Overview
The New York City Department of Citywide Administrative Services (DCAS) runs the civil service exams used to hire for most New York City government jobs. More than 80% of City jobs are in the competitive class, which means you must pass an exam to be hired. DCAS does not hold one single exam: each job title, from administrative and finance roles to engineering, health, technology, social services and public safety, has its own exam with its own requirements, format and fee.
Who can apply
DCAS offers three kinds of exam:
Open-competitive exams are open to anyone who meets the minimum qualifications for the title.
Promotion exams are only for permanent or 55-a City employees seeking promotion within their career track.
Qualified-incumbent exams are for current City employees serving provisionally in certain titles for two or more years.
The minimum qualifications for each title, including any education requirement, are set out in its Notice of Examination (NOE). If you were educated outside the United States, your education must be evaluated for its US equivalent.
People with certified disabilities can be hired into competitive-class jobs without an exam through the City's 55-a Program, by requesting 55-a consideration on their resume and cover letter. Under the Fair Chance Act, City agencies may not ask about arrests or convictions until after a conditional job offer.
Exam pattern
Every exam is described in its own NOE, which lists the job duties, how to qualify, what the test covers, the test format and the fee. Read the NOE in full before you apply. DCAS uses two broad formats:
Scheduled exams. Held on set dates at DCAS testing centres. Admission notices are emailed two to three weeks before the testing period, with the date, location and other details.
Education and experience exams. Completed online during the application, by entering your education, work experience and credentials.
Testing accommodations such as large print, audio versions or extra time are available to those who need them.
Important dates
DCAS publishes the full civil service exam schedule each July, sorted alphabetically or by application period, and a monthly schedule of exams open for application. Application periods usually open several months before the exam date; exact dates are on the exam schedule and the NOE.
Fees
Fees vary by exam and are listed in each NOE. You can pay online by major credit card, bank card or prepaid debit card, or by money order at a testing centre. Eligible US Armed Services veterans can have exam fees waived any number of times, on all exams. From 1 July 2026, under Local Law 57 of 2025, fee waivers also cover first-time applicants and New York City high school students.
How to apply
Find an open exam on the monthly or annual DCAS exam schedule.
Read the Notice of Examination to confirm you meet the requirements.
Apply and pay during the application period, either online through the DCAS Online Application System (OASys) at nyc.gov/examsforjobs or in person at a DCAS Computer-based Testing and Application Center. Centres are in every borough and open Monday to Friday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., excluding City holidays.
For scheduled exams, watch your email for the admission notice.
From 1 July 2026, NOEs in OASys can be translated into more than 190 languages. OASys also works in tablet and mobile browsers for applying, paying and taking certain exams.
Marking and results
You get an immediate, tentative result at the end of your test. When scores are made official, DCAS posts a list of everyone who passed, ranked by score, and emails your official result once that list is established. Veterans and disabled veterans who pass can apply for preference credits added to their final score.
For multiple-choice tests, you can challenge the answer key at a protest review session and appeal the score for any test within the exam. You can check an exam or list status by calling 212-669-1357, through your OASys account, or on the City's open data portal.
After the exam
Scores stay active on a list for up to four years. When an agency has a vacancy in that title, it interviews candidates from the list in rank order and sends a call letter inviting you to interview. Always reply to call letters, even to decline; if you do not respond, you may be removed from the list. Keep your contact details up to date in OASys so you receive these notices.
Active service members who missed an exam, part of an exam, or a chance of appointment because of qualifying military service may be able to sit a similar exam when they return.
Preparation tips
Treat the NOE as your syllabus: it states exactly what areas the test covers and in what format.
Subscribe to the NYC Jobs Newsletter to receive the monthly exam schedule by email.
Check whether you qualify for a fee waiver before paying, especially as a first-time applicant from July 2026.
Since lists are ranked by score and last up to four years, a higher score can mean an earlier interview call.
Do all NYC government jobs require a DCAS exam?
No, but more than 80% do. Jobs that do not require an exam are listed separately at nyc.gov/jobs.
How long is a passing DCAS score valid?
Scores remain active for up to four years.
How much does a DCAS exam cost?
It depends on the exam; each Notice of Examination lists its fee. Veterans can have fees waived, and from 1 July 2026 first-time applicants and NYC high school students are also eligible for waivers.