Notice2024-12825
Statistical Policy Directive No. 10 Standard Occupational Classification (SOC)-Request for Comments on Possible Revision for 2028
Primary source
Metadata and text below are from the Federal Register, a public-domain U.S. government work. Always verify the official published version before relying on it for any legal matter.
Published
June 12, 2024
Issuing agencies
Management and Budget Office
Abstract
The Office of Management and Budget (OMB), on behalf of the Standard Occupational Classification Policy Committee (SOCPC), announces the review of the 2018 Standard Occupational Classification (SOC) Manual for potential revisions to be made for 2028 and solicits public comment. This review and possible revision of the 2018 SOC is intended to be completed by the beginning of 2027 and then released to begin use in reference year 2028. Details about these topics are available in the SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION section below.
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[Federal Register Volume 89, Number 114 (Wednesday, June 12, 2024)]
[Notices]
[Pages 49911-49916]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [<a href="http://www.gpo.gov">www.gpo.gov</a>]
[FR Doc No: 2024-12825]
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OFFICE OF MANAGEMENT AND BUDGET
Statistical Policy Directive No. 10 Standard Occupational
Classification (SOC)--Request for Comments on Possible Revision for
2028
AGENCY: Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs, Office of
Management and Budget, Executive Office of the President.
ACTION: Notice of solicitation of comments to revise the SOC for 2028.
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SUMMARY: The Office of Management and Budget (OMB), on behalf of the
Standard Occupational Classification Policy Committee (SOCPC),
announces the review of the 2018 Standard Occupational Classification
(SOC) Manual for potential revisions to be made for 2028 and solicits
public comment. This review and possible revision of the 2018 SOC is
intended to be completed by the beginning of 2027 and then released to
begin use in reference year 2028. Details about these topics are
available in the SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION section below.
DATES: To ensure consideration of comments on this notice, they must be
received no later than August 12, 2024. Because of delays in the
receipt of regular mail related to security screening, respondents are
encouraged to send comments electronically (see ADDRESSES, below).
ADDRESSES: Submit comments through <a href="https://www.regulations.gov">https://www.regulations.gov</a>--a
Federal E-Government website that allows the public to find, review,
and submit comments on documents that agencies have published in the
Federal Register and that are open for comment. Enter ``BLS-2024-0001''
(in quotes) in the Comment or Submission search box, click Go, and
follow the instructions for submitting comments. Comments received by
the date specified above will be included as part of the official
record. Please include the Docket ID (BLS-2024-0001) and the phrase
``Standard Occupation Classification (SOC)--Updates for 2028'' at the
beginning of your comments. Please also indicate which Standard
Occupation Classification Policy Committee (SOCPC) recommendations
described in the SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION of this notice are addressed
in your comments.
Privacy Act Statement: OMB is issuing this request for comments
pursuant to its authority to oversee the Federal statistical system
under 44 U.S.C. 3504(e). Submission of comments in response to this
notice is voluntary. Information you provide will be used to inform
sound decision making regarding potential updates to the SOC. Please
note that all submissions received in response to this notice may be
posted on <a href="https://www.regulations.gov/">https://www.regulations.gov/</a> or otherwise released in their
entirety, including any personal and business confidential information
provided. Do not include in your submissions any copyrighted material;
information of a confidential nature, such as personal or proprietary
information; or any information you would not like to be made publicly
available. The OMB System of Records Notice, OMB Public Input System of
Records, OMB/INPUT/01, 88 FR 20913 (<a href="https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2023/04/07/2023-07452/privacy-act-of-1974-system-of-records/">https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2023/04/07/2023-07452/privacy-act-of-1974-system-of-records/</a>
), includes a list of routine uses associated with the collection of
this information.
