Veterans' Preference in Minnesota Public Employment

The Minnesota Veterans' Preference Act (VPA) provides eligible veterans with a limited preference in hiring and promotion for most Minnesota public employment positions. This preference is granted under Minnesota Statutes §197.48, §43A.11, and §197.455.

Some spouses of veterans may also qualify for these protections.

The VPA applies to most Minnesota public employment systems, including:

• Civil service laws
• Charter provisions
• Ordinances
• Rules or regulations used by counties, cities, towns, school districts, and other municipalities or political subdivisions in Minnesota.

If you are a veteran under Minnesota law, you may be eligible to claim Veterans' Preference points. To qualify, you must meet the following requirements:

• You must be a United States citizen or a resident alien.
• You must have been separated from the United States armed forces under honorable conditions.

You must also meet one of the following service requirements:

• You served on active duty for 181 consecutive days or more: or
• You were discharged because of a disability that occurred while you were on active duty; or
• You met the minimum active-duty requirement under Code of Federal Regulations, Title 38, Section 3.12a; or
• You have military service that was certified as active duty under Section 401 of Public Law 95-202. This service must be certified by the United States Secretary of Defense, and you must have received an honorable discharge issued by the Secretary. 

To claim Veterans' Preference points, you must provide documentation based on your eligibility category.

1. Veteran
   • Provide a copy of your DD214 and DD215 (if applicable), showing the length of active service and type of discharge.

2. Disabled Veteran
   • Provide a copy of your DD214 and DD215 (if applicable), showing the length of active service and type of discharge.
   • Provide a copy of your disability rating letter from a service retirement board or the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs.

3. Spouse of a Disabled Veteran
   • Provide a copy of the veteran’s DD214 and DD215 (if applicable), showing the length of active service and type of discharge.
   • Provide a copy of the disability rating letter from a service retirement board or the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs.

4. Spouse of a Deceased Veteran
   • Provide a copy of the veteran’s DD214 and DD215 (if applicable), showing the length of active service and type of discharge.
   • Provide documentation showing you were married to the veteran at the time of death and have not remarried.
   • Provide form FL21‑802 or a death certificate.

 Veterans' Preference points can be added to your application score when all of the following conditions are met:

• You completed the Veterans' Preference section of the employment application.
• You received a passing score on the exam or assessment.
• You submitted all required supporting documentation.
• Your claim for preference is approved.

On-the-Job Training (OJT) Information:

• Find out if you qualify to receive your GI Bill benefits while learning a trade or skill via on-the-job training.