Civil Service Exam Requirements 2027: who can take the CSE and what to bring
Before you line up at the CSC office, make sure you qualify, pick the right level, and have every document in hand. A missing photo or the wrong ID means a second trip, and slots don't wait.
Who can take the Civil Service Exam
You can apply if you:
- are a Filipino citizen;
- are at least 18 years old on the day you file;
- have not passed the same level before (a Professional passer can't retake the Professional level);
- have not taken the same level in the three months before the exam date;
- have no disqualifying record, such as conviction for a crime involving dishonesty, or dishonorable discharge from service.
There is no education requirement to take the exam. The level you pass decides which government positions you can qualify for later.
Professional or Sub-Professional?
Professional
For first- and second-level positions: technical, administrative and supervisory jobs that usually need a college degree. 170 items in 3 hours 10 minutes: Verbal, Numerical, Analytical and General Information.
Sub-Professional
For first-level positions only: clerical, trades, crafts and custodial work. 165 items in 2 hours 40 minutes, with Clerical Ability instead of Analytical.
Not sure? If you're aiming for any position above clerical work, take the Professional level. Its eligibility covers both first- and second-level positions.
Compare the subjects in What's on the Civil Service Exam (CSE).
Documents to prepare before filing
- The application form, CS Form No. 100 (Revised 2023). Download it from the CSC website or get a copy at the CSC office; the form itself has no fee.
- Four identical ID photos that follow the photo rules below.
- One valid ID, original plus a photocopy. Bring this same ID on exam day.
- The ₱500 exam fee, paid at the CSC office when you file. Keep the official receipt.
- Your PSA birth certificate, if the name on your ID is different from your birth name (for example, after marriage) or has a different spelling.
Fill out the form at home before you go. It saves time at the counter and avoids rushed mistakes. Step-by-step help with the form.
ID photo rules
- Philippine passport size: 4.5 cm × 3.5 cm.
- In color, on a plain white background, printed on good photo paper.
- Taken within the last three months.
- Shoulders up, with your head and face filling at least 80% of the photo; full face to the camera, neutral expression, both eyes open.
- Bare face: no eyeglasses, colored contact lenses, headdress or anything covering the face, and no computer touch-ups; both ears showing. Muslim women may keep their head covering if the forehead and both ears show.
- A hand-held name tag: you hold it while the photo is taken, about 1 inch (2.54 cm) below your chin, with your handwritten signature over your printed full name (given name, middle initial, last name, extension). A name tag printed or added by computer is not accepted.
Ask for four identical copies from one shoot; one goes on each copy of the form.
Valid IDs
Only IDs on the CSC's list are accepted (Examination Announcement No. 06, s. 2026). Bring the original and a photocopy:
- PhilID or ePhilID; the digital National ID once verified
- Passport
- Driver's license, temporary license or student permit
- PRC license
- SSS ID; GSIS ID (UMID)
- Voter's ID or voter certification
- TIN ID with photo, or the digital TIN ID once verified
- PhilHealth ID (name, photo, signature and number)
- Company/office ID or school ID
- Police clearance with photo; NBI clearance
- Postal ID; barangay ID
- Seaman's book; HDMF ID
- PWD, solo parent or senior citizen ID
- CSC eligibility card
Other IDs are not accepted. As a last resort, an ID that expired within 2026 may be used when you file for the March 14, 2027 exam. If your ID has no birth date, also bring your birth certificate from the PSA or your Local Civil Registry (a PSA e-Certificate is accepted). Dual citizens bring their Identification Certificate from the Bureau of Immigration.
Preview a lesson
ReviewTayo has 47 lessons that follow the official scope of the exam, each with rules, worked examples, common mistakes and practice. Open one and read the first part.
Frequently asked questions
What are the requirements for the Civil Service Exam?
A filled-out CS Form No. 100, four identical passport-size ID photos with a hand-written name tag, one valid ID (original and photocopy), and the ₱500 CSC exam fee. You must be a Filipino citizen, at least 18, and not have passed the same level before.
Do I need a college degree to take the Civil Service Exam Professional?
No. Anyone who meets the basic requirements can take either level. A degree matters later, for the positions you apply to.
Which ID should I bring?
One valid ID with your photo, signature and date of birth, such as a PhilID, passport, driver's license, UMID, PRC ID, voter's ID or PhilHealth ID. Check the CSC announcement for the full list, and bring the same ID on exam day.
What size are the photos for the CSE?
Philippine passport size, 4.5 cm by 3.5 cm, in color with a white background, taken within the last three months, shoulders up with your head and face filling at least 80% of the photo, and a name tag you hold about 1 inch below your chin showing your handwritten signature over your printed full name.