The following table shows the amounts of education and/or experience required to qualify for positions covered by this standard. Although post high school education can be substituted for experience as described in the table, none of the technician positions require education beyond high school to minimally qualify. Refer to the vacancy announcement for further description of general or specialized experience, as required experience is related to the specific position being filled.
| Grade |
General Experience |
Specialized Experience |
Education |
| GS-1 |
None |
None |
None |
| GS-2 |
3 months |
None |
High school graduation or equivalent |
| GS-3 |
6 months |
None |
1 year above high school with course(s) related to the occupation, if required |
| GS-4 |
6 months |
6 months |
2 years above high school with courses related to the occupation, if required |
| GS-5 |
None |
1 year equivalent to at least GS-4 |
4-year course of study above high school leading to a bachelor's degree with courses related to the occupation, if required |
| GS-6 and above |
None |
1 year equivalent to at least next lower grade level |
See the NOTE below from the Education section |
Equivalent combinations of education and experience are qualifying for all grade levels and positions for which both education and experience are acceptable. |