NJ Civil Service Navigator

NJ Civil Service Eligibility Lists

By NJ Civil Service Navigator Editorial Team · Updated October 13, 2026

Where to look up a NJ Civil Service Commission eligible list, how long lists last, how veterans and ties are ranked, the rule of three, the five list types and certification.

What is an eligibility list?

An eligibility list is a ranked list of everyone who passed a civil service exam for a specific job title. When a competitive position is filled from a list, the appointing authority has to choose from the top of it.

On an open competitive list the order is set by veterans status first and score second: disabled veterans in score order, then veterans in score order, then everyone else in score order (N.J.A.C. 4A:5-2.1, N.J.S.A. 11A:5-5). On a promotional list the order is score alone, and veterans are listed first only within a tied score (N.J.A.C. 4A:5-2.2). Ties are never broken: eligibles with the same score and the same veterans status share a rank (N.J.A.C. 4A:4-2.15(j), N.J.S.A. 11A:4-8).

Each examination produces its own list. When a local announcement covers more than one jurisdiction, the list is split into sub-lists by residency (N.J.A.C. 4A:4-3.2), and a promotional list is limited to the unit scope the examination was announced for, so leaving that scope can take you off it (N.J.A.C. 4A:4-4.7). As names above you are removed, for appointment or any other listed reason, everyone below moves up (N.J.A.C. 4A:4-4.7(e)).

The five types of eligible list

  • Open Competitive (Most common): Everyone who qualifies and passes the examination (N.J.A.C. 4A:4-3.1). Ranked disabled veterans, then veterans, then non-veterans, each in score order. Runs three years unless shortened, four at most with an extension.
  • Promotional (Permanent employees): Permanent employees who meet the requirements, limited to the unit scope the examination was announced for. Ranked by score; veterans go first only within a tie. Used before an open competitive list for the same title.
  • Regular Reemployment (Former employees): Former permanent employees who resigned in good standing, received a general resignation, retired or took a voluntary demotion, who ask in time and whose return the appointing authority certifies as in the interest of the service. Ranked by seniority; a name stays at most three years from resignation.
  • Police, Sheriff's Officer or Fire Reemployment (Former uniformed members): Former permanent uniformed members of a police department, sheriff's office or fire department who resigned in good standing, where the appointing authority certifies the return. Ranked by seniority, with no time limit on the list.
  • Special Reemployment (After a layoff): Former and current permanent employees who were laid off, laterally displaced or demoted in lieu of layoff. Ranked by the class code or level of the title they were displaced from, with no time limit. In the department they left, it outranks every other list.

The rule of three

For the first vacancy, the Commission certifies the three highest-ranked interested eligibles from an open competitive or promotional list, plus one more for each additional vacancy, and the appointing authority may appoint any of the top three (N.J.S.A. 11A:4-8, N.J.A.C. 4A:4-4.2(c), 4A:4-4.8(a)3). Because tied eligibles share a rank, a certification can carry more than three names.

Veterans narrow that choice. From an open competitive list, disabled veterans and then veterans must be appointed in their order of ranking before anyone ranked behind them (N.J.A.C. 4A:4-4.8(a)3, 4A:5-2.1(c), N.J.S.A. 11A:5-6). On a promotional certification headed by a veteran, a non-veteran may not be appointed unless the appointing authority shows cause why the veterans should be removed from the list (N.J.A.C. 4A:5-2.2(c), N.J.S.A. 11A:5-7).

Reemployment lists work differently. The certification carries one name per vacancy and eligibles are appointed in order of ranking (N.J.A.C. 4A:4-4.2(c), 4A:4-4.8(a)).

How a certification plays out:

  1. The appointing authority requests a certification for the title (N.J.A.C. 4A:4-4.1)
  2. The Commission certifies the highest-ranked eligibles on the list
  3. Each eligible on the certification is notified at their last known address
  4. Eligibles follow the instructions on the notice and say whether they are interested
  5. The appointing authority chooses under the rule of three and the veterans rules
  6. It reports the disposition to the Commission by the due date; a regular appointment is a ground for removing that name, and the others stay on the list

If someone ranked below you is appointed: Courts call this a bypass. The word appears nowhere in Title 4A, and no rule requires the appointing authority to give you its reasons: its disposition report goes to the Commission (N.J.A.C. 4A:4-4.8(b)). If you believe the rule of three or the veterans order was misapplied, you can appeal to the Commission in writing, generally within 20 days of when you knew or should have known of the action, and you carry the burden of proof (N.J.A.C. 4A:2-1.1, 4A:2-1.4). A non-veteran passed over in favor of a lower-ranked eligible on three certifications to the same appointing authority from an open competitive list is withheld from that authority's future certifications unless it asks for the name back (N.J.A.C. 4A:4-4.4(a)).

