Conditional Offer of Employment versus Certified for Appointment

[maverick80]

Is there a material difference between a "Conditional Offer of Employment" and being "Certified for Appointment?" I have seen these two phrases used interchangeably in several contexts, but I'm not sure if that is correct. Is it jurisdictional (e.g., some departments use Conditional Employment Offers while others send a notice of Certified Appointment)?

If there is a difference, please explain.

[FFighterRob]

A conditional job offer is just that. You have a job based on completing the conditions. Usually they are a medical physical, background check, psych, poly, etc. In a lot of states the only way they can check background, have access to your medical records, etc, is if they have offered you a job already.

Certified for employment is just what it says, after you have passed all of the conditions, you are then hirable.

[maverick80]

A conditional job offer is just that. You have a job based on completing the conditions. Usually they are a medical physical, background check, psych, poly, etc. In a lot of states the only way they can check background, have access to your medical records, etc, is if they have offered you a job already.

Certified for employment is just what it says, after you have passed all of the conditions, you are then hirable.

Thanks for the info. That makes sense to me. But what has me confused is that the department I recently tested for sent Certified Appointment notices to the top scoring candidates. Immediately thereafter these candidates were interviewed, fingerprinted, and being scheduled for medical and psych screenings. These candidates did not receive conditional employment offers - only notices that they were being certified for appointment. This is why I am wondering if they are more or less the same thing.

[FFighterRob]

It mas more to do witht the laws of the state you are in than anything else