The Occupational Requirements Survey: Navigating Its Use in Vocational Expert Testimony

Vocational Experts have traditionally utilized the Dictionary of Occupational Titles as their primary source of information when providing testimony, but this resource is increasingly becoming outdated. The Occupational Requirements Survey published by the Bureau of Labor Statistics is an attempt to identify how work is performed in today’s economy. The Social Security Administration issued a policy in 2025 affirming the vocational experts as being best suited to identify which of these, or any other resources, are to be used when providing testimony. Further, the expert can decide how to deviate from either of these resources, provided they can explain their rationale. Because the Occupational Requirements Survey is relatively new, experts, judges, and claimant representatives are left to navigate how this data can be utilized. Potential issues with this data are proffered, and an examination of case law that may guide the vocational expert are discussed. Ultimately, the vocational expert will be tasked with establishing reliable opinions incorporating multiple sources along with their clinical experience.