Recruitment exams (concours) are the entry door to the Algerian civil service: central administration, wilayas and communes, health, education, universities, public companies. They are open, free and governed by precise texts. This guide explains how they work, where to find official notices and how to prepare a complete file.
Where to find official exam notices
- The portal of the Directorate-General of the Civil Service (DGFP) centralises opening notices by sector and wilaya, with conditions and deadlines.
- The websites and notice boards of the hiring administrations: wilaya directorates (health, education, youth and sports…), communes, universities, hospitals.
- The national press still publishes part of the notices, in Arabic and French.
- ANEM relays some recruitments and issues the job-seeker card often required in the file.
Qualification-based or test-based: what is the difference?
| Qualification-based | Test-based | |
|---|---|---|
| Principle | Candidates ranked on file according to a points grid | Written (and sometimes oral) tests marked, then ranked |
| Which positions | Positions requiring a specific degree (health, teaching, technical…) | Administrative and management positions, professional exams |
| What counts | Fit of the degree, specialisation, further training, experience, date of degree, interview | General knowledge, technical test of the specialisation, language, interview |
| How to prepare | Flawless file, training and experience certificates, rehearsed interview | Test syllabus, past papers, writing in Arabic and French |
Professional exams and tests are for civil servants already in post who want to change grade. Access conditions (degree, age, seniority) are set by the particular statute of each corps.
The application file: usual documents
The exact list is in each notice and may vary between administrations. You almost always find:
- A handwritten application, dated and signed, addressed to the hiring authority.
- A copy of the required degree or title, with the transcript for qualification-based exams.
- A copy of the identity document (national ID card or passport).
- Proof of experience (work certificates, CNAS affiliation) and of further training, if they earn points.
- The ANEM job-seeker card when required.
- Proof of military-service status for men.
- ID photos and, after admission, the birth certificate, medical certificates and criminal record.
How candidates are ranked
For a qualification-based exam, the selection grid awards points to each criterion: fit of the degree with the position, honours or average, further training in the specialisation, professional experience, date of the degree (older graduates are favoured) and the interview with the jury. For a test-based exam, it is the marks obtained, with an eliminatory mark per test.
In both cases, results are posted by the administration; an appeal is possible within the stated period. Successful candidates are then appointed as trainees before tenure.
The main dates of the year
| Sector | When | Profiles |
|---|---|---|
| National education | Spring – summer (school year) | Teachers, counsellors, bursars, lab technicians |
| Health | All year, per establishment | Nurses, midwives, technicians, practitioners, administrative staff |
| Local authorities (communes, wilayas) | All year | Administrators, technicians, agents, engineers |
| Higher education | Late spring – summer | Assistant lecturers, lab engineers, administrative staff |
| Uniformed corps (police, civil protection, customs…) | Announced national campaigns | Agents, NCOs, officers, specialists |
Preparing: the method
- 1
Read the whole notice
Position, grade, number of posts, wilaya, conditions, documents, place and deadline. Note everything in a table if you follow several exams.
- 2
Prepare a master file
Copies of the degree, ID card, certificates, ANEM card, photos: a complete set ready to duplicate saves you days.
- 3
Rehearse the interview
2-minute introduction, knowledge of the administration and the position, motivation. Practise in Arabic and French.
- 4
For tests, revise the syllabus
General knowledge (institutions, economy, current affairs), specialisation, administrative writing. Past papers circulate in candidate groups: always check the answers.
- 5
Polish your CV
Even when not required, a clear CV helps the jury read your path. The CV guide for Algeria explains how to present it, including in Arabic.
Frequently asked questions
Do I have to pay to take an exam?
No, never. Participation is free; only copying and travel costs are yours.
Is there an age limit?
You must be 18 or over. An upper limit may exist depending on the corps (especially uniformed corps): it is stated in the notice.
Can I apply in a wilaya other than mine?
Yes, unless the notice says otherwise. Some administrations give priority to residents of the wilaya.
Can the file be sent online?
More and more administrations open a pre-registration platform, but physical submission remains the rule in many cases. Follow the notice exactly.
What if my file is rejected?
A written appeal is possible within the period stated when the lists are posted. Attach the missing document or the requested explanation.