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Massachusetts Human Resources Division

Massachusetts civil service test guides

The Massachusetts Human Resources Division administers the state merit system and publishes exam announcements for a wide range of classified positions.

Massachusetts state classified employment is governed by the Human Resources Division (HRD). Written examinations are used for most classified positions, and candidates are ranked on eligible lists. Exam announcements, preparation materials, and eligible list information are published on the HRD website.

Massachusetts law enforcement positions, including State Police and Environmental Police, follow separate hiring processes that include written exams, physical fitness assessments, and comprehensive background investigations.

Official test guides index (all titles)Massachusetts Human Resources Division…

General

PDFs open in a new tab on the government website.

  • Massachusetts State Jobs Portal

    Official Massachusetts state careers portal for job listings and exam announcements.

    Visit portal →
  • Massachusetts HRD — Exam Information

    Exam announcements, study guides, and preparation materials published by the Massachusetts Human Resources Division.

    Visit HRD →

State examination booklets

PDFs open in a new tab on the government website.

  • Massachusetts State Police — Recruit Trooper

    Massachusetts State Police trooper application process including civil service exam, physical fitness, and psychological screening.

    Visit MSP →

Local government booklets

PDFs open in a new tab on the government website.

  • Boston — Civil Service Exams

    Boston civil service exam schedule for police, fire, and city government titles.

    Visit site →

Good to know

  • Massachusetts police and firefighter positions in civil service municipalities use a statewide competitive exam administered by HRD. Candidates place on a single eligible list used by multiple cities and towns.
  • Veterans preference adds 2 points to the passing score of eligible veterans; disabled veterans and certain surviving spouses receive preference in certification order.
  • Not all Massachusetts municipalities are under the civil service system. Check whether your target department is a civil service or non-civil service department before applying.

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.

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