Electronic availability. Federal Register notices are available
electronically at <a href="https://www.federalregister.gov/">https://www.federalregister.gov/</a>. This document is
also available on the SOC website at <a href="https://www.bls.gov/soc">https://www.bls.gov/soc</a>. The SOC
website contains information on the purpose, background, and structure
of the SOC, as well as additional guidance and formats on providing
input to the Standard Occupational Classification Policy Committee
(SOCPC) for consideration by OMB during the SOC revision for 2028.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: For information about this request for
comments, contact Jeongsoo Kim, Office of Management and Budget, New
Executive Office Building, Washington, DC 20503; email:
<a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#a0f3d4c1d4c9d3d4c9c3c1ccffe4c9d2c5c3d4c9d6c5d3e0cfcdc28ec5cfd08ec7cfd6"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="8bd8ffeaffe2f8ffe2e8eae7d4cfe2f9eee8ffe2fdeef8cbe4e6e9a5eee4fba5ece4fd">[email protected]</span></a>; telephone number: (202) 395-1613;
fax number: (202) 395-5898.
The SOC coordination team may be reached by email at <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#0675696546646a7528616970"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="03706c6043616f702d646c75">[email protected]</span></a>.
Please note: Communication through this email will not be included in
the record for BLS-2024-0001. Comments should be submitted through
<a href="https://www.regulations.gov">https://www.regulations.gov</a>, as described in the ADDRESSES section
above.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Pursuant to its authority under 44 U.S.C.
3504(e), the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) announces the review
of the 2018 SOC Manual for possible revision in 2028 and solicits
public comment on the following topics: intention to retain the 2018
SOC Classification Principles; the intention to retain the 2018 SOC
Coding Guidelines; the intention to retain the 2018 SOC Major Group
Structure; whether to develop definitions for major occupation groups;
whether to consider changes to, or consolidation of, selected 2018 SOC
detailed occupations, including specifically public safety
telecommunicators and whether production occupations should be combined
based on common job duties; whether to consider the addition of new
detailed occupations or occupational groups, including specifically
care workers; possible changes to major, minor, and broad occupation
groups; possible changes to the STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering,
and Math) occupation framework and its domains; and uses and
applications of the SOC. The SOC classifies all occupations for which
work is performed for pay or profit. It is designed to cover all jobs
in the national economy, including occupations in the public, private,
and military sectors. In this way, the SOC is designed to reflect the
current occupational composition of the United States. The SOC supports
efficiency and effectiveness of the U.S. Federal statistical system by
providing a standard for occupation-based statistical data
classification, thereby ensuring comparability of these data across
Federal statistical agencies. Accordingly, all Federal agencies that
publish occupational data for statistical purposes are required to use
the SOC. State and local government agencies are also strongly
encouraged to use this national system to promote a common language for
categorizing and analyzing occupations. Consistent with good
statistical practice, these classifications are reviewed and revised
periodically to ensure statistical robustness, relevance, accuracy, and
comparability of occupational data produced for statistical purposes.
This is the first Federal Register Notice requesting public comment in
the process leading up to the potential 2028 SOC revision. More
information on the SOC, including information on past revision
processes, is available at https://www.bls.gov/SOC.
Purpose and History of the SOC
The U.S. Federal statistical system is decentralized, with 16 OMB-
recognized statistical agencies and units that have data collection as
their primary mission and over 100 other agencies that collect
statistical data, along with carrying out another primary mission. The
Chief Statistician of the United States at OMB coordinates the Federal
statistical system by developing and overseeing the implementation of
Government-wide principles, policies, standards, and guidelines
concerning the presentation and dissemination of statistical
information. These coordination efforts promote the efficiency and
effectiveness of the Federal statistical system. More information on
the Federal statistical system, including its structure and
[[Page 49912]]
policies that govern it, is available at <a href="https://www.statspolicy.gov/">https://www.statspolicy.gov/</a>.
One such standard for statistical data classification established
by OMB is Statistical Policy Directive No. 10: Standard Occupational
Classification (SOC), which ensures consistency and comparability of
occupation-based statistical data classification across Federal
statistical activities. All Federal agencies that publish occupational
data for statistical purposes are required to use the SOC to increase
data comparability (and thus, data utility) across Federal programs.
Information about occupations--employment levels, trends, pay and
benefits, demographic characteristics, skills required, and many other
items--is widely used by individuals, businesses, researchers,
educators, and public policy-makers. The SOC helps ensure that
occupational data produced across the Federal statistical system are
comparable and can be used together in analysis.
