NJ Civil Service Navigator

N.J.A.C. 4A:4-2.3 Open competitive examinations

N.J.A.C. 4A:4-2.3, Open competitive examinations. Vacancies shall be filled by promotional examination, unless the Chairperson or designee determines that it is in the best interest of the career service to Full text with 6 recorded amendments, 118 citing decisions, cited by 3 other rules.

Selection and Appointment · Competitive Examinations

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

Promotion is the default. Vacancies are filled by promotional examination unless the Chairperson or designee decides an open competitive examination is in the best interest of the career service, and that decision has to rest on at least one of five stated conditions: the vacancy is in an entrance level title, there are fewer than three qualified permanent employees in appropriate lower titles in the unit scope, multiple vacancies outrun that pool by a similar margin, a promotional list would be exhausted before present and anticipated vacancies are filled, or the title needs special, technical or professional training not required in lower titles. Applicants must meet every requirement by the announced closing date, including residency under 4A:4-2.11. Municipal Firefighter and Municipal Police Officer applicants must be under 35 on that date, though former law enforcement officers aged 45 or under who resigned in good standing, and those involuntarily separated by layoff at any age, may subtract previous years of service from their actual age.

Written by the NJ Civil Service Navigator editorial team from the text of N.J.A.C. 4A:4-2.3. It is a description of the rule, not the rule itself, and not legal advice.

(a) Vacancies shall be filled by promotional examination, unless the Chairperson or designee determines that it is in the best interest of the career service to hold an open competitive examination. The determination to announce an open competitive examination shall be based on at least one of the following conditions: #

1. The vacancy is in an entrance level title; #

2. There are fewer than three qualified permanent employees in appropriate lower titles in the unit scope (See N.J.A.C. 4A:1-1.3 for definition of unit scope); #

3. If more than one vacancy, the total number of qualified permanent employees in appropriate lower titles in the unit scope exceed by fewer than three the total number of vacancies; #

4. A list resulting from a promotional examination will be exhausted before all present or anticipated vacancies are filled; or #

5. The title requires special, technical or professional training or qualifications which are not required in lower titles. #

(b) Unless otherwise specified, an applicant shall meet the following criteria by the announced closing date: #

1. Be a resident of the State or specified local jurisdiction (see N.J.A.C. 4A:4-2.11), except when: #

i. A different residency requirement is specified by law or provided by the Chairperson or designee; or #

ii. It appears that there is an inadequate number of qualified residents available for the title. #

2. Meet all requirements specified in the examination announcement: #

i. Applicants for the titles of Municipal Firefighter and Municipal Police Officer must be under the age of 35 on the announced closing date for an open competitive examination to be eligible to take the examination. Former State troopers, sheriff's officers, sheriff's deputies, County or Municipal Police Officers, New Jersey Transit police officers, Southeastern Pennsylvania Transit Authority (SEPTA) police officers, Amtrak police officers, or any persons who were previously employed by any State or Federal law enforcement agency or other public entity, and who performed duties comparable to the law enforcement duties performed in the positions specifically listed in N.J.S.A. 40A:14-127.1, 45 years of age or under who resigned in good standing may adjust their age by subtracting previous years of service from their actual age on the closing date. Former law enforcement officers as defined above who were involuntarily separated from service due to layoff, regardless of age, may adjust their age by subtracting previous years of service from their actual age on the closing date. #

ii. For good cause, the Chairperson or designee may deem an individual a former law enforcement officer as defined in (b)2i above, even though the individual's separation from service shall not occur except upon a new appointment. #

iii. Veterans who are above a maximum age requirement, may recalculate their age for recording purposes pursuant to N.J.S.A. 38:23A-2; and #

3. File an application with all supporting documents or proofs by the announced filing date and time. If an announcement for an open-competitive examination is amended, all requirements must be met by the announced closing date, whether or not the application filing date is changed. #

(c) In announcing open competitive examinations, the Chairperson or designee may provide a single application for several announcements and/or title areas (such as police, sheriff, corrections, and bilingual). The applicant's eligibility for particular announcements and/or title areas may depend upon the applicant's residency as indicated on the application. #

(d) When a promotional examination is announced, an open competitive examination may also be announced. #

Amendment history

Rule numbers, effective dates and New Jersey Register citations as published. 6 recorded changes.

