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​VETERANS

 

VETERANS' PREFERENCE

 

Veterans' preference is the law of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.  All qualifying veterans are entitled to hiring preference when applying for civil service jobs.  The State Civil Service Commission shall conduct audits of appointments and changes in employment in the classified service to ensure strict compliance with 51 Pa.C.S. Pt. V (relating to employment preferences and pensions).

[LINK TO 51 Pa.C.S.:  https://www.legis.state.pa.us/WU01/LI/LI/CT/PDF/51/51.PDF]

 

QUALIFICATIONS FOR VETERANS' PREFERENCE

To qualify for veterans' preference, you must meet the definition of a "soldier" as indicated in the Pennsylvania Military Code, 51 Pa .C.S. § 7101.  Individuals in any of the following categories are considered veterans for purposes of veterans' preference: 

1.  Individuals who have served in the armed forces of the United States, or in any women's organization officially connected therewith, during any war or armed conflict, including National Guard or Reserves serving on active duty for other than training, and were released from such active duty under honorable conditions; or

2.  Individuals who have served in the armed forces of the United States, including the National Guard and Reserves since July 27, 1953 or otherwise completed certain military commitments prior to July 27, 1953, and completed basic training, completed their initial military service obligation, and received a discharge under honorable conditions; or

3.  Individuals in the National Guard or Reserves who have completed basic training, completed their initial military service obligation, and continue to serve.

The same preferential rating given under these provisions shall be extended to include the spouses of deceased or disabled soldiers in accordance with Pennsylvania Military Code, 51 Pa. C.S. § 7108.

 

VETERANS' PREFERENCE AND ITS IMPACT ON CIVIL SERVICE LISTS

An additional ten points shall be applied to the final examination score obtained by a veteran in accordance with 51 Pa.C.S. § 7103 (relating to additional points in grading civil service examinations), and the same preferential rating given to veterans under this part shall be extended to include spouses in accordance with 51 Pa.C.S. § 7108 (relating to preference of spouses). 

Any applicant who is qualified to receive veterans' preference on a civil service list may be appointed regardless of his or her final examination score.

In addition, if there is an applicant who is qualified to receive veterans' preference in the top three highest ranked available candidates on a civil service list, non-veterans may not be considered for appointment from that civil service list, unless the PA Office of Administration has approved an alternative number, other than three, to be used to rank the applicants being hired from that civil service list.

 

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

For additional information related to veterans' preference including documentation required to obtain veterans' preference and where to submit your required documentation, please refer to employment.pa.gov or contact the PA Office of Administration at 717.787.6039 or email: ra-cs-vetpreference@pa.gov.