Civil service is a topic of interest for many citizens in our country. Many people serve in the public sector under the scope of civil service. Each year thousands of candidates sit for specific exams and apply to be appointed as civil servants. The requirements for becoming a civil servant are therefore important.
Everything related to civil service is defined in Law No. 657 on Civil Servants. You can find all questions about civil service in this law. A person must meet certain conditions to become a civil servant. As long as these conditions are met, the candidate may apply for a civil servant position.
The conditions for becoming a civil servant in Law No. 657 are divided into general and special requirements. The general conditions apply across all government institutions; special conditions are considered only when hiring for certain positions in specific institutions.
To apply for a civil servant position, the general conditions must be met first. The general requirements necessary to become a civil servant can be listed as follows:
- The first requirement is Turkish citizenship. A person who is not a citizen of the Republic of Turkey cannot apply for civil service.
- Another requirement for applying is the age criterion. According to Law No. 657, the applicant must be at least 18 years old. The upper age limit is generally set at 35. For some positions, this upper limit may be considered 30.
- Education level is another requirement for applicants. The minimum education level to become a civil servant is completion of secondary school. The required level of education varies depending on the position applied for. Some civil service positions require an associate degree or a bachelor’s degree.
- An applicant must not be deprived of public rights. Individuals who have been stripped of public rights cannot apply for civil service.
- An applicant must not have a criminal record. A person with a recorded conviction cannot apply for civil service.
- Male applicants must state their military status. The applicant should either be exempt from military service, have a report indicating they cannot serve, or have postponed their military service.
- Persons with illnesses that prevent them from performing job duties cannot apply for civil service.
- Applicants for non-disabled positions must not have a disability that would exclude them from those posts.
- Appointments to civil service are made through the Public Personnel Selection Examination (KPSS). Applicants must have obtained a passing score in the most recent KPSS to apply.
The general conditions for becoming a civil servant are as outlined above. If all these conditions are met, a person may apply for a civil service position. There are several steps involved in appointment, and these stages must be followed carefully.
Special Requirements to Become a Civil Servant
In addition to the general requirements, there are special conditions for becoming a civil servant. These special conditions do not apply to every institution but are specific to certain agencies; each institution may have its own special criteria. These requirements are set out in the regulations of the relevant institutions.
Because special requirements vary by institution, they must be reviewed at the time of application. For example, the education level requested by each institution may differ. As long as these institution-specific conditions—defined according to the agency’s field of work—are met, applicants may apply for civil servant positions within those institutions.