NYC SSA Exam Dates 2026: Testing Windows, Deadlines & Scheduling

Current Filing: Exam No. 7323

The New York City Department of Citywide Administrative Services (DCAS) - the sole governing body and testing provider for this credential - has opened filing for Exam No. 7323 under Title Code No. 60817, School Security Occupational Group. Applications are accepted from July 1, 2026 through August 25, 2026. Multiple-choice testing is expected to begin Tuesday, October 20, 2026.

This is the detail that trips up the most candidates: filing periods for the NYC SSA exam are not year-round. If you miss the window, you are not simply delayed a few weeks - you are waiting for the next numbered exam to open, which could be months away. If you're still confirming what this credential actually covers before committing to a filing date, start with What Is NYC SSA? or the broader NYC SSA Certification overview.

2026 Timeline at a Glance

Here is the sequence of milestones for the current filing cycle, condensed for quick reference:

Between the close of applications and the start of testing, DCAS processes eligibility documentation, education verification, and scheduling logistics. Candidates should not expect to test the same week they apply - plan for a multi-week gap.

How This Compares to Exam No. 6325 and 6324

Exam numbers reset with each new filing, and fees and dates move with them. The two filings immediately preceding 7323 were:

• Exam No. 6325 - $54.00 application fee, testing began March 23, 2026.
• Exam No. 6324 - $54.00 application fee, testing began January 13, 2026.

Notice the fee increase from $54.00 under both prior filings to $61.00 under Exam No. 7323. This pattern - new exam number, new fee, new testing start date - is the norm, not the exception. If you're researching cost expectations for future cycles, don't assume the previous filing's fee will hold; check the NYC SSA Certification Cost breakdown for the full pricing picture, including the fingerprint fee and other pre-appointment charges.

Where the Exam Is Administered

DCAS delivers this exam in person, at a computer terminal, at its own Computer-based Testing and Application Centers. There is no third-party testing vendor and no remote or take-home option. The five locations are:

• Manhattan - 2 Lafayette Street
• Brooklyn - 210 Joralemon Street
• Queens - 118-35 Queens Boulevard
• Staten Island - 135 Canal Street
• Bronx - 1932 Arthur Avenue

Because DCAS assigns your test date, time, and location as part of the process, you generally cannot pick your preferred borough freely - plan your schedule around whichever center and slot you're assigned once the October 20, 2026 testing window opens.

Fees, Service Charges, and Waivers

The application fee for Exam No. 7323 is $61.00. If you pay by card, a nonrefundable 2.00 percent service fee is added on top. Full fee waivers are available to:

• Veterans
• Unemployed individuals
• New York City high school students
• First-time test takers
• Recipients of public assistance or supplementary security income

Separately, later in the process, candidates pay a $75.00 fingerprint screening fee as part of the background investigation - this is not part of the application fee and is not waived by the same categories above. For a full accounting of every cost you'll encounter from application to appointment, see NYC SSA Certification Cost 2026.

After You Apply: What Comes Next

Filing your application within the July 1-August 25, 2026 window doesn't guarantee you a seat on your ideal date - DCAS controls scheduling. Once you're scheduled, the multiple-choice exam is administered at a computer terminal and measures nine abilities:

A passing score is 70 percent. Because DCAS doesn't disclose how many questions come from each domain, candidates who want a realistic sense of overall difficulty should read How Hard Is the NYC SSA Exam? before assuming any single domain will dominate the test.

Test Day Logistics and Restricted Items

Scheduling matters, but so does showing up prepared. A few date-adjacent logistics that catch candidates off guard:

• ID requirement: One valid, non-expired, signature-and-photo ID is required, and the name on it must match your application exactly. A mismatch can cost you your scheduled slot.
• Sealed devices: Phones, smart watches, cameras, e-cigarettes, vape pens, headphones, and earbuds are sealed in Yondr pouches for the duration of testing. Calculators are prohibited entirely.
• Violations are severe: Any rule violation nullifies your score, forfeits your fee, and can bar you from civil service testing for up to five years. This is not a minor administrative penalty - treat the device policy as absolute.

Building a Study Schedule Around the Filing Window

With applications open July 1 through August 25, 2026 and testing starting October 20, 2026, most candidates have roughly three to four months from filing to test date - assuming they file early. That gap is your real study window, and it should be structured around the nine domains rather than generic review.

This sequencing isn't arbitrary - it front-loads the domains that show up embedded inside almost every scenario question (written comprehension, written expression) before moving into the more standalone reasoning and perceptual domains. For a more detailed walkthrough of this approach, see the NYC SSA Study Guide 2026, and confirm your target score against the NYC SSA Passing Score breakdown as you track progress.

The Eligible List and What a "List Number" Means

Passing the exam is not the finish line - it's the entry point to an eligible list. Candidates who score 70 percent or above are ranked in final score order and assigned a list number. That list typically stays active for four years, and your list number determines your order of consideration for appointment, not a guaranteed hire date.

While your name is on the list, appointment still depends on completing the NYPD background investigation, the $75.00 fingerprint screening, a qualifying physical test, drug screening, and medical and psychological assessment. You'll also need to meet baseline eligibility - at least 21 years old, U.S. citizen, New York City resident (with allowed relocation to certain counties after two years of continuous employment), and no disqualifying criminal history. A full rundown of these standards lives in NYC SSA Requirements 2026.

If your exam score doesn't reflect what you believe it should, DCAS allows appeals through the Committee on Manifest Errors in OASys - but understand that an appeal can raise or lower your rating, so submit only when you have a specific, documented concern.

Once appointed, expect a starting salary of $40,480 per annum, rising to $58,345 after five years of service, along with a one-year probationary period and recurring medical and psychological reassessment throughout your career. For the complete earnings picture and how it compares across service years, see the NYC SSA Salary Guide 2026. If you're still weighing whether the time and fees involved are worth it relative to the role, Is the NYC SSA Certification Worth It? walks through that decision in more depth, and NYC SSA Jobs covers what hiring looks like once you're on the list.

Whatever your target exam number turns out to be, the safest approach is to build your calendar backward from the testing start date, not forward from "whenever I get around to applying." Set a personal deadline at least a week before August 25, 2026, confirm your waiver eligibility if applicable, and begin domain-specific practice at the practice test platform as soon as your application is submitted.

Frequently Asked Questions