30-Day Notice of Proposed Information Collection: Foreign Service Officer Test Registration Form

ACTION:

Notice of request for public comment and submission to OMB of proposed collection of information.

SUMMARY:

The Department of State has submitted the information collection described below to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for approval. In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 we are requesting comments on this collection from all interested individuals and organizations. The purpose of this Notice is to allow 30 days for public comment.

DATES:

Submit comments directly to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) up to May 25, 2018.

ADDRESSES:

Direct comments to the Department of State Desk Officer in the Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs at the Office of Management and Budget (OMB). You may submit comments by the following methods:

• Email: oira_submission@omb.eop.gov. You must include the DS form number, information collection title, and the OMB control number in the subject line of your message.
• Fax: 202-395-5806. Attention: Desk Officer for Department of State.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

• Title of Information Collection: Foreign Service Officer Test Registration Form.
• OMB Control Number: 1405-0008.
• Type of Request: Extension of a Currently Approved Collection.
• Originating Office: Bureau of Human Resources, Board of Examiners.
• Form Number: DS-1998E.
• Respondents: Registrants for the Foreign Service Officer Test.
• Estimated Number of Respondents: 12,000.
• Estimated Number of Responses: 12,000.
• Average Time per Response: 2 hours.
• Total Estimated Burden Time: 24,000.
• Frequency: Annually.
• Obligation To Respond: Required to Obtain or Retain a Benefit.

We are soliciting public comments to permit the Department to:

• Evaluate whether the proposed information collection is necessary for the proper functions of the Department.
• Evaluate the accuracy of our estimate of the time and cost burden for this proposed collection, including the validity of the methodology and assumptions used.
• Enhance the quality, utility, and clarity of the information to be collected.
• Minimize the reporting burden on those who are to respond, including the use of automated collection techniques or other forms of information technology.

Please note that comments submitted in response to this Notice are public record. Before including any detailed personal information, you should be aware that your comments as submitted, including your personal information, will be available for public review.

Abstract of Proposed Collection

Individuals registering for the Foreign Service Officer Test will complete a Registration Form that consists of an application form. This includes information about their name, date of birth, Social Security Number, contact information, gender, race, national origin, disability status, education, work history, and military experience. The information will be used to prepare and issue admission to the Foreign Service Officer Test, to provide data useful for improving future tests, and to conduct research studies based on the test results.

Methodology

The registration process, which includes concurrent application submission and seat selection, opens approximately four (4) weeks prior to each testing window. To register, individuals go to peasonvue.com/fsot/ during the four-week period prior to a specific testing window to create an account, submit completed eligibility verification and application forms, and select a location and seat for the specific test date.