How long is a certification period?

The rules set no fixed number of days for a certification. Each one carries a disposition due date, and the appointing authority has to report to the Commission by then which eligibles it is appointing and when (N.J.A.C. 4A:4-4.8(b)). Missing the due date can lead to a constructive appointment or other remedial action (N.J.A.C. 4A:4-4.8(c)).

Your own deadline is the one on your notice of certification. Not complying with the instructions on that notice, and mail the post office cannot deliver to you, are both grounds for removing your name from the list (N.J.A.C. 4A:4-4.7(a)).

  • Keep your address current: Keeping a current address on file with the Commission is your responsibility (N.J.A.C. 4A:4-3.2(e)), and a certification notice goes to your last known address.
  • Declining can cost you your place: Refusing an appointment is a ground for removal from the list (N.J.A.C. 4A:4-4.7(a)3). If you cannot take a job for now, ask in writing to have your name withheld from certifications until you are available, then tell the Commission when you are.

Your rights as a listed candidate

  • Notice when you are certified: When a certification including your name is issued, the Commission notifies you at your last known address (N.J.A.C. 4A:4-4.2(b)).
  • See the case for removing you: If an appointing authority asks to remove your name, you can request copies of everything it sent the Commission. You are told the decision and your appeal rights (N.J.A.C. 4A:4-4.7(b), (c)).
  • Veterans order is enforced: Appointments from an open competitive list must follow the disabled veterans and veterans order, and a veteran heading a promotional certification blocks a non-veteran appointment unless cause is shown (N.J.A.C. 4A:4-4.8(a)3, 4A:5-2.2(c)).
  • Appeal in writing, on time: An appeal to the Commission must be in writing and, unless a different period applies, filed within 20 days. The appellant carries the burden of proof (N.J.A.C. 4A:2-1.1, 4A:2-1.4). There is no rule entitling you to a written explanation from the appointing authority.

Frequently asked questions

What is a NJ civil service eligibility list?

An eligible list is the ranked result of a civil service examination for a title. When a competitive position is to be filled from it, the appointing authority asks the Civil Service Commission for a certification, and the Commission sends the names of the highest-ranked eligibles (N.J.A.C. 4A:4-4.1, 4A:4-4.2). On an open competitive list, disabled veterans rank first, then veterans, then non-veterans, each group in score order (N.J.A.C. 4A:5-2.1).

How long does an eligibility list last in NJ?

Open competitive and promotional lists run three years from the date they are established, unless the Commission sets a shorter period. A list can be extended for good cause before it expires, but no list may last more than four years in total (N.J.A.C. 4A:4-3.3(b), N.J.S.A. 11A:4-6). A name stays on a regular reemployment list for no more than three years from the date of resignation, while special, police, sheriff's officer and fire reemployment lists have no time limit (N.J.A.C. 4A:4-3.3(b)).

How do I check my NJ civil service eligibility list status?

The Commission publishes issued lists at info.csc.nj.gov/EligibleLists. You search by the announcement's symbol number, or browse entry-level and promotional lists by State, county and municipal. CSC's page says a list can be viewed only for the three months after it is issued, that it shows results as of issuance rather than later hires, removals, make-up exams or appeals, and that firefighter examination lists are not shown there. If you are certified, the notice goes to your last known address (N.J.A.C. 4A:4-4.2(b)).

What is the Rule of Three in NJ civil service?

From an open competitive or promotional list, the Commission certifies the three highest-ranked interested eligibles for the first vacancy and one more for each additional vacancy, and the appointing authority may appoint any of the top three (N.J.S.A. 11A:4-8, N.J.A.C. 4A:4-4.8(a)3). Two limits apply. Disabled veterans and then veterans must be appointed in their order of ranking from an open competitive list, and if a veteran ranks first on a promotional certification a non-veteran may not be appointed (N.J.A.C. 4A:4-4.8(a)3). Because tied eligibles share a rank, a certification can carry more than three names (N.J.A.C. 4A:4-4.2(c)).

What are the different types of NJ civil service eligibility lists?

