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 job opportunities. The State Civil Service Commission shall conduct audits of appointments and changes in employment in the classified service to ensure strict compliance with the Military Affairs Code, 51 Pa.C.S. Pt. V (relating to employment preferences and pensions).

For the Military and Veterans Code, please click here.

To Qualify For Veterans' Preference

All veterans who meet the requirements under the Military and Veterans Code are entitled to a hiring preference when applying for civil service jobs. Individuals in any of the following categories are considered veterans for purposes of veterans' preference:

(1) An individual who served, as evidenced by the veteran's discharge papers, separation documents or statement of service, or hereafter serves in any of the following:

(i) in the armed forces of the United States, including a reserve component or National Guard, has completed their initial contractual military service obligation and their last discharge or release was under conditions other than dishonorable;

(ii) in the armed forces of the United States, including a reserve component or National Guard, has served during a period of war or armed conflict as determined by the United States Department of Defense, has completed a tour of active duty for purposes other than training, was released from that period of active duty under conditions other than dishonorable and continues to serve; or

(iii) in the armed forces of the United States, including a reserve component or National Guard, has completed an initial contractual military service obligation and continues to serve.

(2) An active duty member of the armed forces of the United States who is completing a tour of active duty that is three years or more and is within 90 days of an approved discharge or release, as evidenced by documentation of the projected discharge or release from active duty under conditions other than dishonorable.

In accordance with 51 Pa.C.S. § 7108 (preference of spouses), the same preference given to veterans under these provisions shall be extended to the surviving spouse (an unmarried spouse of a deceased service member) or the spouse of a veteran who has been classified by the United States Department of Veterans Affairs' Veterans Benefits Administration as having a permanent total disability.

Veterans' Preference and Its Impact on Merit Hiring

Qualified veterans seeking employment in the classified service receive a hiring preference for the discipline and experience represented by the veteran's military training and by the loyalty and public spirit demonstrated by the veteran's service for the preservation of this nation and this Commonwealth.

When a veteran, in accordance with 51 Pa.C.S. § 7103 (additional points in grading civil service examinations), successfully passes a civil service appointment examination for a public position with the Commonwealth, an additional 10 points shall be added to the veteran's final examination score and such score shall determine the veteran's standing on any eligible list certified or provided to the appointing authority.

Additionally, in accordance with 51 Pa.C.S. § 7104 (preference in appointment), when a veteran's name appears on an eligible list certified or provided as the result of a civil service examination, the appointing authority in making an appointment to a public position shall give preference to the veteran, notwithstanding the veteran's standing on the eligible list if the appointment is otherwise made in accordance with 71 Pa.C.S. § 2402 (relating to selection and appointment of eligible).

The same preference given to veterans under these provisions shall be extended to the surviving spouse (an unmarried spouse of a deceased service member) or the spouse of a veteran, who has been classified by the United States Department of Veterans Affairs' Veterans Benefits Administration as having a permanent total disability, in accordance with 51 Pa.C.S. § 7108 (preference of spouses).

Additional Information