Q&A: What are the requirements for the computer professional exemption?

A professional employee in the computer field is exempt from overtime pay if the employee meets all of the following tests:

Primarily engaged in work that is intellectual or creative;
Primarily engaged in work that requires the exercise of discretion and independent judgment; and
Primarily engaged in duties that consist of one or more of the following:

The application of systems analysis techniques and procedures, including consulting with users, to determine hardware, software, or system functional specifications;
The design, development, documentation, analysis, creation, testing, or modification of computer systems or programs, including prototypes, based on and related to, user or system design specifications; or
The documentation, testing, creation, or modification of computer programs related to the design of software or hardware for computer operating systems.

Highly skilled and proficient in the theoretical and practical application of highly specialized information to computer systems analysis, programming, and software engineering; and
Paid a minimum hourly, monthly or yearly rate, which is set by the state of California each year.

You can find more information in the Computer Professional Exemption section of the HR Library.

What are the requirements for the computer professional exemption?