RISING STAR ! The ultimate source to ace your NYPD Sergeant, Lieutenant, and Captain Exam Visit www.RisingStarPromotion.com to subscribe to our mailing list and get info on the next Sgt, Lt. or Captain Exam!

Liiz121 · Newbie

Should I purchase the captain’s prep course?

machine · Senior Member

100%. Worse case scenario you would be overly prepared (as you should) for your upcoming promotion.

-- Edited by machine on Saturday 15th of November 2025 04:06:13 PM

KeyCapt · THE KEY—Instructor

Better to be ready than not ready and you get the chance to take the test!!

Liiz121 · Newbie

Thank you so much. I appreciate the words of motivation. I needed that

Infamous · Member

I had a friend that was a class out from being eligible for the sergeant exam when it was initially announced. Didnt take an a prep course and the test date got pushed back making him eligible. He took the exam unprepared and scored in the 20s.

-- Edited by Infamous on Sunday 16th of November 2025 02:15:50 PM

Liiz121 · Newbie

cry cry cry cry

JPAL91091 · Senior Member

Looks like might work out for you I
Since admin bulletin came out saying test likely will be given in september

Liiz121 · Newbie

I SAW THAT!!!!! OMG!!! I'm running around like a chicken without a head lol I'm so EXCITED!!! However, I need the number of lieutenants getting promoted to increase! The average is 24, if that doesn't change, I can still fall short a month.

El Norte · Senior Member

Im on a similar situation, going to study. Nothing worse than becoming eligible and realizing you could have prepared, and like someone mentioned above we should know what to do as lieutenants anyway.

El Norte · Senior Member

I know they say you only need one day in rank to take the test, but realistically will DCAS let you sign up right before the test?

NauseousPBBN · Senior Member

Yes, a formal request needs to be made.

nycop80 · Guru

This is no longer true. Read the notice of exams from the last exams. 1 day in rank is what it used to be. It now states you need to appear on the list. Yes its possible now that a police officer can take a Lt exam and it will count. Same as a sergeant taking a captains exam.

-- Edited by nycop80 on Friday 28th of November 2025 09:16:02 PM

nycop80 · Guru

El Norte wrote:
I know they say you only need one day in rank to take the test, but realistically will DCAS let you sign up right before the test?

This is untrue now, read my response.

nycop80 · Guru

nycop80 wrote:
El Norte wrote:
I know they say you only need one day in rank to take the test, but realistically will DCAS let you sign up right before the test?
This is untrue now, read my response.

I have included the notice of exam info. Read in the middle where it states eligibility requirements.

nycop80 · Guru

nycop80 wrote:
nycop80 wrote:
El Norte wrote:
I know they say you only need one day in rank to take the test, but realistically will DCAS let you sign up right before the test?
This is untrue now, read my response.
I have included the notice of exam info. Read in the middle where it states eligibility requirements.

or your name must appear on a

Preferred List for Lieutenant (Police) at the time of promotion

3testwonder · Senior Member

Thats awesome. Did not know that! Huge

Kass · Veteran Member

What exactly is a preferred list?

El Norte · Senior Member

nycop80 wrote:
This is no longer true. Read the notice of exams from the last exams. 1 day in rank is what it used to be. It now states you need to appear on the list. Yes its possible now that a police officer can take a Lt exam and it will count. Same as a sergeant taking a captains exam.

-- Edited by nycop80 on Friday 28th of November 2025 09:16:02 PM

Thank you for that information. This really changes the game for a lot of people.

NauseousPBBN · Senior Member

..

-- Edited by NauseousPBBN on Saturday 29th of November 2025 02:42:36 AM

sgtnice · Newbie

Did a google AI search and got this:

"To be eligible to take the NYPD Captain exam administered by DCAS, you must already hold a permanent appointment as a Lieutenant (Police) or appear on a Preferred List for that title at the time of the test. Simply being on a promotion list for Lieutenant, without having been actually promoted from that list, is not sufficient to be eligible for the Captain's exam.
The Notice of Examination (NOE) for Captain explicitly states the requirements to take the exam:

Hold a permanent (not provisional) competitive appointment for the title of Lieutenant (Police).
OR appear on a Preferred List for the title of Lieutenant (Police).