The SOC is designed exclusively for statistical purposes. Although
the SOC may also be used for various nonstatistical purposes (e.g., for
administrative, regulatory, or taxation functions), the requirements of
government agencies, businesses, or private users that choose to use
the SOC for non-statistical purposes play no role in the development or
revision of the SOC. The appropriateness of using the SOC for non-
statistical purposes must be evaluated on a case-by-case basis.
To reflect changes in the economy and in the nature of work,
revision of the SOC is considered periodically. The SOC was first
issued in 1977, with subsequent revisions in 1980, 2000, 2010, and
2018. Although the 1980 SOC was the basis for the occupational
classification system used in the Census of Population and Housing in
1980 and 1990, neither the 1977 nor the 1980 SOC was widely used by the
Federal statistical system in producing data. However, with the
implementation of the 2000 SOC, for the first time OMB required that
all major occupational data produced by the Federal statistical system
use the SOC, which greatly improved the utility of the data by
improving comparability. The 2010 and 2018 SOC revisions improved
comparability and maintained currency. Both the 2010 and 2018 SOC
revisions were accompanied by new explanatory and implementation
resources; namely, the Coding Guidelines and the Direct Match Title
File, to both help data collectors code occupations more consistently,
and help data users better understand how occupations are classified.
For more information, see the SOC website at <a href="https://www.bls.gov/soc/">https://www.bls.gov/soc/</a>.
Role of the SOC Policy Committee
The SOC Policy Committee (SOCPC), a standing committee established
by OMB in 2005, is charged with carrying out the review of the SOC for
2028, including making recommendations to the Chief Statistician of the
United States at OMB for possible revisions for 2028. Currently, the
SOCPC is comprised of representatives from 18 Federal agencies and
components.
Review of the 2018 SOC and Request for Comments on Possible Revisions
for 2028
OMB has charged the SOCPC with the review of the 2018 SOC for
possible recommendations for revision for 2028. Given the multiple
interdependent programs that rely on the SOC, coordinating the
revisions of the SOC with these programs is best accomplished by timing
revisions of the SOC for the year following North American Industry
Classification System (NAICS) revisions. The next such year is 2028,
and OMB plans to review for possible revision every 10 years
thereafter. This is the first opportunity for public comment in the
process, and OMB expects there to be a second opportunity for public
comment as part of the process prior to OMB announcing its final
decisions.
The SOCPC began focusing on the possible recommendations for
revision for 2028 in December 2023 and has identified the following
topics and intentions as specific areas for public comment in addition
to any aspect of occupational classification. To facilitate the work of
the SOCPC, OMB, on behalf of the SOCPC, solicits and welcomes comments
related to any aspect of occupational classification, especially
comments concerning the following items, some of which are described in
more detail below:
<bullet> the intention to retain the 2018 SOC Classification
Principles;
<bullet> the intention to retain the 2018 SOC Coding Guidelines;
<bullet> the intention to retain the 2018 SOC Major Group
Structure;
<bullet> whether to develop definitions for major occupation
groups;
<bullet> whether to consider changes to, or consolidation of,
selected 2018 SOC detailed occupations, including specifically the
classification of public safety telecommunicators and whether
production occupations should be combined based on common job duties;
<bullet> whether to consider the addition of new detailed
occupations or occupational groups, including specifically care
workers;
<bullet> possible changes to major, minor, and broad occupation
groups;
<bullet> possible changes to the STEM occupation framework and its
domains; and
<bullet> uses and applications of the SOC.
Job Versus Occupation
One key concept to help the public understand the philosophy behind
the SOC classification philosophy is that the terms ``jobs'' and
``occupations'' do not necessarily refer to the same concept. In many
cases, job titles intrinsically represent jobs, rather than true
occupations as defined in the SOC. Specifically, a job is a set of work
activities performed by an individual. The exact set of activities
varies depending on the size and organization of the establishment and
is often, but not always, unique to that individual worker. An
occupation is a grouping of a number of individual jobs, where everyone
performs certain tasks that provide a natural grouping used to define
the occupation. Thus, an occupational definition is a collective
description of a number of similar individual jobs performed, with
minor variations, in different establishments. Occupational
classification schemes such as the SOC organize millions of jobs into
discrete occupations based on common tasks as determined by the
schemes' classification principles. For example, in the 2018 SOC,
workers with the job title `Coronary Care Unit Staff Nurse' are
classified in the occupation Registered Nurses (29-1141). Likewise,
workers with the job title `Automotive Fuel Injection Servicer' are
classified in the occupation Automotive Service Technicians and
Mechanics (49-3023).
