Veteran's Employment Preference in Texas State Agencies
A qualifying veteran is entitled to preference over an equally qualified applicant for any Texas state agency job, plus 10 points on any competitive exam — 15 with a disability.
Verified August 17, 2026
What this benefit is
A qualifying veteran is entitled to preference over an equally qualified applicant for any Texas state agency job, plus 10 points on any competitive exam — 15 with a disability.
What it's worth: Preference over an equally qualified applicant, and 10 exam points
- A veteran with a service-connected disability gets a further 5 points, for 15 in total.
- The preference is not a quota and does not displace a better-qualified applicant. It decides ties.
Who is entitled to it
- You are the veteran.
- You were honorably discharged.
- You are the surviving spouse of a veteran killed on active duty.
- The veteran was killed while on active duty.
- You are an orphan of a veteran killed on active duty.
- You are applying for a job with a Texas state agency.
- Your home is in Texas.
Exceptions
The surviving-spouse route into the employment preference requires that you have not remarried. Tex. Gov't Code §657.002
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
Deadline: With your application- 1Claim the preference on the application itself. Agencies cannot apply it retroactively once a decision is made.
- 2Attach your DD214, and a VA letter if you are claiming the extra disability points.
- File with
- The hiring state agency
- Documents you will need
- dd214 · va disability award letter
- No renewal needed
Sources
- authority · statuteTex. Gov't Code §657.003
- operating · published policyPublic Utility Commission of Texas — Veteran's Employment Preference
This finder provides an informational match, not a government eligibility determination. The responsible agency decides your application.