Effective September 1, 2025, an important change to Section 58(1)(a) of the New York State Civil Service Law will expand eligibility for individuals seeking appointment as police officers across New York State.

The amendment raises the maximum age to take an entry-level Police Officer examination from less than 35 years old to less than 43 years old. This legislative update significantly broadens opportunities for individuals seeking careers in law enforcement while helping local governments address recruitment challenges.

Who Is Impacted by This Change?

This expanded eligibility directly impacts the following groups:

Individuals seeking Entry-Level Law Enforcement Officer (ELLEO) positions who plan to sit for upcoming open-competitive examinations. Individuals seeking reinstatement to competitive class police officer positions governed by Sections 58(1) and 58(4) of the Civil Service Law who are between 35 and 43 years of age. Part-time, non-competitive police officers under 43 years of age who wish to transition into full-time competitive police officer positions.

What Are the Changes?

The amendment modifies Section 58(1)(a) to state that applicants must be:

At least 20 years old at the time of appointment, and Under 43 years of age at the time of the written examination.

In practice, this means a candidate cannot have reached their 43rd birthday on the exam date. For example, an applicant born September 20, 1982, would be ineligible to take the September 20, 2025 ELLEO exam.

Military Service Credit

Applicants may still deduct up to seven years (per Chapter 570 of the Laws of 2019) of active military service or terminal leave from their age when determining eligibility.

Local Civil Service Agency Action

Local civil service agencies will need to update exam announcements to reflect the new maximum age provision.

Sample Exam Announcement Language

Age: Candidates must be at least 19 years old on or before the examination date to be admitted to the written test. Eligibility for appointment as a police officer begins at age 20. Candidates who reach their 43rd birthday on or before the date of the written examination are not qualified, except as follows:

Candidates may have up to seven years of military duty or terminal leave deducted from their age under Section 243 (10-a) of the Military Law. Applicants impacted by the age requirement who are seeking an alternate test date should contact their local civil service agency.

Anticipated Eligibility – Age and Education: Pursuant to Section 54 of the Civil Service Law (effective September 4, 2024), applicants within 12 months of meeting the minimum age or educational requirements at the time of the exam may take the test but cannot be certified until those requirements are met.

Other Requirements:

Public Officer Status – Appointees are considered public officers and must be New York State residents and at least 20 years old at appointment. Citizenship – U.S. citizenship is required at appointment, though not for admission to the exam. Driver’s License – A valid New York State operator’s license is required at appointment.

Professional Policing Act of 2021

Agencies are reminded that, in addition to statutory age requirements, the Professional Policing Act of 2021 (Title 9 NYCRR Part 6000 and Part 6056) established minimum training, background, and character standards for police officer appointments.

Applicants may be disqualified if they:

Were removed for cause or decertified as a police officer in New York or another state. Appear on the NYS Division of Criminal Justice Services or National Decertification Index. Engaged in certain criminal activity or misconduct within the past three years. Received a dishonorable discharge from the U.S. Armed Forces not remedied under the Restoration of Honor Act. Engaged in controlled substance abuse, false statements, or attempts to subvert the hiring process.

Key Takeaway

This amendment represents a significant expansion of eligibility for law enforcement careers across New York State. By raising the maximum examination age to 43 years, the change creates new pathways for experienced individuals, military veterans, and part-time officers to pursue full-time police officer positions while helping municipalities strengthen recruitment efforts.

Local agencies should update their exam announcements, ensure compliance with the amended law, and continue to emphasize both eligibility and professional standards when guiding candidates through the civil service process.

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