The Intention To Retain the 2018 SOC Classification Principles
The SOC Classification Principles form the basis on which the SOC
is structured and provide a foundation for classification decisions. As
noted above, in the first few meetings of the SOCPC on the possible
revision for 2028, the SOCPC identified that it would prefer to retain
as is the 2018 SOC Classification Principles (listed below) and seeks
input from the public on whether these Principles should be retained
as-is or modified in some manner. The SOCPC welcomes suggestions from
the public on any aspect of these Principles.
The proposed Classification Principles for use in the 2028 SOC are
identical to those used for the 2018 SOC and are as follows:
1. The SOC covers all occupations in which work is performed for
pay or
[[Page 49913]]
profit, including work performed in family-operated enterprises by
family members who are not directly compensated. It excludes
occupations unique to volunteers. Each occupation is assigned to only
one occupational category at the most detailed level of the
classification.
2. Occupations are classified based on work performed and, in some
cases, on the skills, education or training needed to perform the work.
3. Workers primarily engaged in planning and the directing of
resources are classified in management occupations in Major Group 11-
0000. Duties of these workers may include supervision.
4. Supervisors of workers in Major Groups 13-0000 through 29-0000
usually have work experience and perform activities similar to those of
the workers they supervise, and therefore are classified with the
workers they supervise.
5. Workers in Major Group 31-0000 Healthcare Support Occupations
assist and are usually supervised by workers in Major Group 29-0000
Healthcare Practitioners and Technical Occupations, and therefore there
are no first-line supervisor occupations in Major Group 31-0000.
6. Workers in Major Groups 33-0000 through 53-0000 whose primary
duty is supervising are classified in the appropriate first-line
supervisor category because their work activities are distinct from
those of the workers they supervise.
7. Apprentices and trainees are classified with the occupations for
which they are being trained, while helpers and aides are classified
separately because they are not in training for the occupation they are
helping.
8. If an occupation is not included as a distinct detailed
occupation in the structure, it is classified in an appropriate ``All
Other'' occupation. ``All Other'' occupations are placed in the
structure when it is determined that the detailed occupations
comprising a broad occupation group do not account for all of the
workers in the group, even though such workers may perform a distinct
set of work activities. These occupations appear as the last occupation
in the group with a code ending in ``9'' and are identified in their
title by having ``All Other'' appear at the end.
9. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics and the U.S. Census Bureau
are charged with collecting and reporting data on total U.S. employment
across the full spectrum of SOC major groups. Thus, for a detailed
occupation to be included in the SOC, either the Bureau of Labor
Statistics or the Census Bureau must be able to collect and report data
on that occupation.
10. To maximize the comparability of data, time series continuity
is maintained to the extent possible.
The Intention To Retain the 2018 SOC Coding Guidelines
The SOC Coding Guidelines are intended to assist users when
assigning SOC codes and titles to survey responses, and in other coding
activities. The SOCPC proposes to retain as is the 2018 SOC Coding
Guidelines (listed below) and seeks input from the public on whether
these Guidelines should be retained as-is or modified in some manner.
The SOCPC welcomes suggestions from the public on any aspects of the
Guidelines;
The proposed Coding Guidelines for use in the 2028 SOC are
identical to those used for the 2018 SOC and are as follows:
1. A worker should be assigned to an SOC occupation code based on
work performed.
2. When workers in a single job could be coded in more than one
occupation, they should be coded in the occupation that requires the
highest level of skill. If there is no measurable difference in skill
requirements, workers should be coded in the occupation in which they
spend the most time. Workers whose job is to teach at different levels
(e.g., elementary, middle, or secondary) should be coded in the
occupation corresponding to the highest educational level they teach.
