The U.S. Census Bureau seeks public comment on the Current Population Survey (CPS) 2026 Field Test by May 4, 2026, which aims “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 second of two major field tests with the first completed in 2025, and an ultimate goal to phase in changes to the survey in 2027 through 2028.”
“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 2026 field test is planned for July 2026 until October 2026.”
- Agency Information Collection Activities; Submission to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for Review and Approval; Comment Request; Current Population Survey (CPS) 2026 Field Test https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2026/03/05/2026-04382/agency-information-collection-activities-submission-to-the-office-of-management-and-budget-omb-for
