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State Jobs: the Tie Goes to the Veteran — and Your Training Counts

RSMo 36.220 gives veterans and disabled veterans a preference in appointment to Missouri merit-system positions WHEN ALL OTHER RELEVANT JOB-RELATED FACTORS ARE EQUAL. That is a tiebreak, not a points bonus, and the statute deliberately specifies no point values — anyone quoting you a number for Missouri is quoting another state. The second half is easy to miss and often worth more: the state must give credit for relevant military training and experience, which can be what makes you equal in the first place.

Verified August 27, 2026

What this benefit is

RSMo 36.220 gives veterans and disabled veterans a preference in appointment to Missouri merit-system positions WHEN ALL OTHER RELEVANT JOB-RELATED FACTORS ARE EQUAL. That is a tiebreak, not a points bonus, and the statute deliberately specifies no point values — anyone quoting you a number for Missouri is quoting another state. The second half is easy to miss and often worth more: the state must give credit for relevant military training and experience, which can be what makes you equal in the first place.

What it's worth: Preference where other job-related factors are equal, plus credit for military training

  • The preference applies WHEN ALL OTHER RELEVANT JOB-RELATED FACTORS ARE EQUAL. It is a tiebreak.
  • THE STATUTE SPECIFIES NO POINT VALUES. We are not going to publish a number for Missouri, because there is not one — a figure quoted anywhere is from a different state.
  • Disabled veterans are expressly included.
  • Spouses are covered as well as veterans.
  • The state must give CREDIT FOR RELEVANT MILITARY TRAINING AND EXPERIENCE toward the job requirements. This is the half that can make you equal.
  • The residency test is not established from the sources reviewed.

Who is entitled to it

  • You are in one of the groups the preference reaches.
  • The discharge meets the definition.
  • You are applying for a public position.
  • Missouri state government.

Not sure whether that describes you?

Answer a few questions about this benefit specifically — we only ask what this one actually depends on, and we stop as soon as we know.

How to claim it

  1. 1Claim veteran status on the application. A tiebreak that is not claimed does not operate.
  2. 2Spell out your military training against the stated job requirements — that is where the credit provision does its work.
  3. 3Attach the DD214, and the VA letter if you are a disabled veteran.
  4. 4Do not expect points. If someone tells you a number of points for Missouri, check the statute.
  5. 5Spouses should claim too — the preference is not limited to the veteran.
Form
Claimed on the state application
File with
Missouri Office of Administration
Documents you will need
dd214 · va benefit summary letter
No renewal
Once granted it does not need renewing.
Worth knowingPublishing a point value here would be worse than publishing nothing. The statute sets a tiebreak and no numbers, and a veteran expecting a bonus would misjudge every application.

Sources

This finder provides an informational match, not a government eligibility determination. The responsible agency decides your application.