3. Data collection and reporting agencies should assign workers to
the most detailed occupation possible. Different agencies may use
different levels of aggregation, depending on their ability to collect
data.
4. Workers who perform activities not described in any distinct
detailed occupation in the SOC structure should be coded in an
appropriate ``All Other'' or residual occupation. These residual
occupational categories appear as the last occupation in a group with a
code ending in ``9'' and are identified by having the words ``All
Other'' appear at the end of the title.
5. Workers in Major Groups 33-0000 through 53-0000 who spend 80
percent or more of their time performing supervisory activities are
coded in the appropriate first-line supervisor category in the SOC. In
these same Major Groups (33-0000 through 53-0000), persons with
supervisory duties who spend less than 80 percent of their time
supervising are coded with the workers they supervise.
6. Licensed and non-licensed workers performing the same work
should be coded together in the same detailed occupation, except where
specified otherwise in the SOC definition.
The Intention To Retain the 2018 SOC Major Group Structure
The 2018 SOC classifies workers at four levels of aggregation: (1)
Major Group; (2) Minor Group; (3) Broad Occupation; and (4) Detailed
Occupation. In order to ensure consistency and satisfy a strong user
preference for time series continuity in occupational employment and
wage data, the SOCPC proposes to retain as is the current Major Groups
from the 2018 SOC and seeks input from the public on whether these
Major Groups should be retained as-is or modified in some manner. The
SOCPC welcomes suggestions from the public on any aspects of the Major
Groups, including proposals to update the titles of any of the Major
Groups to reflect current terminology.
All occupations are clustered into one of the following 23 Major
Groups in the 2018 SOC:
11-0000 Management Occupations
13-0000 Business and Financial Operations Occupations
15-0000 Computer and Mathematical Occupations
17-0000 Architecture and Engineering Occupations
19-0000 Life, Physical, and Social Science Occupations
21-0000 Community and Social Service Occupations
23-0000 Legal Occupations
25-0000 Educational Instruction and Library Occupations
27-0000 Arts, Design, Entertainment, Sports, and Media Occupations
29-0000 Healthcare Practitioners and Technical Occupations
31-0000 Healthcare Support Occupations
33-0000 Protective Service Occupations
35-0000 Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations
37-0000 Building and Grounds Cleaning and Maintenance Occupations
39-0000 Personal Care and Service Occupations
41-0000 Sales and Related Occupations
43-0000 Office and Administrative Support Occupations
45-0000 Farming, Fishing, and Forestry Occupations
47-0000 Construction and Extraction Occupations
49-0000 Installation, Maintenance, and Repair Occupations
51-0000 Production Occupations
53-0000 Transportation and Material Moving Occupations
55-0000 Military Specific Occupations
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Proposals From the Public for Changes to Existing 2018 SOC Detailed
Occupations
Generally, the definitions for SOC detailed occupations contain the
minimum description needed to determine which workers would be
classified in a particular occupation. Comments are welcome on
corrections concerning typographical or definitional errors and other
changes to the existing detailed occupations, including the combination
of occupations. Suggested changes to existing detailed occupations may
address the occupational title, definition, or its placement in the
structure. In particular, comments are welcome on public safety
telecommunicators and care worker occupations. OMB charged the SOCPC
specifically with reviewing the classification for public safety
telecommunicators and with assessing a possible new occupation for care
workers because these two areas have been raised to OMB by Congress
over the years since the issuance of the 2018 SOC.
In addition, each SOC occupation has one or more Illustrative
Examples, drawn from the Direct Match Title File, referenced above.
Comments are invited on Illustrative Examples or Direct Match Titles
that should be added, moved, or deleted.
Detailed information on the purpose, structure, and the components
of SOC definitions is available on the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS)
SOC website at <a href="https://www.bls.gov/soc">https://www.bls.gov/soc</a>. For a description of the
elements of an SOC definition, please see ``Revising the Standard
Occupational Classification'' available at <a href="https://www.bls.gov/soc/revising_the_standard_occupational_classification_2028.pdf">https://www.bls.gov/soc/revising_the_standard_occupational_classification_2028.pdf</a>. In
particular, Figure 1 (copied below) and the accompanying text in that
document describe the elements of a detailed SOC occupation. Additional
guidance on the type of information that the SOCPC will find critical
in making recommendations to OMB appears in the section ``Public Input
Requested'' below.
