FAQ - Limited Examination and Appointment Program (LEAP)
- What is LEAP?
- How do I Qualify for LEAP? (LEAP Certification)
- How do I Apply for Testing?
- LEAP Examination Announcements
- What is the LEAP Selection Process?
- Job examination period
- LEAP Testing
- Reasonable Accommodation
- Appeal Rights
- Pay and Benefits
- LEAP Telephone Information Lines
What is LEAP?
The State Personnel Board's Limited Examination and Appointment Program (LEAP) is an alternate examination and appointment process designed to facilitate the recruitment and hiring of persons with disabilities. Individuals who qualify for LEAP will be able to apply for any LEAP specified examination for which minimum qualifications are met.
LEAP placement is available in many job classifications and the selection process establishes an eligible referral list of names for departments to use in hiring.
LEAP Certification (How do I Qualify for LEAP?)
To be eligible for a LEAP class exam, the Department of Rehabilitation must certify that you meet the requirements of a person with a disability. You may contact the Department of Rehabilitation and speak with the Counselor of the Day to find out how to obtain LEAP certification. To find an office near your home, please contact the Department of Rehabilitation at (916) 558-5300 or TTY (916) 558-5302 or you can click here for Department of Rehabilitation office locations. If you are a Rehabilitation Client, contact your counselor to determine your eligibility.
How do I Apply for Testing?
Once you have obtained your LEAP certification from the Department of Rehabilitation, you may apply for LEAP class examinations during open testing periods. In addition, you may continue to apply for traditional State examinations.
LEAP examination announcements are available at the State Personnel Board (SPB), the Department of Rehabilitation, the Employment Development Department, and many organizations serving individuals with disabilities. You can send a self-addressed stamped envelope to SPB to request copies of LEAP and other exam announcements, blank applications, and SPB pamphlets, or visit the State Personnel Board at 801 Capitol Mall, Sacramento, CA 95814, or access them through our website www.spb.ca.gov.
What is the LEAP Selection Process?
LEAP examinations are given online via the Internet, or by mail. Be sure to check each announcement to determine the format in which the LEAP examination is given.
Online Process
If the examination is given online, access the SPB website at www.spb.ca.gov. Under the "Jobs" section, select "Exams You Can Apply/Take on the Internet." On the next screen under "SPB Exam Control Panel/Button # 1" select "Take or Schedule an Exam." For Button # 2, select the LEAP examination in which you are interested, and "Continue." The next screen, "LEAP Readiness Evaluation" has an option to "Click Here" for Step-by-Step Instructions which leads to a detailed 14-step guide to help you through the process of completing an online State application and establishing an application account. A user ID and password will also be created for your use. Under the "Minimum Qualifications" section of the application process, you will be asked a series of questions to determine if you meet the minimum qualifications for the classification. If you meet the minimum qualifications, you will be prompted to continue to the first part of the LEAP examination, the Readiness Evaluation, which provides a basic screening of an applicant's education, experience, and personal qualifications to determine readiness for placement in a work setting.
Results of the Readiness Evaluation can be viewed immediately. You will need to print a copy of the results screen for your records.
Mail-in Process
If the examination is given by mail, complete a State Application for Examination (STD. Form 678) and send it to the address listed on the examination announcement. You must attach a copy of your LEAP certification form to every application you submit for a LEAP examination. You may access the State Application through our website on the SPB Home page under the "Looking for a State Job" heading, "State Application Form" link. Click here to view now. On page 1 of the Application under the "Examination(s) or Job Title(s) For Which You Are Applying" section, write "LEAP " with the title of the identified classification - "(e.g., LEAP, Word Processing Technician)", "(LEAP, Auditor I)", etc. If you do not write LEAP on the application, or if you apply for a classification that is not specified for LEAP, your application will not be processed.
To make a request for reasonable accommodation for testing, mark the appropriate box on question 2 of the application. You will be contacted by the SPB Examination Services to make specific arrangements.
