Information & Resources

Appointments and promotions to positions in the competitive branch of the classified service ("Competitve Positions") are subject to competitive examination as mandated by the RI Merit System Act, which is in place to help ensure that the hiring process is competitive and fair. These examinations assess candidates' knowledge, skills and abilities necessary for performing the job.

After each exam, the State establishes the following lists:

• "Promotional" list - a rank ordered list of state employees who passed the exam and who were employed at the time of the first phase of administration of the examination under conditions as specified in Personnel Rule 3.071, General laws, Title 36. Promotion lists remain in effect for a period of three (3) years or until exhausted or until combined with or replaced by a more recently prepared list.
• "Employment" list - all candidates who met the requirements of the official announcement and the appropriate class specification (not restricted to persons currently employed by the State) who pass the exam by rank order. Employment lists remain in force until exhausted, replaced, or combined with a more recently prepared list or until two (2) years from the date of its preparation, except that the Personnel Administrator may extend the duration of a list for a period not to exceed two (2) years.

Eligible candidates from the promotional list are sent certification notices for current vacancies. Rhode Island State Civil Service Law requires agencies to review the top six scorers remaining on the list for appointment to a vacant position, known as the Top 6 rule. The employment list is utilized in the same manner as described above when the promotional list is exhausted or expired.

Exam Application & Information

Each examination tests a candidate's qualifications for a particular Civil Service title. Before you apply for any examination, review the official "Civil Service Examination Announcement" for position qualifications and eligibility, along with the applicaiton period. Successful registration requires you to complete an Examination Application (CS-9) which may be obtained at any Department of Labor & Training Network Rhode Island Career Center or by applying in person at the Department of Administration, Division of Human Resources, Office of Classification & Examination,1 Capitol Hill, 3rd Floor, Providence, RI.

Candidates who have taken a civil service examination can view the Post Test Candidate Guide that was distributed at the close of the examination.

Please note that examination applications cannot be submitted online and instead must be printed, signed and mailed or delivered to: The Department of Administration, Division of Human Resources, Office of Classification & Examination, 1 Capitol Hill, 3rd Floor, Providence, RI 02908.