[GRAPHIC] [TIFF OMITTED] TN12JN24.020
Proposals From the Public for New Detailed Occupations
The SOCPC also invites proposals for new detailed occupations or
the splitting of occupations, as warranted by changes in the economy,
technology, or business practices that affect how employers structure
work. Suggestions should be guided by the Classification Principles,
above. In particular, suggestions should specifically address
Classification Principles 2, 9, and 10, as discussed below.
Classification Principle 2 dictates that the nature of the work
performed is the main criterion for classifying a detailed occupation
and determining where to place it in the structure. Thus, the SOCPC
needs specific information describing the work performed by workers in
the occupation, such as specific duties and tasks. This information is
useful in evaluating whether the work performed in a recommended new
occupation is sufficiently different from work performed in existing
occupations and to determine where in the classification structure a
new occupation should be placed. As noted in Classification Principle
2, skills, education, or training are occasionally used to guide the
classification decisions; primarily, however, classification decisions
are based on the nature of the work performed.
Classification Principle 9 pertains to collectability and
reportability--that is, whether data can actually be collected and
reported on the occupation. For a detailed occupation to be included in
the SOC, either BLS or the Census Bureau must be able to obtain
information from households or employers that will allow accurate
classification of the workers.
Collectability and reportability are partly a function of the size
of the occupation--the occupation must be large enough to be detected
in sample household or business surveys. However, the SOCPC will not
use a specific employment size cut-off to determine its recommendations
to OMB. This is because small occupations that are concentrated in
certain industries or geographic areas may be collectable and
reportable, while occupations of similar or larger employment that are
spread throughout the economy may not be collectable and reportable.
Therefore, size is not the only consideration in collectability and
reportability. Collectability and reportability are also related to the
type of data collection used, specifically the comprehensive household
and business surveys conducted by BLS and the Census Bureau. For more
information on the considerations for collectability and reportability,
see ``Revising the Standard Occupational Classification'' available at
<a href="https://www.bls.gov/soc/revising_the_standard_occupational_classification_2028.pdf">https://www.bls.gov/soc/revising_the_standard_occupational_classification_2028.pdf</a> (``Revising
the Standard Occupational Classification,'' May 2024, SOC Coordinating
Team, Bureau of Labor Statistics).
Classification Principle 10 relates to time series continuity--that
is, the ability to maintain data series over time without interruption
due to classification changes. To maintain the
[[Page 49915]]
utility of the SOC, the SOCPC's recommendations to OMB will reflect the
importance of maintaining time series continuity. To the extent
possible, new occupations proposed for the 2028 SOC should be easily
cross-referenced to the 2018 SOC.
STEM Proposed Framework and Classifications
In order to enhance comparability of data across statistical
agencies and organizations studying the STEM (Science, Technology,
Engineering, and Mathematics) workforce for policymaking purposes,
including educational and workforce planners, OMB requested the SOCPC
to recommend options for defining STEM occupations. The SOCPC has
created a recommended framework for identifying and grouping
occupations in the STEM fields as described here <a href="https://www.bls.gov/soc/attachment_a_stem_2018.pdf">https://www.bls.gov/soc/attachment_a_stem_2018.pdf</a> (``Options for defining STEM (Science,
Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) occupations under the 2018
Standard Occupational Classification (SOC) system,'' June 2019, SOLC
Policy Committee, Bureau of Labor Statistics). The resulting categories
and content are available here <a href="https://www.bls.gov/soc/Attachment_B_STEM_2018.pdf">https://www.bls.gov/soc/Attachment_B_STEM_2018.pdf</a> (``STEM definition options,'' June 2019, SOC
Policy Committee, Bureau of Labor Statistics). The current framework
gives users options for defining STEM occupations, while also allowing
for comparison across agencies and organizations. The SOCPC is seeking
comment on the framework, the content of each category, and whether the
STEM categories should become part of the SOC.
