Texas Civil Service Exam Chapter 143 Civil Service Law 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: Under Chapter 143, what is the minimum population a municipality must have before it is required to adopt civil service for its fire and police departments?
- 5,000 (Correct answer)
- 10,000
- 15,000
- 20,000
Correct answer: 5,000
Chapter 143 applies to municipalities with a population of 10,000 or more, but adoption can occur for municipalities with at least 5,000 under certain provisions.
Question 2: When a municipal civil service commission is established under Chapter 143, how many commissioners must be appointed?
- 3 (Correct answer)
- 5
- 7
- 9
Correct answer: 3
A civil service commission under Chapter 143 consists of three members appointed by the governing body of the municipality.
Question 3: Under Chapter 143, a civil service commissioner serves a term of how many years?
- 2 years
- 3 years (Correct answer)
- 4 years
- 6 years
Correct answer: 3 years
Each civil service commissioner serves a three-year staggered term under Chapter 143.
Question 4: Under Chapter 143, which of the following is a valid basis for the civil service commission to reject an applicant's eligibility for an entrance examination?
- Applicant is over 35 years old
- Applicant has a felony conviction (Correct answer)
- Applicant lives outside the city limits
- Applicant has prior military service
Correct answer: Applicant has a felony conviction
A felony conviction is a disqualifying factor; military service, age (within limits), and non-residency at application time are generally not automatic bars.
Question 5: Under Chapter 143, when a fire or police department position becomes vacant, the department head must request a eligibility list from the commission within how many days?
- 10 days
- 15 days
- 30 days (Correct answer)
- 60 days
Correct answer: 30 days
The department head must notify and request a certified eligibility list from the commission within 30 days of a vacancy.
Question 6: Under Chapter 143, an eligibility list for an entrance-level position remains valid for how long after it is established?
- 6 months
- 1 year
- 2 years (Correct answer)
- 3 years
Correct answer: 2 years
An eligibility list under Chapter 143 is valid for two years from the date the list was established.
Question 7: Under Chapter 143, what percentage of an entrance examination score may be added for verified military service to a veteran applicant?
- 2%
- 5%
- 10% (Correct answer)
- 15%
Correct answer: 10%
Veterans who served on active duty and were honorably discharged may receive a 10% addition to their entrance examination score under Chapter 143.
Texas Civil Service Exam Chapter 143 Civil Service Law 2
Under Chapter 143, what is the minimum population a municipality must have before it is required to adopt civil service for its fire and police departments?