NYC civil service exams open in November 2026: police officer, traffic agent, school safety, EMT and more, with deadlines and starting pay

If you have been thinking about a city job, November's batch of civil service exams is open. The city's Department of Citywide Administrative Services (DCAS) has posted its November 2026 application schedule, with 15 exams open to anyone, SILive reported. For most city jobs, an exam is the first step.

Apply online through the city's OASys system at nyc.gov/examsforjobs. DCAS notes that its dates are tentative and subject to change, so read each Notice of Examination before you apply.

Free exams

• Police Officer (Exam 7315): apply Nov. 2–16; testing Dec. 1–5. No fee (select "No Fee" when you apply). Starting salary is $55,942, rising to $109,352 after five and a half years, according to the notice of examination. Missed it? The next round, Exam 7316, takes applications Dec. 1–14.
• Traffic Enforcement Agent (Exam 7332): apply Nov. 5–Dec. 22; multiple-choice testing is expected to begin March 9, 2027. No fee. Minimum salary is $48,719, and you need a high school diploma or equivalent by the date of appointment, per the notice.

Closing soon

• Emergency Medical Specialist – EMT (7131) and EMS Trainee (7032): apply by Nov. 18; $30 fee; education-and-experience exams with no written test. Minimum salaries are $39,386 and $36,330.
• School Safety Agent (7324): apply by Nov. 25; $61; written test Jan. 19, 2027. Pay starts at $40,480 and reaches $58,345 after five years, according to the notice.

Other exams open through Nov. 25

• Bridge Operator (7015): $61; minimum salary $43,135.
• Cashier (7017): $61; written test Feb. 22, 2027; minimum $42,288.
• Elevator Mechanic's Helper (7030): $91; written test Feb. 25, 2027; minimum $40.43 an hour.
• Inspector (Construction) (7040): $68; written test March 8, 2027; minimum $56,447.
• Youth Development Specialist (7074): $68; written test March 10, 2027; pay from $55,075 to $76,972 after seven years.
• Probation Officer Trainee (7058): $68; minimum $47,603.
• Administrative Accountant (7001) ($82), Associate Fingerprint Technician (7009) ($61) and Metal Work Mechanic (7050) ($101).
• Addiction Counselor, NYC Health + Hospitals (7000): open until Dec. 22; $68; minimum $59,885.

Salaries above are the current minimums listed in each DCAS notice and are subject to change. City employees can also apply for promotion exams for Administrative Accountant (7500) and Metal Work Mechanic (7525) through Nov. 25.

Fee waivers and help

Since July 1, 2026, more people can apply for free: under Local Law 57 of 2025, fee waivers now cover first-time applicants and New York City high school students, in addition to existing waiver categories, DCAS says. Notices of examination can also be translated into more than 190 languages inside OASys.

If you need a computer, DCAS's Computer-based Testing and Application Centers take walk-ins Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.: 2 Lafayette St. (17th floor) in Manhattan, 210 Joralemon St. (4th floor) in Brooklyn, 1932 Arthur Ave. (2nd floor) in the Bronx, 118-35 Queens Blvd. (5th floor) in Forest Hills and 135 Canal St. (3rd floor) on Staten Island. Automated information: (212) 669-1357.