Application Review (Mail-in Process only)
Staff in Examination Services review applications to determine if candidates meet minimum qualifications for each job classification and that the required LEAP Certification form is attached.
If applications are accepted, applicants are scheduled for a Readiness Evaluation. You will receive a Readiness Training and Experience Evaluation package, which must be returned within the stated time frame. In approximately eight (8) weeks, you will receive a notice of your Readiness Evaluation results by mail.
If applications are rejected, applicants are notified and given a reason for the rejection.
An applicant may appeal the rejection of their application, whether completed in the online process or submitted by mail. A formal written appeal must be submitted to the SPB Appeals Division within 30 days of receipt of the notice of rejection.
LEAP Testing
The LEAP examination consists of two parts: 1) a Readiness Evaluation, and 2) a Job Examination Period, which is performed on-the-job.
Part I - Readiness Evaluation: Your education, experience and personal qualifications will be evaluated through a competitive examination process to determine your readiness to work. The type of examination will be described on the examination bulletin.
If you are successful in the Readiness Evaluation, your name will be placed on a LEAP referral list and made available to State departments. Anyone may be appointed from a referral list to participate in Part 2 of the LEAP examination. You may participate in the competitive process of each LEAP examination for which you qualify no more than once in an eighteen-month period.
For each LEAP examination you achieve placement on the referral list, your name will remain on the list for 24 months, and you can be interviewed for any openings in that job classification. Although you may begin receiving contact letters from departments regarding your interest in vacant positions for which they are recruiting, you are encouraged to apply directly to departments for vacancies in which you have achieved placement on the referral list. To check the State Personnel Board's web site for vacancies, go to (www.spb.ca.gov) and view the SPB Jobs page, then click on "Vacancy Search (VPOS)." If you type in the exact job title, the system will do a statewide search for available openings.
To remain active on the referral list, you must respond to all contact letters you receive. Failure to respond by the deadline will result in your name being placed on the inactive list and you will not receive any additional contacts. Upon written request to the SPB, your name may be restored to the active LEAP referral list for the remaining period of your eligibility. When applying for job openings, you may be asked to state your list eligibility. A copy of your LEAP Readiness Evaluation Results may be attached to your application to verify your list eligibility. DO NOT send a copy of your certification form when applying for employment.
If you are invited for a hiring interview, you will have the opportunity to convince a department that you are the best person for that job. At times, departments may be interviewing a large number of people. If you are not hired, your name will remain on the referral list, and you can be interviewed for other job openings. If you choose not to accept a job offer from a department, there is no penalty for doing so. If hired, you will begin the second part of the LEAP Examination, the Job Examination Period.
After successfully passing your examination, you will then be appointed to the regular civil service classification. The appointment could be permanent or limited term, depending on the position. You will then start the standard probationary period for that classification.
Reasonable Accommodation
A reasonable accommodation is an adjustment to enable individuals with disabilities to enjoy equal benefits and privileges of employment. This may include special equipment, a modified workspace or support services such as a reader or interpreter. You may request reasonable accommodation from your department.
Appeal Rights
While the LEAP process is somewhat different from the traditional examination process, your rights are protected in the same way. You may appeal the following actions to the State Personnel Board; denial of LEAP Certification, rejection of your application, results of your Readiness Evaluation; the employing department's decision not to provide reasonable accommodation, and termination from the Job Examination Period.
Pay and Benefits
As a LEAP candidate, you will receive the same salary as employees in the regular civil service classification. You will be appointed on a temporary basis until you successfully complete the Job Examination Period. Your Job Examination Period will count toward seniority, and you will begin to accrue sick leave and vacation benefits.
LEAP Telephone Information
If you need assistance regarding the LEAP program, you may call (916) 651-9017 Voice or (916) 653-1498 TTY. Recorded information is available via the LEAP Information and Referral Line at (916) 653-1262.
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