# 5 C.F.R. § 534.501 (2026): Purpose

> Federal · Regulations · In force

URL: https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/CFR_T5_P534_S534_501

## Section

- **Citation:** 5 C.F.R. § 534.501 (2026)
- **Heading:** Purpose
- **Jurisdiction:** Federal
- **Kind:** Regulations
- **Status:** In force
- **Text as of:** August 14, 2026
- **Source:** Compiled text
- **Location:** Title 5 CFR: Administrative Personnel / Chapter I: OFFICE OF PERSONNEL MANAGEMENT / Part 534: PAY UNDER OTHER SYSTEMS / Subpart E: Pay for Senior-Level and Scientific or Professional Positions / § 534.501: § 534.501   Purpose.

## Text

This subpart provides rules for setting and adjusting rates of basic pay for senior-level (SL) and scientific or professional (ST) employees under 5 U.S.C. 5376. Section 5376, as amended by section 2 of the Senior Professional Performance Act of 2008 (Pub. L. 110-372, October 8, 2008), promotes performance-based pay by enabling an agency that attains certification of a performance appraisal system covering senior professionals to fix rates of basic pay for those employees up to the rate payable for level II of the Executive Schedule. Under 5 U.S.C. 5307(d) and subpart D of part 430 of this chapter, the Office of Personnel Management (OPM), with Office of Management and Budget (OMB) concurrence, grants certification only to a performance appraisal system that, in its design and application, makes meaningful distinctions based upon relative performance. This subpart implements the purpose of the law by providing for pay determinations for SL and ST employees to be based on individual performance, contributions to the agency's performance, or both, as determined through administration of the agency's performance management system(s) for SL and ST employees.

## Nearby sections

- [5 C.F.R. § 534.501 (2026) § 534.501   Purpose.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/CFR_T5_P534_S534_501.md)
- [5 C.F.R. § 534.502 (2026) § 534.502   Coverage.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/CFR_T5_P534_S534_502.md)
- [5 C.F.R. § 534.503 (2026) § 534.503   Definitions.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/CFR_T5_P534_S534_503.md)
- [5 C.F.R. § 534.504 (2026) § 534.504   Pay range.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/CFR_T5_P534_S534_504.md)
- [5 C.F.R. § 534.505 (2026) § 534.505   Written procedures.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/CFR_T5_P534_S534_505.md)
- [5 C.F.R. § 534.506 (2026) § 534.506   Setting a rate of basic pay upon appointment.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/CFR_T5_P534_S534_506.md)
- [5 C.F.R. § 534.507 (2026) § 534.507   Annual increases in basic pay.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/CFR_T5_P534_S534_507.md)
- [5 C.F.R. § 534.508 (2026) § 534.508   Reductions in a rate of basic pay.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/CFR_T5_P534_S534_508.md)
- [5 C.F.R. § 534.509 (2026) § 534.509   Preservation of an established rate of basic pay.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/CFR_T5_P534_S534_509.md)
- [5 C.F.R. § 534.510 (2026) § 534.510   Off-cycle pay increases.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/CFR_T5_P534_S534_510.md)
- [5 C.F.R. § 534.511 (2026) § 534.511   Exemption from performance appraisal requirements.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/CFR_T5_P534_S534_511.md)

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Source: Frix Law Library, https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/CFR_T5_P534_S534_501. Check the current official text before relying on it. Not legal advice.