2026 Correction Officer III

2026 Correction Officer III

This examination is being administered by the Human Resources Division (HRD) to create an eligible list from which to fill Correction Officer III vacancies in the Massachusetts Department of Correction (DOC).

Written Examination Date: November 21, 2026

Application Period Begins: August 17, 2026

Deadline to Apply: September 14, 2026

Examination Fee: $150

Written Examination Locations: Various sites across the Commonwealth

Eligibility: To be eligible for this examination you must: (1) be an employee in the Massachusetts Department of Correction with permanent civil service status in the title of Correction Officer II; and (2) have been employed in the eligible title after certification from a civil service list, on a permanent or temporary civil service basis for twelve months immediately preceding the examination date. A combination of temporary and permanent service can be applied towards meeting this twelve month requirement. Time spent pursuant to a temporary appointment in the title of Correction Officer III will not interrupt the service period in your permanent position. Please refer to General Law - Part I, Title IV, Chapter 31, Section 9 for complete information on eligibility for this examination.

Eligible List: Individuals placed on the resulting eligible list shall be eligible for certification from such list for such period as the administrator shall determine, but in any event not to exceed two years, unless otherwise outlined in Massachusetts General Law (MGL) 31 § 25 or the Human Resources Division (HRD) revocation policy.

Eligible Title: Correction Officer II

Examination Weights: The examination weights are 42% Technical Knowledge, 38% Situational Judgement Test, 20% Experience and Education.

Application: All applications and examination processing fees must be received by the application deadline. You will receive two confirmation emails when you have completed the process: one email confirming your application has been received, and one email confirming your payment has been received. Your application is not complete until you have received both confirmation emails. Candidates who have been approved for an examination fee voucher may record redeeming the voucher on the application. If you have not submitted payment or redemption of an examination voucher of the examination processing fee on or before the application deadline, your application will not be accepted.

Note: Although the online application system allows candidates to elect to receive notification by email or regular mail, please be advised that HRD utilizes only email for all notices to candidates.

Current Military Personnel: Any current military personnel requesting a makeup opportunity, visit Civil Service Military Makeup Examinations for more information.

Makeup Examination: With the exception of current military personnel, no candidate has the right to a makeup examination due to personal or professional conflicts on the testing date. Candidates are advised to consider this before applying for the examination. If you file an examination application by the application deadline but are unable to appear for the examination on the examination date due to an emergency or unanticipated hardship, you may request a makeup examination by filing a written request with verifiable documentation to HRD no later than seven calendar days from the original written examination date. HRD reserves the right to approve or deny your request. HRD may require an additional examination processing fee upon approval of your request.

Reasonable Accommodations: If you need reasonable accommodations due to a documented impairment, or medical condition, you must fill out the Testing Accommodations Request Form and submit supporting documentation as outlined on the form from a qualified professional detailing what type of accommodation you require at the exam site. The form and supporting documentation must be scanned and attached to the application or emailed to View email address on click.appcast.io no later than four weeks prior to the exam date. Without such a letter, we cannot guarantee that we will be able to grant your accommodation. This information is requested only to provide reasonable accommodations for exams and will not be used for any other purposes. For information regarding reasonable accommodations and the required form please see: Reasonable Accommodations for Civil Service Examinations.

Examples of Essential Duties:

Duties: Under direct supervision of Correction Officers or other employees of a higher grade, the duty of a Correction Officer III is to: conduct vehicle and mail searches, staff and visitor searches, inmate searches, building and ground inspections; write reports, review reports and documentation, manage incidents and maintain security, understanding use of force and when to implement it, oversee inmates, review counts of inmates, use inmate management system (IMS), coordinate inmate transportation, training and counseling, monitor rosters, oversee daily operations, supervise staff, respond to visitors, and perform other related work as required.

Examination Subjects:

Technical Knowledge (TK): The written examination will measure a candidate's applicable technical knowledge of relevant job duties and, where practicable, the following abilities which have been established as qualifications for the position: ability to communicate orally and in writing, ability to initiate and work independently, ability to be adaptable, ability to be accountable, and ability to analyze and make decisions.

Situational Judgement Test (SJT): The examination will measure your judgment and decision-making, accountability, adaptability, guiding and developing others, leadership (including managing activities and building teams), and interpersonal skills (including conflict management).

Experience & Education (E&E): All candidates must complete the 2026 Correction Officer III E&E Claim application online. This is a separate application. Submitting an E&E claim in any way other than through the online claim process will result in a failed examination component. Instructions and a link to the E&E claim will be emailed to you prior to the written examination date. A confirmation email will be sent upon successful submission of an E&E Claim application.

Statutory Preference Points: Veterans and disabled veterans will be awarded two points to their passing, overall (general average) examination score. To claim veterans' preference, select veteran status in the application and attach your DD214 to the application or email to View email address on click.appcast.io. For more information on veteran status, visit Military Information.

Updating Information: Candidates are responsible for maintaining accurate contact information. Failure to keep your records current may jeopardize opportunities for employment. For information on how to update your information, visit Update Your Account.

Refunds: There will be no refunds of the examination processing fee unless the examination is cancelled by HRD.

Private School or Service: HRD does not recommend or endorse any private school, service, or publisher offering preparation and/or publications for examinations and is not responsible for their advertising claims.

Supplemental Information: Women, minorities, veterans, and people with disabilities are encouraged to apply.

For more information about this and other civil service examinations, visit or email the Civil Service Unit at View email address on click.appcast.io.

Inquiries may also be made to HRD, Monday through Friday, 8:45am – 5:00pm, at the following numbers: Boston area: View phone number on click.appcast.io Within Massachusetts: View phone number on click.appcast.io TTY Number: View phone number on click.appcast.io