Per SSR 82-41, a skill is knowledge of a work activity which requires the exercise of significant judgment that goes beyond the carrying out of simple job duties and is acquired through performance of an occupation which is above the unskilled level (requires more than 30 days to learn).

It is practical and familiar knowledge of the principles and processes of an art, science or trade, combined with the ability to apply them in practice in a proper and approved manner. This includes activities like making precise measurements, reading blueprints, and setting up and operating complex machinery. Having a skill gives a person a special advantage over unskilled workers in the labor market.

A person does not gain skills doing unskilled jobs. A person who performed skilled or semi-skilled PRW has no advantage over an unskilled worker if he or she can qualify only for an unskilled job due to lack of transferability. The table rules in Appendix 2 are consistent with the provisions regarding skills because they direct the same conclusion for individuals with an unskilled work background as they do for those with a skilled or semi-skilled work background whose skills are not transferable.

Although a Dictionary of Occupational Titles’ specific vocational preparation (SVP) rating may include some consideration of education, a person's acquired work skills may or may not be equal with his or her formal educational attainment. For the definition of SVP, see DI 25001.001A.77.

                                                                                         Examples

An individual has transferable skills when the skilled or semi-skilled job functions he or she has performed in his or her PRW can be used to meet the requirements of other work within his or her RFC. You must consider all functional limitations included in the RFC when considering transferability. For a description of relevant past work, see DI 25005.015.

Transferability is different from using skills recently learned in school or other formal educational settings that may serve as a basis for direct entry into skilled work. We cannot consider education in a transferability of skills determination.

We do not expect people to be able to adjust to other work in jobs that are more complex than the ones they have actually performed.

A person’s skills are most likely to transfer between jobs of the same or lower skill level; and, which use the same or similar:

• •

  tools;

• •

  machines;

• •

  raw materials;

• •

  products;

• •

  processes; or

• •

  services. 

NOTE: An absolute similarity of all of these factors is not necessary.

Unskilled work requires little or no judgment to do simple duties that can be learned on the job in a short period of time (30 days or less).

NOTE: Unskilled work generally has an SVP of 1 or 2.

Semiskilled occupations are more complex than unskilled work and distinctly simpler than the more highly skilled types of jobs. They contain more variables and require more judgment than unskilled occupations. Even though semiskilled occupations require more than 30 days to learn, the content of work activities in some semiskilled jobs may be little more than unskilled. Therefore, pay close attention to the actual complexities of the job tasks required to perform the work.

The definition of semiskilled work is found in DI 25001.001A.69. Per 20 C.F.R. §§ 404.1568(b) and 416.968(b), semiskilled jobs "may require alertness and close attention ... coordination and dexterity ... as when hands or feet must be moved quickly to do repetitive tasks." These descriptive terms are not intended to illustrate types of skills in and of themselves. The terms describe worker traits (aptitudes or abilities) rather than acquired work skills.

NOTE: Semiskilled work generally has a SVP of 3 or 4.

The definition of skilled work is found in DI 25001.001A.75. Skilled work:

• •

  Requires high levels of judgment and adaptability;

• •

  Involves setting realistic goals or making plans independently;

• •

  Requires understanding, carrying out, remembering complex instructions;

• •

  Encompasses abstract ideas and problem solving; and

• •

  Has an SVP of 5 to 9 as rated in the SCO.

Skilled job functions require both:

• •

  work activity exercising judgment beyond carrying out simple duties; and

• •

  knowledge of principles and processes of an art, science, or applied trade and the ability to apply that knowledge in a proper and approved manner.

NOTE: Skilled work generally has an SVP of 5 to 9.

In order to find that skills are transferable in other work, claimants in the following age groups would have to make very little, if any, vocational adjustment in terms of tools, work processes, or industry:

• •

  age 55 or older with a sedentary remaining occupational base; or

• •

  age 60 or older with a light remaining occupational base.

Transferable skills always outweigh age and education:

• •

  Regardless of age or education level, if skills are transferable to other work, always find the claimant not disabled at step 5; and

• •

  Transferable skills for claimants who are illiterate are rare. Skills that are not dependent on literacy may transfer to other work within the claimant’s RFC.

These skills are highly likely to transfer to other light work:

• •

  Auto repair

• •

  Cooking

• •

  Electrician

• •

  Heavy equipment operator

• •

  Inspecting

• •

  Law enforcement

• •

  Machining

• •

  Maintenance mechanic

• •

  Master carpenter

• •

  Nursing

• •

  Plumbing

• •

  Sales

These skills are highly likely to transfer to other sedentary or light work:

• •

  Assembly

• •

  Clerical

• •

  Supervisor

These skills that do not generally transfer to other work:

• •

  Nurse’s aide (skills are just barely above unskilled, but may vary among nurse’s aides). Many employers now require nurse’s aides to be certified. The certification process generally includes education and training beyond the education and time commitment required to be a basic nurse’s aide. To earn certification, nurse’s aides also need to pass a competency examination administered by their State. The specific skills actually acquired and performed by the individual as a nurse’s aide must be identified, supported by appropriate documentation, and specific skills that are transferable identified. See DOT No. 355.674-014 for a description of a nurse’s aide’s duties;

• •

  Specialized truck driving (basic driving ability is not a skill); and

• •

  Many jobs in mining, agriculture, or fishing (unusual or isolated vocational settings).

Claimants in some age groups would have to make very little, if any, vocational adjustment, in order for their skills to be deemed transferable. See the details in DI 25015.017J.2. and DI 25015.017D.1. in this section.