NJ Civil Service Navigator

N.J.S.A. 11A:4-1 Examinations

The commission shall provide for: a. The announcement and administration of examinations which shall test fairly the knowledge, skills and abilities r… Implemented by 2 rules in N.J.A.C. Title 4A.

Title 11A · Chapter 4. Examination, Selection and Appointment of Employees

Current through the close of the 221st Legislature (L. 2025, c. 346). What that means

Reviewed as of July 28, 2026. Official text: njleg.state.nj.us.

In plain language

Five duties, and the fifth is the one that confers a right. The Commission announces and administers examinations that fairly test the knowledge, skills and abilities a title requires, rates them, keeps the process secure with sanctions for a breach, and selects special examiners as subject-matter specialists. Then subsection e: the right to appeal adverse actions in the examination and appointment process, including but not limited to rejection of an application, failure of an examination, and removal from an eligible list. Everything before it is machinery; that is the provision an applicant reaches for. Note also how wide “examination” is here: written, oral, performance and evaluation of education and experience, among others, so a title filled by examination may involve no written test at all.

Written by the NJ Civil Service Navigator editorial team from the text of this section. The statute itself is below, unabridged.

The commission shall provide for:

a.The announcement and administration of examinations which shall test fairly the knowledge, skills and abilities required to satisfactorily perform the duties of a title or group of titles. The examinations may include, but are not limited to, written, oral, performance and evaluation of education and experience;#

b.The rating of examinations;#

c.The security of the examination process and appropriate sanctions for a breach of security;#

d.The selection of special examiners to act as subject matter specialists or to provide other assistance. Employees of the State or political subdivisions may be so engaged as part of their official duties during normal working hours with the approval of their appointing authority. Extra compensation may be provided for such service outside normal working hours; and#

e.The right to appeal adverse actions relating to the examination and appointment process, which shall include but not be limited to rejection of an application, failure of an examination and removal from an eligible list.#

Enacted by L. 1986, c. 112, effective September 25, 1986. Last amended by L. 2008, c. 29, effective June 30, 2008.

An old amendment date alone does not mean a provision is obsolete. This mirror reflects the source watermark above; later laws and decisions can affect how the text applies.

The rules that implement this section

A statute sets the framework and the Civil Service Commission’s rules fill in the detail. Where a question turns on procedure, the rule usually governs; where it turns on who is covered or what the Commission may do, the statute does.

Legislative history

Session laws, newest first

  1. L. 2008, c. 29, section 28Amended
    effective June 30, 2008
  2. L. 1986, c. 112Enacted
    effective September 25, 1986

How this section has been applied

19 reported decisions cite this section. Citations only: the summaries in the source are the publisher's own writing, and where we describe a case we write it from the decision itself.

New Jersey Supreme Court 6
  • Communications Workers of America, AFL-CIO v. New Jersey Civil Service Com'n234 N.J. 483, 191 A.3d 643
  • Brady v. Department of Personnel149 N.J. 244, 693 A.2d 466
  • Gloucester County Welfare Bd. v. State Civil Service Com.93 N.J. 384, 461 A.2d 575
  • Zicherman v. Department of Civil Service40 N.J. 347, 192 A.2d 566
  • Zahn v. Department of Civil Service8 N.J. 423, 86 A.2d 254
  • Chambers v. Civil Service Com.28 A.2d 512
Appellate Division 12
  • Belleville v. Department of Civil Service155 N.J. Super. 517, 382 A.2d 1174
  • Communications Workers of America v. New Jersey Civil Service Com'n447 N.J. Super. 584, 149 A.3d 844
  • Roberts v. Millburn74 N.J. Super. 19, 180 A.2d 397
  • Brady v. Department of Personnel289 N.J. Super. 557, 674 A.2d 616cites (e)
  • Brown v. State115 N.J. Super. 348, 279 A.2d 872
  • In re Appeal of White171 N.J. Super. 493, 410 A.2d 66
  • Department of Civil Service v. Newark131 N.J. Super. 275, 329 A.2d 572
  • In re Martinez403 N.J. Super. 58, 956 A.2d 386
  • Cipriano v. Department of Civil Service151 N.J. Super. 86, 376 A.2d 571
  • Bingham v. Department of Civil Service77 N.J. Super. 459, 187 A.2d 10
  • Brotspies v. Department of Civil Service72 N.J. Super. 334, 178 A.2d 367
  • State Dep't of Civil Service v. Parking Authority of Trenton27 N.J. Super. 284, 99 A.2d 177
Federal courts 1
  • Santiago v. City of Vineland107 F. Supp. 2d 512

Commission decisions resting on 11A:4-1

19 decisions of the Civil Service Commission since January 16, 2019 rest on this section: 19 cite it directly. The newest:

Search the 19 decisions citing 11A:4-1 directly

Effective-date provisions

Quoted from the session laws themselves.

  • Section 120 of L. 2008, c. 29 provides: “This act shall take effect immediately and any actions necessary to implement this act may be taken any time thereafter. General implementation shall be completed no later than 12 months following enactment.” Chapter 29, L. 2008, was approved on June 30, 2008.

Sections that refer to this one