Veterans' Preference

Recognizing that sacrifices are made by those serving in the Armed Forces, Washington State has enacted laws to assist veterans seeking State employment. Veterans of the Armed Forces as defined in RCW 41.04.005 and RCW 41.04.007, including airmen and members of the national guard or armed forces reserves who have been deployed to serve in armed conflict, have been given some degree of preference in appointments to State jobs. Preference in public employment as defined in RCW 73.16.010.

Who is eligible for Veterans' Preference:

 

Applying Veterans' Preference – Competitive Service

If an employer administers an examination prior to certification, the employer must grant preference to veterans as defined in RCW 41.04.007, by adding veterans' scoring criteria status in accordance with WAC 357.16.110(1).

For purposes of complying with RCW 41.04.010, examination is defined as eligible candidate's final examination score, plus any veterans' scoring criteria or other applicable results. Veterans' scoring criteria is only added to passing score. (See WAC 357-01-170)

Veterans' scoring criteria is only added to a passing score. When an examination is used to establish a certified referral, the examination score needs to be equivalent to a 0-100% scale. The veterans' preference is a percentage added to the passing examination score based on a possible rating of one hundred points as a perfect percentage. The percent preferences are added as follows:

  1. 1) Ten percent to a veteran who served during a period of war or in an armed conflict as defined in RCW 41.04.005 and does not receive military retirement. The percentage is added to the passing mark, grade, or rating of competitive examinations until the veteran's first appointment. The percentage cannot be utilized in promotional examinations.
  2. 2) Five percent to a veteran who did not serve during a period of war or in an armed conflict as defined in RCW 41.04.005 or is receiving military retirement. The percentage is added to the passing mark, grade, or rating of competitive examinations until the veteran's first appointment. The percentage cannot be utilized in promotional examinations.
  3. 3) Five percent to a veteran who was called to active duty from employment with the state or any of its political subdivisions or municipal corporations. This percentage is added to promotional examinations until the first promotion only.

Veterans' scoring criteria may be claimed upon release from active military service with a qualifying discharge as defined in RCW 73.04.005 or upon receipt of a United States department of defense discharge document DD form 214, NGB form 22, or other equivalent or successor discharge paperwork, that characterizes their discharge as a qualifying discharge as defined in RCW 73.04.005.

Applying Veterans' Preference – Non-Competitive Service

If no examination is administered prior to certification, the employer must refer the following individuals to the employing official under the provisions of RCW 73.16.010 as long as the individual meets the competencies and other position requirements:

 

Important Information
Be sure to answer the questions related to time serving in the Armed Forces when completing your profile and submitting applications.

Still have questions or unsure of what percentage you are eligible for? Contact us for assistance:

Email: CareersHelp@des.wa.gov
Phone: (360) 664-1960 or 1-877-664-1960
Washington Relay Service (for hearing impaired): 7-1-1 or
1-800-833-6388