Residency
Pennsylvania Residency Requirement for Civil Service Positions
Most civil service positions require applicants to be either a current Pennsylvania resident or a former Pennsylvania resident. A job posting will state if Pennsylvania residency is required. Please note that there is no residency requirement for non-civil service jobs.
Current Residents
An applicant is a current Pennsylvania resident if, throughout the application and selection process, they maintain their primary residence in Pennsylvania. Applicants may be asked to provide proof of Pennsylvania residency.
Former Residents
Under the Civil Service Reform Act, an applicant is considered a former Pennsylvania resident if they relocated out of Pennsylvania for educational or employment purposes, will establish their primary residence in Pennsylvania within six months of beginning employment, and:
- graduated from a secondary school in Pennsylvania or completed home education requirements under Pennsylvania law within five years of application; or
- attended a school in Pennsylvania at least 80% of the time while enrolled in grades 1 through 12 and attended such school within five years of application; or
- graduated from or attended a secondary school (grades 7 through 12) in Pennsylvania or completed home education requirements under Pennsylvania law and graduated from a post-secondary institution in Pennsylvania within five years of application.
Applicants may be asked to provide proof that they meet the requirements of a former Pennsylvania resident.
College Students and Members of the Armed Forces
An applicant who is a current student at a college, university, or technical school will meet the requirements of Pennsylvania residency if:
- they are attending a college, university, or technical school outside of Pennsylvania, were a resident of Pennsylvania prior to their current enrollment, and have a current Pennsylvania mailing address; or
- they are a student from another state who is currently residing at and enrolled in a Pennsylvania college, university, or technical school, and have a current Pennsylvania mailing address.
An applicant who is a current active-duty member of the United States Armed Forces, or who is the spouse of a current active-duty member of the United States Armed Forces, will meet the requirements of Pennsylvania residency if:
- they were a Pennsylvania resident immediately prior to their (or their spouse’s) most recent enlistment, and they (or their spouse) are scheduled to be discharged within 90 days of the date of their application; or
- they are residing in Pennsylvania during their (or their spouse’s) current enlistment, and they (or their spouse) are scheduled to be discharged within 90 days of the date of their application.
Questions
If you have questions about whether you qualify under the residency requirements, please email
ra-cs-paresidency@pa.gov or call 717.787.7811.