Form CMS100 at a glance
What it is: The CMS100 is the State of Illinois Department of Central Management Services Examining/Employment Application.
Where and when to file: Applications are to be submitted to the hiring agency contact.[2]
Who signs: Type your name to sign and agree to the statement, and enter the Date.
A separate application is required for each position title and option for which a grade is being sought. It is preferred that all documents be completed using a personal computing device. Use ink if completing this document by hand. Legible photocopies are accepted. Attachments must be stapled to the back of this document. CMS cannot assume responsibility for unattached documents. Completed applications should be submitted to the contact listed on the posting.
A filled-in Form CMS100 example: an applicant for one position title
How to fill out Form CMS100, box by box
Position/contact information
Enter the Position Title, Option and Bid ID# in box 1.
Enter your SSN in box 2. Social Security numbers are used in the application and employment processes to identify and differentiate between candidates and/or employees.
Enter your Last Name, First Name and MI in box 3.
In box 4 enter your Address, County, City, State and Zip.
Enter your Main Phone and Other Phone in box 5.
Enter your Email Address in box 6; it is required for communication about opportunities.
In box 7, select 1 or 2: County Choice 1 and County Choice 2.
Availability
In box 8 check one. A. Available for permanent employment; will not accept temporary employment. Trainee titles must choose A.
B. Available for permanent employment; will accept temporary employment.
C. Available for temporary employment only.
Veterans preference
To claim Veterans Preference, attach the most recent certified copy of your DD214/215. If claiming service-connected disability, also include a copy of U.S. Veterans Affairs award letter issued within one year of the current date.
To claim Veterans Preference as an IL National Guard/Reservist, attach a letter from your unit personnel indicating you are currently serving under honorable conditions or a copy of your NGB22 stating your discharge was under honorable conditions.
To claim Veterans Preference as a surviving unremarried spouse or one parent of an unmarried veteran who suffered a service-connected death or disability that prevents the veteran from qualifying for civil service employment, check that box.
If you have submitted required military documentation to CMS after January 01, 2000 and have already established Veterans preference with CMS, check that box.
For assistance contact Veterans Outreach at 1-800-643-8138 or Illinois Relay Center at 1-800-526-0844.
Signature section
Type your name to sign and agree to the statement, and enter the Date.
CMS administers civil service testing for agencies under jurisdiction of the Governor; however, actual employment decisions are made by each hiring agency. Information provided on the CMS100 application is used to determine your eligibility for appointment to a State of Illinois position title. It is critical that all information requested be provided accurately and completely. Applications submitted without signature or with omissions, inaccurate or inconsistent information will not be processed or returned to the applicant and may result in the issuance of an ineligible grade for the position title.
You may be required to submit proof of previous employment, education, military service or other statements in this application. You authorize release of this and other information covering job-related factors for the purpose of verification and determination of suitability for state employment. You state that you have not submitted an application for this written and/or performance examination within the last 30 days. You certify that all the information on this application is true and accurate and understand that misrepresentation of any material fact may be grounds for ineligibility or termination of employment.
Completing this application may result in your name being placed on an eligibility list. Names placed on an eligibility list may be released to the public without further notice to the applicant.
Leave Official Use Only blank.
Work history
15. WORK HISTORY: Complete this section in detail. All fields MUST be completed to be considered for grading. Begin with most recent position title and work backward.
If you have an extensive work history with one employer, list each change in position title separately including duties and dates associated with each.
For the Current (or last) Employer enter the Street Address, City, State, Position Title, Average Number of Hours Worked Per Week and Dates of Employment: Month Year To Month Year, Total Years Months.
Supervisory Responsibility: If you supervised employees, record the number supervised in the following categories: Manual/Trades, Administrative, Clerical, Technical/Para-Professional and Professional.
Describe in detail the duties you performed in this position title, then the Reason for Leaving. Leave OFFICE USE blank: Level and Amt.
More rules for Form CMS100
EQUAL OPPORTUNITY (Optional): Completion of this information is not required. Check ONE box and, if applicable, check the appropriate Disability box.
Are you an Individual with a Disability? Yes No Prefer Not to Answer
As a condition of employment, state law requires that “every male born on or after January 1, 1960, and less than 27 years old, shall submit documentation, at time of appointment, evidencing his registration with the Federal Selective Service System.”
Pursuant to Public Act 93-0211, effective January 1, 2004, (20 ILCS 2630/12 (a)) and Public Act 93-0912, effective August 12, 2004, (705 ILCS 405/5-915 (8)(a)), respectively, applicants seeking employment with the State of Illinois are not obligated to disclose an arrest or conviction record that has been expunged or sealed, nor an expunged juvenile record. Employers may not ask if an applicant has had records expunged or sealed.
10. If your answer to either or both of the following questions is “yes”, provide a detailed explanation of the circumstances in the space provided.
A. Have you ever been fired from a job? (Downsize/layoff is not applicable.) Yes No
B. Are you currently in default on the repayment of any state educational loan? Yes No
State law provides that any employee who is in default on the repayment of any education loan for a period of six months or more and in the amount of $600 or more shall, as a condition of employment, make a satisfactory loan repayment arrangement with the maker or guarantor of the loan (checked November 3, 2026).
11. HIGH SCHOOL: High School Graduate or GED? Yes No.
12. BUSINESS, TRADE, CORRESPONDENCE SCHOOL: enter Name and Address, Number of Years Attend, Time Full/Part, Subjects, Course Length and Completed Yes/No.
13. TECHNICAL/PROFESSIONAL LICENSE: enter the Technical/Professional License Number, State Issued, Date Issued MM/YYYY and Expiration Date MM/YYYY.
14. EDUCATION REPORT: List your education accurately and completely.
A copy of college transcripts/degrees may be required. The number of credit hours you have earned may be needed to meet the minimum requirements for some titles.
All degrees and coursework will be validated using either a copy of the applicant's Official Transcripts or a copy of their diploma. The applicant will be responsible for submitting either a copy of their Official Transcripts or a copy of their diploma.
For each college or university enter Name and Address (City & State), Hours Earned SEM or QTR, Major, Minor (Do Not Abbreviate), Number of Years Attended and Level of Degree Earned.
16. Enter Drivers License No., State and Month/Year Expires.
Sources
[1] CMS100 (Rev 4/2021), Examining/Employment Application, State of Illinois Department of Central Management Services (the Official source link on this page).
[2] careers.illinois.gov, submission_method (careers.illinois.gov). Accessed November 2, 2026.