State Employment Preference
10 bonus points on competitive exams for state employment; 15 points (10 + 5 additional) for veterans with a service-connected disability, per Texas Government Code Section 657.003.
State BenefitTexasEmployment
Verified May 12, 2026 against statutes.capitol.texas.gov
At a glance
- Benefit type
- Employment — Texas
- Who it's for
- Veterans, Spouses, Survivors
- VA rating needed
- No rating requirement
- Where it applies
- Texas
- Last verified
- May 12, 2026
What is State Employment Preference?
State Employment Preference is a Texas employment benefit for veterans, spouses, survivors. 10 bonus points on competitive exams for state employment; 15 points (10 + 5 additional) for veterans with a service-connected disability, per Texas Government Code Section 657.003.
Who qualifies
- Veterans
- Spouses
- Survivors
- Available to any veteran
- Texas residency
Who is eligible
Eligibility
Veteran with honorable discharge who otherwise meets the position's qualifications and at least the minimum required exam score.
What State Employment Preference covers
Points structure
Per Texas Government Code Section 657.003(c), a qualifying veteran receives a 10-point service credit added to the test score; a veteran with a service-connected disability (as classified by the VA or branch of service — no specific rating threshold required) receives an additional 5 points, for 15 points total.
Statutory priority order
(1) veteran with a disability, (2) veteran, (3) qualifying spouse, (4) surviving spouse who has not remarried, (5) orphan of a veteran killed on active duty.
How to apply for State Employment Preference
How to claim
Indicate veteran status on your state job application and provide DD-214. Disabled veterans should also provide the VA disability rating/award letter.
Verified information & sources
- Last verified
- May 12, 2026
- Official source
- statutes.capitol.texas.gov
- Apply at
- tvc.texas.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
Who qualifies for State Employment Preference?
State Employment Preference is for Veterans, Spouses, Survivors; available to any veteran; texas 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.