Overview
The Comisión Nacional del Servicio Civil (CNSC) runs Colombia's open merit competitions (concursos de mérito) for career civil service posts in public entities. They are meant to give every citizen a fair chance at these posts, including people who hold them provisionally. Each competition has its own call (convocatoria) that sets the posts, tests and dates.
The CNSC's own site could not be verified from here, so this page is based on a guide to the merit system published by Bogotá's district civil service department. Confirm details in the call you apply to.
Types of competition
An open competition (abierto) accepts any citizen who meets the post requirements. A promotion competition (ascenso) is only for people who already hold career rights in the entity offering the vacancy.
Stages
Verification of minimum requirements (VRM). Education and experience are checked against the post. This stage is eliminatory.
Written tests. These assess knowledge and competencies.
Assessment of background (valoración de antecedentes). Extra points are given for studies or experience above the minimum.
Each competition sets its own tests. They generally include basic, specific and functional knowledge and job competencies, and may also include interviews, physical or psychometric tests, or security tests. Common topics are the Political Constitution, state organisation, citizen service, document management and office tools.
Universities or technical bodies chosen by the CNSC write and apply the tests. The entities with the vacancies take no part in them.
Fees
Participation fees are mandatory and depend on the post's level: adviser, professional, technical or assistant. Under Law 2418 of 2024, people with disabilities register free with a disability certificate.
How to apply
Register on SIMO (the CNSC's online system), reached through the CNSC website, and upload your full CV with degrees and employment certificates. Vacancies are searched in the OPEC listing inside SIMO. Your CV cannot be updated for that call after registration closes. You may enter several competitions if exams are not on the same day, but only one post per call.
After the exam
When the eligibility list is final, the CNSC sends it to the entity, whose head has 10 working days to appoint candidates in strict order of merit, on probation. Lists are generally valid for two years.
Can I apply to more than one post in a call?
No. You can apply to only one post per call, but you can enter different competitions if the test dates do not clash.
Who writes the exams?
Universities or technical bodies selected by the CNSC.