The filing period has begun to apply for the city civil service exams for Occupational Therapist (DOE) (Exam #4009) and Physical Therapist (DOE) (Exam #4015). The filing period began on Nov. 6 and will close on Dec. 31.

All DOE-employed occupational therapists and physical therapists, whether serving at the supervisory, senior or staff level, must apply for and take the upcoming civil service exam for their appropriate title. The exam will afford therapists the opportunity to attain permanent status. DOE officials have informed us that this will be an online education and experience exam, crediting applicants for both educational achievements and service working in a school system.  

To address the many questions that therapists have about the process, the UFT has put together the following Q&A about the exam.

Please check our chapter site frequently for updates. 

Civil service exam Q&A

1. I have already been hired and determined to be qualified for my job. Why do I have to take an exam?

Pending completion of this exam process, all DOE-employed occupational and physical therapists have been working under temporary titles issued by the New York City Department of Citywide Administrative Services (DCAS). As such, they were considered provisional employees for all rights and benefits related to the civil service system. As a result of a court decision, the City of New York was required to come up with a plan to significantly reduce the number of provisional civil service employees. During this process, the New York State Civil Service Commission determined that these titles are in the competitive class. Appointment to titles in the competitive class is based on an examination.  

2. Which DOE-employed therapists are eligible for permanent civil service status through this exam?

All full-time and part-time occupational therapists, physical therapists, senior occupational therapists, senior physical therapists and supervisors of occupational therapy and physical therapy are eligible for permanent civil service status in the two titles of occupational therapist or physical therapist through this examination.

3.  If I pass the exam, will I be made permanent in the DOE title that I am now in, i.e., senior therapist, supervisor of physical therapy, etc.?  If not, how will titles other than occupational therapist and physical therapist be affected?

No. For occupational and physical therapists, there will be one title with two levels for each group. Level 2 will be equivalent to the current title of senior therapist. Supervisors of occupational therapy and physical therapy will have the opportunity to obtain permanent status in the new lower titles of occupational therapist or physical therapist. At some point in the future, there will be exams administered for supervisors of occupational and physical therapists. In the meantime, these supervisors of therapy will continue to serve as provisional employees in those titles. However, upon permanent appointment in the new lower title, the DOE will give the rights and benefits of permanent civil service employment to supervisors of occupational and physical therapy who take and are appointed from the exam.

4. Is this exam limited to DOE employees or can non-DOE therapists take the exam?

The examination is not limited to DOE-employed therapists.

5. What is an "education and experience" exam?

An education and experience exam only asks for information about your education and experience in the field. If you are a licensed therapist employed by the DOE, you will automatically meet the education requirement for the exam. You will need to provide information about your work experience as a therapist. Experience working in any school setting will be given greater weight. 

6. What kinds of questions can I expect?

The questions on the exam ask you to detail your education (license) and work experience. There are no multiple choice questions or essays on this type of exam. 

7. Are there any documents that I will need to refer to or any information that I will need to have available when I take the exam?

You should have available your license number, the date that your license was originally issued and the current registration status of your license. This is available on the New York State Education Department’s Office of Professions website. You should also have available a detailed history of your work experience. 

8.  When and where will I take the exam?

You will take the exam between Nov. 6 and Dec. 31 (the time period specified in the Notice of Exam) at your home on your own computer after your workday. Alternatively, you can take the exam at one of the exam centers specified in the Notice of Exam.

9. Does it cost anything to take the exam?  If so, who pays for the exam?

You will have to pay a one-time fee of $68 to take the exam. The fee is set by DCAS and will not be reimbursed by the DOE.

10.  How long will it take to complete the exam?

It is not a timed examination. It will take as long as it takes you to provide the requested information. You must complete the entire exam by midnight on Dec. 31.

11. Last year, people from the city’s Department of Citywide Administrative Services observed a number of therapists doing their jobs. How was this information used in developing the exam?

The information gathered during the observations was used to generate an inventory of tasks typically performed by school-based therapists and therapists working in other settings. To receive credit for satisfactory experience as a licensed therapist, you will be required to identify a certain number of the tasks listed in either the school setting inventory or the non-school setting inventory. 

12. Can I fail the exam?

If you are a current employee and you provide the information requested, you will not fail the exam.

13. If I don’t take the exam, will I lose my job? 

It is possible that you will be in danger of being replaced by someone who has taken the exam. We do not advise anyone to take this risk. Everyone needs to take the exam.

14. What happens after I take the exam?

The Department of Citywide Administrative Services will establish lists of candidates eligible for permanent appointment and certify the lists to the DOE. 

15. Assuming I pass the exam, does it matter where my name appears on the list?

Given the shortage in these areas, it is likely that every DOE therapist will be appointed.

16. Do I need to be an American citizen to take this exam?

If you are licensed and currently registered as a therapist in New York State, you can take the exam.

17. Does "permanent" mean the same as teacher "tenure"?

No. Tenure is granted to pedagogical personnel under the State Education Law.

18. I'm currently on leave. Do I have to take the exam?

Yes. The DOE has agreed to notify therapists who are on leave about the examination. Employees on leave must make sure that the DOE has their current mailing address.

19. What is the union doing to fight these civil service exams?

We consider this to be a positive development. Members have been asking when they will get permanent status for years. We are looking forward to working with you during this transition.