General Recommendations for Providing SOC Comments
The SOCPC will use the public comments in response to this and
related Federal Register notices, as well as its own research, to
develop recommendations for revisions to the SOC to OMB. Commenters are
strongly encouraged to provide concise, comprehensive comments to be
most useful to the work of the SOCPC. In addition, commenters are
encouraged to conduct the following activities to better inform their
comments:
1. Carefully review the information provided in the Federal
Register Notice as well as the information provided in the remainder of
this document.
2. Carefully review the Classification Principles and Coding
Guidelines, as these guide the SOCPC's recommendations. Comments that
reflect these Principles and Guidelines are likely to be more pertinent
to the SOCPC's deliberations.
3. Carefully review the elements of an SOC detailed occupation as
described in this document. Figure 1 and the accompanying text in in
the ``Revising the Standard Occupational Classification'' document
describe the elements of a detailed SOC occupation.
4. Review the ``Desired Focus of Comments'' section in the Federal
Register Notice and provide the specific information requested. Provide
information on the nature of the work performed, including specific
activities and tasks. This is the most important type of information
for new occupations. Providing links to research or citations to other
helpful reference information is also useful.
5. Prepare well-organized and concise comments. The SOCPC expects
to receive hundreds of comments.
6. The SOC was designed solely for statistical purposes. Although
there are various uses of the SOC for nonstatistical purposes (e.g.,
for administrative, regulatory, or taxation functions), the
requirements of government agencies or private users choosing to use
the SOC for nonstatistical purposes play no role in the development of
the SOC. As a result, the SOCPC will review comments and develop its
recommendations based on established Classification Principles and
Coding Guidelines. Information provided unrelated to the accurate
gathering of information for statistical purposes, such as perceived
importance of workers in an occupation, will not influence the SOCPC
recommendations. Comments will be grouped together based on similar
topics for consideration. The SOCPC will consider the substance of the
comments; the volume of comments on the same topic will not impact the
SOCPC recommendation.
Desired Focus of Comments
OMB welcomes comments from the public on any aspects of the SOC,
including in particular those articulated above. To be most useful to
the SOCPC in its ongoing review of the SOC and to better inform its
proposed recommendations for changes to the SOC, commenters should
review the information above and available in the document entitled
``Revising the Standard Occupational Classification'' (available at
<a href="https://www.bls.gov/soc/revising_the_standard_occupational_classification_2028.pdf">https://www.bls.gov/soc/revising_the_standard_occupational_classification_2028.pdf</a>) before
developing and submitting comments. Commenters should be concise and
should include citations if summarizing or depending on published work,
and should provide any links to related research. In order to provide
as useful a comment as possible, commenters can review the SOC website
at <a href="https://www.bls.gov/soc">https://www.bls.gov/soc</a> for more information on how to develop a
concise, comprehensive comment. In addition, comments recommending a
specific addition, deletion, or other concrete change to a category
should clearly address the following information. Addressing all
aspects below is especially important for the proposals for new or
split out detailed occupations.
1. Proposed occupation title: Provide a proposed occupational
title, or titles, that all workers in the occupation may be identified
by, regardless of their individual job title. For example, a job title
like `Public Defender' would fall into the occupation title `Lawyers.'
See more information above about the difference between jobs and
occupations for the purposes of the SOC.
2. Description of the nature of the work performed: Providing a
description that addresses the nature of the work performed by the
proposed occupation helps the SOCPC adequately assess the proposed
occupation against the Classification Principles and Coding Guidelines.
Some questions to address include the following:
<bullet> What duties do all the workers in the occupation perform?
Duties performed by all workers would appear in the ``required duties''
statement in the occupation definition.
<bullet> What duties are frequent but not performed by all workers
in the occupation? Frequent duties that are not performed by all
workers might be included in the ``may'' statements of the occupation
definition.
<bullet> Do the workers have supervisory or management duties? If
so, what types of workers are supervised and what types of management
activities are performed?
<bullet> For revisions to existing occupations, is the work
described in the SOC definition accurate and up-to-date?
