### Question
What does former Government employee mean?


### Answer
**Former Government employee** has the following meaning in *5 U.S.C. § 3330e*:

> an individual whose most recent position with the Government prior to becoming a candidate as described under subsection (a) was within the competitive service or the excepted service

#### Citation:
  - *5 U.S.C. § 3330e*
  - Heading: **PART III-EMPLOYEES > Subpart B-Employment and Retention > CHAPTER 33-EXAMINATION, SELECTION, AND PLACEMENT > SUBCHAPTER I-EXAMINATION, CERTIFICATION, AND APPOINTMENT**

