Except as provided in subsections (b), (c), (d), (e), and (f) of this section appropriated funds may not be used to pay an employee who establishes a maximum-age requirement for entrance into the competitive service.

The Secretary may, with the concurrence of such agent as the President may designate, determine and fix the maximum limit of age within which an original appointment to a position as an air traffic controller may be made.

The Secretary of the Interior may determine and fix the minimum and maximum limits of age within which original appointments to the United States Park Police may be made.

The head of any agency may determine and fix the minimum and maximum limits of age within which an original appointment may be made to a position as a law enforcement officer or firefighter, as defined by section 8331(20) and (21), respectively, of this title.

For purposes of this paragraph—

(1) Except as provided in paragraph (2), the head of an agency may determine and fix the maximum age limit for an original appointment to a position as a firefighter or law enforcement officer, as defined by section 8401(14) or (17), respectively, of this title.

For purposes of this paragraph—

(A) In the case of the conversion of an agency function from performance by a contractor to performance by an employee of the agency, the head of the agency, in consultation with the Director of the Office of Personnel Management, may waive any maximum limit of age, determined or fixed for positions within such agency under paragraph (1), if necessary in order to promote the recruitment or appointment of experienced personnel.

(B) For purposes of this paragraph— (i) the term “agency” means the Department of Defense or a military department; and (ii) the term “head of the agency” means— (I) in the case of the Department of Defense, the Secretary of Defense; and (II) in the case of a military department, the Secretary of such military department.

The Secretary of Energy may determine and fix the maximum age limit for an original appointment to a position as a nuclear materials courier, as defined by section 8331(27) or 8401(33).

The Secretary of Homeland Security may determine and fix the maximum age limit for an original appointment to a position as a customs and border protection officer, as defined by section 8401(36).

(Pub. L. 89–554, Sept. 6, 1966, 80 Stat. 419; Pub. L. 92–297, § 2(a), May 16, 1972, 86 Stat. 141; Pub. L. 93–350, § 1, July 12, 1974, 88 Stat. 355; Pub. L. 96–347, § 1(b), Sept. 12, 1980, 94 Stat. 1150; Pub. L. 100–238, title I, § 103(a)(1), Jan. 8, 1988, 101 Stat. 1744; Pub. L. 105–261, div. C, title XXXI, § 3154(a), Oct. 17, 1998, 112 Stat. 2254; Pub. L. 110–161, div. E, title V, § 535(c), Dec. 26, 2007, 121 Stat. 2076; Pub. L. 112–81, div. A, title XI, § 1107, Dec. 31, 2011, 125 Stat. 1614.)