NYC Open Competitive Exams for Anyone
Below is the list of competitive civil service exams available to anyone who meets the minimum qualification requirements. Click on Exam Title. for more information.
⚖️ NYC DCAS — Open Competitive
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📋 15 NYC civil service exams open right now — several closing August 17 & August 25, 2026.
Anyone who meets minimum qualifications can apply for open competitive exams. Apply online at
a856-exams.nyc.gov/OASysWeb/exams.
Two exams — Police Officer and Traffic Enforcement Agent — are free to apply.
Expanded fee waivers now available under Local Law 57 of 2025.
Exams Open Now
15
open competitive titles
Free to Apply
2
Police Officer & Traffic Agent
Next Closing
Aug 17, 2026
Police Officer — Exam 7312
Most Close
Aug 25, 2026
10 exams close same day
Apply Online
OASys
a856-exams.nyc.gov
Walk-in CTACs
5
one per borough, Mon–Fri
NYC DCAS has 15 open competitive civil service exams accepting applications right now for August 2026. Open competitive exams are available to anyone who meets the minimum qualifications — you do not need to be a current City employee. The titles span law enforcement, engineering, social services, trades, healthcare, and inspection — with salaries ranging from entry-level to over $100,000 per year.
All applications are submitted through the DCAS Online Application System (OASys) at a856-exams.nyc.gov/OASysWeb/exams. Walk-in applications are also accepted at all five Computer-based Testing & Application Centers (CTACs) Monday through Friday, 9 AM–5 PM. New under Local Law 57 of 2025: fee waivers now available for first-time applicants and NYC high school students, in addition to veterans, unemployed individuals, and public assistance recipients.
Apply Now — Deadlines August 17 & August 25, 2026
15 open competitive exams accepting applications. Two are free to apply. Most close August 25, 2026. All applications through OASys — apply online or walk in at any of the five borough CTACs.
Browse All Exams on OASys ↗ Civil Service Exams 101 Guide ↗NYC DCAS Bureau of Examinations | (212) 669-1357 | nyc.gov/dcas | All dates tentative and subject to change.
Spotlight Roles — Most Searched Exams This Month
These four titles consistently generate the most search interest. Each links to the full Notice of Examination on OASys — read the full NOE before applying so you know the exact salary, qualification requirements, and test content.
✏ MC Exam · Exam No. 7312 · Closes Aug 17
One of the most competitive and most searched DCAS exams. Open to anyone who meets age, education, and fitness requirements. Written test August 3, 2026 already passed for Exam 7311 — this is the new cycle, Exam 7312, with an application period of August 3–17, 2026. Read the full NOE for residency, medical, psychological, physical, and firearms requirements.
Apply on OASys — Exam 7312 →
✏ MC Exam · Exam No. 7323 · Closes Aug 25 · $61 fee
Written test expected October 20, 2026. School Safety Agents patrol school buildings and surrounding areas, screen for prohibited items, respond to altercations, assist students and staff, and monitor security systems. Requires a four-year high school diploma or equivalent. The role requires judgment, communication, reading comprehension, and comfort working in school environments.
Apply on OASys — Exam 7323 →
✓ Free · MC Exam · Exam No. 7331 · Closes Aug 25
No application fee. Written test expected October 22, 2026. At Level I, Traffic Enforcement Agents patrol assigned areas enforcing parking, stopping, and standing laws — issuing summonses, testifying at hearings, reporting meter issues, and preparing required reports. At Level II, also perform traffic direction. Exam tests reading, rules application, observation, and reasoning.
Apply on OASys — Exam 7331 (Free) →
EEE Exam · Exam No. 7016 · Closes Aug 25 · $68 fee
Evaluated via Education & Experience Exam — no separate written test date. Caseworkers investigate cases for human services agencies, determine eligibility for benefits, connect clients with services, and complete detailed case documentation. Also available as Caseworker (NYC H+H) — Exam 7018, same period and fee.
