Managerial hierarchy is divided into two categories: senior managers and middle managers. Access to permanent managerial positions within State Administrations is regulated by Article 28 of Legislative Decree No. 165 of March 30, 2001, as amended by Presidential Decree No. 70 of 16 April 16, 2013, and takes place through a competitive examination organised by individual administrations or through a selective training course and examination organised by the National School of Administration.
Permanent employees of Public Administrations who hold a degree and have completed at least five years’ service in posts for which a degree is required (for employees of State Administrations recruited following a training course and examination, the period of service is reduced to four years) may be admitted to the examination-based competition. Individuals holding the position of manager in public bodies and organisations, who hold a degree and have performed managerial duties for at least two years, as well as those who have held managerial or equivalent posts in Public Administrations for a period of not less than five years, provided they hold a degree, are also eligible. Italian nationals holding a relevant university degree who have gained, through at least four years of continuous service with international organisations or bodies, professional experience in senior management positions for which a university degree is required are also eligible.