[Federal Register Volume 73, Number 162 (Wednesday, August 20, 2008)]
[Notices]
[Page 49223]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E8-19196]


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OFFICE OF PERSONNEL MANAGEMENT


Submission for OMB Review; Comment Request for a New Information 
Collection: Certificate of Medical Examination Optional Form (OF) XX--
Formerly Standard Form (SF) 78

AGENCY: Office of Personnel Management.

ACTION: Notice.

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SUMMARY: In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (Pub. 
L. 104-13, May 22, 1995), this notice announces that the Office of 
Personnel Management (OPM) submitted to the Office of Management and 
Budget (OMB) a request for clearance and use of Optional Form XX (OF-
XX), Certificate of Medical Examination, a revision of Standard Form 78 
(SF-78). The Certificate of Medical Examination is used by Federal 
agencies, OPM examining offices, and Federal agency appointing 
officials to determine medical qualifications for a specific position.
    We estimate approximately 45,000 forms will be completed each year. 
Each form requires from two to three hours to complete. The annual 
estimated burden is 135,000 hours.
    Comments: In the 60-Day Notice published in FR Vol. 71, No. 244, on 
December 20, 2006, we announced our request for review of a new 
information collection document, OF-XX, Certificate of Medical 
Examination. OPM invited receipt of public comment on the Optional Form 
by February 19, 2007, and received comments from three Federal 
agencies. All changes and recommendations were considered and 
incorporated as appropriate into the final OF-XX. A discussion of the 
comments is provided below.
    One agency inquired why OPM was revising the current SF-78. 
Revision and replacement is necessary because the SF-78 is no longer 
accurate. Revisions include making the form optional for agencies to 
use at their discretion, rather than required; to delete outdated 
references, such as the Federal Personnel Manual; and to incorporate 
changes required by 29 CFR 1630.13, which relates to prohibited medical 
inquiries and examinations related to the Equal Employment Opportunity 
provisions of the Americans with Disabilities Act.
    One agency requested that the revised form (OF-XX) be posted to the 
existing OPM forms Web site; that the form be electronically fillable; 
and that additional space be provided on the form for a description of 
employee duties. The OF-XX will be made available on the OPM forms Web 
site and will be made electronically fillable. Additional space has 
been provided in Part B of the form for an explanation of employee 
duties in the subject position.
    One agency requested that OPM provide adequate space for the 
clinician to comment on positive findings. OPM added supplemental space 
to the ``Conclusion'' section in Part C of the OF-XX.
    One agency requested that OPM reformat Part A to allow added room 
for names; to create separate and distinct parts; to change ``glasses'' 
to ``corrective lenses''; to add check boxes to areas where an examiner 
may document his or her interpretation of test results; and to clearly 
delineate vision and hearing boxes by moving instructions inside of the 
boxes where results are to be recorded. OPM addressed these concerns in 
the development of the OF-XX.
    For copies of this proposal, contact Margaret A. Miller on (202) 
606-2699, Fax (202) 418-3251 or e-mail to [email protected]. Please 
include a mailing address with your request.

DATES: Comments on this proposal should be received within 30 calendar 
days from the date of publication August 20, 2008.

ADDRESSES: Send or deliver written comments to:

Angela Bailey, Deputy Associate Director, Center for Talent and 
Capacity, U.S. Office of Personnel Management, 1900 E. Street, NW., 
Room 6551, Washington, DC 20415.
     And
Brenda Aguilar, OPM Desk Officer, Office of Information and Regulatory 
Affairs, Office of Management and Budget, New Executive Office Building 
NW., Room 10235, Washington, DC 20503.

    For Administrative Coordination Contact: J.C. Phillip Spottswood, 
Medical Policy and Programs, U.S. Office of Personnel Management, 1900 
E. Street, NW., Room 6500, Washington, DC 20415, Telephone: (202) 606-
1389, Fax: (202) 606-0864, e-mail: [email protected].

U.S. Office of Personnel Management.
Howard Weizmann,
Deputy Director.
[FR Doc. E8-19196 Filed 8-19-08; 8:45 am]
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