The requirement to have served permanently in the rank of Lieutenant for at least two years and successfully complete the probationary period for Lieutenant is an additional condition for promotion to the rank of Captain, which happens after passing the exam.

In short, you must be a promoted Lieutenant (or on a Preferred List for Lieutenant) to be eligible to sit for the Captain's exam. The time-in-rank requirement (two years) applies at the time of the actual promotion to Captain, not necessarily at the time you take the Captain exam. "

transit_recid · Member

It appears that you may be eligible to take the test if you were on the lieutenants list and are no longer with the department, but still within the time frame (1 year) to come back. They would have to have already promoted past your list number for you to be able to sign up and take the exam.

TenFour16 · Guru

Attached is the NOE for the Captains exam in 2017 that mentions the preferred list also. I dont believe this preferred list thing simply means being on the list.

www.nyc.gov/assets/dcas/downloads/pdf/noes/201707544000.pdf

TenFour16 · Guru

Side note. Sergeants exam NOE also mentions preferred list. Would this mean a Traffic Agent or School Safety Agent on a promotional Police Officer list be eligible to take the Sgts exam ? Lol I could be wrong about all this I just think DCAS does a poor job elaborating what a preferred list is. They should probably add this explanation to their NOEs.

El Norte · Senior Member

TenFour16 wrote:
Attached is the NOE for the Captains exam in 2017 that mentions the preferred list also. I dont believe this preferred list thing simply means being on the list.

www.nyc.gov/assets/dcas/downloads/pdf/noes/201707544000.pdf

Well is back to square one. What number do you guys think theyll reach to have the one day in rank before the test?

-- Edited by El Norte on Saturday 29th of November 2025 02:02:52 PM

nycop80 · Guru

TenFour16 wrote:
Attached is the NOE for the Captains exam in 2017 that mentions the preferred list also. I dont believe this preferred list thing simply means being on the list.

www.nyc.gov/assets/dcas/downloads/pdf/noes/201707544000.pdf

It absoultely does mean this which is what a preferred list means. If you look at old NOEs you will clearly see the difference in eligibility.

TenFour16 · Guru

2017 Lts NOE with the same requirements.

www.nyc.gov/assets/dcas/downloads/pdf/noes/201707532000.pdf

In 2017, Sgts exam takers who were on the infamous 2013 list were rushed to promotion (big classes) because DCAS apparently wanted more registrants for the 2017 Lts exam. That of course, was a rumor. But if this preferred list thing was actually a thing they wouldnt have had to get promoted. I guess emailing DCAS to confirm is the last resort here.

-- Edited by TenFour16 on Sunday 30th of November 2025 12:42:11 AM

TenFour16 · Guru

2013 Sgt. Exam forum topic titled Big Classes Coming somewhat confirms the rush in promotion.

Ill gladly be wrong, im going to do some digging and maybe even contact DCAS and keep everyone posted. If anyone beats me to it let us know.

nycop80 · Guru

In the context of the New York City Department of Citywide Administrative Services (DCAS), a Preferred List is a specific civil service list for certain former permanent employees who have re-employment rights.
Key points regarding a DCAS Preferred List:
Purpose: It is used for the re-hiring of individuals who were permanent employees in a specific competitive civil service title but were suspended or laid off from their positions through no fault of their own, often due to budgetary reasons or the abolition of positions.
Priority: Employees on the Preferred List have priority for being rehired into the eligible title before new candidates from a general "eligible list" are considered.
Eligibility: Inclusion on this list is determined by New York Civil Service Law and personnel rules, specifically for those who held permanent, competitive appointments.
Use in Examinations: When DCAS announces promotion exams, the eligibility requirements often state that candidates must hold a permanent appointment or appear on a Preferred List for a feeder title to be eligible to take the promotion exam.
Essentially, it is a mechanism to ensure that experienced, permanent employees who lost their jobs through no fault of their own get the first opportunity to return to City employment in their former title. You can find more details in the NYC Personnel Rules and Regulations.