Application for taking Common Recruitment Examination in Hong Kong in October 2026

The coming CRE is tentatively scheduled to be held in Hong Kong on 3 October 2026, or another date within October 2026 if necessary.  With the launch of the Digitalised Basic Law and National Security Law Test (Degree / Professional Grades) (BLNST) since May 2025, the Civil Service Bureau (CSB) will no longer organise the paper-based BLNST on the same day of the CRE in Hong Kong.  For more details of the Digitalised BLNST, please visit the CSB website at www.csb.gov.hk/eng/dblnst.html.

Application details

The application period for the coming CRE will be from 25 July to 7 August 2026.  Applicants may choose to take any of the CRE papers in this examination.  The application details and an on-line application system will be available on our webpage at www.csb.gov.hk/eng/cre.html during the application period. 

The CRE is open to all holders of degree or a qualification meeting the entry requirement on professional qualifications for civil service degree or professional posts.  Students who will have attained a degree (NOT including Associate Degree) in the academic year of 2026-27 or 2027-28 may also apply to take the coming CRE.

Non-local CRE

For the convenience of those studying or residing outside Hong Kong, the year-end CRE together with the paper-based Basic Law and National Security Law Test (BLNST) (Degree / Professional Grades) is tentatively scheduled to be held on 5 December 2026 in seven other cities, namely Beijing, Shanghai, London, New York, Toronto, Vancouver and Sydney.  The call for applications for taking the examination outside Hong Kong will be made later this year.

Enquiries

General enquiries regarding the CRE and BLNST may be directed to us by phone at 2537 6429 or by e-mail to csbcseu@csb.gov.hk.