Section 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. 67 FR 52596 , Aug. 13, 2002, as amended at 72 FR 44367 , Aug. 8, 2007