You must submit official transcripts, unofficial transcripts, or USAJOBS Course Listings at the time of your application if any of the following apply to you:

Scenario	Details
Substituting Education	You are using education to substitute for specialized experience, or combining education and experience to qualify.
Basic Education Requirement	The job posting explicitly requires a degree (e.g., specific accounting, auditing, or contracting positions).
Degree Claimed	You indicated that you hold a degree in your occupational questionnaire or resume.

Acceptable Transcript Types

If transcripts are required, ensure your education information is clearly stated on your resume and upload one of the following to your USAJobs account:

Transcript Type	What It Must Include
Official Transcript	Registrar's (or authorized official's) signature, seal, or stamp. Note: A legible photocopy of the official transcript is acceptable for the initial application.
Unofficial Transcript	A clear, readable copy of your college courses from your university’s course completion system, portal, or the like. Important! If you are selected for a job, you will be required to provide the Human Resources Specialist with your official transcripts, which may be submitted digitally.
USAJOBS Course Listing	A generated list of courses, grades earned, completion dates, and quarter/semester hours earned through your USAJOBS account.

Note: Grade reports and copies of college diplomas are not considered acceptable proof of education.
Before uploading your educational documents, verify that they meet the following mandatory standards:

• Identifying Information: Your full name and the school's name must be clearly visible on the document.
• Accreditation: Coursework is only accepted from institutions included on the U.S. Department of Education’s list of accredited schools.
• Foreign Education: Degrees from outside the U.S. must be evaluated for equivalence to U.S. accredited standards. See the OPM Application of Qualification Standards for educational and training requirements on foreign education (4.a.3).

If you are using a professional certificate or license (such as a CPA) to meet the qualifications stated in the job announcement, you must upload acceptable proof of that education.

Document Type	Description
Copy of Certification	A clear scan of your official certificate.
Copy of License	A clear scan of your active professional license.
Official Correspondence	A letter from the credentialing agency stating you have passed all requirements and your certification/license is forthcoming.

If you are applying as a current or former Federal (or DFAS) employee, an SF-50 is mandatory to verify your federal status and grade.

In most cases, submitting a single SF-50 is sufficient, provided it clearly displays the following three critical items:

Required Item	What It Proves for Your Application
Tenure	Verifies your current or former Federal status.
Highest Permanent Grade	Confirms a grade level you have held for at least 52 weeks.

When Are Two SF-50s Required?

You may be required to submit two distinct SF-50s if you are a current DFAS employee, but your highest permanent grade was achieved while working at a different federal agency.

Document	What It Must Show
SF-50 #1	Your current DFAS position and tenure.
SF-50 #2	The highest permanent grade you held for 52 weeks at your previous agency.

How to Get Copies of your SF-50s

If you are a current Federal employee, contact your HR office for a copy of your SF-50s. If you are a former federal employee, submit a signed, written request to the National Personnel Records Center (NPRC).

To qualify for veterans’ preference or a specific veterans’ hiring authority, you must submit the appropriate military documentation.

Document Type	Submission Guidelines
DD-214	Any "Member Copy" is acceptable, provided that the character of discharge is clearly listed.
Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) disability letter and/or SF-15	Required if you are claiming 30% or more disability, have a service connected disability, or are claiming 10-point preference.

How to Get Copies of your Veterans Documentation

You can request your military service records (e.g., DD214) online using the National Archives' eVetRecs tool.

To qualify for Military Spouse Preference, you must provide a completed Military Spouse PPP Self-Certification Checklist dated within the last 30 days, along with any additional documents identified on that checklist.

How to Access and Complete the Checklist

To ensure the form functions correctly on your device, please follow these technical steps:

Step	Action Required
1. Download	Select "Save" or "Save As" to download the checklist document directly to your device (do not fill it out in the browser).
2. Open & Enable	Open the saved file and click "Enable All Features" at the top of the screen.
3. Complete	The form is now ready to be filled out, signed, and saved for upload to USAJOBS.

Special Hiring Authorities

Are you applying under a unique hiring authority (e.g., Schedule A for individuals with disabilities, Peace Corps, etc.)? Click here to review other authorities and the specific documentation you are required to submit.

Cover Letter (Optional)

A cover letter is a great way to introduce yourself to the hiring official and explain your passion for the mission. While it will be forwarded with your resume, it will not be used to verify your qualifications or eligibility. Your resume must stand on its own.