State Employment Preference (Civil Service)
5-point credit on passing civil service exam score for veterans; 10 points for disabled veterans.
State BenefitRhode IslandEmployment
Verified September 30, 2026 against vets.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
- September 30, 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
- Veterans
- National Guard
- Reservists
- Available to any veteran
- Rhode Island residency
What State Employment Preference (Civil Service) covers
Overview
Eligibility (5 points): Other-than-dishonorable discharge with 30+ days active duty (other than training), or National Guard/Reserve retiree with 20+ years.
Eligibility (10 points): War veteran (campaign ribbon or expeditionary medal) with honorable or general discharge and a 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
- September 30, 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.
How VetUnlock verifies benefitsFrequently 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.