diff --git a/.github/PULL_REQUEST_TEMPLATE.md b/.github/PULL_REQUEST_TEMPLATE.md
index 22ca7e966dc..3570b4744a9 100644
--- a/.github/PULL_REQUEST_TEMPLATE.md
+++ b/.github/PULL_REQUEST_TEMPLATE.md
@@ -4,9 +4,9 @@ Fixes #
 
 ## Test plan
 
-- [ ] YAML tests whose expected values come from an external source (statute, official form or worksheet, official calculator)
+- [ ] For policy changes: YAML tests whose expected values come from an external source (statute, official form or worksheet, official calculator); otherwise mark not applicable.
 - [ ] `make format`
 - [ ] Changelog fragment in `changelog.d/`
 
-<!-- Required for any change to policy (programs, parameters, eligibility, bug fixes). See CONTRIBUTING.md#axiom-parity. Keep exactly one option. -->
+<!-- Required for any change to policy (programs, parameters, eligibility, bug fixes). See CONTRIBUTING.md#axiom-parity. Keep one standard option below, or use axiom: needed if you are an external contributor who cannot complete the Axiom work; a maintainer will follow up. -->
 axiom: <legal id> encoded-correct | <rulespec-us PR> encoded | <rulespec-us issue> queued | n/a: <reason>
diff --git a/CLAUDE.md b/CLAUDE.md
index a1563390363..b5dd7352e10 100644
--- a/CLAUDE.md
+++ b/CLAUDE.md
@@ -132,8 +132,9 @@ changelog.d/medicaid-ce-exclusions.md
 
 ## Axiom Parity (required for policy changes)
 - Any PR that adds, updates or fixes policy must also leave the same provision correct in rulespec-us. Put one line in the PR body: `axiom: <legal id> encoded-correct | <rulespec PR> encoded | <rulespec issue> queued | n/a: <reason>`.
-- A `queued` rulespec-us issue must be dispatch-ready and labelled `pe-parity`. It needs the module path and corpus citation, the verbatim law, the required outputs, and companion tests from the same external source as your YAML tests. See `CONTRIBUTING.md#axiom-parity`.
+- Use `queued` only when the signed encoder is blocked; record the blocker in the issue. Each billed encoder run requires separate approval. A `queued` rulespec-us issue must be dispatch-ready and labelled `pe-parity`. It needs the module path and corpus citation, the verbatim law, the required outputs, and companion tests from the same external source as your YAML tests. See `CONTRIBUTING.md#axiom-parity`.
 - Never hand-write RuleSpec. Modules come from the signed encoder.
+- If you are an external contributor and cannot complete the Axiom work, use `axiom: needed`; a maintainer will follow up.
 
 ## Code Integrity
 - **BEFORE DELETING ANY CODE, VERIFY IT IS ACTUALLY UNUSED**
diff --git a/CONTRIBUTING.md b/CONTRIBUTING.md
index 7a81e3041b3..84f0488c726 100644
--- a/CONTRIBUTING.md
+++ b/CONTRIBUTING.md
@@ -54,7 +54,7 @@ Every policy change here must also be correct in [rulespec-us](https://github.co
 
 - Federal modules live under `us/` (for example `us/statutes/26/32.yaml` for the EITC and `us/policies/irs/rev-proc-2025-32/` for annual IRS amounts). State modules live under `us-<state>/` (for example `us-nj/statutes/54a:4-7.yaml`). Search `main` there before opening a new issue.
 - An `encoded-correct` claim names the module and a companion case in its `.test.yaml` that exercises the same situation as your YAML test.
-- Label `queued` issues `pe-parity`. Reuse your YAML test's external expected values as the companion tests; don't copy values computed by policyengine-us.
+- Use `queued` only when the signed encoder is blocked; record the blocker in the issue. Each billed encoder run requires separate approval. Label `queued` issues `pe-parity`. Reuse your YAML test's external expected values as the companion tests; don't copy values computed by policyengine-us.
 
 ## Repo-specific anti-patterns
 
diff --git a/changelog.d/axiom-parity-review-followups.changed.md b/changelog.d/axiom-parity-review-followups.changed.md
new file mode 100644
index 00000000000..049351c2611
--- /dev/null
+++ b/changelog.d/axiom-parity-review-followups.changed.md
@@ -0,0 +1 @@
+Documented that `axiom: queued` is allowed only when the signed encoder is blocked, and that external contributors may write `axiom: needed`.