Exam Bulletin - Administrative Law Judge

State of California

Exam Code: EX-1507

Examination Plans Included:

  • ADMINISTRATIVE LAW JUDGE - Open

Final Filing Date: Applications are accepted on a continuous basis.

Classification Details

ADMINISTRATIVE LAW JUDGE: $10,280.00 - $13,569.00 per Month

View the ADMINISTRATIVE LAW JUDGE classification specification.

Application Instructions

This is not a timed exam. If you request a Reasonable Accommodation your account will be locked and you will not be able to proceed with the exam until the request is processed.

Applications are accepted on a continuous basis.

Who Should Apply:

The information below will help you determine which classification(s) is(are) appropriate for you. Applicants must meet the Minimum Qualifications as stated on this bulletin to compete in this examination.

Open and Open, Non-Promotional Examination(s):

  • ADMINISTRATIVE LAW JUDGE - Open

For all Classifications, once you have participated in any of the following examinations, you may not recompete for 12 months:

Exam Code(s):

    1507

For ADMINISTRATIVE LAW JUDGE, once you have participated in any of the following examinations, you may not recompete for 12 months:

Exam Code(s):

  • EX-01507

How To Apply:

Submit an Examination/Employment Application (STD 678) to apply for this examination.

Electronic applications can be submitted through your account at www.CalCareers.ca.gov.

Special Testing Arrangements:

If you require assistance or alternative testing arrangements due to a disability, indicate on your application that you need reasonable accommodation. You will be contacted by a representative of the testing department to make the necessary arrangements. If you have not been contacted by the time you receive notification of testing, please contact the testing department listed in the Contact section of this bulletin.

If you are unable to submit your application or complete the test due to a disability, please contact the testing department listed in the Contact section of this bulletin.

Minimum Qualifications

All applicants must meet the education and/or experience requirements as stated on this exam bulletin to be accepted to the examination.

Unless otherwise stated in the Minimum Qualifications, qualifying experience may be combined on a proportionate basis if the requirements stated below include more than one pattern and are distinguished as "Either" 1, "or" 2, "or" 3, etc. For example, applicants possessing qualifying experience amounting to 50% of the required time of Pattern 1 and additional experience amounting to 50% of the required time of Pattern 2 may be accepted to an examination as meeting 100% of the overall experience requirement.

00106016 - ADMINISTRATIVE LAW JUDGE

Active membership in the State Bar of California; unless legal authority permits performance of duties while in inactive status; and admissions to practice law in California or any state in the United States or District of Columbia for at least 5 years immediately preceding application for appointment. and

Five years in the practice of law*, which shall include at least one year of experience in conducting judicial or quasi-judicial hearings in the capacity of presiding officer; or

Two years of experience in the presentation of evidence and the examination of witnesses before a trial court or quasi-judicial administrative body.

For positions performing workers’ compensation law judge duties, incumbents shall include at least five years of experience in the practice of law*, three years of experience in workers’ compensation law.

Position Description

00106016 - ADMINISTRATIVE LAW JUDGE

Administrative Law Judges assigned to Range A are in the recruitment and development level designed to gain experience in administrative hearings in order to develop skills to accept more complex hearing assignments.  Under direction, incumbents conduct routine hearings and issue proposed and final decisions on appeals or petitions in accordance with applicable law or contract for various state or other public agencies in connection with various state or federal programs. Cases assigned typically involve relatively settled points of law. Incumbents prepare proposed and/or final decisions containing findings of fact, make recommendations on requests for rehearing and/or reconsideration; determination of issues, conclusions of law, and orders; conduct hearings on cases requiring broad knowledge of a variety of laws; control the course of the hearing, secure it’s reasonable expedition and orderly conduct throughout; administer oaths; rule on motions and conduct prehearing conferences; instruct participants at hearings as to their procedural rights; question witnesses; rule on the admissibility of evidence; rule on objections; issue subpoenas for the attendance of witness or the production of necessary books, papers, documents, or other evidence; receive and review documentary evidence and testimony; assist with program or procedure research; consult with administrative law judges on policy and points of law; participate in policy sessions; perform special projects; advise members of the public on questions they may ask as to their rights under the applicable statutes.

