Qualifying Court ACE 2026: what it means for candidates

Key data

The selection process to enter the Senior Body of Civil Administrators of the State (ACE) enters its active phase. The State Secretariat for Public Function has appointed, through a Resolution of April 16, 2026, the qualifying court responsible for evaluating the candidates called in December 2025. Without this step, the process cannot move forward: the court is the operational engine of any civil service examination.

The Senior Body of Civil Administrators of the State is one of the most relevant bodies in the General State Administration, with high-level management and public administration functions. Accessing it, whether through open access or internal promotion, represents a significant professional change for candidates.

What does this regulation establish?

The Resolution of April 16, 2026 formally appoints the qualifying court for the selection process for the Senior Body of Civil Administrators of the State. This process was announced through the Resolution of December 16, 2025 and includes two access routes:

• General open access system: for candidates external to the Administration or civil servants who do not opt for internal promotion.
• Internal promotion: for civil servants from lower-ranking bodies who aspire to advance to the Senior Body of Civil Administrators of the State.

The appointment of the court is a mandatory procedural step established in public function regulations. Without it, the selection process cannot proceed. This resolution does not modify the bases of the call published in December 2025, but it is decisive for the exam schedule to be launched.

From now on, the qualifying court assumes the following responsibilities:

• Set the dates and venues for the exams.
• Publish the final lists of admitted and excluded candidates.
• Resolve claims and issues raised by candidates during the process.
• Grade the exercises and publish the results.

Economic and operational impact

For candidates, the appointment of the court has a direct operational impact: the process enters its active phase and deadlines begin to run. Preparing to receive communications from the court and keeping contact information updated in the electronic office is now a priority.

From a professional and economic perspective, accessing the Senior Body of Civil Administrators of the State means joining one of the bodies with the greatest management potential within the General State Administration. The high-level public management functions performed by its members entail remuneration and allowances typical of A1 groups in the civil service.

For civil servants opting for internal promotion, the court's resolution represents the opportunity to consolidate a body promotion with direct impact on their administrative career and remuneration.

Who does it affect?

• Candidates in open access who applied to the December 2025 call for the Senior Body of Civil Administrators of the State.
• Civil servants in internal promotion process who aspire to enter the Senior Body of Civil Administrators of the State from lower-ranking bodies.
• Civil service exam preparation academies and trainers who must update their schedules and communications to students.
• Human Resources departments of public organizations that manage leaves or service commissions for candidate civil servants.

Practical example

A civil servant from the Management Body of the Civil State Administration (A2 group) who applied to the December 2025 call through the internal promotion route has been preparing for the exams for months. Until now, the process was in the preliminary administrative phase. With the appointment of the qualifying court published on April 20, 2026, this candidate must:

1. Verify that their data in the electronic office of the Ministry of Finance and Public Function is up to date, as the court will notify through that channel.
2. Watch for the publication of the final list of admitted and excluded candidates, which the court will publish soon.
3. Check official communications from the court to learn the date, time, and venue of the first exercise.

This same scheme applies to any candidate through open access: the appointment of the court is the signal that the process enters its exam phase and that official communications will begin to occur.

What should candidates do now?

1. Verify contact information in the electronic office: The court will notify through electronic means. Make sure your email address and data in the Administration registry are up to date so you don't miss any communications.
2. Check the Official Gazette and the Ministry of Finance and Public Function website: The court will publish in the Official Gazette and on the Ministry's website the lists of admitted candidates, exam dates, and any relevant resolutions.
3. Review the original December 2025 call: This resolution does not modify the bases. Review the requirements, documentation, and conditions you already know from the initial call.
4. Maintain your preparation pace: The appointment of the court indicates that exams are approaching. Don't relax your preparation while waiting for specific dates.
5. Contact your academy or tutor if you have questions: If you are preparing for the exam with external support, communicate this progress so they can update the schedule for mock exams and reviews.

Official source

Notice: This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. For specific decisions, consult a qualified professional. Source: Official Gazette of the State