  1. AmendedR.2019 d.072
    51 N.J.R. 191(b); 51 N.J.R. 1115(a)
  2. AmendedR.2017 d.142
    49 N.J.R. 492(a); 49 N.J.R. 2239(a)
  3. AmendedR.2006 d.104
    37 N.J.R. 4351(a); 38 N.J.R. 1425(a)
  4. AmendedR.2000 d.444
    32 N.J.R. 2178(a); 32 N.J.R. 3981(a)
  5. AmendedR.1998 d.291
    30 N.J.R. 890(a); 30 N.J.R. 1975(a)
  6. AmendedR.1989 d.569
    21 N.J.R. 1766(a); 21 N.J.R. 3448(b); 29 N.J.R. 3385(a); 29 N.J.R. 4864(b)

How this rule has been applied

118 decisions have cited N.J.A.C. 4A:4-2.3. The list below is citations to those decisions, not the decisions. We have not written summaries for this section. A citation with no summary is deliberate: we do not paraphrase a decision we have not read. Nothing here is legal advice.

New Jersey Supreme Court (2)
  • 75 N.J. 534; 384 A.2d 513
  • 68 N.J. 135; 343 A.2d 423
Appellate Division (1)
  • Watson v. Farrell116 N.J.Super. 434; 282 A.2d 756
Superior Court (1)
  • Administrative Procedure Act. Matter of Police Chief (M2010P) South Orange Village266 N.J.Super. 101; 628 A.2d 809
Civil Service Commission final determinations (112)
  • In re C.F., Police Officer (S9999A), Florence Twp., CSC Docket No. 2022-2005Docket 2022-2005
  • In re Burt, Tech. Assistant 2 (PS7181U), Dep't of the Treasury, CSC Docket No. 2022-2296Docket 2022-2296
  • In re Miller, Senior Cottage Training Tech. (PS7333K), Woodbine Dev. Ctr., CSC Docket No. 2022-2070Docket 2022-2070
  • In re Morgan, Police Officer (M0103D), Newark, CSC Docket No. 2022-2058Docket 2022-2058
  • In re Lewis, Sheriff's Officer (C0225D), Morris Cnty., CSC Docket No. 2022-2201Docket 2022-2201
  • In re Seme, Police Officer (S9999A), Elizabeth Police, CSC Docket No. 2022-759Docket 2022-759
  • In re Duran, Police Officer (M0103D), Newark, CSC Docket No. 2022-1881Docket 2022-1881
  • In re Day, Assistant Institutional Fire Chief (S0455B), Statewide, CSC Docket No. 2021-1404Docket 2021-1404
  • In re Sofie, Senior Mech. Diesel (C0069B), Monmouth Cnty., CSC Docket No. 2021-594Docket 2021-594
  • In re McLaughlin, Mgmt. Assistant (C1052A), Cape May Cnty., CSC Docket No. 2020-2732Docket 2020-2732
  • Environmental Specialist in the Department of Environmental Protection. In re Andrews, Exec. Assistant 3 (S0982A), Statewide, CSC Docket No. 2021-280Docket 2021-280
  • In re Stephenson, Customer Serv. Representative (M1174A), East Orange, CSC Docket No. 2020-1972Docket 2020-1972
  • In re Apsley, Fire Instructor (C0205A), Hunterdon Cnty., CSC Docket No. 2020-1908Docket 2020-1908
  • In re Jean-Louis, Ass't Chief Accountant (M0606W), Newark, CSC Docket No. 2019-2050Docket 2019-2050
  • In re Autieri, Cnty. Corr. Officer (S9999U), Passaic Cnty. Sheriff, et al., CSC Docket Nos. 2019-968 and 2018-2812 (Consolidated)Docket 2019-968 and 2018-2812
  • In re Watts, Police Officer (S9999U), Pennsauken Twp., CSC Docket No. 2019-3297Docket 2019-3297
  • In re Dela-Cruz et al., Bergenfield, CSC Docket Nos. 2019-2744 and 2019-2743 (Consolidated)Docket 2019-2744 and 2019-2743
  • In re Watts, Police Officer (S9999U), Pennsauken Twp., CSC Docket No. 2019-1301Docket 2019-1301
  • In re Karamanski, Police Officer (S9999U), Jersey City, CSC Docket No. 2019-1813Docket 2019-1813
  • In re Santiago, Assistant Dir. of Fin. (M0716V), Borough of Pt. Pleasant, CSC Docket No. 2019-1468Docket 2019-1468
  • In re Ahmad, et al., Montclair State Univ., CSC Docket Nos. 2019-994, et al. (Consolidated)Docket 2019-994
