Veteran's Preference Credits  (You must request these points and qualify to have points added to your final score)

Competitors in State civil service open entrance examinations who have never achieved permanent civil service status (passed probationary period); and have served in the U.S. Armed Forces as defined in Government Code Section 18540; and qualify as veterans as defined above, are entitled to have veterans' preference credits added to their test scores as described below provided that they achieve a passing score in the overall examination. Click here for the application to apply for Veteran's Preference credits toward California State Civil Service Exams. NOTE: This application for Veteran's Preference must be mailed (along with discharge papers and other documents) to the STATE PERSONNEL BOARD, EXAMS UNIT DEPARTMENT/VETERAN PREFERENCE CREDIT, 801 Capitol Mall, Sacramento, CA 95814.
Toll Free Number 1-866-844-8671 (Press "3", Press "3", Press "2"). 

How Points are added to your final examination score
If you are currently competing in a State civil service exam for which veterans preference credit will be allowed, veterans preference points will be automatically added to your final score if your eligibility for veterans perference points is approved before the classification's eligiblity list is processed. Contact the toll-free number above if you have received a letter indicating your list eligiblity has been approved and veterans points are not added to your final passing score.

Veterans Points are Added to your Final Examination Score:
(a) Disabled Veterans 15 points
(b) All other veterans 10 points

Veterans Eligible to Take State Promotional Exams
As a result of legislation signed by Governor Schwarzenegger (AB 3065, Chapter 590, Statutes of 2008) that went into effect 1 January 2009 Veterans are now eligible to take promotional civil service exams. This new law allows veterans who meet the minimum qualifications for promotional job openings to be admitted to state interviews and exams. For further information please contact the State Personnel Board or the Human Resources Office of the Department or Agency to which you will be applying. A copy of the State Personnel Board Memorandum explaining the new law can be found at the following link: http://spb.ca.gov/content/pinkies/P081205A.pdf

Armed Forces Active Duty Points
Any member of the armed forces who takes an open entrance examination while still on active duty and achieves a place on an eligible list may have preferential credits added to the examination score if qualification for such preference is active within six months after the eligible list is established.

Ensure Eligble Points Were Added
Contact the State Personnel Board if you have received a letter indicating your eligibility has been approved and veterans points are not added to your final passing score.

After Acceptance Retain your Approval Letter
If you are now on a State civil service employment list for which veterans perference credit will be allowed, you must provide a copy of your approval letter to the testing office that administered your examination.

Disqualifications
Individuals who at any time achieved permanent civil service status and subsequently resigned or were dismissed from civil service, are not eligible to receive veteran's credits.