Eligibility Requirements For Veterans' Preference

"Veteran" means any person who has served full time for 30 days or more in the armed forces in time of war or in time of peace in a campaign or expedition for service in which a medal has been authorized by the Government of the United States, or during the period September 16, 1940, to January 31, 1955, or who has served at least 181 consecutive days since January 31, 1955, and who has been discharged or released under conditions other than dishonorable, but does not include any person who served only in auxiliary or reserve components of the armed forces whose service therein did not exempt him or her from the operation of the Selective Training and Service Act of 1940.

Widows and widowers of a veteran who met these criteria are also eligible for Veterans' Preference Points in open entrance examinations.

Disabled Veterans

A "disabled veteran" means any veteran who meets the applicable definition above and who is currently declared by the United States Veterans Administration to be 10% or more disabled as a result of military service.

A "100% disabled veteran" means any veteran who meets the definition above and who is currently declared by the United States Veterans Administration to be 100% disabled as a result of military service. Spouses of 100% disabled veterans are also eligible for Veterans Preference Points as of January 1, 1983.

Proof of such disability shall be deemed conclusive if it is on record with the United States Veterans Administration.

Competitors in State civil service open entrance examinations who have never achieved permanent civil service status (passed probationary period), 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 points added to their test scores as described below provided that they achieve a passing score in the overall examination.

NOTE: 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.

NOTE: Individuals who, at any time, achieved permanent civil service status and subsequently resigned or were dismissed from civil service, are not eligible to receive Veterans' Preference Points.

How Veterans' Preference Points are Added to your Final Examination Score:

Veterans' Preference Points will automatically be added to your final score on the eligible list if your eligibility for Veterans' Preference Points is approved BEFORE the eligible list is processed. However, the points will not be reflected on your results notice from this exam.

Instructions for Filing Application for Veterans' Preference Points:

1. A legible copy of your discharge (DD214), or other official discharge documents, showing your enlistment and discharge dates, branch of service, Social Security Number, birth date, and the character of service (i.e., Type of Discharge) must be submitted with this form.
2. If you have a current, service-incurred disability of 10 percent or more, please fill out the section marked "Disability Preference". You are required to file for disability preference on each examination for which veterans' preference is applicable if your disability was determined to be "temporary." If you attach a copy of your disability award letter, you need not complete this section.
3. If you are the unremarried, surviving spouse of a veteran, please submit copies of marriage certificate, spouse's discharge papers, and spouse's death certificate or other documentary evidence of death.
4. If you are the spouse of a 100 percent disabled veteran, please submit copies of marriage certificate, spouse's discharge papers, and a document provided by the United States Veterans Administration substantiating the 100 percent disablement.
5. Mail this form, discharge papers, and other documents to the California Department of Human Resources, Veterans' Preference Coordinator, 1515 S Street, Suite 400 North Building, Sacramento, CA 95811. For more information, call (866) 844-8671 and select option 3 or TTY (916) 323-6207.