Administrative Law Judges assigned to Range B are the full journey level working independently within a broad and diversified assignment with considerable latitude for initiative and independent judgment. Under general direction, incumbents conduct hearings for specialized cases; assist other Administrative Law Judges on their analysis of difficult and complex areas of law of factual scenarios; advise on procedural and technical issues; advise, review, or consult on points of law, findings of fact, proposed and final decisions, and methods of operation; make recommendations on requests for rehearing and/or reconsideration; and may lead and mentor other staff. Work at this level involves novel theories and unsettled points of law. The level of hearing, decisional, and analytical work is distinguished from Range A by the difficulty, sensitivity and controversial nature of proceedings and/or formal hearings. This level may also take an active role in developing programs to improve the administrative hearing process and assist with the drafting and preparation of motions of reconsideration and alternate decisions.

Desirable Qualifications

Experience in the practice of law relevant to the hiring agency. All Administrative Law Judges shall be bound by the California Code of Judicial Ethics.  

All employees must have general qualifications as described by California Code of Regulations, title 2, section 172.

For information regarding position location(s), please refer to the Eligible List Information section.

Examination Information

This examination consists of the following components:

  • CalHR Online Exam : 100% of the final score.

A final score of 70% must be attained to be placed on the eligible list.

In addition to evaluating the applicant's relative knowledge, skill and ability as demonstrated by quality and breadth of education/experience, emphasis in each test component will be on measuring competitively, relative to job demands, each applicant's:

Knowledge of:
  1. State and federal rules, regulations, and laws.
  2. Areas of law applicable to the department and the types of adjudication assigned.
  3. Legal principles and their application, conduct of hearing proceedings and the provisions of the Administrative Procedures Act.
  4. Leading court decisions in California and the United States Supreme Court.
  5. Rules of evidence governing such procedure and the laws relating to serving notices, taking depositions, and issuing subpoenas.
  6. Legal research.
  7. Court decisions interpreting the powers of administrative boards and agencies.
  8. Principles and theories of administrative law and the judicial review of administrative actions.
  9. Principles and objectives of effective public administration and an understanding of the uses of proper administrative procedures in furthering these objectives.
  10. Legal terms and forms in common use.
  11. Conduct of proceedings in California and federal trial and appellate courts and before administrative bodies.
Ability to: 
  1. Interpret and apply provisions of state and federal rules, regulations, and laws.
  2. Perform legal research.
  3. Conduct fair and impartial hearings in a manner that will obtain all pertinent evidence and secure confidence and respect.
  4. Maintain a fair and impartial attitude of mind and manner, exercise judgement without bias or prejudice.
  5. Prepare summaries of facts and render decisions or make recommendations based on such facts.
  6. Analyze difficult and complex legal problems and apply legal principles and precedents to particular sets of facts.
  7. Communicate effectively.
  8. Both orally and in writing.
  9. Analyze situations accurately and adopt an effective course of action.
  10. Establish and maintain cooperative and respectful relationships with those contacted in work.

Eligible List Information

A Servicewide Open eligible list for the ADMINISTRATIVE LAW JUDGE Classification will be established for:

  • State of California

The names of successful competitors will be merged onto the eligible list(s) in order of final score regardless of test date. Eligibility expires 12 months after it is established. Applicants must then retake the examination to reestablish eligibility.

Resulting Eligibility List(s) will be used to fill vacancies throughout the State of California.

Veterans' Preference will be granted for this examination. Veterans' Preference is an assistance program for veterans, veteran widows and widowers, and spouses of 100% disabled veterans who seek employment with the state. Veterans' Preference is also extended to currently serving military members nearing their retirement or separation date.

You are not eligible for Veteran's Preference if you are:

  • A veteran who has been dishonorably discharged or released.
  • A veteran, widow or widower of a veteran, or spouse of a 100 percent disabled veteran who currently has permanent civil service status. (Permanent civil service status is the status of an employee who is lawfully retained in his/her position after completion of the applicable probationary period. This does not include limited term).

Veterans' Preference is codified in Government Code Sections 18973 – 18979.

Veteran status is verified by the California Department of Human Resources (CalHR). Directions to apply for Veterans' Preference are on the Veterans' Preference Application (Std. Form 1093), which is available at www.CalCareers.ca.gov, and the Department of Veterans Affairs.

Career Credits are not granted for examination(s) administered on an Open basis or a Promotional basis.

Administrative Law Judge Training and Experience Examination Preview

Instructions:
Rate your experience in relation to specific statements. Respond to each of the following statements by indicating how the statement applies to you. You are required to respond to every statement by marking one option from the scale(s) provided. If you are responding to the training scale, please note that only formal training courses would be accepted (i.e., on-the-job training would NOT count).

