Educational resource — civil service exam preparation. Not a government website.

Study guides →
← Resources by state

California Department of Human Resources (CalHR)

California civil service test guides

CalHR administers competitive exams for state civil service positions across hundreds of classifications—from corrections and law enforcement to clerical and professional titles.

California operates one of the largest state civil service systems in the country. The California Department of Human Resources (CalHR) administers competitive examinations and maintains eligible lists for most state positions. Candidates apply and track their status through the CalCareers portal.

Examination formats vary by classification: some use written multiple-choice tests, others use scored interviews, written exercises, or performance assessments. Your official job bulletin specifies the exam components, subject areas, and weights for your target title—always read it before starting your preparation.

Unlike New York, California does not publish a centralized library of downloadable PDF study guides. Preparation resources are primarily online, and exam announcements include the test plan (subject areas and weights) for most classifications. The key portals below cover state hiring, law enforcement, corrections, and local government.

Official test guides index (all titles)California Department of Human…

General

PDFs open in a new tab on the government website.

  • CalCareers — State Jobs & Exam Announcements

    Official portal for California state job postings, exam bulletins, and application tracking.

    Visit CalCareers →
  • CalHR Exam Resources

    CalHR's hub for exam types, continuous testing, and the merit selection process.

    Visit CalHR →
  • CalHR Veterans Resources

    Information on veterans' preference credits and how they apply in California state hiring.

    Visit site →

State examination booklets

PDFs open in a new tab on the government website.

  • California POST — Peace Officer Entry-Level Test (PELLET B)

    POST administers the PELLET B (POST Entry-Level Law Enforcement Test Battery) used by most California law enforcement agencies. Includes a test overview and preparation resources.

    Visit POST →
  • California POST — Entry-Level Test Preparation Guide

    Official POST study guide for the entry-level law enforcement written exam (PELLET B). Covers reading, writing, and reasoning sections with sample questions.

    Download guide →
  • CDCR Careers — Correctional Officer

    California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation hiring portal for Correctional Officer positions, including exam information and physical fitness standards.

    Visit CDCR →
  • CAL FIRE — Firefighter Careers

    Seasonal and permanent firefighter positions with the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection. Exam and hiring process details linked from this page.

    Visit CAL FIRE →

Local government booklets

PDFs open in a new tab on the government website.

  • Los Angeles County — Exams & Eligible Lists

    Los Angeles County's exam schedule and eligible lists for county positions including LAPD support, fire, probation, and administrative titles.

    Visit LACDHR →
  • City of Los Angeles — Personnel Department

    Los Angeles city civil service system overview. Exam announcements are posted through the LA City Jobs portal.

    Visit site →
  • City of San Francisco — Department of Human Resources

    San Francisco city and county job announcements and civil service exam schedules for hundreds of classifications.

    Visit SFDHR →

Good to know

  • California state exams may be administered as "open" (any qualified applicant) or "promotional" (current state employees only). Confirm the type in the exam bulletin before applying.
  • Some California classifications use continuous testing — applications are accepted on an ongoing basis and candidates are examined on a rolling cycle. The CalCareers portal shows the filing period for each classification.
  • Veterans' preference in California state hiring applies differently than in other states. Eligible veterans receive a score increase after achieving a passing score. See the CalHR veterans resources page for eligibility and documentation requirements.
  • Most California law enforcement agencies require candidates to pass the PELLET B before hiring. The POST website provides an official preparation guide and sample questions.

Supplemental prep on this site

Our title-based guides explain merit-system hiring, what many exams emphasize, and study checklists. They do not replace your announcement or official state booklets.

Browse all study guides →Take a free practice test →