Final Filing Date: 4/23/2026.

Examination/Employment Application (STD 678) must be received or postmarked by the filing date indicated above. Applications postmarked, personally delivered or received via interoffice mail after the filing date will not be accepted.

Applications will be reviewed to ensure the minimum requirements for participation in this exam are met. Possession of the entrance requirements does not assure a place on the eligible list. 

NOTE: For the Agent exam, we do not accept examination documents delivered via interoffice mail because there is no date stamp.

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):

• AGENT, ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGE CONT - Open

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.

You may apply by mail to:

• Ginger Valdez
  3927 Lennane Drive Suite 100
  Sacramento, CA 95834
  

Indicate the Examination Code and Classification(s) on your Examination/Employment Application (STD 678).

You may drop off your application and any applicable or required documents at:

• 3927 Lennane Drive Suite 100
  Sacramento, CA 98534
  8:00 AM - 5:00 PM

Indicate the Examination Code and Classification(s) on your Examination/Employment Application (STD 678). All applicants must provide proof of identification. Accepted forms of identification are: 1) a photo identification card or 2) two forms of signed identification.

The following items must be submitted with your Examination/Employment Application form. Failure to submit these items may result in rejection of your application.

• Criminal Background Supplemental Questionnaire
• Other - DD214 – Military Discharge Certificate (if meeting minimum qualifications based on military experience).
• Other - T-SCORE RESULTS ON OFFICIAL LETTERHEAD FROM TESTING FACILITY (Only applicable for Option 1) (See Below Written Test Section for specific instructions)
• Other - UNOFFICIAL COLLEGE TRANSCRIPTS ARE REQUIRED (If meeting minimum qualifications based on education). Candidates will be required to submit official transcripts upon appointment to a position

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.

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.

Effective December 1, 2022

EITHER I

Experience: One year of experience in the California state service performing duties of an Agent Trainee, Alcoholic Beverage Control, or at a comparable level performing investigative duties. (Applicants who are within six months of satisfying the experience requirement for this pattern will be admitted into the examination, but they must satisfactorily complete one year of experience in the class before they can be considered eligible for appointment.)

OR II

Experience: Two years of experience as a peace officer (as defined in the California Penal Code Section 830 et. seq. or equivalent Federal or out-of-State law enforcement) performing patrol or investigative work.

OR III

Education: Three years of active-duty military service in the United States Armed Forces with an honorable discharge for said service. Applicants who are within six months of satisfying the experience requirement for this pattern will be admitted into the examination, but they must be honorably discharged before they can be considered eligible for appointment. Academic education from an accredited college/university may be substituted for the required experience on a year-for-year basis (1 academic year is equivalent to 30 semester units of 45 quarter units).

Written Test: POST Entry-Level Law Enforcement Test Battery, (PELLETB)

The PELLETB will consist of questions that measure the competitor’s ability to read and understand written communications and write clearly using correct grammar and spelling.

Reading and Writing Ability:

1. Clarity

2. Vocabulary

3. Spelling

4. Reading Comprehension

Review the Applicant Preparation Guide for the POST Entry Level Law Enforcement Test Battery to prepare for the PELLETB test.

This examination consists of the following component(s):

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

OPTION 1: Submit Prior PELLETB T-Score

Competitors can submit their prior PELLET-B test results to the Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control. Submitted test results must be dated no later than November 2, 2024. A T-Score of 42 or higher will provide applicants with eligibility. 

Applicants are encouraged to contact local law enforcement agencies, basic training academies, or local community colleges in your area to determine if they are giving the PELLET-B test (some agencies also refer to it as the “POST Reading and Writing Test”). You can take it at a location near you for your convenience.   

OPTION 2:  Take the PELLETB test with ABC

Take the PELLET-B test given by the Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control. 
Candidate test dates are based on their application filing period in accordance with the following table: 

EXAM APPLICATION CUT-OFF DATE:  April 23, 2026

WRITTEN TEST DATE: Friday, May 22, 2026.

Testing for our January 23rd administration will be held in San Jose, Vacaville and Cerritos. Your testing location will be determined by the address provided on your application.

You must follow the filing instructions, regardless of the option you choose to obtain eligibility. All accepted applicants will receive a notice in the mail approximately two weeks prior to test date with pertinent information regarding the test.

Failure to complete any of the required forms or failure to appear for the scheduled test will result in elimination from the examination. All information submitted for consideration at every phase of the selection process must be accurate, complete, and truthful and will be subject to verification. Any inaccuracy and/or omission may be considered intentional and may be cause for elimination from the examination and/or subsequent verification.

Retest Period after a Failed Score:
Applicants can compete in one PELLET-B test per 30-calendar-day period. If you did not receive a passing score, you may reapply and retake the PELLET-B again, once every 30 days.

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:
Investigation techniques and procedures; interviewing techniques, rules of evidence and court procedures; laws of arrest, search and seizure; legal rights of citizens; service of legal process; communication and active listening skills; behaviors indicative of potential hostility; techniques for effective interaction with diverse communities; how to approach problems with cultural awareness and sensitivity; cultural differences and similarities; implicit and explicit biases; community engagement and strategies and the benefits of effective community engagement; reporting obligations when biased behavior or misconduct is observed; characteristics protected under the Racial and Identify Profiling Act; knowledge of the Alcoholic Beverage Control and related statutes and regulations; duties of Federal, State, and local law enforcement agencies; and provisions of the laws, rules, or regulations enforced or administered.

ABILITY TO:
Interpret and apply laws and regulations to specific situations; gather and analyze facts and evidence; reason logically, draw valid conclusions, analyze situations accurately, think and act quickly in emergencies, and take an immediate and effective course of action; develop, organize, prioritize, and manage multiple case investigations, work plans, and other assignments or tasks; make appropriate recommendations; communicate effectively, prepare written documents and accurate detailed investigation reports clearly and concisely; follow written and oral instructions; participate effectively in investigations and interviews; be open-minded, flexible, and willing to learn and understand other cultures; seek clarifying questions to get a better understanding of the issue(s); maintain neutrality; identify effective ways to communicate and/or provide support; work cooperatively with various cultural backgrounds and others in the community; defuse, negotiate, and resolve conflicts; recognize and respect diversity through words and actions; have social and cultural perceptiveness; effectively investigate allegations of misconduct pursuant to departmental policy; treat all people with respect and in an unbiased and unprejudiced manner; review and evaluate the work of others; provide guidance and constructive feedback; and establish and maintain cooperative working relationships with Federal, State, local law enforcement agencies and others.

SKILL TO:
Perform investigatory work; and plan, organize, and direct investigations.

A Departmental Open eligible list for the AGENT, ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGE CONT Classification will be established for:

• Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control

The names of successful competitors will be merged onto the eligible list(s) in order of final score regardless of test date. Eligibility expires 18 months after it is established. Applicants must then retake the examination to reestablish eligibility.

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.

• Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control

Questions regarding this examination should be directed to:

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.

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.

Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control 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.