Texas Civil Service Exam Texas Civil Service Texas Civil Service Law 3 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: Under Texas Local Government Code Chapter 143, what is the maximum number of days a police officer or firefighter can be suspended without pay by a fire or police chief?
- 5 days
- 10 days
- 15 days (Correct answer)
- 30 days
Correct answer: 15 days
Under Chapter 143, a department head may suspend a civil service employee for up to 15 calendar days without pay for a single disciplinary action.
Question 2: A Texas civil service commission typically consists of how many members?
- 2
- 3 (Correct answer)
- 5
- 7
Correct answer: 3
Most Texas civil service commissions, including those under Chapter 143, are composed of three members appointed to staggered terms.
Question 3: What is the standard appeal timeframe for a Texas firefighter or police officer who receives an indefinite suspension under Chapter 143?
- 5 days
- 10 days
- 15 days
- 30 days (Correct answer)
Correct answer: 30 days
Under Chapter 143, an employee who receives an indefinite suspension has 30 days from receipt of the written order to file an appeal with the civil service commission.
Question 4: Which body has final authority to adopt and amend civil service rules for Texas state classified employees under the State Classification Act?
- The Governor of Texas
- The Texas Legislature
- The State Civil Service Commission (Correct answer)
- The State Auditor's Office
Correct answer: The State Civil Service Commission
The State Civil Service Commission holds the authority to adopt, amend, and enforce civil service rules governing the state classified workforce.
Question 5: A Texas civil service applicant is found to have falsified information on their application. What is the standard consequence under civil service law?
- A formal warning is issued
- Disqualification from the current examination only
- Permanent disqualification from all civil service examinations (Correct answer)
- A fine imposed by the commission
Correct answer: Permanent disqualification from all civil service examinations
Falsification of application materials is typically grounds for permanent disqualification from all civil service examinations and positions, as it constitutes fraud.
Question 6: Under Texas civil service rules, which type of examination is typically open to both the general public and current employees?
- Promotional examination
- Open competitive examination (Correct answer)
- In-service examination
- Restricted competitive examination
Correct answer: Open competitive examination
Open competitive examinations are available to any qualified applicant from both inside and outside the organization, unlike promotional exams restricted to current employees.
Question 7: In Texas, a civil service employee who is passed over for promotion despite outscoring other candidates may file what type of complaint?
- A grievance with the EEOC only
- An appeal alleging violation of the Rule of Three or similar civil service selection rules (Correct answer)
- A lawsuit in federal district court only
- No recourse is available
Correct answer: An appeal alleging violation of the Rule of Three or similar civil service selection rules
Civil service selection rules, such as the Rule of Three, govern how promotions are made from eligible lists, and violations may be appealed to the civil service commission.
Texas Civil Service Exam Texas Civil Service Texas Civil Service Law 3
Under Texas Local Government Code Chapter 143, what is the maximum number of days a police officer or firefighter can be suspended without pay by a fire or police chief?