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H.R. 6537House118th Congress (2023-2025)In Committee

REWARD Experience Act of 2023

Sponsored by Marilyn StricklandRep. Marilyn Strickland (D-WA)
Introduced November 30, 2023

AI-Generated Summary

Updated January 20, 2026 at 1:20 PM UTC

The REWARD Experience Act of 2023 lets hiring managers at Department of Defense medical treatment facilities waive the General Schedule work‑experience requirements for nursing and practical‑nurse positions. The waiver applies when the applicant is already a DoD nurse (or has served at least one year) and has earned a bachelor’s or graduate degree from an accredited nursing program. Other GS qualification standards must still be met. This change affects hiring of nurses at military hospitals and other DoD health‑care facilities.

Key Provisions

  • Hiring managers may waive any OPM‑set General Schedule work‑experience qualification for nursing or practical‑nurse applicants who are current or former DoD nurses with at least one year of service and who have earned a bachelor’s or graduate nursing degree from an accredited program.
  • When a waiver is used, the hiring manager must certify to the Director of OPM that the applicant meets all remaining General Schedule qualification standards for the position.

Legislative Activity

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1 earlier action
HouseIntro Referral Latest Action

Referred to the House Committee on Armed Services.

Armed Services Committee

November 30, 2023

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HouseIntro Referral

Introduced in House

November 30, 2023

HouseIntro Referral

Referred to the House Committee on Armed Services.

Armed Services Committee

November 30, 2023

Bill Text

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Introduced in HouseIssued November 30, 2023

I

118th CONGRESS

1st Session

H. R. 6537

IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

November 30, 2023

Ms. Strickland introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Armed Services

A BILL

To waive General Schedule qualification standards related to work experience for nurses at military medical treatment facilities, and for other purposes.

1.

Short title

This Act may be cited as the REWARD Experience Act of 2023.

2.

Waiver with respect to experienced nurses at military medical treatment facilities

(a)

In general

The hiring manager of a military medical treatment facility or other health care facility of the Department of Defense may waive any General Schedule qualification standard related to work experience established by the Director of the Office of Personnel Management in the case of any applicant for a nursing or practical nurse position in a medical treatment facility or other health care facility the Department of Defense who—

(1)(A)

is a nurse or practical nurse in the Department of Defense; or

(B)

was a nurse or practical nurse in the Department of Defense for at least 1 year; and

(2)

after commencing work as a nurse or practical nurse in the Department of Defense, obtained a Bachelor's degree or graduate degree from an accredited professional nursing educational program.

(b)

Certification

If, in the case of any applicant described in subsection (a), a hiring manager waives a qualification standard in accordance with such subsection, such hiring manager shall submit to the Director of the Office of Personnel Management a certification that such applicant meets all remaining General Schedule qualification standards established by the Director of the Office of Personnel Management for the applicable position.