N.J.A.C. 4A:3-5.4 Criteria for exemption from Federal Fair Labor Standards Act: State service
N.J.A.C. 4A:3-5.4, Criteria for exemption from Federal Fair Labor Standards Act: State service. The following are the criteria for exemption from the Federal Fair Labor Standards Act, 29 U.S.C. 201 et seq.: 1. An unclassified employee is exempt if he o Full text with cited by 1 other rule.
Current through New Jersey Register, Vol. 58 No. 14, July 20, 2026. Reviewed as of July 26, 2026.
This is an annotated mirror, not the official publication. Verify against the Civil Service Commission before relying on it.
In plain language
A single position can be exempt even when its title is covered, which is why the appeal section provides separately for position designation and title designation disputes. The tests here follow the Federal executive, administrative and professional categories. An executive is exempt if paid at least $250 a week on a salary basis, regularly directs the work of two or more employees, and has management of the enterprise or of a recognised department or subdivision as a primary duty. An administrative employee needs responsible office or non-manual work directly related to management policies or general business operations, or responsible work administering an educational institution, requiring discretion and independent judgment. A professional needs advanced knowledge in a field of science or learning, work as a teacher, or artistic work. Unclassified employees are exempt if they hold State elective office, sit on an elected official personal staff, were appointed by one at a policy making level, or advise one on the powers of the office. Employees paid below the threshold may still be exempt under the Federal regulations.
Written by the NJ Civil Service Navigator editorial team from the text of N.J.A.C. 4A:3-5.4. It is a description of the rule, not the rule itself, and not legal advice.
(a) The following are the criteria for exemption from the Federal Fair Labor Standards Act, 29 U.S.C. 201 et seq.: #
1. An unclassified employee is exempt if he or she: #
i. Holds a public elective office of the State: #
ii. Is a member of the personal staff of an elected office holder; #
iii. Is appointed by such an office holder to serve on a policy making level; #
iv. Is an immediate adviser to such an office holder with respect to the constitutional or legal powers of the office; or #
v. Meets one of the criteria for exemption set forth in (a)2 through 6 below. #
2. An executive employee paid at least $ 250.00 a week on a salary basis exclusive of board, lodging and other facilities is exempt if the employee regularly directs the work of two or more other employees and the employee's primary duty is management of the enterprise or a recognized department or subdivision thereof. #
3. An administrative employee who is paid on a salary or fee basis at least $ 250.00 a week, exclusive of board, lodging or other facilities, is exempt if his or her primary duty is responsible office or non-manual work directly related to management policies or general business operations or responsible work in the administration of an educational institution and his or her work requires the exercise of discretion and independent judgment. #
4. A professional employee who is paid at least $ 250.00 per week is exempt if his or her primary duty requires advanced knowledge in a field of science or learning or involves work as a teacher, and requires the consistent exercise of discretion of judgement; or his or her primary duty involves artistic work in a recognized field of artistic endeavor. #
5. Executive, administrative and professional employees who are paid less than $ 250.00 per week may be exempt under conditions specified in Federal regulations. See 29 C.F.R. 541. #
6. Employees engaged in law enforcement or fire protection activities, including security personnel in correctional institutions, who are employed by a public agency that employs less than five law enforcement or five fire protection workers in a workweek, are exempt. #
(b) An individual position may be exempt if it meets the criteria in this section, even if it is in a covered title. See N.J.A.C. 4A:3-5.10(b) for position designation appeals. #
This rule points to
Rules that point here
Elsewhere in Overtime Compensation
- 4A:3-5.1 General provisions
- 4A:3-5.2 Definitions: State service
- 4A:3-5.3 40 hours or less in a workweek: State service
- 4A:3-5.5 Federal fair labor standards applicable to more than 40 hours in a workweek for 35, 40 and NE titles: State service
- 4A:3-5.6 Federal fair labor standards applicable to more than 40 hours in a workweek for 3E, 4E, NL, and N4 titles: State service
- 4A:3-5.7 Special circumstances: State service
- 4A:3-5.8 Holiday pay: State service
- 4A:3-5.9 Appointing authority responsibilities: State service
- 4A:3-5.10 Appeal procedures: State service