Virginia State Hiring Preference for Veterans

On a Commonwealth job filled by written exam, five points after a passing score, or ten points when VA has fixed a service-connected rating. Other jobs get a selection preference.

Also called: state job, veterans preference, hiring preference, Commonwealth employment, 10 points.

For: Veteran or service member, child, survivor.

Where it applies

Written for the jurisdictions listed here.

VirginiaState

Code section 2.2-2903 is the hiring rule for the Commonwealth, not for Fairfax County government. The county has its own preference, written on the Fairfax page. For a state job filled by written examination, a veteran, and certain surviving spouses and children, who pass the exam get five percent added to the grade. A veteran with a service-connected disability rating fixed by VA gets ten percent instead. The points apply only after a passing score. For a state job that is not based on an exam, the Commonwealth gives a preference in selection when the person meets the knowledge, skill, and ability requirements. A service-connected rating gets additional consideration. The Department of Human Resource Management publishes the hiring guidance agencies use. "Veteran" in this section is an honorable discharge plus either more than 180 consecutive days of full-time active duty, or a service-connected disability rating. A disabled veteran can meet the definition on the rating alone, without the 180 days. The preference does not promise a job. Fairfax County jobs are not filled under this section. Use the county preference for those.

Thresholds

Thresholds for Virginia State Hiring Preference for Veterans
Gate	Rule
Service-connected rating	A service-connected rating raises the written-exam addition from five percent to ten percent, and it is additional consideration on jobs that have no exam. A veteran with an honorable discharge and more than 180 consecutive days of active duty qualifies for the five-percent and selection preference without a rating.

Sources

Code of Virginia § 2.2-2903Official

Updated

Last updated 2026-09-27.

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Disclaimer

VetTOC is not affiliated with the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs or the Department of Defense. Information is for reference only and is not an eligibility determination. Verify with VA, the relevant state or territory, or an accredited VSO.