Governor Kathy Hochul has announced a major update to New York State’s hiring practices that will make thousands of public sector jobs more accessible to job seekers without a college degree.
Effective this week, the Department of Civil Service has revised qualifications for nearly 800 civil service titles, allowing applicants to substitute relevant work experience in place of a college degree. The policy shift impacts both entry-level and promotional positions, affecting more than 15,000 current employees and opening up nearly 20,000 positions statewide.
“Many jobseekers have gained valuable real-world work experience in their careers and can use their unique skills and talents to contribute to New York’s dedicated public workforce,” said Hochul. “This common-sense change eliminates a barrier to rewarding careers faced by many prospective public servants.”
The update targets “middle-skill” roles that require more than a high school diploma but historically blocked out applicants who lacked a formal degree. Now, those with on-the-job training, industry knowledge, or lived experience can be considered qualified—bringing New York in line with similar moves by the federal government and other states like Maryland, New Jersey, and Pennsylvania.
Broader access, more diversity
Hochul’s administration emphasized that the change does not dilute hiring standards. Instead, it recognizes that knowledge, skills, and abilities gained outside of the classroom are often just as valuable as those gained through a formal education.
Civil Service Commissioner Timothy Hogues said the update will help reach candidates who’ve faced the “paper ceiling” — blocked not by ability, but by a missing diploma.
“By allowing experience as an alternative to a degree, we’re reaching communities where college isn’t always accessible and opening doors to people who bring real-world knowledge to the table,” Hogues said.
Support poured in from lawmakers across the state:
- Senator Robert Jackson called the move a win for equity: “Wisdom earned through work, care, and struggle is as valuable as any framed degree.”
- Assemblymember Al Stirpe said it “reinforces the principle that the lack of a formal degree should never stand in the way of accessing opportunity.”
- Senator Jessica Ramos praised the reform for recognizing “non-traditional career paths and valuing different forms of knowledge.”
Building on workforce reforms
This announcement builds on a series of workforce reforms under Governor Hochul, including:
- The NY HELPS program, which temporarily waived civil service exams to speed up hiring.
- The launch of Centers for Careers in Government, providing civil service guidance statewide.
- An expanded paid parental leave policy, now covering the entire state workforce.
- The “You’re Hired” initiative to recruit displaced federal workers.
More than 34,000 state-level hires and 11,000 local appointments have been made under these initiatives in the past year alone.
To explore job opportunities and learn more about civil service careers in New York State, visit the Department of Civil Service website or follow them on social media.
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