Apply on OASys — Exam 7016 →
Full List — All 15 Open Competitive Exams (August 2026)
All exams below are open to any candidate who meets the minimum qualifications. Click a title to view or apply on OASys. Rows highlighted in red are closing within 14 days. All dates are tentative and subject to change.
| Job Title | Exam No. | Application Period | Fee | Test Type | MC Test Date |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Police Officer | 7312 | 8/3/2026 – 8/17/2026 ⚠ | $0.00 — Free | MC | TBD |
| Emergency Medical Specialist | 6125 | 6/15/2026 – 8/7/2026 | $54.00 | EEE | N/A |
| Emergency Medical Specialist Trainee | 6126 | 6/15/2026 – 8/7/2026 | $54.00 | EEE | N/A |
| Assistant Civil Engineer | 7006 | 7/1/2026 – 8/25/2026 | $82.00 | EEE | N/A |
| Automotive Service Worker | 7013 | 7/1/2026 – 8/25/2026 | $61.00 | EEE | N/A |
| Caseworker | 7016 | 7/1/2026 – 8/25/2026 | $68.00 | EEE | N/A |
| Caseworker (NYC Health + Hospitals) | 7018 | 7/1/2026 – 8/25/2026 | $68.00 | EEE | N/A |
| School Safety Agent | 7323 | 7/1/2026 – 8/25/2026 | $61.00 | MC | 10/20/2026 |
| Traffic Enforcement Agent | 7331 | 7/1/2026 – 8/25/2026 | $0.00 — Free | MC | 10/22/2026 |
| Contract Specialist | 7023 | 8/5/2026 – 8/25/2026 | $68.00 | EEE | N/A |
| Electrician's Helper | 7028 | 8/5/2026 – 8/25/2026 | $68.00 | EEE | N/A |
| Electrician's Helper (CUNY) | 7029 | 8/5/2026 – 8/25/2026 | $68.00 | EEE | N/A |
| Estimator (General Construction) | 7033 | 8/5/2026 – 8/25/2026 | $82.00 | EEE | N/A |
| Plan Examiner (Buildings) | 7056 | 8/5/2026 – 8/25/2026 | $82.00 | EEE | N/A |
| Plant Maintainer (Hospitals) / Tender (NYC H+H) | 7070 | 8/5/2026 – 9/22/2026 | $68.00 | EEE | N/A |
⚠ Police Officer — Exam 7312 closes August 17, 2026.
This is a new cycle of the Police Officer exam (separate from Exam 7311 which closed July 14). Application window is only August 3–17, 2026 — just two weeks. No application fee. Apply immediately at
a856-exams.nyc.gov/OASysWeb/exams.
⚠ 10 exams close August 25, 2026 — that includes School Safety Agent, Traffic Enforcement Agent, Caseworker, Assistant Civil Engineer, and more.
If you've been meaning to apply, don't wait. Applications for these exams must be submitted online or postmarked by August 25 — no exceptions.
Apply on OASys →
ℹ️ New: 5 exams opened August 5, 2026.
Contract Specialist (7023), Electrician's Helper (7028), Electrician's Helper — CUNY (7029), Estimator — General Construction (7033), and Plan Examiner — Buildings (7056) all opened August 5 and close August 25 — giving candidates only a 20-day window to apply. Plant Maintainer / Tender (7070) has the longest window, closing September 22, 2026.
How to Apply — OASys Step by Step
- 1Go to OASys: a856-exams.nyc.gov/OASysWeb/exams — create or log in to your account. New accounts require email verification; most are instant but allow up to a few business days if needed.
- 2Find your exam: Browse the open exam list or search by exam number. Click the title to read the full Notice of Examination before applying.
- 3Complete and submit your application — pay by credit, debit, or prepaid card. A non-refundable 2% service fee applies to card payments. If you qualify for a fee waiver, check the Fee Waiver FAQs before paying.
- 4For exams with an E&E component: Complete and Final Submit your Education & Experience Exam by the application deadline. Once Final Submitted, no changes are possible — missing this deadline means no score and no refund.
- !Alternatively — walk in: Visit any CTAC, Monday–Friday, 9 AM–5 PM. Bring a valid photo ID. See locations below.
Fee Waivers — Who Qualifies (Local Law 57 of 2025)
As of July 1, 2026, the following categories qualify for an application fee waiver:
✓ First-time applicants and NYC high school students are newly eligible for fee waivers under Local Law 57 of 2025, effective July 1, 2026. See the Fee Waiver FAQs on OASys at
a856-exams.nyc.gov
before beginning your application.
Computer-based Testing & Application Centers (CTACs)
All five CTACs accept walk-in applications Monday–Friday, 9 AM–5 PM, excluding holidays. Prefer to apply from home? Use OASys online — available 24/7, including mobile and tablet.
