A job in a Montenegrin state body normally requires a passed professional exam for work in state bodies, and anyone with at least level III qualification and at least one year of work experience at that level can sit it. According to the Ministry of Public Administration, the exam costs 120.60 euros for university education and 60.30 euros for secondary education and retakes. From 29 September 2026 a person without the exam can also be hired, provided they pass it within six months, and this rule applies until the end of 2027.
This guide explains who needs the exam, hiring without it, the application, the cost, the subjects and how the exam works.
Who needs the professional exam?
- A passed professional exam for work in state bodies is one of the general conditions for employment in a state body, alongside Montenegrin citizenship, being 18 or older, health fitness and the required level of education.
- The exam is not required for anyone who has passed the bar exam or anyone hired for auxiliary staff work at level 3.
- A law can also require another professional exam in a specific field for certain jobs.
- The new Law on Local Civil Servants, which applies from 13 June 2027, requires the same exam for work in a municipality.
Can you be hired without the exam?
- Since August 2025 the earlier exception allowing the exam to be passed within one year of hiring no longer exists, and anyone hired that way who did not pass the exam in time loses their job.
- The amendments published on 21 September 2026 again allow hiring without the exam, provided you pass it within six months of starting work.
- A person hired this way is treated the same as someone who has passed the exam in terms of the hiring conditions.
- This rule applies from 29 September 2026 to 31 December 2027.
- If you do not pass the exam within six months, your employment ends by law.
Who can sit the exam and how do you apply?
- The condition is at least level III qualification and at least one year of work experience in jobs at that level.
- You apply to the Ministry of Public Administration with a certified confirmation of work experience, a certified copy of your diploma and, for a foreign diploma, the decision recognising it.
- You file the application at the Ministry's registry office in Podgorica, by post or through the eUprava portal.
- The Ministry confirms by decision that you meet the conditions and publishes the date, time and place of the exam on its website at least 20 days in advance.
- The exam is held at least once a month.
What does it cost and which subjects does it cover?
| Education level | Subjects | Cost |
| Levels V, VI and VII | constitutional system; public administration system and basics of EU law; labour and civil service relations; administrative procedure, administrative disputes and office management; public finance | 120.60 euros |
| Levels III and IV | basics of the constitutional system and EU law; basics of public administration and civil service relations; basics of administrative procedure and office management; basics of public finance | 60.30 euros |
| Retake | the same subjects | 60.30 euros |
- Under the decree, the exam for university education costs 10% of the average gross wage and 5% for secondary education and retakes, while the Ministry publishes the amounts in euros.
- People with disabilities and people from families receiving social assistance do not pay the exam fee, with proof.
- You show proof of payment to the committee secretary before the written test.
How does the exam work?
- Each subject has a written and an oral part.
- The written test is taken electronically and under a code, lasts 60 minutes and has five questions per subject, and each correct answer earns two points, up to 10 per subject.
- You go on to the oral part if you score at least six points in each subject, and in the oral part you get three questions per subject.
- You pass the exam if you receive a "passed" grade in every subject.
- If you fail one subject, you retake that subject, normally in the next exam session.
How graduates gain the work experience needed for the exam is covered in our guide to graduate professional training, and registering with the Employment Agency in our guide to Employment Agency registration. The probation period after hiring is covered in our guide to probation, and where to look for work in our guide to finding a job in Montenegro.
Frequently asked questions
How much does the civil service exam cost in Montenegro? According to the Ministry of Public Administration, 120.60 euros for university education and 60.30 euros for secondary education and retakes.
Who can sit the professional exam? Anyone with at least level III qualification and at least one year of work experience in jobs at that level.
Can I be hired by a state body without the exam? From 29 September 2026 to the end of 2027 you can, if you pass the exam within six months of starting work.
Who does not need the professional exam? Anyone who has passed the bar exam and anyone hired for auxiliary staff work at level 3.
How many points do you need for the oral part? At least six out of 10 points in each subject on the written test.
What if I fail one subject? You retake that subject, normally in the next exam session.
Sources
Hiring conditions, exemptions and the right to sit the exam are set by the Law on Civil Servants and State Employees, Official Gazette 2/2018 (Articles 34, 36 and 37), the end of the one-year exception by the July 2025 amendments, Official Gazette 82/2025, and hiring with a six-month deadline by the September 2026 amendments, Official Gazette 137/2026. The subjects, exam procedure and costs are set by the Decree on the programme and method of the professional exam, Official Gazette 23/2024, the euro amounts and application are published by the Ministry of Public Administration, and the exam for municipal work is set by the Law on Local Civil Servants and Employees, Official Gazette 117/2026. The information was checked on 27 September 2026. Fijaka is a classifieds platform; this text is not legal advice.