State Of RI Veterans' Hiring Preference Program Description RI General Law 36-4-19 estabilishes a hiring preference for veterans applying for competitive state positions. Services Veterans receive a 5 point credit on competitive civil service entrance exams. Disabled veterans receive 10 points. Veterans must achieve a passing score before the preference is applied. Eligibility To qualify as a veteran, the applicant must have an other than dishonorable discharge and 30+ days of active duty service (other than training) or have been discharged because of a service-connected disability. Alternatively, a veteran may be a National Guard or Reserve retiree with 20+ years service. To qualify as a disabled veteran, the applicant must be a war veteran (have a campaign ribbon or expeditionary medal earned in a conflict war, undeclared war or contingency operation) with an Honorable or General discharge. The veteran must also be physically disabled with VA service-connected rating. Supplemental Materials RI General Law 36-4-19. Visit State Of RI Veterans' Hiring Preference Website