The annual NYC Department of Citywide Administrative Services (DCAS) annual list of exams has been posted at the DCAS website.
The New York City fiscal year begins in July and the schedule of Annual Civil Service Exams, offering Open-Competitive exams, Promotional exams, and Qualified Incumbents Exams (QIE’s), is available. Open-Competitive exams are tests that are open to the public. The Promotional exams are for people who already work for the city and meet certain criteria for advancing within a particular position. QIE’s are the city’s way to expedite testing for those who have been working as a provisional in a title, to become permanent in that title.
The Computer-based Testing and Applications Centers (CTACs) are open to the public. However, walk-ins are no longer accepted, and appointments must be scheduled online through OASys. The CTACs are open Monday through Friday, 9am – 5pm, except for City holidays. Applying through OASys can be done now using a computer or a mobile device. If you do not have one or do not have access to one, you can schedule an appointment to come into one of DCAS’s CTACs and schedule yourself for an exam. There is a CTAC in each borough. I also strongly recommend that you check the DCAS website and this website frequently for updates.
The Notice of Examination, or NOE, usually says what will be required for the test. Most will be multiple choice, but some require a skill test (such as Reporter/Stenographer). All examination and eligible list related notifications will be sent by email only. DCAS no longer sends notifications via the US mail. This notice provides the date, time and location where you will take the test. Review this information carefully, check that your exam application information is correct and note the test date and time.
Filing for some exams has already started so check out the list of exams right away to see if you need to file. Check DCAS often to see if new ones have been added, others postponed or rescheduled, or otherwise changed.
You can pay the exam fee online with a major credit card, bank card, or prepaid debit card. You can also pay the exam fee at one of the CTAC testing centers with a money order. Exam fees can vary depending on the exam. If you are receiving or participating in certain forms of public assistance/benefits/programs, or are a veteran, you may qualify to have the application fee waived. Check out the Fee Waiver FAQ on the Online Application System here. You may schedule an in-person appointment through OASys for eligible list-related inquiries or examination-related inquiries at DCAS Computer-based Testing & Applications Centers (CTACs). This would be, for example, to submit a money order or to submit the documentation for a fee waiver.
If you already work for the city, and are in a provisional status, make sure you file for your Open Competitive, Promotional, or Qualified Incumbents Exam if they come up. As a reminder from some of my other posts – if you don’t see an exam for your present civil service title, do a bit of homework as to what your agency will accept as a “fallback” title. This is a permanent title in a position that is a step below your present title. If that exam is available, and your agency will consider the possibility of allowing you to “fallback” into this lower title in case of cutbacks (you MUST check with your HR department to confirm), take the exam as soon as it’s available. This will hopefully give you a little protection should the city decide to cutback.
If you are working as a provisional and are on an active civil service list, do what you can to get called as a permanent – check with your HR, contact your union, and stay in touch with both. If you have a Qualified Incumbent Exam for your title, make sure you file for it. If there are future layoffs, you want to be as secure as possible. DC37 describes the protections for permanent employees in the citywide contract. See Article XVII – Job Security.
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