Basic Law and National Security Law Test in Civil Service Recruitment

Q 1.

Can a candidate apply for a civil service job if he / she does not have a pass result in the Basic Law and National Security Law Test at the time of application?

A 1.

For recruitment exercises advertised on or after 1 July 2022, a pass result in the Basic Law and National Security Law Test (BLNST) will be an entry requirement for all civil service jobs.  All candidates for civil service jobs must pass the BLNST in order to be considered for appointment.

For candidates who have not taken the relevant BLNST or have not attained a pass result in the relevant BLNST at the time of application, they may still apply for civil service jobs.  Arrangements will be made for them to take the relevant BLNST during the recruitment process. The recruiting department / grade will inform candidates of the relevant arrangements.

That said, prospective candidates for civil service posts of degree / professional grades are also reminded to check the Civil Service Bureau’s announcement of the dates of upcoming BLNST should they plan to take the test.
 

Q 2.

Is it necessary for applicants to attach a copy of their previous BLNST result as supporting document when submitting the application form (G.F. 340) for civil service jobs?

A 2.

No.  The recruiting department or grade will inform candidates of the ways of submitting their BLNST result (if they have attained a pass result before).

Q 3a.

For candidates who have taken a Basic Law Test (BLT) before, do they need to take the BLNST if they want to apply for civil service jobs requiring degree or professional qualifications advertised on or after 1 July 2022?

A 3a.

Regardless of whether the candidates have taken a BLT before, they are required to take the BLNST and attain a pass result in order to be considered for appointment.

The Civil Service Bureau would conduct the BLNST (degree / professional grades) alongside the Common Recruitment Examination.  Candidates who possess a pass result in BLNST (degree / professional grades) will not be arranged to take any BLNST again. The relevant pass result is acceptable for the purpose of applying for all civil service jobs.

Q 3b.

Are holders of a pass result in BLNST required to take the BLNST again when applying for degree / professional civil service jobs?

A 3b.

The pass result of the BLNST (degree / professional grades) is acceptable for the purpose of applying for all civil service jobs.  Candidates who have attained a pass result in the BLNST (degree / professional grades) will not be arranged to take any BLNST again.

However, for candidates who only possess a pass result in the BLNST (for non-degree / non-professional grades at or above completion of secondary education level) or BLNST (for grades requiring academic qualifications below completion of secondary education level), they will have to take the BLNST (degree / professional grades) specifically for degree / professional grades and attain a pass result in order to be considered for appointment.

Q 4a.

For candidates who have taken a Basic Law Test (BLT) before, do they need to take the BLNST if they want to apply for non-degree / non-professional civil service jobs at or above completion of secondary education level advertised on or after 1 July 2022?

A 4a.

Regardless of whether the candidates have taken a BLT before, they are required to take the BLNST and attain a pass result in order to be considered for appointment.

The BLNST will be conducted by the recruiting department / grade during the recruitment process. Candidates who possess a pass result in BLNST (non-degree / non-professional civil service jobs at or above completion of secondary education level) will not be arranged to take the BLNST at / below an equivalent level again. The relevant pass result is acceptable for the purpose of applying for all non-degree / non-professional civil service jobs.

Q 4b.

Are holders of a pass result in BLNST required to take the BLNST again as conducted by the recruiting department / grade when applying for non-degree / non-professional civil service jobs at or above completion of secondary education level?

A 4b.

Pass results obtained in BLNST for degree / professional grades and pass results obtained in BLNST for non-degree / non-professional civil service jobs at or above completion of secondary education level are both acceptable for the purpose of applying for non-degree / non-professional civil service jobs requiring academic qualifications at or above completion of secondary education level.  Candidates who possess a pass result in BLNST will not be arranged to take the BLNST at / below an equivalent level again.

However, for candidates who only possess pass result in the BLNST (for grades requiring academic qualifications below completion of secondary education level), they will have to take the BLNST specifically for non-degree / non-professional grades at or above completion of secondary education level and attain a pass result in order to be considered for appointment.

Q 5a.

For candidates who have taken a Basic Law Test (BLT) before, do they need to take the BLNST if they want to apply for civil service jobs requiring academic qualifications below completion of secondary education level advertised on or after 1 July 2022?

A 5a.

Regardless of whether the candidates have taken a BLT before, they are required to take the BLNST and attain a pass result in order to be considered for appointment.

Candidates will be tested orally on a total of four questions on the Basic Law and the National Security Law during recruitment interviews.  Those who possess a pass result in BLNST (for grades requiring academic qualifications below completion of secondary education level) will not be arranged to take the BLNST at an equivalent level again.  The relevant pass result is acceptable for the purpose of applying for all civil service jobs requiring academic qualifications below completion of secondary education level.

Q 5b.

Are holders of a pass result in the BLNST required to take the BLNST again as conducted by the recruiting department / grade when applying for civil service jobs requiring academic qualifications below completion of secondary education level?

A 5b.

No.  Pass results obtained in the BLNST for degree / professional grades; pass results obtained in the BLNST for non-degree / non-professional civil service jobs at or above completion of secondary education level; and pass results obtained in the BLNST for civil service jobs requiring academic qualifications below completion of secondary education level are all acceptable for the purpose of applying for civil service jobs requiring academic qualifications below completion of secondary education level. Candidates who possess a pass result in BLNST will not be arranged to take the BLNST at / below an equivalent level again.