§2411. Nature of tests; eligibility for tests; adaptation for candidates with disabilities

A. Tests of fitness for original entrance and for promotion shall be competitive, and open to all citizens who, if over eighteen years of age, are qualified voters of the city and who meet the prerequisites established for admission to the tests as specified in the rules or in the public notices of the tests. The prerequisites may relate to age, sex, residence, health, habits, physical characteristics, experience, moral character, training, education, and other qualifications, and, in the case of promotion tests, to service in positions of classes for which lower maximum pay is prescribed involving experience tending to qualify for positions of the classes sought. Whenever, after diligent effort, it has been found impracticable to obtain a sufficient number of eligibles who are citizens and, if over eighteen years of age, are qualified voters of the city, for positions of any class, persons otherwise qualified who are not citizens may be admitted to the tests and may become eligible for appointment and be appointed to such positions subject to all other provisions of this Part. The tests for positions of each class shall be practical in their character and, so far as possible, shall relate to those matters which will fairly test the relative capacity and fitness of the candidates to discharge the duties of characteristic positions of the class to which they seek to be appointed with due reference also to ability to develop in such ways as to merit advancement to positions of higher classes. The tests may include written or oral questions, trials in the performance of work characteristic of the class, inquiries into facts relating to education or experience or accomplishments, and investigations of the records and success attained and of personal characteristics, or any combination of these and other elements duly related to the purposes of the tests. Promotion tests shall be based on the same standards of required qualifications as original entrance tests for the same classes, and the same degrees of excellence in the tests shall be required for eligibility. No question shall be so framed as to elicit information concerning the political, factional, or religious opinions or affiliations of an applicant.

B. Unless such skills are a bona fide occupational qualification of the position for which application is made, testing procedures shall be adapted for administration to candidates with disabilities that impair sensory, manual, or speaking skills. Public notice shall be given of the availability of these testing procedures.

Amended by Acts 1978, No. 213, §1; Acts 2014, No. 811, §17, eff. June 23, 2014.