Section 531.405 - Waiting periods for within-grade increase(a)Length of waiting period.(1) For an employee with a scheduled tour of duty, the waiting periods for advancement to the next higher step in all General Schedule grades (or the next higher rate within the grade, as defined in § 531.403 ) are:(i) Rate of basic pay less than the rate of basic pay at step 4-52 calendar weeks of creditable service;(ii) Rate of basic pay equal to or greater than the rate of basic pay at step 4 and less than the rate of basic pay at step 7-104 calendar weeks of creditable service; and(iii) Rate of basic pay equal to or greater than the rate of basic pay at step 7-156 calendar weeks of creditable service.(2) For an employee without a scheduled tour of duty, the waiting periods for advancement to the next higher step of all General Schedule grades (or the next higher rate within the grade, as defined in § 531.403 ) are:(i) Rate of basic pay less than the rate of basic pay at step 4-260 days of creditable service in a pay status over a period of not less than 52 calendar weeks;(ii) Rate of basic pay equal to or greater than the rate of basic pay at step 4 and less than the rate of basic pay at step 7-520 days of creditable service in a pay status over a period of not less than 104 calendar weeks; and(iii) Rate of basic pay equal to or greater than the rate of basic pay at step 7-780 days of creditable service in a pay status over a period of not less than 156 calendar weeks.(b)Commencement of a waiting period. A waiting period begins;(1) On the first appointment as an employee of the Federal Government, regardless of tenure;(2) On receiving an equivalent increase; or(3) After a period of nonpay status or a break in service (alone or in combination) in excess of 52 calendar weeks, unless the nonpay status or break in service is creditable service under § 531.406 of this subpart.(c) A waiting period is not interrupted by non-workdays intervening between an employee's last scheduled workday in one position and his or her first scheduled workday in a new position.46 FR 2319, Jan. 9, 1981, as amended at 58 FR 65536, Dec. 15, 1993; 59 FR 40794, Aug. 10, 1994