(a) An agency may reassign a noncareer appointee only with the prior approval of the Office unless otherwise provided by the Office.

(b) An agency may make the following reassignments of limited appointees to positions for which qualified without the prior approval of the Office of Personnel Management. The Office must be notified of the reassignment, however.

(1) An agency may reassign a limited emergency appointee to another general position established to meet a bona fide, unanticipated, urgent need, except that the appointee may not serve in one or more positions in the agency under such appointment in excess of 18 months.

(2) An agency may reassign a limited term appointee to another general position the duties of which will expire at the end of 3 years or less except that the appointee may not serve in one or more positions in the agency under such appointment in excess of 3 years.