N.J.S.A. 11A:5-6 Appointment of veterans
Whenever a disabled veteran or veteran shall be certified to an appointing authority from an open competitive employment list under the provisions of … Cited by 1 other section of Title 11A.
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
The preference has teeth at the point of hire, not just on paper. Where a disabled veteran or a veteran is certified to an appointing authority from an open competitive list under 11A:4-8, the appointing authority SHALL appoint them in order of ranking. The rule of three gives an appointing authority a choice among the certified names; this section removes that choice when a veteran is among them. That is what makes the preference absolute rather than advisory.
Written by the NJ Civil Service Navigator editorial team from the text of this section. The statute itself is below, unabridged.
Whenever a disabled veteran or veteran shall be certified to an appointing authority from an open competitive employment list under the provisions of N.J.S. 11A:4-8, the appointing authority shall appoint the disabled veteran or veteran in the order of ranking.
Enacted by L. 1986, c. 112, effective September 25, 1986. Never amended since.
An old amendment date alone does not mean a provision is obsolete.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.
Legislative history
Session laws, newest first
- L. 1986, c. 112Enacted
effective September 25, 1986
How this section has been applied
9 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 3
- Collins v. Magee3 A.2d 581
- Morgan v. Civil Service Com.36 A.2d 898
- Ballou v. State, Dep't of Civil Service75 N.J. 365, 382 A.2d 1118
Appellate Division 5
- Scarillo v. Department of Civil Service146 N.J. Super. 127, 369 A.2d 26
- Ballou v. State, Dep't of Civil Service148 N.J. Super. 112, 372 A.2d 333
- Lavitz v. Civil Service Com.94 N.J. Super. 260, 227 A.2d 722
- Dulaney v. Civil Service Com.85 N.J. Super. 136, 204 A.2d 201
- Keegan v. Gilfert24 N.J. Super. 337, 94 A.2d 519
Federal courts 1
- Caruso v. United States236 F. Supp. 88
Commission decisions resting on 11A:5-6
208 decisions of the Civil Service Commission since January 16, 2019 rest on this section: 29 cite it directly, and 179 apply a Title 4A rule adopted under it. The newest:
- In the Matter of Nazia Mughis- Sohrawardy, Environmental Engineer 4 (PS8885G), Department of Environmental Protection September 2, 2026 · Bypass on a certification · Denied · applies N.J.A.C. 4A:4-4.8
- In the Matter of Police Officer (M2429E), Somers Point September 2, 2026 · Request for enforcement · Granted · cites this section
- In the Matter of R.D., Locksmith (S1515F), Statewide September 2, 2026 · Certification or appointment · Denied · cites this section
- In the Matter of B.G., Social Worker Supervisor (PC4939C), Union County July 1, 2026 · Bypass on a certification · Denied · cites this section
- In the Matter of Rasha Hassan, Department of Community Affairs May 20, 2026 · Certification or appointment · Granted in part · cites this section
- In the Matter of E.R., Ann Klein Forensic Center, Department of Health May 20, 2026 · · Denied · applies N.J.A.C. 4A:4-4.8
- In the Matter of Michael Klepacky, Police Chief (PM3213G), Pompton Lakes April 29, 2026 · Examination eligibility · Denied · applies N.J.A.C. 4A:4-4.8
- In the Matters of Patrick Geary and Charles Dishon, Ocean County April 8, 2026 · Request for reconsideration · Denied · applies N.J.A.C. 4A:4-4.8
Sections this one refers to
- N.J.S.A. 11A:4-8 Certification and appointment
Sections that refer to this one
- N.J.S.A. 11A:5-7 Inapplication of statutes to promotions