Eligible List
The ranked list of candidates who passed the civil service exam, ordered by final score. Hiring agencies use this list to select candidates for vacant positions.
Canvass Letter
An official notice sent to candidates on an eligible list asking if they are still interested in appointment. You must respond by the deadline or risk removal from the list.
Certification
The formal process by which a hiring agency requests names from the eligible list. The number of names certified is typically 3× the number of vacancies (Rule of Three) or more.
Provisional Appointment
A temporary appointment to a position when no eligible list exists or the list is exhausted. Provisionals are not permanent employees and can be displaced when a new list is established.
Permanent Appointment
A full civil service appointment made from an eligible list. After completing a probationary period, permanent employees receive job security and full civil service protections.
Probationary Period
A trial period (typically 6 months to 1 year) after appointment during which the employee can be dismissed without the full civil service process. Full protections apply after this period.
Veterans Preference
Additional points (typically 5 for non-disabled veterans, 10 for disabled veterans) added to the exam score of eligible veterans after they achieve a passing raw score.
Rule of Three
A traditional civil service rule requiring the appointing authority to select from the top three eligible candidates on the certified list. Many jurisdictions now use broader certification rules.
Banding
A scoring approach that groups candidates with similar scores into a "band" and treats all candidates within a band as equally ranked, allowing more flexibility in selection.
Passover
When an appointing authority skips a candidate on the eligible list and appoints someone ranked lower. Passovers typically require written justification and may be subject to challenge.
Residency Credit
Additional points added to exam scores of candidates who live within the jurisdiction (city, county). Varies by employer — check your examination announcement.
Competitive Class
Positions that require a competitive civil service exam for appointment. Most government jobs fall in this class.
Non-Competitive Class
Positions that do not require a competitive exam but may require other qualifications. Selection is at agency discretion.
Exempt Class
Positions specifically excluded from civil service requirements, typically high-level policy or political positions. Not subject to merit-based hiring.
Labor Class
Positions involving physical labor that may require a qualifying test rather than a full competitive exam.
GS Grade
The General Schedule (GS) pay grade used for federal civilian employees. Ranges from GS-1 (entry) to GS-15 (senior). Most professional positions are GS-5 through GS-13.
Step Increase
An automatic pay raise within a GS grade based on time in service (typically every 1, 2, or 3 years). There are 10 steps within each GS grade.
Locality Pay
A pay supplement added to federal GS salaries in high-cost metropolitan areas. Can add 15–33% on top of base GS pay in cities like DC, San Francisco, and New York.
FERS
Federal Employees Retirement System — the defined-benefit pension and retirement system for most federal employees hired after 1984. Includes a small pension, TSP, and Social Security.
CSRS
Civil Service Retirement System — the older federal pension for employees hired before 1984. Provides a more generous defined benefit than FERS but does not include Social Security.
TSP
Thrift Savings Plan — the federal equivalent of a 401(k) for government employees. FERS employees receive agency matching up to 5% of salary.
FEHB
Federal Employees Health Benefits — the health insurance program for federal employees offering dozens of plan options, with the government paying a significant portion of premiums.
PSLF
Public Service Loan Forgiveness — a federal program that forgives remaining student loan balances after 10 years of qualifying payments while employed by a government or nonprofit entity.
DD-214
The official military discharge document required to claim veterans preference on civil service exams. Must show Honorable or General discharge to qualify.
Service-Connected Disability
A disability recognized by the VA as resulting from military service. Qualifies the veteran for 10-point preference (vs. 5-point for non-disabled veterans) on civil service exams.
Eligible List Expiration
Most civil service eligible lists are valid for 1–4 years. When the list expires, a new exam must be held. Candidates still on an expired list must reapply and retest.
Promotional Exam
A competitive exam for current civil service employees seeking promotion to a higher title or grade. Only current employees in the eligible title are permitted to apply.
Open-Competitive Exam
An exam open to the general public meeting minimum qualifications, as opposed to a promotional exam which is limited to current employees.
Subject-Matter Outline
The list of topics included in an exam, published in the examination announcement. Always use this as your primary study guide — it defines exactly what will be tested.
Practice what you've reviewed
Take our free 60-question civil service practice test.
Start practice test →