Legal Specialties Program
Overview
Are you ready to launch your legal career as an Attorney for New York State? This examination fills a variety of Attorney positions at virtually all New York State agencies. Depending on your education, eligibility to take the New York State Bar examination or post-NYS Bar admission legal experience, you may be eligible to be appointed into a legal traineeship, or directly into a journey-level Attorney position. Attorneys in New York State agencies perform a variety of legal work protecting New Yorkers, including general counsel, family law, investigation and more! Start your career as an Attorney making a difference now!
Recruitment Videos
Legal Specialties Program Promotional Video
Legal Specialties Panel Video
Examination Announcement and Position Information
Please be advised, this examination has been suspended effective March 1, 2024. Applications will no longer be accepted.
Positions
These positions exist in multiple agencies throughout the State. Assignments will vary, depending on the particular department or agency with which you work.
**There are also several positions within the Legal Specialties Traineeship. Please refer to the examination announcement for a list of the traineeship positions and the qualifications for appointment.
Examination Process
There is no in-person multiple-choice test. To be considered for appointment to this title, you must pass an online training and experience test.
State agencies have an ongoing need for persons qualified for appointment to these positions.
The Department of Civil Service accepts applications continuously and rates and scores tests on a fixed schedule.
All parts of the examination must be complete by the deadlines below, failure to complete by the announced deadlines
may result in disqualification and your name not appearing on the eligible list.
Please note - The first holding of this examination will be July 6, 2023, through August 31, 2023.
Applications and test periods
January 1 - February 28
March 1 - April 30
May 1 - June 30
July 1 - August 31
September 1 - October 31
November 1 - December 31
How to Apply
Please be advised, this examination has been suspended effective March 1, 2024. Applications will no longer be accepted. The eligible list will remain active. Agencies will have the option to utilize the active eligible list or NY HELPS to make appointments. Current list eligibles can access the Skills Inventory for updates here: Online Questionnaire Selection for State Government (ny.gov)
Additional Information
Taking a Training and Experience Exam
For the first time ever the Legal Specialties exam will be offered online as a Training and Experience exam. If this is your first time taking an online Training and Experience exam, watch the "How To" video below: