Updated: April 2024

This is a quick post to go over the hiring process for the U.S. Foreign Service, with some time references for each step in the process. There is a page here that goes over my personal timeline in the hiring process and everything thereafter. For the most part, specialists and generalists have similar lengths of time from application to hire, but lots of factors can add length or shorten the timing of the process.

Step 1: Choose your track or specialty focus – This takes no time, especially for specialists, since they require specific experience in order to apply. A physician isn’t likely to apply as a generalist or IT specialist.

Step 2: Apply for the job – This can depend on whether or not they are currently taking applications. For Medical Providers, the application opens up every few months or so, so if the last window just closed, you might be waiting a bit. Generalists usually have 3 chances a year to take the FSOT and start their process. More detail about this step can be found here.

Step 3: Pass the Qualifications Evaluation Panel – This takes place a few months after you apply. In my case it was 5 months due to COVID-19, but more typically is 2-3 months later. More detailed info about this here.

Step 4: Take the Oral Assessment – Usually a couple of months after you pass the QEP, you will take the Oral Assessment. Previously done in person, all generalist and specialist positions are being moved to a virtual format. It was nearly 6 months from the time I passed the QEP to when I took the Oral Assessment, but this was largely due to COVID-19 and the process is a bit faster now. Individuals are given a numeric score upon completion, with successful candidates needing a 5.25 out of a possible 7 points to pass and move on. More detailed info here.

STEP 5: Medical and Security Clearances – If you pass the Oral Assessment, you are given a conditional job offer, and you start the process of getting Medical and Top Secret Security Clearance. Your first medical clearance has to be good enough that your conditions won’t limit you from serving in Medevac centers around the world. Worldwide medical clearances are no longer mandatory to join the Foreign Service. This process takes a month or so, but folks with significant health issues might get more scrutiny, and it could take up to a year. Detailed info about MED clearances here. Security clearances seem to average 6-9 months but can be done as soon as 3 months, or take a couple of years. Factors that lengthen the process are things like dual citizenship, criminal past, strong foreign ties, drug abuse, etc. Info about security clearances can be found here.

STEP 6: Suitability Review Panel – Once your clearances are done, a panel of individuals reviews your total package and makes a final decision about your suitability for employment. This usually takes a month or less, but some folks have been in this step longer. More detailed info can be found here.

STEP 7: Register of Cleared Candidates – Once you clear the suitability panel, you’re added to the register. Your oral assessment score plus any bonuses you get for language or military service is added to a rank ordered list from which they make hiring offers in rank order. For example, I got a 5.6 on my Oral Assessment. I rank ahead of everyone below that score, regardless of how long ago they got added to the list, but anyone with a higher score is above me. Each specialty has its own register, with some registers being very populated and competitive, and others having relatively few people, and anyone that passes has a good chance of getting hired. When you are on the register, an 18 month countdown begins. If you aren’t offered a job in those 18 months, you fall off the register and have to start all over again. If hired, you get invited to an orientation class, typically referred to as an A-100, where your career as a diplomat begins. More detailed info can be found here.

So there we have it. As you can see, even the fastest successful candidacies are looking at a year or so before getting through the process and into an orientation class, and I would venture that on average, it’s closer to 18 months to 2 years for most folks. This application process requires extreme patience, but for many is a worthwhile adventure.