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2302(c) Certification Process

​STEP 1: Registrati​on

To begin the certification process, please fill out the registration form​​​​ and email the form to OSC at certification@osc.gov. The registration process allows OSC to provide additional assistance to agencies seeking certification or recertification. If you have any questions regarding the program, please email the same address or call the helpline at (202) 804-7163. Once OSC receives the completed form, we will enroll you in the program and list your agency on OSC's website.​​


STEP 2: Complete the five certification requirements

Accordion Control

1. Place informational po​sters at agency facilities

​Post the laws regarding Prohibited Personnel Practices (PPPs) as well as information regarding the process for making confidential disclosures to OSC. Posters containing this information should be displayed in all personnel and Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) offices and in other prominent places throughout the agency.

The following posters are required to be posted throughout your agency and made available on your intranet in order to obtain certification:

  • "Whistleblowing”​​​​: Defines a “whistleblower” as someone who discloses information he or she reasonably believes evidences a violation of any law, rule, or regulation; gross mismanagement; gross waste of funds; an abuse of authority; a substantial and specific danger to public health or safety.

  • “Whistleblower Retaliation”: Asks, “What is whistleblower retaliation?” A federal employee authorized to take, direct others to take, recommend or approve any personnel action may not take, fail to take, or threaten to take any personnel action against an employee because of protected whistleblowing. Cites an example. Defines “protected whistleblowing.”

  • “Prohibited Personnel Practices” (PPPs)​​​: Lists 14 prohibitions, including: whistleblower retaliation; discrimination for engaging in conduct unrelated to work performance, such as discrimination based on gender identity or sexual orientation; and hiring and promotion offenses that offend the merit system. 5 U.S.C. § 2302(b)(1)-(b)(14).

The following materials, though not required to obtain certification, are also highly recommended:

2. Provide i​nformation about the 14 PPPs and whistleblower disclosures to new employees as part of the orientation process
​Provide, in new employee orientation packets, written materials on PPPs and whistleblower disclosures. OSC has created informational materials, including an outline of PPP rights and remedies (“Your Rights as a Federal Employee​​​” and “Know Your Rights When Reporting Wrongs​​​​​”) that can either be printed or sent via e-mail.​

3. Provide information to current employees about the 14 PPPs and whistleblower disclosures​

​Provide to all employees on an annual basis, written materials on PPPs, whistleblower disclosures, and OSC’s role in enforcing the laws over which it has jurisdiction. Agencies should also include this information on agency websites. As noted above, OSC has developed materials that can be e-mailed to help agencies fulfill this requirement.​ We have developed a sample memo​​ for agencies to use for this purpose.​

4. T​rain supervisors on the 14 PPPs and whistleblower disclosures

In consultation with OSC, provide training to managers and supervisors to ensure their understanding of their responsibilities under the PPP and whistleblower protection provisions of Title 5. If your agency elects to use forms or training materials outside of the materials provided by OSC, yo​​u must send the materials to OSC and receive approval prior to dissemination to ensure the materials meet the requirements of the program. OSC strongly recommends in-person, interactive training, especially for high-level managers and supervisors. Supervisory training should be tracked to ensure that all supervisors have been trained prior to filling out the compliance form. OSC has developed several options to aid agencies in fulfilling this requirement of the program, including a training quiz  and a PowerPoint presentation (coming soon). As noted above, OSC also provides speakers for satellite and/or local training or to address larger groups of employees.

  • Annual Supervisory Training  PowerPoint Presentation​ (​please note this PowerPoint is not intended as a standalone training tool, instead it should be used as a supplement to in-person training or may be provided to supervisors in addition to having them complete the quiz)

  • PPP and Whistleblower Disclosure Training Quiz (coming soon) ​

​​​​5. ​​​​​​Display a link to OSC’s website on the agency’s website and intranet

​Provide a link from the agency’s website and​ intranet site to OSC's website (https://osc.gov).​​​

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STEP​ 3: Maintain certification by completing an Annual ​Certification Checklist 

​Agencies will maintain certification by completing a quick and easy Annual Certification Checklist​ to ensure ongoing compliance.


STEP 4: Sub​​mit the compliance form (every three years)​

After completing the five requirements of the program, complete the complian​ce form​​​ and email the form and supporting documentation to certification@osc.gov. After OSC reviews the submission and ensures satisfaction of the five requirements, we will grant the agency a certificate of compliance indicating the agency's fulfillment of the statutory obligation under section 2302(c) as well as compliance with the Dr. Chris Kirkpatrick Whistleblower Protection Act of 2017 and the NDAA. Additionally, we list certified agencies on OSC's website and report federal agencies' compliance with OSC's 2302(c) ​Certification Program annually to Congress. Agencies will request recertification by submitting a compliance form (along with supporting documentation) every three years.​​