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State Benefit·Rhode Island·💼Employment

State Employment Preference (Civil Service)

5-point credit on passing civil service exam score for veterans; 10 points for disabled veterans.

Verified May 12, 2026againstvets.ri.gov

At a glance

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

What is State Employment Preference (Civil Service)?

State Employment Preference (Civil Service) is a Rhode Island employment benefit for veterans, national guard, reservists. 5-point credit on passing civil service exam score for veterans; 10 points for disabled veterans.

Who qualifies

VeteransNational GuardReservists
  • Available to any veteran
  • Rhode Island residency

How to apply

Apply through the official Rhode Island agency.

Open application

What State Employment Preference (Civil Service) covers

Overview

Eligibility (5 points): Honorable discharge with 30+ days active duty (other than training), or National Guard/Reserve retiree with 20+ years.

Eligibility (10 points): Disabled veteran with VA service-connected disability rating.

Must achieve passing score on competitive civil service entrance exam before preference is applied.

Legal Basis

RI General Law 36-4-19.

Verified information & sources

Last verified: May 12, 2026

Official source: vets.ri.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.

Frequently asked questions about State Employment Preference (Civil Service)

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