Current Population Survey (CPS) 2025 Field Test

Forms and Documents

Document Name	Status
2025-02854.pdf Supplementary Document	2025-02-20
Attachment C - Letters and Electronic Contacts.docx Supplementary Document	2025-02-19
Attachment B - Internet Questions and Responses.docx Supplementary Document	2025-02-19
Attachment A - CAPI Questions and Responses.docx Supplementary Document	2025-02-19
CPS 2025 Field Test_SupportingStatementB_final.docx Supporting Statement B	2025-02-19
CPS 2025 Field Test_SupportingStatementA_final.docx Supporting Statement A	2025-02-19

IC Document Collections

IC ID	Document Title	Status
274099	Current Population Survey (CPS) 2025 Field Test Other-Internet Self-Response	New

ICR Details

OMB Control No:	ICR Reference No: 202502-0607-004
Status: Received in OIRA	Previous ICR Reference No:
Agency/Subagency: DOC/CENSUS	Agency Tracking No: 0607-XXXX
Title: Current Population Survey (CPS) 2025 Field Test
Type of Information Collection: New collection (Request for a new OMB Control Number)	Common Form ICR:  No
Type of Review Request: Regular	Date Submitted to OIRA: 02/21/2025

	Requested	Previously Approved
Expiration Date	12 Months From Approved
Responses	100,000	0
Time Burden (Hours)	33,333	0
Cost Burden (Dollars)	0	0

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Abstract: I. Abstract The Census Bureau plans to request clearance from the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for the collection of information related to a field test of the Current Population Survey (CPS) in calendar year 2025. The CPS has been the source of official government statistics on employment and unemployment since 1942. The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) and the Census Bureau jointly sponsor the basic monthly survey. The Census Bureau also prepares and conducts all the field work. The CPS collects labor force information for the civilian noninstitutional population including employment status, number of hours worked, job search activities, earnings, duration of unemployment, and the industry and occupation classification of the job held the previous week. Data for the CPS are currently collected by Census field interviewers via in-person interviews or by telephone. The 2025 Field Test’s goal is to test the use of an internet self-response method to measure its success as a possible method of contact and interviewing with the goal of review accuracy, reporting, and representativeness. In addition, should it prove as a viable response method, the goal is to experiment with timing and contacts in order to refine procedures that best fit the needs of CPS. This is the first of two major field tests with the second in 2026, and an ultimate goal to phase in changes to the survey in 2027. II. Method of Collection The 2025 field test is planned for April 2025 until November 2025. The goal is to replicate the expected mode interaction of adding a self-response mode as close as possible to a production environment. The first interview will be conducted via computer-assisted person interview (CAPI) mode, and most cases will be followed up for three months with a mix of Internet Self Response and CAPI follow-up based on the previous month’s interview results and data reported. All cases will be in sample for four months. In addition, some cases will be put on hold for two months and then interviewed again in order to replicate the break in a normal CPS in a shorter interval. In addition, we will conduct experiments such as question wording, contact methods, and timing of mode switching in order to measure the best method to encourage response by internet mode and the best wording for accurate self response reporting.

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Authorizing Statute(s): US Code: 13 USC 8b, 141, 182
  

Citations for New Statutory Requirements: None

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Associated Rulemaking Information
RIN:	Stage of Rulemaking:	Federal Register Citation:	Date:
	Not associated with rulemaking

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Federal Register Notices & Comments
60-day Notice:	Federal Register Citation:	Citation Date:
	89 FR 79512	09/30/2024
30-day Notice:	Federal Register Citation:	Citation Date:
	90 FR 9962	02/20/2025
Did the Agency receive public comments on this ICR? No

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Number of Information Collection (IC) in this ICR: 1

IC Title	Form No.	Form Name
Current Population Survey (CPS) 2025 Field Test

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ICR Summary of Burden

	Total Request	Previously Approved	Change Due to New Statute	Change Due to Agency Discretion	Change Due to Adjustment in Estimate	Change Due to Potential Violation of the PRA
Annual Number of Responses	100,000	0	0	100,000	0	0
Annual Time Burden (Hours)	33,333	0	0	33,333	0	0
Annual Cost Burden (Dollars)	0	0	0	0	0	0

Burden increases because of Program Change due to Agency Discretion: Yes

Burden Increase Due to: Miscellaneous Actions

Burden decreases because of Program Change due to Agency Discretion: No

Burden Reduction Due to:

Short Statement: new collection

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Annual Cost to Federal Government: $2,000,000

Does this IC contain surveys, censuses, or employ statistical methods? No

Does this ICR request any personally identifiable information (see OMB Circular No. A-130 for an explanation of this term)? Please consult with your agency's privacy program when making this determination.     Yes

Does this ICR include a form that requires a Privacy Act Statement (see 5 U.S.C. §552a(e)(3))? Please consult with your agency's privacy program when making this determination.     Yes

Is this ICR related to the Affordable Care Act [Pub. L. 111-148 & 111-152]? No

Is this ICR related to the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act, [Pub. L. 111-203]? No

Is this ICR related to the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (ARRA)? No

Is this ICR related to the Pandemic Response? No

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Common Form ICR:  No

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On behalf of this Federal agency, I certify that the collection of information encompassed by this request complies with 5 CFR 1320.9 and the related provisions of 5 CFR 1320.8(b)(3).

The following is a summary of the topics, regarding the proposed collection of information, that the certification covers:

(a) It is necessary for the proper performance of agency functions;

(b) It avoids unnecessary duplication;

(c) It reduces burden on small entities;

(d) It uses plain, coherent, and unambiguous language that is understandable to respondents;

(e) Its implementation will be consistent and compatible with current reporting and recordkeeping practices;

(f) It indicates the retention periods for recordkeeping requirements;

(g) It informs respondents of the information called for under 5 CFR 1320.8 (b)(3) about:

(i) Why the information is being collected;

(ii) Use of information;

(iii) Burden estimate;

(iv) Nature of response (voluntary, required for a benefit, or mandatory);

(v) Nature and extent of confidentiality; and

(vi) Need to display currently valid OMB control number;

(h) It was developed by an office that has planned and allocated resources for the efficient and effective management and use of the information to be collected.

(i) It uses effective and efficient statistical survey methodology (if applicable); and

(j) It makes appropriate use of information technology.

If you are unable to certify compliance with any of these provisions, identify the item by leaving the box unchecked and explain the reason in the Supporting Statement.

Certification Date: 02/21/2025

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