United States Department of Agriculture

Marketing and Regulatory Programs

Agricultural Marketing Service

Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service

Grain Inspection, Packers and Stockyards Administration

Directive MRP 4339.1 9/8/03

MEDICAL QUALIFICATION DETERMINATIONS FOR APPOINTMENT TO 

COVERED POSITIONS WITHIN MARKETING AND REGULATORY PROGRAMS 

1. PURPOSE

This Directive establishes the employment medical examination requirements as listed in

the Medical Examination Requirements Charts for appointment to covered positions

within Marketing and Regulatory Programs (MRP): Agricultural Marketing Service

(AMS); Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS); and Grain Inspection,

Packers and Stockyards Administration (GIPSA) inclusively.

2. REPLACEMENT HIGHLIGHTS

This Directive replaces AMS Directive 335.1, dated March 15, 1985.

3. AUTHORITIES

This Directive is based on:

a. 5 U.S. Code 3301, 3302, 7203.

b. Title 5, Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) Part 339.

4. POLICY

It is MRP policy that:

a. Employees be fully qualified to safely and efficiently perform the essential duties

and responsibilities of their positions without undue risk to themselves or others. 

They need only possess the minimum physical abilities necessary to perform their

jobs competently. Certain occupations may extend beyond sedentary but do not

have assigned medical standards and physical requirements for appointment.

b. Equal opportunity and full consideration to the hiring and placement of qualified

physically/mentally challenged individuals must be exercised. No otherwise

qualified physically/mentally challenged person will be subjected to

discrimination based upon his/her disability. 

 

 Distribution: AMS, APHIS, GIPSA Originating Office: MRPHRD-HRSE
Page 2

 c. Reasonable accommodation must be made to the known physical or mental

limitations of a qualified physically and/or mentally challenged applicant or

employee unless the agency can demonstrate that the accommodation would

impose an undue hardship on the operation of its program.

d. The agency will pay for all ordered or offered medical examinations, procedures,

and laboratory tests related to meeting medical standards requirements for

employment. If an applicant or employee pays for a medical examination,

procedure, and/or laboratory test that is ordered or offered by the employing

Program, the applicant or employee will be reimbursed the amount paid. 

5. COVERAGE

a. Occupations in MRP which are essentially sedentary or only moderately active in

nature do not have established medical standards beyond a general requirement

that employees be capable of carrying out the essential duties of their positions

without harm to themselves or others. 

b. The medical qualifications requirement for appointment does apply to all covered

positions as listed in the MRP Medical Examination Requirements Charts

(Attachments 1 through 3), regardless of the nature of the appointment (e.g.,

permanent, temporary) or the tour of duty (e.g., full-time, part-time, intermittent,

mixed tour).

6. DEVELOPMENT OF MEDICAL STANDARDS AND PHYSICAL

REQUIREMENTS

a. Certain occupations extend beyond sedentary and may require specific medical

standards and/or physical requirements. Programs have established medical

standards and physical requirements for covered positions in MRP in order to

ensure the safety of employees who labor in jobs with strenuous duties and/or

severe conditions.

b. Medical standards assign the minimum level of health status or fitness, which has

been determined by the Program, in consultation with Human Resources and

approved by the Agriculture Medical Officer, to be necessary for safe and

efficient performance (e.g., minimum vision or hearing standards). These

standards are justified on the basis that the duties are arduous or hazardous and

require a certain level of health status or fitness because the nature of the

positions involves a high degree of responsibility toward the public.

c. Physical requirements differ from medical standards in that they describe the

physical abilities that an employee must possess to perform successfully in the

job. The physical requirements may be described in terms of the specific physical
Page 3

abilities necessary to perform the tasks required in the job, e.g., “ability to lift 50

pounds.” These requirements must be clearly supported by the actual duties of

the position and documented in the position description.

