Clerical jobs at the counties, the City of Sacramento, the State of California and most school districts ask for a typing certificate with the application. The certificate comes from a test you take at a job center, an adult school or an agency, and the free ones are listed below.
Before you take a test
- Take it in person, or by video with a proctor for State jobs. Yolo County, Sutter County, the City of Sacramento and the school districts say in writing that they refuse certificates from typing websites.
- Ask for a five minute test. It meets every rule we found, and some employers refuse anything shorter.
- Check the certificate shows your full name, the date, the length of the test, and your net words per minute, or your gross words per minute with the number of errors. Ask for it on the tester's letterhead with a signature.
- Read the job posting. When it names a speed or a rule, that is the one that counts.
Free and low cost tests
Sacramento County
- Sacramento Works job centers, 14 centers in Sacramento County. 916-263-3800. Free, by appointment.
- South Sacramento and Elk Grove Job Center, 8401 Gerber Rd, Sacramento. 916-686-7717, press 2. Free, by appointment.
- City of Sacramento Human Resources, For City jobs. 916-808-5726. Free, register ahead.
- Twin Rivers Adult School, 5703 Skvarla Ave, McClellan. 916-566-2785. $10, by appointment.
Yolo County
- Yolo Works, Woodland and West Sacramento. 530-661-3461 or 916-375-6307. Free, by appointment.
Sutter County
- Sutter County One Stop, 950 Tharp Rd, Yuba City. 530-822-5120. Free, weekdays 9 to 5.
Placer County
- Placer School for Adults, 3775 Richardson Dr, Auburn. 530-885-8585 x6002. Free, Fridays by appointment.
What each employer asks for
| Employer | Speed | What they accept |
|---|---|---|
| Sacramento County | 35 to 50 net words per minute by class (45 for Office Assistant) | A certificate issued in the last five years, attached to the application |
| The City of Sacramento | 35 to 60 net words per minute by class (40 for Typist Clerk) | A five minute test from a school or job center, less than three years old, no internet certificates, due by the time of hire |
| Yolo County | 35 words per minute | An in person test of at least three minutes, taken in the last twelve months, on the tester's letterhead, with the application |
| Sutter County | 40 to 55 net words per minute by class | A test of at least three minutes from a job center or agency, within one year, no online certificates, with the application |
| The State of California | 40 words per minute for Office Assistant and Office Technician (Typing), 45 for Legal Secretary | A proctored five minute test, in person or by video, issued in the last four years |
| Elk Grove Unified | 35 net words per minute for clerical substitutes | A five minute test, not online |
| San Juan Unified | 45 to 50 net words per minute by class | A five minute test, current within five years, no internet or high school tests |
| Natomas Unified | 45 words per minute for most clerical jobs | A test of at least three minutes, issued in the last two years, not from a website |
| Twin Rivers Unified | 40 net words per minute | A certificate from the last year |
| Sacramento City Unified | 45 correct words per minute for Clerk II | The district gives its own clerical test, call 916-643-9050 |
| Los Rios Community College District | 40 to 50 net words per minute by class | A typing certificate with the application |
| Placer County | 45 words per minute for some clerical jobs | No certificate asked for. The test is part of the county's own exam. |
| El Dorado County | Not stated on current postings | Check the posting. |
Read from each employer's own pages on September 21, 2026. Rules change, so the posting you apply to is the final word. SacJobs does not give typing tests or certificates.