Code of Alabama - Title 45: Local Laws - Section 45-37-121.13 - Examinations

Section 45-37-121.13 - Examinations.

The director shall prepare and conduct examinations to determine the merit, efficiency, and fitness of applicants for positions. Such examinations shall be thorough and practical and shall relate to those matters which fairly test the relative capacity and fitness of the person examined to discharge the duties of the position he or she seeks. Whenever there is a vacancy in a position in the classified service where peculiar and exceptional qualifications of a scientific, professional, or educational character are required, and upon satisfactory evidence that for specified reasons competition in such special case is impracticable and that the position can best be filled by the selection of some designated persons of high and recognized attainments in such qualities, the board, upon recommendation of the director, may suspend the examination requirements in such case, but no suspension shall be general in its application to such place or position, and all cases of suspension with the reasons for such action in each case shall be reported to the citizens supervisory commission at its next regular meeting. In the case of laborers, or semiskilled occupations, the director may rate the applicants solely on experience, physical qualifications, and diligence which may be determined by such evidence and in such manner as may be directed by the board. Such applicant may be required to take such further tests as the director, with the approval of the board, deems necessary. The director shall prepare a list of minimum requirements which the applicants shall possess before they are eligible to participate in any specific examination. He or she shall determine the relative weight which shall be allowed for written examinations, for oral examinations, and for training and experience. The director shall require an applicant to file in the personnel office, in accordance with the rules and regulations, a formal application before he or she is admitted to any examination. Blank forms for such applications shall be furnished by the director. The director may require in connection with applications, such evidence of residence, citizenship, and right to vote and certificates of physicians, public officers, former employers, or associates or others having knowledge of the applicant as the good of the service may require. The director may refuse to examine, or after examination refuse to certify as eligible, anyone who is found to lack any of the established minimum requirements for the examination or position for which he or she applies or who is physically so disabled as to be unfit to perform the duties of the position to which he or she seeks appointment or who has been guilty of crime involving moral turpitude, or infamous or disgraceful conduct or who has been dismissed from the public service for delinquency or misconduct or who has intentionally made a false statement of any material fact or practiced or attempted to practice any deception or fraud in his or her application, in his or her examination or in securing his or her eligibility. Any person appointed to a position who has secured his or her place on the eligible list through fraud shall be removed by the appointing officer and shall not thereafter be eligible for examination for any position except by unanimous permission of the board. An eligible list containing the names of all persons who successfully passed the examination, ranked in order of their final earned average, from highest to lowest, shall be established as a result of each examination. The effective term of each list shall be fixed by the board at not less than one year. No person shall wilfully or corruptly make a false mark, grade, estimate, or report on an examination or with respect to the proper standing of any person examined under this part or wilfully or corruptly make any false representation concerning the same or concerning any person examined or furnish to anyone special or secret information for the purpose of improving or injuring the prospects or chances of the appointment, employment, or promotion of any person so examined or to be examined. Any person guilty of the above acts shall be deemed guilty of a misdemeanor.

(Acts 1945, No. 248, p. 376, §16; Acts 1967, No. 591, p. 1366, §3; Acts 1977, No. 684, p. 1183, §6.)

Last modified: May 3, 2021