7. RESPONSIBILITIES

a. Program managers and supervisors will:

(1) Establish medical standards and physical requirements for applicable

positions;

(2) Ensure that the need for establishing medical standards and physical

requirements is clearly supported by the nature of the job and its

environment;

(3) Obtain prior approval from MRP Human Resources Division (MRPHRD)

before initiating a requirement for a physical examination for an entire

series or group of new positions or existing positions now covered by self

certification;

(4) Identify the specific positions covered;

(5) Indicate the functional requirements and environmental factors on the

Certificate of Medical Examination (SF-78) and the Self Certification

Medical Statement (MRP-5). The MRP-5 can be accessed on the Internet

at www.aphis.usda.gov/library/forms;

(6) Require the applicant to take a physical examination or medical

procedure, at Government expense:

(a) If the applicant is applying for an MRP covered position where an

SF-78 or specific medical procedure is required, or

(b) If the applicant is applying for a position designated in the MRP

Drug Free Work Place Program Handbook at

http://www.aphis.usda.gov/library/manuals/pdf/workplace.pdf

 as one necessitating drug testing. The applicant must submit to

drug and/or alcohol testing prior to being offered a position with

the agency.

(7) Notify field installations and administrative offices of the current medical

procedures;
Page 4

(8) Notify field installations, administrative offices, and the appropriate

servicing personnel specialist of any changes in medical examination

requirements;

(9) Make any report of medical examination, which is not sent to the applicant

or employee, available to the employee upon request under the provisions

of 5 CFR Part 297; and

(10) Ensure personal protective equipment/clothing is provided, when needed.

b. Program managers and supervisors may:

(1) Change the specified functional requirements and environmental factors as

indicated on the SF-78 and MRP-5 without prior approval from Human

Resources Service Enhancement (HRSE);

(2) Eliminate the requirement for an SF-78 procedure for a particular series

upon notifying the servicing personnel office (prior approval from HRSE

is not required); and 

(3) Waive medical standards or physical requirements when there is sufficient

evidence (doctor's certification or independent verification) that an

applicant or employee, with or without reasonable accommodation, can

perform the essential duties of the position without endangering the health

and safety of the individual or others.

c. Applicants and employees will:

(1) Comply with the instructions and medical examination requirements

within the allotted timeframe; 

(2) Provide medical information, as necessary, relevant to their ability to

perform the duties of the position safely and efficiently;

(3) Demonstrate the ability to meet the medical and physical requirements of

the position for which applying; and 

(4) Use any protective equipment, clothing, and devices provided or notify the

supervisor when not available.

d. Field offices will:

(1) Distribute appropriate medical examination requirement forms to

applicants and employees for covered positions;
Page 5

(2) Instruct and ensure that covered applicants and employees complete the

medical examination requirements within the allotted time;

(3) Forward medical examination result forms to MRP Business Services,

Human Resources Operations, Minneapolis, MN, for filing in employee

medical files.

e. Servicing personnel offices will:

(1) Complete the SF-78, Part E and/or the MRP-5, Section F (as appropriate);

(2) File the completed medical examination requirement forms in the

employee’s medical file; and

(3) In accordance with provisions of the Privacy Act, confer with and forward

to the USDA Medical Officer or APHIS Medical Officer, as appropriate,

the medical documentation and report of examination for individuals who

receive questionable medical report results.

(4) Notify the applicant, in writing, that the job offer is being withdrawn when

questionable medical results are received prior to appointment, and, after

reviewing the results, the USDA Medical Officer or APHIS Medical

Officer, as appropriate, agrees with the findings that the applicant cannot

meet the physical requirements of the job. The Servicing Personnel Office

will advise the selecting official about filing an objection when it is

necessary to eliminate the applicant from the certificate in order to make

an alternative selection.

(5) Contact the servicing employee relations specialist for further assistance if

questionable medical results are received on a newly appointed employee,

and, if after reviewing the results, the USDA Medical Officer or APHIS

Medical Officer, as appropriate, agrees with the findings that the

employee cannot meet the physical requirements of the job. Upon the

request of the employee, the agency should make attempts to provide

reasonable accommodations.

NOTE: The USDA Medical Officer or APHIS Medical Officer, as appropriate,

will review the medical reports and test results which have been referred due to

questionable or unfavorable results; immediately notify the employee, through the

supervisor, if any abnormalities are uncovered during the review of the medical

examination or test report; and recommend appropriate retesting and followup.

