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State Benefit·Ohio·💼Employment

State Civil Service Employment Preference

20% bonus on Ohio state civil service exams for veterans; 15% for Reserve/National Guard members.

Verified May 12, 2026againstcodes.ohio.gov

At a glance

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

What is State Civil Service Employment Preference?

State Civil Service Employment Preference is a Ohio employment benefit for veterans, national guard, reservists. 20% bonus on Ohio state civil service exams for veterans; 15% for Reserve/National Guard members.

Who qualifies

VeteransNational GuardReservists
  • Available to any veteran
  • Honorable discharge required
  • Ohio residency

How to apply

Apply through the official Ohio agency.

Open application

What State Civil Service Employment Preference covers

Overview

Eligibility (20%): Honorably discharged veteran. Eligibility (15%): Reserve or National Guard member who completed initial entry-level training. Cannot receive both (mutually exclusive).

How to apply for State Civil Service Employment Preference

How it works

Bonus percentage is added to passing scores on Ohio state civil service exams (per ORC 124.23), providing competitive advantage in state hiring.

How to apply

Indicate veteran status when applying for Ohio state civil service positions.

Open applicationVerify at official source

Verified information & sources

Last verified: May 12, 2026

Official source: codes.ohio.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.

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Frequently asked questions about State Civil Service Employment Preference

Who qualifies for State Civil Service Employment Preference?▾
State Civil Service Employment Preference is for Veterans, National Guard, Reservists; available to any veteran; ohio residency. See the eligibility details on this page and confirm with the official source before applying.
How do I apply for State Civil Service 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 Civil Service 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.

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