(a) Except as provided in paragraphs (b) and (c) of this section, a new appointment to a position shall be made at the minimum rate of the appropriate grade.

(b) An agency may make a new appointment at a rate above the minimum rate of the appropriate grade in recognition of an appointees' special qualifications.

(c) An agency shall make a new appointment at a step-rate above the minimum rate of a grade if the lead agency for the wage area has designated, in accordance with §532.249, a step-rate above the first step-rate of a grade as the minimum step-rate at which a position may be filled.

[46 FR 21344, Apr. 10, 1981, as amended at 58 FR 32274, June 9, 1993]