Issuance Change 2

8/16/04
Page 6

f. MRPHRD,HRSE, will:

(1) Develop policy relevant to the medical qualification requirements;

(2) Provide management advisory services;

(3) Provide guidance to the servicing personnel office on statutory and

regulatory requirements; and

(4) Evaluate and approve/disapprove MRP agencies' requests for initiating a

physical examination requirement.

8. DISPOSITION OF MEDICAL EXAMINATION DOCUMENTATION

a. Employee medical files will be maintained by:

USDA, MRP Business Services, HRD

Human Resources Operations

Minneapolis Business Site

Butler Square 100 N. 6th Street

Minneapolis, MN 55403

b. Employee medical records and reports obtained for medical qualification

determinations will be maintained in accordance with Title 5 CFR, Part 293,

Subpart E. In accordance with the Privacy Act, medical information received for

this purpose must be made available to the applicant or employee under the

provisions of Title 5 CFR, Part 297.

9. INQUIRIES

a. Contact your servicing Human Resources Specialist for operational aspects of

medical qualification requirements.

b. Contact HRSE for policy-related issues regarding medical qualification

requirements.

c. This Directive is available on the MRPHR home page at

http://www.aphis.usda.gov/mrpbs/hr/index.shtml

the Employee Library at www.aphis.usda.gov/library

and on the AMS Issuances home page at www.ams.usda.gov/issuances

/s/

William J. Hudnall

Deputy Administrator

MRP Business Services

 

Attachment 1 - AMS Chart

Attachment 2 - APHIS Chart

Attachment 3 - GIPSA Chart 
 

AGRICULTURAL MARKETING SERVICE (AMS) MEDICAL EXAMINATION REQUIREME

Program Series Position Title

Vision & Color

Acuity

2

Baseline

Audiogram

2

Tine Test

Chest x-ray

(Tuberculosis)

2, 3

Self-Certification Medica

Statement (SCMS)

 (MRP-5) 2,4

Yes

2

No

1

Yes

2

No

1

Yes

2

No

1 Pre

appointment

Post

appointme

P

r

e

P

o

s

t

P

r

e

P

o

s

t

P

r

e

Po

s

t

Poultry (PY) GS-1980, Agricultural Commodity

Grader (ACG) 

X X XX

GS-1981, Agricultural Commodity 

Aid

X X XX

Tobacco (TB) GS-1980, Agricultural Commodity

Grader (ACG)

X X XX

Livestock &Seed (L&S) 

GS-0099, Student Trainee (Meat

Grading)

XX X 

GS-1980, Agricultural Commodity

Grader (Meat)

XX X 

GS-1981, Meat Acceptance 

Specialist

XX X 

Cotton(CN)

GS-1980, Classers X X X 

Dairy (DA)

GS-1980, Agricultural Commodity

Grader

X
 

AGRICULTURAL MARKETING SERVICE (AMS) MEDICAL EXAMINATION REQUIREME

Program Series Position Title

Vision & Color

Acuity

2

Baseline

Audiogram

2

Tine Test

Chest x-ray

(Tuberculosis)

2, 3

Self-Certification Medica

Statement (SCMS)

 (MRP-5) 2,4

Yes

2

No

1

Yes

2

No

1

Yes

2

No

1 Pre

appointment

Post

appointme

P

r

e

P

o

s

t

P

r

e

P

o

s

t

P

r

e

Po

s

t

Fruit &Vegetable(F&V)

GS-1146, Agricultural Marketing

Specialist (Fresh) -FreshProducts Branch (FPB)

X

GS-1146, Agricultural Marketing

Specialist (Processed),Eastern and WesternRegions, ProcessedProducts Branch

XX X X 

GS-1147, Fruit and Vegetable 

Market Reporter

XX X X 

GS-1980, Agricultural Commodity

Grader (Fresh)

XX X X 

GS-1980, Agricultural Commodity

Grader (Processed)6

XX X X X5 X5 

GS-1981, Agricultural Commodity

Aid (Fresh)

