Civil-service exam fees waived as state looks to hire

Governor Kathy Hochul, hoping to boost the state workforce, announced that application fees for all state civil-service exams will be waived through the end of 2025.

The state, which currently has more than 188,000 employees, is facing worsening shortages because an estimated 26 percent of the state workforce will be eligible to retire over the next five years. The governor last week said that civil-service fees will be waived July 1 through December 2025, as part of the state’s effort to attract workers.

“As our state continues to grapple with an affordability crisis, civil service exam fees place yet another burden on New Yorkers — particularly the passionate New Yorkers seeking meaningful careers in state service,” Hochul said in a statement. “By waiving these fees, my administration is standing by its commitment to modernizing New York’s workforce and lowering barriers to ensure that our civil servants reflect the rich diversity of our state.”

Although veterans and New Yorkers receiving public assistance were previously eligible for fee waivers, most test-takers have had to pay to take civil-service exams. Fees can cost as much as $40. 

Assembly Speaker Carl Heastie called the waiver “a step in the right direction for New York.”

The elimination of exam fees is part of a broader effort to strengthen and modernize the state workforce as part of the Fiscal Year 2024 budget. The state has enacted other measures, including expanding the 55-B program, which provides state jobs to New Yorkers with disabilities, and creating the civil-service specialist title, which serves as a liaison between prospective state employees and the Department of Civil Service.

“At the Department of Civil Service, we are making improvements to eliminate barriers to entry for civil service jobs and transforming the State’s approach to meeting our workforce needs to help recruit and retain a diverse and talented workforce that will serve all New Yorkers,” said Commissioner Timothy R. Hogues.

Addressing looming exodus

The state is projecting a shortage of about 12,500 employees, most attributable to expected retirements, Hochul said in February. State government workers numbered just under 170,000 in earlier this year, nearly 14,000 fewer workers than in March 2020, according to data from the governor’s office.

“New York needs to do everything it can to attract and retain workers in order to address staffing shortages across multiple agencies, and waiving civil service exam fees should help,” said Wayne Spence, the president of the New York State Public Employees Federation, which represents about 50,000 workers. 

Earlier this year, State Senators Robert Jackson and John Mannion sponsored legislation to enact a pilot program that would temporarily lift civil-service exam fees. “PEF was proud to support this legislation from Senator John Mannion so that current and future members of our union can more easily seek other job opportunities or begin fulfilling careers delivering the quality public services PEF members provide,” Spence said, adding that candidates who owe fees will be forgiven.

Mary E. Sullivan, president of the Civil Service Employees Association, stated that “by breaking down these financial barriers, the state can reach a larger and more diverse pool of potential applicants and connect them with good paying jobs that will help ensure New Yorkers have continued access to the public services they need.”

In May, the state also announced that it will temporarily waive civil service exam requirements for more than 100 health, direct-care and safety titles — among them dental hygienists, pharmacy aides and licensed social workers — for a year as part of the Hiring for Emergency Limited Placement program.

clewis@thechiefleader.com