N.J.S.A. 11A:4-13 Types of appointment
The commission shall provide for the following types of appointment: a. Regular appointments shall be to a title in the competitive division of the ca… Implemented by a rule in N.J.A.C. Title 4A.
In plain language
Six routes into a job, each with its own limits. A regular appointment goes to a competitive-division title after examination and certification, or to a noncompetitive-division title on appointment, and becomes permanent once the working test period is satisfactorily served. A provisional appointment can only be made in the competitive division, only where there is no complete certification, and only where the appointing authority certifies both that the appointee meets the minimum qualifications and that not making it would seriously impair the work of the authority; no provisional appointment may exceed 12 months. Temporary appointments sit outside this chapter, capped at six months in any twelve, or twelve months where funded by a short-term grant. Emergency appointments cannot exceed 30 days and are available only where not appointing would harm persons or property. Senior executive and unclassified appointments run under their own sections in Chapter 3.
Written by the NJ Civil Service Navigator editorial team from the text of this section. The statute itself is below, unabridged.
Current through the close of the 221st Legislature (L. 2025, c. 346). What that means
Enacted by L. 1986, c. 112, effective September 25, 1986. Last amended by L. 2008, c. 29, effective June 30, 2008.
A New Jersey statute changes only when the Legislature amends it, so a section untouched since its last amendment is settled rather than out of date.
Reviewed as of July 28, 2026. Official text: njleg.state.nj.us.
The commission shall provide for the following types of appointment:
a.Regular appointments shall be to a title in the competitive division of the career service upon examination and certification or to a title in the noncompetitive division of the career service upon appointment. The appointments shall be permanent after satisfactory completion of a working test period;#
b.Provisional appointments shall be made only in the competitive division of the career service and only in the absence of a complete certification, if the appointing authority certifies that in each individual case the appointee meets the minimum qualifications for the title at the time of appointment and that failure to make a provisional appointment will seriously impair the work of the appointing authority. In no case shall any provisional appointment exceed a period of 12 months;#
c.Temporary appointments may be made, without regard to the provisions of this chapter, to temporary positions established for a period aggregating not more than six months in a 12-month period as approved by the commission. These positions include, but are not limited to, seasonal positions. Positions established as a result of a short-term grant may be established for a maximum of 12 months. Appointees to temporary positions shall meet the minimum qualifications of a title;#
d.Emergency appointments shall not exceed 30 days and shall only be permitted where nonappointment will result in harm to persons or property;#
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.
- N.J.A.C. 4A:1, the whole chapter
Legislative history
Session laws, newest first
- L. 2008, c. 29, section 39Amended
effective June 30, 2008 - L. 1986, c. 112Enacted
effective September 25, 1986
How this section has been applied
10 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 2
- Giannone v. Carlin20 N.J. 511, 120 A.2d 449, 1956 N.J. LEXIS 288
- O'Malley v. Department of Energy109 N.J. 309, 537 A.2d 647, 1987 N.J. LEXIS 378
Appellate Division 8
- O'Malley v. Department of Energy212 N.J. Super. 114, 514 A.2d 69, 1986 N.J. Super. LEXIS 1372
- Melani v. County of Passaic345 N.J. Super. 579, 786 A.2d 133, 2001 N.J. Super. LEXIS 450
- Kyer v. City of E. Orange315 N.J. Super. 524, 719 A.2d 184, 1998 N.J. Super. LEXIS 424
- Caldaro v. Ferber74 N.J. Super. 128, 180 A.2d 705, 1962 N.J. Super. LEXIS 571
- In re Martinez403 N.J. Super. 58, 956 A.2d 386, 2008 N.J. Super. LEXIS 206
- In re Hearn417 N.J. Super. 289, 9 A.3d 1032, 2010 N.J. Super. LEXIS 208
- Handabaka v. Division of Consumer Affairs, Dep't of Public Utilities167 N.J. Super. 12, 400 A.2d 490, 1979 N.J. Super. LEXIS 653
- Omrod v. New Jersey Dep't of Civil Serv.151 N.J. Super. 54, 376 A.2d 554, 1977 N.J. Super. LEXIS 979
Sections this one refers to
- N.J.S.A. 11A:3-3 Senior executive service
- N.J.S.A. 11A:3-4 State unclassified service
- N.J.S.A. 11A:3-5 Political subdivision unclassified service.