Veterans Preference Information

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The Minnesota Veterans Preference Act (VPA) grants most veterans a limited preference over non-veterans in hiring and promotion for most Minnesota public employment positions, as granted in Minnesota Statutes §197.447, §43A.11, and §197.455.

For purposes of offering a preference, a veteran is defined under the Veterans Preference Act as a citizen of the United States or a resident alien separated from active duty under honorable conditions from any branch of the U.S. armed forces:
  • After having served on active duty for 181 consecutive days; or
  • By reason of compensable service-connected disability incurred while serving on active duty (not active duty for training); or
  • Who has met the minimum active duty required as defined by federal rule (to qualify, the individual must have completed the full period for which a person was federally called to active duty.); or
  • Who has certain active military service certified under federal law not identified elsewhere.

Claiming Veterans Preference Points

You must supply the following information:

  1. Veteran
    1. A copy of the veteran’s form DD214 and DD215 (if applicable) or other proof clearly stating the length of active service and type of discharge. 
  2. Disabled Veteran
    1. A copy of the veteran’s form DD214 and DD215 (if applicable) or other proof clearly stating the length of active service and type of discharge; and
    2. A copy of the disability letter from a service retirement board or the United States Veterans Administration. 
  3. Spouse of a Disabled Veteran
    1. A copy of the veteran’s form DD214 and DD215 (if applicable) or other proof clearly stating the length of active service and type of discharge; and
    2. A copy of the disability letter from a service retirement board or the United States Veterans Administration; and
    3. Verification of the marriage and that the spouse has not been remarried.
  4. Spouse of a Deceased Veteran
    1. A copy of the veteran’s form DD214 and DD215 (if applicable) or other proof clearly stating the length of active service and type of discharge; and
    2. Verification of the marriage at the time of the veteran’s death and that the spouse has not been remarried; and
    3. FL21-802 or death certificate.
  5. Spouse of a Deceased Veteran – Disabled at The Time of Death
    1. A copy of the veteran’s form DD214 and DD215 (if applicable) or other proof clearly stating the length of active service and type of discharge; and
    2. A copy of the disability letter from a service retirement board or the United States Veterans Administration; and
    3. Documentation from the United States Veterans Administration verifying that death was related to active duty injury; and
    4. Verification of the marriage at the time of the veteran’s death and that the spouse has not been remarried.

Veterans preference points are applied to the applicant’s score once they have met minimum qualifications and are placed on the eligible list.

Veteran’s preference points are included in the score if:

  • The veteran's preference section of the employment application is completed.
  • The applicant meets the minimum qualifications.
  • The supporting documentation is provided.