Notice: The uscode.house.gov website is currently operating in a temporary format. While the United States Code remains available from its authoritative source, some website features and functionality are temporarily unavailable.
The United States Code Online is current through Public Law 119-120 (October 7, 2026).
Search & Browse Currency and Updating Classification Tables Popular Name Tool Positive Law Codification Editorial Reclassification Downloads
5 U.S.C. 2103: The excepted serviceText contains those laws in effect through Public Law 119-120 (October 7, 2026).
From Title 5-GOVERNMENT ORGANIZATION AND EMPLOYEESCHAPTER 21-DEFINITIONS
Jump To: Source CreditHistorical and Revision NotesEditorial NotesAmendmentsStatutory Notes and Related SubsidiariesEffective Date of Amendment

§2103. The excepted service

(a)  For the purpose of this title, the “excepted service” consists of those civil service positions which are not in the competitive service or the Senior Executive Service.

(b)  As used in other Acts of Congress, “unclassified civil service” or “unclassified service” means the “excepted service”.

( Pub. L. 89–554 , Sept. 6, 1966 , 80 Stat. 408 ; Pub. L. 95–454, title IV, § 401(c) , Oct. 13, 1978 , 92 Stat. 1154 .)

Historical and Revision Notes

The section is supplied for convenience. The “excepted service” has come to mean all employees not in the competitive service, for whatever reason.

Editorial Notes

Amendments

1978⁠—Subsec. (a). Pub. L. 95–454 inserted reference to Senior Executive Service.

Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries

Effective Date of 1978 Amendment

Amendment by Pub. L. 95–454 effective 9 months after Oct. 13, 1978, and congressional review of provisions of sections 401 through 412 of Pub. L. 95–454, see section 415 of Pub. L. 95–454, set out as an Effective Date note under section 3131 of this title.