Yes, this is a state-wide exam and anyone can take the test. Applicants who have resided in the City of Worcester for an entire twelve month period immediately preceding the date of examination are entitled to be placed on the eligible list for Worcester ahead of any nonresidents.
Massachusetts law (G.L. Chapter 31, Sec. 58) permits cities and towns to ask that residents be placed on entry-level police and firefighter eligible lists before nonresidents. A "resident" is a person who has lived in the same city or town for the full year before the date of the examination. For example, if you took an examination on April 27, 2017, you would have to live in a single city or town from April 27, 2016 to April 26, 2017 to claim residency.
- Your residence, for the purpose of civil service law, is the place where you actually lived and intended as your permanent home. A temporary living place, such as a summer cottage, a school dormitory, a relative's or friend's house or apartment, etc., is not a residence.
- If you live at college during the school year, you may claim as your permanent residence that place where you reside during the rest of the year.
- If you were in the military, you may use the city or town where you lived when you entered the military if you returned to that city or town after you left the military, or, if you are still in the military, you intend to return to that city or town.
- If you move to another city or town at any time during the year before the examination, you do not qualify for residency preference in any city or town.