  • In re Henry, Sr., Police Officer (S9999U), Plainfield, CSC Docket No. 2019-661Docket 2019-661
  • In re O'Sullivan, Fire Fighter (M1544T), Jersey City, CSC Docket No. 2019-61Docket 2019-61
  • In re Reeves, Soc. Case Work Supervisor (M0014W), East Orange, DOP Docket No. 2018-3558
  • In re Vila, Signal Sys. Technician 1 (M0901V), Elizabeth, CSC Docket No. 2018-3331, N.J. CSC LEXIS 716, Final Agency Determination (October 3Docket 2018-3331
  • In re Strowe, Project Coordinator Redevelopment (M0936V), Scotch Plains, CSC Docket No. 2018-3542Docket 2018-3542
  • In re Murano, Analyst 1, Research and Evaluation (S0295V), CSC Docket No. 2018-636Docket 2018-636
  • New Jersey. In re Smith, Legal Secretary 2 (S0235V), Statewide, CSC Docket No. 2017-3919Docket 2017-3919
  • In re Nekola, Social Work Supervisor (C0845U), Hunterdon Cnty., CSC Docket No. 2018-227Docket 2018-227
  • In re Alexopoulos, Dep't of Health, CSC Docket No. 2016-3741Docket 2016-3741
  • In re J.A., et al., Cnty. Police Officer (S9999R), Camden Cnty., CSC Docket Nos. 2015-2672, et al. (Consolidated)Docket 2015-2672
  • In re Carroll, General Manager of Golf Courses (C0598U), Bergen Cnty., CSC Dkt. No. 2017-1945
  • In re Carlson, General Manager of Golf Courses (C0598U), Bergen Cnty., CSC Dkt. No. 2017-1942
  • In re Atkinson, Assistant Animal Control Officer (C0654U), Gloucester Cnty., CSC Dkt. No. 2017-1883
  • In re Johnson, Police Officer (S9999R), Mt. Laurel, CSC Docket Nos. 2016-764Docket 2016-764
  • In re Rembert, Human Servs. Specialist 2 (PC1356S), Gloucester Cnty., CSC Dkt. No. 2015-2220
  • In re Antonucci, Comptroller (M0889S), Long Branch, CSC Dkt. No. 2015-2559
  • In re Lane, Keyboarding Clerk 2 (M0248S), Maurice River Sch. Dist., CSC Docket No. 2015-819Docket 2015-819
  • In re D'Alterio, Mechanic (M0122S), Jersey City, CSC Dkt. No. 2014-3219
  • In re Communications Officer (C0466P), Essex Cnty. Sheriff's Office, CSC Docket No. 2014-2070Docket 2014-2070
  • In re Louann Wonski, Program Technician (S0835R), Statewide, CSC Dkt. No. 2014-2377cites (b)
  • In re Douglas Boles, Public Health Representative Emergency Medical Serv. (S0833R), Statewide, CSC Dkt. No. 2014-2075cites (b)
  • In re William Tunney, Marine Mechanic (S0727R), Statewide, CSC Dkt. No. 2014-573cites (b)2
  • In re Al'Jawann Reed, Jr., Principal Stock Clerk (S0550R), Statewide, CSC Dkt. Nos. 2014-1228cites (b)2
  • In re Reid, Animal Health Technician (C0631R), Essex Cnty.
  • In re John Maddox, Institutional Fire Chief (S0397R), Statewide, CSC Docket No. 2014-913Docket 2014-913cites (b)
  • In re Jaclyn Horvath, Investigator, County Medical Examiner's Office (C0282R), Middlesex County, CSC Dkt. No. 2014-467cites (b)2
  • In re Michele McCourt, Food Serv. Manager, (C0613R), CSC Dkt. No. 2014-1476cites (b)2
  • In re Patricia Gacutan, Assistant Health Educator (C0564R), Camden County, CSC Dkt. No. 2014-1382cites (b)2
  • In re Sue Barber, et al., Nursing Serv. Clerk (S0266R), Statewide, CSC Dkts. No. 2014-583cites (b)
  • In re Donald Johnson, Assistant Youth Opportunity Coordinator (M0237R), City of Elizabeth, CSC Dkt. No. 2014-448cites (b)
  • In re Kishon Ridley, Clerk 4 (M0303R), Plainfield, CSC Dkt. No. 2014-418cites (b)
  • In re McCathern, Legal Secretary 2 (S1046P), Statewide, CSC Docket No. 2013-2766Docket 2013-2766cites (b)2
