State Benefit·Washington·💼Employment

Veterans' Preference in State Employment

Scoring bonus of 5-10% on competitive exams for Washington state government jobs.

Verified May 12, 2026againstcareers.wa.gov

At a glance

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

What is Veterans' Preference in State Employment?

Veterans' Preference in State Employment is a Washington employment benefit for veterans, spouses, survivors. Scoring bonus of 5-10% on competitive exams for Washington state government jobs.

Who qualifies

VeteransSpousesSurvivors

Available to any veteran
Honorable discharge required
Washington residency

How to apply

Apply through the official Washington agency.

Open application

What Veterans' Preference in State Employment covers

Overview

Eligibility (per RCW 41.04.005, 41.04.007, 41.04.010, and 73.16.010): Honorably discharged veteran (DD Form 214, NGB Form 22, or equivalent showing honorable discharge). General discharge under honorable conditions does NOT qualify.

Two tiers for initial appointment exams

- 10% scoring bonus: veterans who served during a period of war or armed conflict and do NOT receive military retirement.

- 5% scoring bonus: veterans who did not serve during war/armed conflict, OR who receive military retirement.

Additional 5% preference on promotional exams (first promotion only) for state employees called to active duty while employed.

Surviving spouses or registered domestic partners of disabled veterans may also qualify (non-competitive referral).

How to apply for Veterans' Preference in State Employment

How it works

When competitive examinations are used, a percentage is added to the veteran's passing score. When no exam is used, eligible veterans must be referred to the hiring official as long as they meet position requirements.

Open application Verify at official source

Verified information & sources

Last verified: May 12, 2026

Official source: careers.wa.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 Veterans' Preference in State Employment

Who qualifies for Veterans' Preference in State Employment?▾

Veterans' Preference in State Employment is for Veterans, Spouses, Survivors; available to any veteran; washington residency. See the eligibility details on this page and confirm with the official source before applying.

How do I apply for Veterans' Preference in State Employment?▾

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 Veterans' Preference in State Employment?▾

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 Washington Employment

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Free business certification and access to the Veterans Linked Deposit Program, reducing small business loan interest rates by 2%.

2% interest rate reduction on loans

See every benefit you qualify for in Washington

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