5 CFR § 451.303 - Restrictions.
(a) Governmentwide limitations—SES. During any fiscal year—
(1) The number of career SES appointees awarded the rank of Meritorious Executive may not exceed 5 percent of the career SES; and
(2) The number of career SES appointees awarded the rank of Distinguished Executive may not exceed 1 percent of the career SES.
(b) Governmentwide limitations—Senior career employees. During any fiscal year—
(1) The number of senior career employees awarded the rank of Meritorious Senior Professional may not exceed 5 percent of the total number of career appointees to OPM-allocated Senior-Level (SL) and Scientific-Professional (ST) positions; and
(2) The number of senior career employees awarded the rank of Distinguished Senior Professional may not exceed 1 percent of the total number of career appointees to OPM-allocated Senior-Level (SL) and Scientific-Professional (ST) positions.
(c) Frequency of awards. Individuals awarded a Distinguished or Meritorious rank under this subpart shall not be entitled to be awarded that rank during the following 4 fiscal years.