Who is exempted to take the Civil Service Exam?

Civil Service Exam exemptions

There are certain people who can be exempted to take the Civil Service Exam in the Philippines who are all eligible in working for the government. If you’re interested to know more, then read ahead on how you can acquire civil service eligibility without taking the Civil Service Exam.

As stated by the Civil Service Commission (CSC), under special laws, there are eight different eligibilities. You can be exempted from taking the Civil Service Exam if you are included in the list below.

Take note that not all categories are equivalent to Professional Civil Service Eligibility. Some are only equivalent with Sub-professional Eligibility. Both eligibilities could grant you different and appropriate government position levels since a specific job in the government will have its own requirements for level eligibility.

The categories below are exempted from taking the Civil Service Exam in the Philippines:

1. Bar and Board exam passers

There is a civil service exam exemption for graduates who have the Bar Exam as conducted by the Supreme Court from taking the Civil Service Exam. The same goes for graduates who have passed the board exam or licensure exam of their respective profession conducted by the Professional Regulation Commission.

Under this category, you will be able to practice your profession suitable in whatever government agency your profession is required for appointment. With this qualification, you must be a college degree holder and have a professional license given. You can read more about this at RA 1080.

2. Honor graduates

Under PD No. 907, individuals who graduated with honors, such as Summa cum laude, Magna cum laude, and Cum laude, from a reputable college or university in the Philippines are exempted from taking the Civil Service Exam.

The same rule applies to individuals who graduated from foreign schools recognized by the Department of Foreign Affairs in the Philippines.

3. Barangay Officials

Under RA No. 7160, barangay officials exempted from taking the Civil Service Exam in the Philippines include:

  • Barangay Officials (Elective), such as Barangay Captain, regular Sangguniang Barangay Members, and Sangguniang Kabataan Chairmen
  • Barangay Officials (Appointive), such as Barangay Treasurers and Secretaries who have been appointed by the elected Punong Barangay.

Individuals under this category must first be suitable for appointment in first-level positions, which includes those in the Fire and Jail Bureaus – not including the positions that have been determined by the Civil Service Commission.

4. Barangay health workers

Under RA 7883, individuals who have worked as local health workers in their respective barangays and have completed 2 years of college education with 5 years of satisfactory and continuous service as an accredited barangay health worker are also exempted from taking the Civil Service Exam.

The barangay health worker is suitable for taking in first-level positions in the government except for those classified by the Civil Service Commission.

5. Barangay nutrition scholars

There is a civil service exam exemption for Barangay nutrition scholars under PD 1569 from taking the Civil Service Exam. These individuals would have worked voluntarily and had at least 2 years of satisfactory and continuous nutrition services and related activities as required by the Civil Service Commission.

These individuals are suitable for first-level eligibility and can also be appointed to positions that do not require a written examination – as long as the individual meets the training, education, experience, and other requirements needed for the position.

6. Electronic data processing specialists

Individuals who have passed their proficiency test or training course which is given by the National Computer Center for Computer Programming, System Analysis and Design, Java, MS Access, and Visual Basic are exempted from taking the Civil Service Exam under the Civil Service Commission resolution 90-083.

Individuals who have met this qualification are suited for computer-related jobs in the government such as Data Encoder, Data Machine Operator, IT/Management Information System Group, Auxiliary Machine Operator, Data Encoder-Controller, Computer Programmer, Information Systems Analyst, and other positions classified by the Civil Service Commission.

7. Scientific and Technological specialists

These individuals, under PD 997, recognized by CHED with the persons’ highly technical education with specializations in any of the following scientific and mathematical fields are exempted from taking the Civil Service Exam in the Philippines:

7.1 Natural Sciences

  • Astronomy
  • Astrophysics
  • Biological Sciences
  • Biology (S & T)
  • Microbiology
  • Botany
  • Molecular Biology and Biotechnology
  • Ecology
  • Physical Anthropology
  • Marine Biology
  • Zoology
  • Geological Sciences
  • Archeology
  • Geophysics
  • Paleontology
  • Seismology
  • Meteorology
  • Oceanography
  • Physics/Applied Physics

7.2 Engineering Sciences

  • Biological Engineering
  • Manufacturing Engineering
  • Ceramic Engineering
  • Materials Engineering
  • Computer Engineering
  • Mechatronics Engineering
  • Food Engineering
  • Petroleum Engineering
  • Geothermal Engineering
  • Railway Engineering
  • Industrial Engineering
  • Textile Engineering
  • Nuclear Engineering

7.3 Mathematics and Information and Communication Technology

  • Applied Mathematics
  • Computer Science
  • Information Technology
  • Pure Mathematics
  • Statistics

7.4 Other Disciplines

  • Environmental Science
  • Food Science

8. Categories I and II – Skills eligibility

Individuals under this category are granted skills eligibility that is not equivalent or comparable to Sub-professional and Professional Career Service eligibility under the Civil Service Commission MC 11 Section 1996, as amended.

Category I includes TESDA skills test passers, while Category II consists of completion of 1-year work performance which is very satisfactory under the temporary status of appointment.

9. Veteran preference rating

Veterans are not exactly granted a Professional or Sub-professional Career Service Eligibility. However, under Executive Order 790, once the veteran, his/her spouse, or any of their children take the Civil Service Exam and failed, 10 points may be added to meet the passing rate.

However, only exams such as Career Service Professional or Sub-professional, Fire Officer, and Penology Officer are only considered for this type of scenario.