  • In re Stephanie Menagh, Habilitation Plan Coordinator (S0847P), CSC Dkt. No. 2013-2869cites (b)2
  • In re Joseph Hammell, Habilitation Plan Coordinator (S0847P), CSC Dkt. No. 2013-2769cites (b)2
  • In re Sara Steinmetz, Habilitation Plan Coordinator (S0847P), CSC Dkt. No. 2014-1038cites (b)2
  • In re Mercedes, Cook (M0307R), Plainfield, CSC Docket No. 2014-674Docket 2014-674cites (b)
  • In re Nocks, Pub. Health Consultant 2, Nutrition (S0212R), Statewide, CSC Docket No. 2014-180Docket 2014-180cites (b)2
  • In re Pucciarelli, Accountant (M0325R), Newark Sch. Dist., CSC Docket No. 2014-435Docket 2014-435cites (b)2
  • In re Supervisor, Public Works, Sayreville, CSC Docket No. 2014-1082Docket 2014-1082cites (a)
  • In re Azcona, Rent Regulation Officer (M0411R), New Brunswick, CSC Docket No. 2014-663Docket 2014-663cites (b)2
  • In re Rivera, Contract Admin'r 2 (S0029R), CSC Docket No. 2013-2968Docket 2013-2968cites (b)2
  • In re Vazquez, Jr., Carpenter (M0227P), Newark Sch. Dist., CSC Dkt. No. 2013-233cites (b)2
  • In re Amico, Tech. Support Specialist 1 (PS6430U), Office of Info. Tech., CSC Docket No. 2013-2918Docket 2013-2918cites (b)2
  • In re Apoldite, Tech. Support Specialist 1 (PS6430U), Office of Info. Tech., CSC Docket No. 2013-3095Docket 2013-3095cites (b)2
  • In re Gurcsik, Quality Assurance Specialist, Health Servs. (S0840P), CSC Docket No. 2013-2815Docket 2013-2815cites (b)2
  • In re Van Dyke, Supervising Program Development Specialist, Cmty. Serv. (PC0278R), Essex County, CSC Docket No. 2014-367Docket 2014-367cites (b)2
  • In re Lewis, Supervisor, Senior Citizen Outreach & Referral Program (C0512R), Monmouth County, CSC Docket No. 2014-368Docket 2014-368cites (b)2
  • In re Kam, Supervisor, Senior Citizen Outreach & Referral Program (C0512R), Monmouth County, CSC Docket No. 2014-350Docket 2014-350cites (b)2
  • In re Barry AshfordDocket CSV 02884-13
  • In re Leslie Jackson, Accountant (M0325R0, Newark School Dist., CSC Dkt. No. 2014-628cites (b)
  • In re Venus Naylor, Adult Diagnostic and Treatment Ctr., Dep't. of Corr.Docket CSR 06023-13
  • (S0931P), CSC Dkt. No. 2013-2426cites (b)2
  • In re Shannon Adams, Deputy Municipal Court Administrator (M0235P), Jersey City, CSC Docket No. 2013-332Docket 2013-332
  • In re Patrick Callahan, Supervising Code Enforcement Officer (M0285R), Manasquan, CSC Dkt. No. 2014-166cites (b)
  • In re Lori Ghayami, Administrative Analyst 3 (S0708P), CSC Dkt. No. 2013-2187cites (b)2
  • CSC Dkt. No. 2013-2558cites (b)2
  • In re Lori Ghayami, Records Management Analyst (M0806P), East Orange, CSC Dkt. No. 2013-2425cites (b)2
  • In re Dana Parrello, Violations Clerk (M0256R), West Milford, CSC Dkt. No. 2014-144cites (b)2
  • In re Kyle Fountain, Commc'n. Systems Technician 1 (S0152R), Statewide, CSC Dkt. No. 2013-3236cites (b)
  • In re Amy Marino, Admin. Analyst 1, Fiscal Mgmt. (S0931P), CSC Dkt. No. 2013-2505cites (b)2
  • In re Joetta Belardo, Senior Income Maint. Technician (S0926P), CSC Dkt. No. 2013-2506cites (b)2
  • In re Tonya Badillo, Assistant Library Dir. (PM1077P), Long Branch, CSC Dkt. No. 2013-2429cites (a)2
  • In re Ondris, Legal Secretary (C1017P), Sussex Cnty., CSC Docket Nos. 2013-2589Docket 2013-2589cites (b)2
  • In re Royer, Code Enforcement Officer/Zoning Officer (M1014P), Lavallette Borough, CSC Docket No. 2013-3004Docket 2013-3004cites (b)2
