5 U.S.C. § 3325: Appointments to scientific and professional positions

(a) Positions established under section 3104 of this title are in the competitive service. However, appointments to the positions are made without competitive examination on approval of the qualifications of the proposed appointee by the Office of Personnel Management on the basis of standards developed by the agency involved in accordance with criteria specified in regulations prescribed by the Director of the Office of Personnel Management. (b) This section does not apply to positions established under section 3104(c). (c) The Director of the Office of Personnel Management shall prescribe such regulations as may be necessary to carry out the purpose of this section.