Manhattan
2 Lafayette St., 17th Floor
New York, NY 10007
Brooklyn
210 Joralemon St., 4th Floor
Brooklyn, NY 11201
Bronx
1932 Arthur Ave., 2nd Floor
Bronx, NY 10457
Queens
118-35 Queens Blvd., 5th Floor
Forest Hills, NY 11375
Staten Island
135 Canal St., 3rd Floor
Staten Island, NY 10304
Exam Type Glossary
MC
Multiple Choice — computer-based written test, 70% minimum to pass; score determines list rank
EEE
Education & Experience Exam — qualifications reviewed online; no separate written test date
N/A
Not applicable — exam has no multiple-choice test date; evaluation is EEE only
TBD
To be determined — test date not yet announced; check OASys for updates
Frequently Asked Questions
What does "open competitive" mean for NYC civil service exams?
An open competitive exam is open to any member of the public who meets the minimum qualifications — you do not need to be a current City employee. This is different from promotional exams, which are restricted to current employees in specific titles. All 15 exams on this page are open competitive.
Which NYC civil service exams are free to apply for right now?
Police Officer (Exam 7312) and Traffic Enforcement Agent (Exam 7331) both have a $0.00 application fee in August 2026. All other exams on this list have fees ranging from $54 to $82, though waivers are available for veterans, first-time applicants, NYC high school students, unemployed individuals, and public/SSI assistance recipients under Local Law 57 of 2025.
Is there a new Police Officer exam open right now?
Yes — Police Officer Exam No. 7312 opened August 3, 2026 and closes August 17, 2026. This is a new cycle, separate from Exam 7311 (which closed July 14). The filing window is very short — only 14 days. Apply immediately at a856-exams.nyc.gov/OASysWeb/exams.
When is the School Safety Agent test date?
The multiple-choice written test for School Safety Agent (Exam 7323) is expected to begin on Tuesday, October 20, 2026. The application period is July 1 – August 25, 2026. The fee is $61. Education requirement (high school diploma or equivalent) must be met by August 25, 2027; the experience requirement must be met by August 25, 2026.
When is the Traffic Enforcement Agent test date?
The multiple-choice written test for Traffic Enforcement Agent (Exam 7331) is expected to begin Thursday, October 22, 2026. The application period is July 1 – August 25, 2026, with no application fee. The exam covers reading comprehension, rules application, observation, reasoning, and the ability to apply written instructions accurately.
Can I apply if I already applied for the Police Officer exam in July 2026?
If you applied for Police Officer Exam 7311 (which closed July 14), you are already in that cycle. The new exam, Exam 7312 (August 3–17), is a separate open competitive cycle. Whether you can or should apply to both depends on the specific Notice of Examination for 7312 — read it carefully at a856-exams.nyc.gov/OASysWeb/exams before applying.
How do I apply — online or in person?
Both options are available. Apply online 24/7 through OASys at a856-exams.nyc.gov/OASysWeb/exams (also works on mobile and tablet), or walk in to any of the five CTACs Monday–Friday, 9 AM–5 PM. If you're a first-time OASys user, create your account as early as possible — new accounts require email verification, which is usually instant but can take longer.
What is an EEE exam and what does "N/A" for the test date mean?
EEE stands for Education and Experience Exam. Instead of a written multiple-choice test, your qualifications (education, licenses, work history) are reviewed online through OASys. You submit them by the application deadline and receive a "Qualified" or "Not Qualified" rating. There is no separate test day — which is why the test date column shows "N/A" for these titles. Critically: you must complete and Final Submit your E&E information in OASys by the deadline. Missing Final Submit = no score and no refund.
Don't Miss the August 25, 2026 Mass Deadline
10 exams close on the same day — August 25, 2026 — including School Safety Agent ($61), Traffic Enforcement Agent (free), Caseworker ($68), Assistant Civil Engineer ($82), and more. Apply now through OASys. Two exams are free. Expanded fee waivers available for first-time applicants, high school students, veterans, and others.
Apply on OASys — All 15 Exams ↗ July 2026 Exam Schedule ↗NYC DCAS Bureau of Examinations | (212) 669-1357 | nyc.gov/CivilServiceNowNYC | All dates tentative and subject to change.