The rules name five (N.J.A.C. 4A:4-3.1): open competitive, for everyone who qualifies and passes; promotional, for permanent employees who meet the requirements; regular reemployment, for former permanent employees who resigned in good standing, received a general resignation, retired or were voluntarily demoted; police, sheriff's officer or fire reemployment, for former permanent uniformed members who resigned in good standing; and special reemployment, for permanent employees who were laid off, laterally displaced or demoted in lieu of layoff.

What happens when I'm certified from the eligibility list?

The Commission issues a certification to the appointing authority and notifies each eligible on it at their last known address (N.J.A.C. 4A:4-4.2). Follow the instructions on that notice: not complying with them is one of the grounds for removing a name from the list (N.J.A.C. 4A:4-4.7). The appointing authority then reports what it did with the certification to the Commission by the disposition due date (N.J.A.C. 4A:4-4.8(b)).

Can I decline a job offer and stay on the eligibility list?

Not automatically. Refusing to accept appointment is one of the listed grounds for removing a name from an eligible list (N.J.A.C. 4A:4-4.7(a)3). The same rule lets an eligible who has declined ask, in writing, to have their name withheld from future certifications until they are available, and then tell the Commission when they want to be considered again. Turning down a temporary or interim appointment is not a ground for removal (N.J.A.C. 4A:4-4.7(f)).

Can I be on multiple eligibility lists at the same time?

Yes. Each examination produces its own list, and you can hold a place on several at once. A regular appointment from a list is a ground for removal from that list, but an appointment to a lower title is not (N.J.A.C. 4A:4-4.7(a)2).

How are eligibility lists ranked?

Open competitive lists put disabled veterans first in score order, then veterans in score order, then non-veterans in score order (N.J.A.C. 4A:5-2.1, N.J.S.A. 11A:5-5). Preference changes your place in that order, not your score. Promotional lists run in score order regardless of veterans status, with veterans listed first only inside a tied score (N.J.A.C. 4A:5-2.2). Ties are never broken: tied eligibles share a rank (N.J.A.C. 4A:4-2.15(j)). On a local list covering several jurisdictions, residency separates the list into sub-lists before that ordering applies (N.J.A.C. 4A:4-3.2).

What is a promotional eligibility list?

A promotional list holds permanent employees who meet the requirements (N.J.A.C. 4A:4-3.1) and is limited to the unit scope the examination was announced for; leaving that scope is a ground for removal, with exceptions for temporary or interim appointments and involuntary transfers (N.J.A.C. 4A:4-4.7). It is a separate list from any open competitive list for the same title, and when both exist the promotional list is used first (N.J.A.C. 4A:4-3.7).

How long is a certification period?

The rules set no fixed number of days. Each certification carries a disposition due date, and the appointing authority must report the outcome to the Commission by that date in the way the Commission prescribes (N.J.A.C. 4A:4-4.8(b)). Missing it can lead to a constructive appointment or other remedial action (N.J.A.C. 4A:4-4.8(c)). Your own deadline is the one printed on your notice of certification.

What rights do I have as a listed candidate?

You are notified when a certification including your name is issued (N.J.A.C. 4A:4-4.2(b)). If the appointing authority asks to remove your name, you can request copies of everything it sent the Commission, and you are told the decision and your appeal rights (N.J.A.C. 4A:4-4.7). No rule entitles a passed-over eligible to a written explanation from the appointing authority; the disposition report goes to the Commission (N.J.A.C. 4A:4-4.8(b)). If you believe a rule was broken, an appeal must be in writing and, unless another deadline applies, filed within 20 days of when you knew or should have known, and you carry the burden of proof (N.J.A.C. 4A:2-1.1, 4A:2-1.4).

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The rules behind this guide

The published text of the regulations this page describes, with amendment history and the decisions that have applied them.

And the statute behind the rules

A regulation only has the force its enabling statute gives it. These are the sections of the Civil Service Act that the rules above are adopted under.

  • N.J.S.A. 11A:4-6 — Three years, extendable for good cause, and never beyond four. Also when a list may be revived.
  • N.J.S.A. 11A:4-8 — How names are certified and what happens when eligibles tie: the tie is not broken.
  • N.J.S.A. 11A:4-11 — Removal for a criminal record, and the five factors that decide it.
  • N.J.S.A. 11A:5-6 — A certified veteran must be appointed in rank order, which is stronger than a preference.