Tasks
  1. Preparing materials (e.g., administrative tasks) for orderly operation of the office.
  2. Updating information in electronic case management systems.
  3. Communicating during pre-hearing proceedings (e.g., case management, conferences, pre-hearing conferences) with affected individuals, and/or counsel to produce the exchange of information.
  4. Working with support staff to ensure clear, accurate, and complete administrative records are maintained.
  5. Working with individuals (e.g., court reporters, other parties, personnel) to ensure clear, accurate, and complete evidentiary records are made.
  6. Developing case management strategies for cases based on an analysis of the facts and applicable law.
  7. Assessing the need and quality of interpreter services to ensure due process.
  8. Making orders for the exchange and filing of documents, other pre-hearings, evidentiary hearing matters, and pre-hearing conferences.
  9. Managing difficult cases to resolve disputes in accordance with state and federal laws.
  10. Actively participating in law and motion hearings to resolve disputes and facilitate the hearing process in accordance with state and federal laws.
  11. Instructing parties or clients regarding the hearing process to assure due process in accordance with state and federal laws.
  12. Evaluating reports from expert witnesses in order to weigh evidence in accordance with state and federal laws. 
  13. Determining laws that have bearing on the issues identified in a case to assure due process in accordance with professional standards.
  14. Reviewing settlement proposals to determine the parties’ positions and proposals.
  15. Actively participating in settlement conferences and mediations to assist parties in resolving disputes before hearings.
  16. Performing legal research to determine the applicable legal authority.
  17. Developing timelines for case completion to ensure timely submission of assignments in accordance with statutes and regulations

Testing Departments

  • State of California

Contact Information

Questions regarding this examination should be directed to:

State of California
CalCareer Service Center
1810 16th Street
Sacramento, CA 95811
Phone: (866) 844-8671
CalCareer@calhr.ca.gov

California Relay Service: 1-800-735-2929 (TTY), 1-800-735-2922 (Voice). TTY is a Telecommunications Device for the Deaf, and is reachable only from phones equipped with a TTY Device.

Equal Opportunity Employer

The State of California is an equal opportunity employer to all, regardless of age, ancestry, color, disability (mental and physical), exercising the right to family care and medical leave, gender, gender expression, gender identity, genetic information, marital status, medical condition, military or veteran status, national origin, political affiliation, race, religious creed, sex (includes pregnancy, childbirth, breastfeeding and related medical conditions), and sexual orientation.

Drug Free Statement

It is an objective of the State of California to achieve a drug-free State work place. Any applicant for State employment will be expected to behave in accordance with this objective, because the use of illegal drugs is inconsistent with the law of the State, the rules governing civil service, and the special trust placed in public servants.

General Information

Examination and/or Employment Application (STD 678) forms are available at the California Department of Human Resources, local offices of the Employment Development Department, and through your CalCareer Account (www.CalCareers.ca.gov).

If you meet the requirements stated on this examination bulletin, you may take this examination, which is competitive. Possession of the entrance requirements does not assure a place on the eligible list. Your performance in the examination described in this bulletin will be rated against a predetermined job-related rating, and all applicants who pass will be ranked according to their scores.

State of California reserves the right to revise the examination plan to better meet the needs of the service, if the circumstances under which this examination was planned change. Such revision will be in accordance with civil service laws and rules and all applicants will be notified.

General Qualifications: Applicants must possess essential personal qualifications including integrity, initiative, dependability, good judgment, the ability to work cooperatively with others, and a state of health consistent with the ability to perform the assigned duties of the class. A medical examination may be required. In open examinations, investigation may be made of employment records and personal history and fingerprinting may be required.

Eligible Lists: Eligible lists established by competitive examination, regardless of date, must be used in the following order: 1) sub-divisional promotional, 2) departmental promotional, 3) multi-departmental promotional, 4) service-wide promotional, 5) departmental open, 6) open. When there are two lists of the same kind, the older must be used first. Eligible lists will expire in one to four years unless otherwise stated on the bulletin.

High School Equivalence: Equivalence to completion of the 12th grade may be demonstrated in any one of the following ways: 1) passing the General Education Development (GED) Test; 2) completion of 12 semester units of college-level work; 3) certification from the State Department of Education, a local school board, or high school authorities that the competitor is considered to have education equivalent to graduation from high school; or 4) for clerical and accounting classes, substitution of business college work in place of high school on a year-for-year basis.

Accepted applicants must provide proof of identification at each in-person test session. Acceptable identification consists of a photo identification card or two forms of signed identification.
Application Methods:
Electronic (Your CalCareer Account)