People looking to work in the Philippine government, including agencies and bodies, must take the Civil Service exam. Before taking the exam, it is best to check whether or not you are exempted. If you are, you can go directly to the nearest CSC office and inquire about the requirements you have to submit to obtain certification.
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What is a Civil Service Exam (CSE)?
The Civil Service Exam (CSE), also known as the Career Service Examination, is conducted twice a year by the Civil Service Commission (CSC) to figure out whether or not an applicant is eligible to work in the Philippine government. There are two options for taking the CSE: the traditional Pen-And-Paper Test (PPT) or the Computerized Examination (COMEX).
There are two types of CSEs: a Sub-Professional and a Professional Level.
The Sub-Professional Level is aimed toward applicants eyeing first-level government positions, which includes clerical and administrative work. The test has a time limit of two hours and 40 minutes and features 165 items covering General Information, Clerical Operations, English, and Mathematics.
On the other hand, the Professional Level is designed to allow passers to apply for both first- and second-level government positions. The Professional Level includes job opportunities for both clerical and managerial posts.
Unlike the sub-professional, an examinee taking the professional exam must be a graduate of a four-year course. Regarding the actual test, the time limit is more extended (three hours and 10 minutes), with 170 items covering topics like General Information, Analogies, Logic Reasoning, English, and Mathematics.
Complete List of Exempted in Civil Service Exam
1. HONOR GRADUATES
Individuals who graduated with Latin honors such as cum laude, magna cum laude, and summa cum laude from a reputable college or university in the Philippines are exempted from taking the Civil Service Exam (CSE), according to the PD. 907.
2. BAR AND BOARD EXAM PASSERS
Following RA 1080 automatically exempts those who pass the bar and licensure board examinations.
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3. SANGGUNIAN MEMBERS
According to RA 10156, the exemption is given to Sanggunian Members elected after the Local Government Code became effective on May 11, 1992. The list includes Vice mayor, Vice governor, and regular Sanggunian Members of the Sangguniang Bayan, Sangguniang Panlungsod and Sangguniang Panlalawigan.
4. BARANGAY OFFICIAL ELIGIBILITY (BOE)
RA No. 7160 of the Local Government Code says that all Elective Barangay Officials like Punong Barangay, regular Sangguniang Barangay Members, and Sangguniang Kabataan Chairmen (SK Chairman), and Appointive Barangay Officials (Barangay Secretary and Treasurer) are exempted from CSE.
5. BARANGAY NUTRITION SCHOLARS
According to PD 1569, a barangay-based volunteer worker is given second-grade civil service eligibility.
6. FOREIGN SCHOOL HONOR GRADUATES
Any Filipino who has graduated with Latin honors like summa cum laude, magna cum laude, and cum laude from a legitimate university abroad is exempted from CSE, based on CSC Resolution No. 1302714.
7. SKILLS ELIGIBILITY
The CSE exemption is given to qualified Filipinos whose skills are not measured by the written test, according to CSC MC No. 11, s. 1996. They are plant electricians, automotive mechanics, heavy equipment operators, laboratory technicians, shrine curators, carpenters, drafting technicians, and plumbers.
8. ELECTRONIC DATA PROCESSING SPECIALISTS
CSE exemption is also granted to those who passed the proficiency test or training course of the National Computer Center (NCI-NCC) in the following computer courses: Systems Analysis and Design, Computer Programming, Java, MS Access, and Visual Basic, by the CSC Resolution No. 90-083.
9. VETERANS PREFERENCE ELIGIBILITY
According to EO 132 and EO 790, Philippine Veterans Affairs Office-certified World War II veterans and their spouses are exempted. Also included are his children who did not pass or lacked 10 points in the Career Service Professional Examination, Career Service Sub Professional Examination, Fire Officer Examination, or Penology Officer Examination.
10. BARANGAY HEALTH WORKERS (BHW)
RA 7883 gives second-grade eligibility to BHWs who completed at least two years of college education leading to a college degree and have served for five years.
11. SCIENTIFIC AND TECHNOLOGICAL SPECIALIST (STS) ELIGIBILITY
According to PD No. 997 (Revised 2009), Scientific and Technological Specialists like scientists, researchers, and inventors are exempted from taking the CSE.
Sources:
- What is the Civil Service Exam in the Philippines? – go! – globe. (n.d.). Retrieved August 8, 2022, from https://www.globe.com.ph/go/career-money/article/what-is-civil-service-exam-philippines.html
- Who is exempted to take the Civil Service Exam? Filcil. (2021, April 8). Retrieved August 9, 2022, from https://filcil.com/exempted-to-take-the-civil-service-exam/
- Grant of eligibility under special laws and CSC issuances. Retrieved August 9, 2022, from http://csc.gov.ph/2014-02-27-07-38-08/2014-02-27-07-40-14.html