CDCR Hires Military and Veteran Applicants
Put Your Military Experience to Work
Bring Your Knowledge
CDCR offers exceptional career opportunities to those with valuable military backgrounds, whether active service members, or those transitioning out of military service.
Earn Great Benefits
CDCR provides many benefits to people with military backgrounds, including: competitive salaries, flexible medical options, and stable retirement plans.
Start from anywhere in the world with our convenient online Written Examination, Physical Fitness Test waiver (for qualifying members) and online Background Investigation!
Incentives to Apply
Veterans’ Preference
Military service applicants who qualify as veterans may be entitled to Veterans’ Preference, which is a hiring preference for current or former military members who seek employment with the state. Preference can be applied to a veteran’s eligibility for qualifying “open” and “open, non-promotional” examinations. For more information on Veteran’s Preference visit the CalCareers website.
For further questions regarding Veterans’ Preference or if you need assistance with the online application, scheduling system or the general application process, please contact the Customer Service Unit.
Physical Fitness Waiver
Effective March 1, 2020, CDCR waived the Physical Fitness Test (PFT) for United States military and veteran applicants who provide certification of meeting military physical fitness standards. The CDCR PFT waiver is solely for the hiring process and does not apply to the Basic Correctional Officer Academy (BCOA).
To be eligible for the PFT waiver, the date of the applicant’s military physical fitness status must have been achieved within 12 months of the applicant’s CDCR Correctional Officer written exam. Applicants must provide the following required documentation, prior to their scheduled PFT date:
- Applicant’s military physical fitness examination scorecard (e.g., form DA705) or a reasonable facsimile thereof.
- Signed memorandum from the applicant’s commander certifying the applicant has met the physical fitness standards of their respective branch of the military. (For the accepted format, please see Sample Command Memo.)
For questions about the PFT waiver and how to submit, please contact your assigned Testing Center:
Applicants will be notified whether their PFT waiver request has been approved. Those with approved PFT waivers will be instructed not to appear for the CDCR PFT.
Applicants who are not eligible for the waiver will be scheduled for the CDCR PFT and must pass to continue through the process. Applicants who are unsuccessful in the PFT and wish to pursue the peace officer classification again will be required to reapply when eligible and submit a new application.
Discover the options of working as a peace officer
Post 9/11 GI Bill®
CDCR is certified by the Department of Veteran Affairs as an approved Veterans Education program for cadets enrolled in the Basic Correctional Officer Academy and during the correctional officer’s two year apprenticeship at any CDCR facility.
Military and veteran applicants may be eligible to receive Montgomery and/or Post 9-11 GI Bill® benefits. CDCR cadets who are eligible for the benefits listed below can apply them to their education and training as a peace officer:
- Montgomery GI Bill® (Chapter 30)
- Post-Vietnam Era Veterans’ Education Assistance Program (Chapter 32)
- Post-9/11 GI Bill® (Chapter 33)
- Survivors’ and Dependents’ Educational Assistance Program (Chapter 35)
- Montgomery GI Bill® – Selected Reserve Program (Chapter 1606)
For information on how to use these benefits, visit the California Department of Veterans Affairs website.
Reserve Service Members
CDCR allows reservists to take the necessary time to fulfill military obligations. Depending on the military status and duration of leave, reservists working for CDCR may be entitled to:
- Time off for required physical exams before active duty
- Travel time (if needed) to get to assigned posts during active duty
- Leave time for short- and long-term active duty
- Time off for annual military training exercises
- Emergency military leave (up to 30 days)
Reservists have the right of return to their former CDCR position within the designated time limit after service, as well as:
- Opportunities to sustain a CDCR salary, benefits and retirement
- Seniority retention
- Apply for and take exams (based on minimum qualifications eligibility).
Partnering to Build a Stronger Team
CDCR proudly partners with Work for Warriors in a continued effort to recruit the finest candidates from the ranks of the United States Armed Forces. CDCR offers military personnel a unique working environment which utilizes the skills, self-discipline and life experiences developed during military service.
Let your military service help jump start a new career and promote through CDCR’s ranks.
GI Bill® is a registered trademark of the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). More information about education benefits offered by VA is available at the official U.S. government Web site at https://www.benefits.va.gov/gibill.