  • In re Krupa, Contract Adm'r 2 (PS4559T), Motor Vehicle Comm'n and (S0029R), Statewide, CSC Docket Nos. 2013-2904Docket 2013-2904cites (b)
  • In re Blackmon, Rehab. Counselor, Mental Health (S0805P), CSC Docket No. 2013-2214Docket 2013-2214cites (b)
  • In re Velardi, Subcode Official (S0306R), Statewide, CSC Docket No. 2013-3533Docket 2013-3533cites (b)
  • In re Szedlmayer, Senior Eng'r Civil (S0247R), Statewide, CSC Docket No. 2013-2840Docket 2013-2840cites (b)
  • In re Gann, et al., Ass't Supervisor of Pub. Works, (PM0089R), Marlboro Township, CSC Docket Nos. 2013-3175Docket 2013-3175cites (a)
  • In re Marquez and Oddo, Maintenance Repairer/Mechanic (C0993P), Bergen County, CSC Docket Nos. 2013-2699Docket 2013-2699cites (b)2
  • In re Gregory, Administrative Analyst 4, Data Processing (S0900P), Statewide, CSC Docket No. 2013-2451Docket 2013-2451cites (b)2
  • In re Marie Raffay, Superintendent Parks & Forestry 4 (S0859P), CSC Dkt. No. 2013-2679cites (b)2
  • In re Timothy Minor, Superintendent Parks & Forestry 4 (S0859P), CSC Dkt. No. 2013-2654cites (b)2
  • In re Dawn Eberhard, Superintendent Parks & Forestry 4 (S0859P), CSC Dkt. No. 2013-2609cites (b)2
  • In re Kristin Nelson, Library Dir., (M0814P), North Arlington, CSC Docket No. 2013-1636Docket 2013-1636cites (b)
  • Youth Counselor, Facilitator, Program Associate, and Data Control Clerk, Typist. In re Anetra Riddick, Human Services Specialist 1 (C0770P), Burlington Cnty., CSC Dkt. No. 2013-1283cites (b)
  • In re Deborah Littman, Recreation Therapist (C0672P), Union County, CSC Dkt. No. 2013-1550cites (b)
  • In re Bryan Russell, Executive Assistant (M0416P), Roselle, CSC Dkt. No. 2013-1314cites (b)
  • In re Charlotte Cooper, Technical Assistant, Personnel (PS7782K), Dep't. of Human Services, CSC Dkt. No. 2013-316cites (b)
  • In re Norma R. Bennett, Investigator Student Loans (S0096P), CSC Dkt. No. 2012-2769cites (b)2
  • In re Linda Picaro-Covello, Assistant Municipal Treasurer (M2524N), Lacey Township, CSC Dkt. No. 2013-232cites (b)2
  • In re Rahul Patel, Human Services Specialist 1 (C2150N), Passaic County, CSC Dkt. No. 2013-993cites (b)
  • In re Mary Jo Jennings, Library Director (M0127P), Garfield, CSC Dkt. No. 2012-3555cites (b)2
  • In re Shawn Naiduk, Radio Dispatcher (CO0335P), CSC Dkt. No. 2013-724cites (b)
  • In re Victoria Armstead, Behavior Support Technician (S0443P), CSC Dkt. No. 2013-1471cites (b)
  • In re Linda Merse, Public Safety Telecommunicator (C0941P), Bergen County, CSC Dkt. No. 2013-1523cites (b)3
  • Richardson v. North Princeton Development Center96 N.J.A.R.2d (CSV) 507
  • Dickerson v. North Princeton Development Center96 N.J.A.R.2d (CSV) 504
  • Tudda v. Department of Public Works of the Borough of West Paterson96 N.J.A.R.2d (CSV) 499
  • Arose v. Township of Little Egg Harbor Police Department96 N.J.A.R.2d (CSV) 490
  • Carrico v. Woodbridge Township, Department of Public Works96 N.J.A.R.2d (CSV) 483
Office of Administrative Law initial decisions (2)
  • In re Reid, Burlington Cnty.Docket CSR 9886-15
  • In re Kevin Enright, Hazlet Twp., Dep't. of Public WorksDocket CSV 12816-13

Commission decisions citing 4A:4-2.3

253 decisions of the Civil Service Commission since January 16, 2019 cite this section (denied 127, granted 117, granted in part 3, as the minutes record the outcome). The newest:

All 253 decisions

This rule points to

Rules that point here

Elsewhere in Competitive Examinations