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State Benefit·Missouri·💼Employment

State Employment Preference

5 preference points for veterans, 10 for disabled veterans on state employment exams.

Verified May 12, 2026againstveteranbenefits.mo.gov

At a glance

Benefit type
Employment — Missouri
Who it's for
Veterans, National Guard, Spouses, Survivors
VA rating needed
No rating requirement
Where it applies
Missouri
Last verified
May 12, 2026

What is State Employment Preference?

State Employment Preference is a Missouri employment benefit for veterans, national guard, spouses, survivors. 5 preference points for veterans, 10 for disabled veterans on state employment exams.

Who qualifies

VeteransNational GuardSpousesSurvivors
  • Available to any veteran
  • Honorable discharge required
  • Missouri residency

How to apply

Apply through the official Missouri agency.

Open application

Who is eligible

Eligibility

- 5 points: Honorably discharged veterans who served more than 180 consecutive days (other than for training) any part of which fell within qualifying wartime periods (incl. post-9/11).

- 10 points: Service-connected disabled veterans.

Spouses of disabled veterans unable to qualify and unremarried surviving spouses of deceased veterans may also qualify.

Missouri National Guard members on the register of eligibles are guaranteed an interview for state positions.

What State Employment Preference covers

Statute

Section 36.220, RSMo (merit system veteran preference).

Verified information & sources

Last verified: May 12, 2026

Official source: veteranbenefits.mo.gov

Compiled and fact-checked against the official source linked above. Benefit rules and dollar amounts change over time — always confirm current details at the official source before applying. A county Veterans Service Officer (VSO) is a free, accredited advocate who can review your eligibility and help you file at no cost.

How VetUnlock verifies benefits →

Frequently asked questions about State Employment Preference

Who qualifies for State Employment Preference?▾
State Employment Preference is for Veterans, National Guard, Spouses, Survivors; available to any veteran; missouri residency. See the eligibility details on this page and confirm with the official source before applying.
How do I apply for State Employment Preference?▾
Apply through the official source linked on this page. A county Veterans Service Officer (VSO) can review your eligibility and help you file at no cost.
Where can I verify State Employment Preference?▾
Benefit rules and dollar amounts change, so always confirm current details at the official source linked on this page. A free, accredited county or state Veterans Service Officer (VSO) can also verify your eligibility and help you apply.

Other Missouri Employment

Show-Me Heroes Program (On-the-Job Training)

Employer receives 50% wage reimbursement for up to 1,040 hours when hiring an eligible veteran.

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