3. Description of the relationship to other SOC occupations:
Providing a description of the relationship of the proposed occupation
to other SOC occupations helps the SOCPC determine the appropriateness
of recommending a new occupation versus assessing other SOC occupations
for revision. Some questions to address include the following:
<bullet> What makes the occupation distinct from other detailed
occupations in the SOC?
<bullet> Does the same or similar work appear in other SOC
occupations? If so, how is the proposed occupation
[[Page 49916]]
distinct? Occupations that are similar are included in the ``excludes''
statements of the occupation definition.
<bullet> What changes should be made to existing SOC occupations
that have the same or similar work?
4. Job titles: Provide known job titles used across the proposed
occupation. This information helps inform additional research
undertaken by the SOCPC, as well as their recommendations to update
accompanying products such as the Direct Match Title File. Some
questions to address include the following:
<bullet> What job titles are commonly used by workers in this
occupation? Are these titles unique to the proposed occupation?
<bullet> Are titles listed in the Direct Match Title File actually
in use?
<bullet> Are there other titles commonly used by workers in the
occupation?
<bullet> Do titles vary geographically (urban versus rural,
southern versus west coast, etc.)?
5. Indications of the number of jobs or workers in the proposed
occupation: Employment size and expected growth are helpful to the
SOCPC in evaluating collectability and reportability. Please provide
references for the sources of this information including links,
attachments, or other citations.
6. Types of employers: Understanding the types of employers of the
proposed occupation helps clarify the nature of the work performed and
assists the SOCPC in its evaluation of collectability and
reportability. In particular, in which industries does this occupation
occur?
7. Education and training: While education and training are not
used for all occupation classification, the SOCPC uses such
information, when helpful, to better understand the proposed
occupation. Thus, identification of specific education requirements,
training programs, and institutions may be helpful. Some questions to
address include the following:
<bullet> What education and training are typically required for
workers to be able to perform this proposed occupation?
<bullet> What types of schools or training providers offer this
education or training?
<bullet> How long does the education or training take?
<bullet> What degrees or other credentials are generally required,
if any?
8. Licensing: While licensing is not used for all occupation
classification, the SOCPC uses such information, when helpful, to
better understand the proposed occupation. Thus, identification of
specific licensing requirements and licensing agencies may be helpful.
9. Tools and technologies: The SOCPC uses information on tools and
technologies, when helpful, to better understand the proposed
occupation. Some questions to address include the following:
<bullet> What tools and technologies are generally used by workers
in performing the occupation?
<bullet> Are the tools and technologies mentioned in existing SOC
occupation definitions accurate and up-to-date?
10. Professional trade associations and unions: The SOCPC uses
information on professional trade associations and unions, when
helpful, to better understand the proposed occupation. Some questions
to address include the following:
<bullet> Are there professional or trade associations or labor
unions related to the proposed occupation?
<bullet> What are the names of the specific associations or unions?
11. STEM categories: Comments on the domains, subdomains, and types
of STEM groupings are welcome, as well as comments regarding changes to
the content of the categories.
Timing for the 2028 SOC Revision Process
Following this public comment period, the SOCPC will review the
comments and develop proposed revisions for the 2028 SOC. Then OMB will
publish SOCPC's proposed revisions for public comment in a subsequent
Federal Register Notice. The SOCPC will then review the comments and
develop final recommendations to the Chief Statistician of the United
States at OMB on the proposed revisions for the 2028 SOC. OMB expects
to consider the final recommendations from the SOCPC and finalize the
final 2028 SOC in calendar year 2027. After the 2028 SOC is finalized,
the SOCPC will prepare the online 2028 SOC Manual and supporting
materials, make them available to the public on the BLS website, and
continue its role of maintaining the SOC leading up to the next
revision.
Richard L. Revesz,
Administrator, Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs.
[FR Doc. 2024-12825 Filed 6-11-24; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3110-01-P
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</html>Indexed from Federal Register on June 12, 2024.
This is legal information, not legal advice. Laws vary by jurisdiction and change frequently. Always verify current law with official sources and consult a licensed attorney in your jurisdiction for advice on your specific situation.