California Code, Government Code - GOV § 18932

The board shall not establish any minimum or maximum age limits for any civil service examination, except in the cases of positions involving public health or safety or having the powers and duties of a peace officer, as defined in Chapter 4.5 (commencing with Section 830) of Title 3 of Part 2 of the Penal Code, and for trainee positions the board may establish minimum and maximum age limits.

The board, for positions involving public safety or having the powers and duties of a peace officer, shall adopt maximum age limitations for any civil service examination where it can be demonstrated that the age limitation in question is a “bona fide occupational qualification” as provided by the Federal Age Discrimination in Employment Act of 1967 (29 U.S.C. Secs. 621 et seq.). The board shall waive those age limits for persons competing in examinations on a promotional basis.

Any person possessing all the minimum qualifications for any state position is eligible, regardless of his or her age, to take any civil service examination given for that position, except as provided in this section.