XX X X 

GS-1981, Agricultural Commodity

Aid (Processed)

X X XX5 X5

*Medical Surveillance Program for covered positions in Science and Technology Programs
 

AGRICULTURAL MARKETING SERVICE (AMS) MEDICAL EXAMINATION REQUIREME

Program Series Position Title

Vision &

Color

Acuity 2

Baseline

Audiogram 2

Electrocardiogram 2 Tine Test Chest x-ray (Tuberculosis) 2, 3 Blood/Urine Monitoring 2 Resp

Funct

P

r

e Annual

P

r

 e Annual

P

r

 e Annual

P

r

 e Post

P

r

e

Semi

Annual

P

r

 e 

Science andTechnology(S&T) *

GS-303, Laboratory AidGS-403, MicrobiologistGS-404, Biological Science 

Laboratory Techncn

GS-1301, Physical Scientist/ Aflatoxin SpecialistGS-1311, Physical Science

Technician/Aid

GS-1320, ChemistGS-1980, Agricultural Commodity

Grader

WG-3511, Laboratory WorkerWG-3515, Laboratory Support

Worker

XXXXXXXXX

XXXXXXXXX

XXXXXXXXX

XXXXXXXXX

XXXXXXXXX

*In S&T, the comprehensive Medical Surveillance Program services include vision and color acuity tests, audiological tests, electrocardiogram, chest x-ray, tub

function test, and blood and urine analyses every six months. If a pre-appointment vision & color acuity, blood/urine evaluation and medical examination canno

appointment, a post appointment vision & color acuity, blood/urine assessment and medical examination should be completed within 90-calendar days after entr

monitoring will be required thereafter on a semiannual basis. Medical examinations will be required on an annual basis.

1 An applicant can be required to take a physical examination at Government expense if the applicant's responses on the MRP-5 reveal the existence of a medical conditio

efficiently perform the essential functions of the position without hazard to themselves or others. Based upon a response on the MRP-5 and at the discretion of the appoi

government expense, may be required.

2 At Government Expense3 Tine Test Chest x-rays are conducted at a frequency deemed acceptable by an individual’s physician.4 Derivation of the former SF-177, Statement of Physical Ability for Light Duty Work and AMS-5. The SF-177 and the AMS-5 have been eliminated.

5 Timing dependent upon appointment6 SF-78 form is only required in Processed Products Branch (PPB) for GS-5/7 Graders. Physical examinations are waived in PPB for Temporary, GS-1980-5/7 Raisin Gra
1 (A) Minimum eligibility requirements for pilot positions are based on possession of the appropriate Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) pilot certificate

(B) Prior to initial appointment, applicants for pilot positions in APHIS must possess a current first or second-class medical certificate (FAA Form 8500-

Aviation Regulations. (Both meet the intent of the requirement.) 

(C) If a decision is made not to accept the second-class medical certificate, the rationale for the decision should be based upon the requirements of the posit

described in the operating materials.

(D) Meet the medical requirements prescribed for the possession of the necessary pilot’s license. 

2 At Government Expense. 

ANIMAL & PLANT HEALTH INSPECTION SERVICE (APHIS)

MEDICAL EXAMINATION REQUIREMENTS CHART

The following positions require specific medical certification:

Series Position Medical Certificate

(FAA-8500-9) 

[Current first

 or 

second class]

Certificat

Ph

Pre-appointment 

GS-2181 Pilot1 X

WS-5001, WG-5001 Tree Climber 

(within 10 

 If the applicant is applying for a position designated in the MRP Drug Free Work Place Program Handbook as one necessitating dru

http://www.aphis.usda.gov/library/manuals/pdf/workplace.pdf, the applicant must submit to drug and/or alcohol testing prior to bein

Agency. 
MPR Directive 4339.1

Attachment #3

GRAIN INSPECTION, PACKERS AND STOCKYARDS ADMINISTRATION (GIPSA)

MEDICAL EXAMINATION REQUIREMENTS CHART

(Reserved)