Department of Civil Service Announces Plans to Open New Computer-Based Testing Center in Schenectady

The New York State Department of Civil Service announced plans to open a new Computer-Based Testing Center in Schenectady, the second testing center available for Capital Region state employees seeking to further their careers. With four testing centers opened this year, and the remaining facilities scheduled to open in all regions of the state by end of 2027, the Department is expanding modern and convenient access to members of the existing state workforce that seek to take promotion tests, while underscoring Governor Kathy Hochul's support of New York's public servants.

Department of Civil Service Commissioner and Civil Service Commission President Timothy R. Hogues said, "The Capital Region is home to thousands of New York State employees who all use their unique talents and skills to serve the public on a daily basis. Governor Hochul truly values New York's public servants, and by opening a second Computer-Based Testing Center in the area, the Department is reducing a barrier to promotion for these dedicated and professional servant-leaders to advance in their careers and use their abilities to serve their fellow New Yorkers."

The Schenectady CBT Center will be located in Mohawk Harbor following a lease signing in July, with a specific opening date to be determined once renovation plans are finalized. The Schenectady CBT Center will be one of eight additional centers opening by the end of next year. Earlier this year, the Department of Civil Service opened centers in Cohoes, Buffalo, Rochester and Syracuse.

The Schenectady center will provide testing space for approximately 125 candidates to be tested at once, including multiple, smaller testing rooms for candidates who may require a reasonable accommodation to participate in the civil service exam process. Together with the Cohoes CBT Center, the Capital Region will have space for roughly 275 candidates to be tested at once; tests can be administered six days a week at the new centers, providing greater windows of opportunities for state employees to take promotion exams.

More than 43,000 state employees work in the Capital District, representing 29.5% of the state's workforce, according to 2025 data - more than any other region in New York State.

As CBT Centers continue to open across the state, civil service promotion exams will be offered on a more frequent basis to provide candidates with more career advancement opportunities, while also providing capabilities to self-schedule tests during available timeframes. Additionally, test scores will be released more expeditiously - changes that will also benefit state agencies.

Currently, promotion exams are typically held periodically, and if a candidate misses the exam on a given date, they cannot take the exam until it is offered again. By offering promotion exams more frequently under a modern and efficient test administration and scoring process, state agencies will have a more sizable and updated pool of qualified candidates to fill crucial public-sector roles. A short video highlights what candidates should expect at a CBT Center.

The new CBT Centers are part of a comprehensive strategy the Department of Civil Service is undertaking to modernize the civil service merit system in New York State to better meet jobseekers where they are. The Department's transformation includes developing a customer-friendly, fully accessible, innovative method to examine candidates interested in jobs open to the public for merit and fitness, while building a workforce that mirrors the diversity and ability of all New York State residents.

More than 66,000 appointments have been made to state and local government as part of the New York Hiring for Emergency Limited Placement Statewide (NY HELPS) program, with more than 46,000 appointments at the state level; of those appointments, close to 29,000 are new to state service. These appointments are allowing state and local governments to more effectively provide services and respond to the needs of New Yorkers all across the Empire State.

New York State Office of General Services Commissioner Jeanette Moy said, "OGS is proud to support Governor Hochul's commitment to strengthening New York's public workforce by securing the space needed to bring these new Computer-Based Testing Centers to communities across New York. By expanding access to modern testing facilities, we equip employees with the tools to build their careers, break down barriers to professional growth, and open new doors for New Yorkers to serve their communities."

Assemblyman Angelo Santabarbara said, "New York's public employees dedicate their careers to serving our communities, and they deserve every opportunity to advance and succeed. Bringing a new Computer-Based Testing Center to Schenectady makes that process more accessible and convenient for the thousands of state employees who live and work in our region. This is a smart investment in our public workforce and in the future of public service, giving hardworking New Yorkers more flexibility to pursue promotions and build rewarding careers right here in the Capital Region."

Schenectady County Legislature Chair Gary Hughes said, "When Governor Hochul announced plans to open these new testing centers for state employees, we worked with our economic development team to bring a test center to Schenectady County. Civil service employment remains one of the surest ladders to the middle class and we are excited that a new Computer Based Testing Center will open in 2027 at Mohawk Harbor. We thank Governor Kathy Hochul and Civil Service Commissioner Hogues for selecting Schenectady County for this new mission. We value the State employees who live and work here in our community and this new facility will make it easier for them to pursue promotional exam opportunities to continue their career development."

City of Schenectady Mayor Gary McCarthy said, "Thank you Governor Hochul for bringing this new testing center to Schenectady. We welcome the staff from the Department of Civil Service to downtown Schenectady. This new center will help our residents that work for New York State, and state employees working in Schenectady, by providing greater convenience to promotional exams for opportunities to advance their rewarding careers."

Schenectady County Metroplex Development Authority Chair Ray Gillen said, "The new testing center at Mohawk Harbor brings another State agency to Schenectady and provides easier access to promotion exams with New York State, the largest employer in the Capital Region. This would not have been possible without the leadership of Governor Hochul, Civil Service Commissioner Hogues and OGS Commissioner Moy. We also thank the Galesi Group for working with us to submit a proposal to the State that provides great office and testing space, plentiful parking, and access to CDTA's main bus lines."

Since taking office, Governor Hochul has implemented several initiatives to strengthen New York's public workforce. In February 2025, Governor Hochul launched the "You're Hired" initiative to recruit talented displaced federal public sector workers into State service. In 2024, the state launched the NY HELPS program and temporarily waived state civil service exam requirements for many job vacancies. In 2023, Governor Hochul extended 12 weeks of fully paid parental leave to the entire state workforce for the first time in state history.

Governor Hochul also announced in October 2025 that the Department of Civil Service updated qualifications for approximately 800 entry- and promotion-level civil service titles to allow for consideration of equivalent experience as an alternative to college degrees when evaluating jobseekers.

Additionally, the state created 10 Centers for Careers in Government, offering job seekers guidance on civil service systems and career opportunities. The Governor has also lifted the state employment hiring freeze and expanded opportunities for individuals and veterans with disabilities to further support the public workforce.

The Department of Civil Service also ran successful multi-media campaigns over the past two years promoting the wide-ranging career opportunities available in New York State public service; the campaign was estimated to have reached 93 percent of New Yorkers aged 18 and older. The Department also partnered with New York's first Chief Disability Officer to deliver a campaign that highlighted opportunities for New Yorkers with disabilities.

To learn more about working for the State of New York and how to take the next step in pursuing a rewarding career in public service, please visit the Department of Civil Service website and follow the Department on Facebook, Instagram, X, and LinkedIn.