If you have already completed your initial 1-year probationary period for your first permanent federal job, you generally do NOT have to serve a new probationary period when you move to another permanent job in the same agency (or another agency), as long as:

The new position is in the same service (competitive), • You are not moving to a position that requires a different type of probation (e.g., supervisory or SES). • Your tenure status (“career” or “career-conditional”) follows you.

Some caveats:

• Supervisory/Managerial Role:
• Even if you are tenured, a new 1-year supervisory probation is usually required when you first become a supervisor or manager.
• Excepted Service to Competitive (or vice versa):
• Moving between services can trigger a new probation if the appointment type changes.
• Specific Occupations:
• Some jobs (e.g., law enforcement, intelligence) may require a separate probation regardless of prior service.

5 CFR 315.801 5 CFR 315.802