executive Order 14356
The order created a different framework. It requires agency strategic hiring committees to approve the creation or filling of vacancies and agencies to prepare annual staffing plans in coordination with OPM and OMB. It also provides for agency-head approval of specified hires and requires written notice to OPM of committee-approved hires. Executive Order 14356
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Its exceptions are not worded identically to those in the July memorandum. The order includes the Executive Office of the President, specified noncareer appointments, Schedule C or Schedule G positions, military personnel, relevant immigration-enforcement, national-security, and public-safety positions, temporary-organization authority, some appointments approved by agency leadership, conflicts with applicable law, and OPM exemptions. Earlier OPM exemptions remain effective unless withdrawn. Which rule applies depends on the hiring action and governing instrument; the July exception list should not be assumed to carry over unchanged. Executive Order 14356
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.What a job seeker or candidate should check
A government-wide summary cannot determine whether a particular posting remains open, whether an offer can be finalized, or whether a role qualifies for an exception. The answer can depend on the agency, appointment type, applicable exception, written approvals or exemptions, and rules in force for that hiring action.
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- Ask the agency’s HR contact about the specific action. Confirm whether the vacancy is still active and which policy or approval process governs it.
- Ask whether an exception or exemption applies. If the agency says the action can proceed, clarify what written approval or OPM exemption supports that decision.
- Check current OPM guidance. OPM’s index lists a cross-government hiring-actions memo dated June 2, 2026, but the listing alone does not establish its detailed requirements or resolve an individual case. OPM published memos
For any particular vacancy or pending offer, rely on current OPM guidance and confirmation from the hiring agency; the general policy timeline is not a determination of an individual appointment.
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