6 CFR § 158.803 - Career development program.

---
identifier: "/us/cfr/t6/s158.803"
source: "ecfr"
legal_status: "authoritative_unofficial"
title: "6 CFR § 158.803 - Career development program."
title_number: 6
title_name: "Domestic Security"
section_number: "158.803"
section_name: "Career development program."
chapter_name: "DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY, OFFICE OF THE SECRETARY"
part_number: "158"
part_name: "CYBERSECURITY TALENT MANAGEMENT SYSTEM (CTMS)"
positive_law: false
currency: "2026-04-05"
last_updated: "2026-04-05"
format_version: "1.1.0"
generator: "[email protected]"
authority: "Subpart H also issued under 5 U.S.C. Chapters 41 and 43; 5 CFR parts 410 and 430."
regulatory_source: "86 FR 47893, Aug. 26, 2021, unless otherwise noted."
cfr_part: "158"
---


# 158.803 Career development program.

(a) *Career development program.* In alignment with the DHS-CS's core values described in § 158.305 and the compensation strategy described in § 158.601, the Secretary or designee establishes and administers a career development program to:

(1) Guide the career progression of each DHS-CS employee;

(2) Ensure development of the collective expertise of DHS-CS employees through continual learning; and

(3) Ensure continued alignment between the qualifications of DHS-CS employees and CTMS qualifications.

(b) *Career progression.* Career progression in the DHS-CS is based on enhancement of CTMS qualifications and salary progression resulting from recognition adjustments under § 158.631. Career progression in the DHS-CS is not based on length of service in the DHS-CS or the Federal Government. The Department guides the career progression of DHS-CS employees using development strategies based on:

(1) Information from development reviews, described in § 158.806;

(2) Mission-related requirements; and

(3) Strategic talent priorities.

(c) *Commitment to continual learning.* The Department establishes, maintains, and communicates criteria for continual learning. Such criteria include recommended and required learning activities, including completion of specific courses of study, completion of mission-related training defined in 5 CFR 410.101, performance of certain DHS-CS cybersecurity work as part of assignments, and participation in opportunities for professional development and training described in § 158.640. The Department aims to utilize all available opportunities for DHS-CS employee development, including opportunities under this part and under or based on authorities in 5 U.S.C. and 5 CFR relating to continual learning, professional development, and training, as appropriate.

(d) *Verification of qualifications enhancements.* The Department verifies DHS-CS employees' enhancement of CTMS qualifications, which may include review by the CTMB or assessment using standardized instruments and procedures designed to measure the extent to which a DHS-CS employee has enhanced the employee's qualifications. Verification of enhancement to CTMS qualifications may require updating the documentation associated with the employee's qualified position, as described in § 158.706.