How to Become a Teleworker

4 Steps to Register and Start Using a Telework Center

  1. Contact your Agency Telework Coordinator for any agency-specific guidelines or procedures.
  2. View the interactive map to find the Telework Center that is right for you.
  3. Contact the Telework Center Director to determine availability and to obtain specific information about the Telework Center selected.
  4. Register through the Telework On-Line Billing System (TOLBS).

Three teleworkers at the Hagerstown, Md Center.

Read further for more specific information for each of these 4 steps.

Contact your Agency Telework Coordinator

Federal workers should contact their agency’s telework coordinator or their Human Resource Department. Telework coordinators administer telework programs and can guide you through the process. Employees of private businesses should contact their supervisors or human resources representatives.

Employees should familiarize themselves with their agency or business’ telework policies and understand their rights and responsibilities in these matters. All Federal agencies have policies in place, but many private businesses may not. They may have to cooperate with their employers to develop a telework policy for their workplace.

It may also be necessary to contact the agency IT department to determine whether the employee will be using a government-issued laptop (with permission to print or not) or a telework center workstation.

Find the right Telework Center for you

Fourteen telework centers are overseen by the Washington Metropolitan Telework Centers (WMTC). All are located in or very near town centers, never more than a few miles from interstates and other major roadways.

Contact the Telework Center Director

The federal employee should contact the selected GSA Telework Center Director to discuss availability, technical needs, possible start date, center policies etc. Each center offers a range of resources and amenities to meet each teleworker’s needs.

Register through the Telework On-Line Billing System (TOLBS)

TOLBS is the on-line billing and administrative system handling telework employee registration and charges. Both public- and private-sector employees use this site for registration. In order to officially begin teleworking, each employee’s telework center application must be processed by TOLBS. Make sure all required fields are completed and then submit your application. TOLBS will forward the application to your supervisor for approval and further processing. Therefore, it’s important to make sure your supervisor’s email address is correct. During the application process, you’ll receive several notifications from TOLBS regarding your application’s status. TOLBS will send you and the Center Director an email stating your application is complete and ready to be funded. After registering, you will receive an email confirming your registration.

TOLBS ogoAlso, all supervisors and certifying officials must also sign up in TOLBS.

For questions regarding TOLBS, call the TOLBS help desk at (866)367-7878.