Section 401 Of Chapter 1. Appointment And Revocation From California Probate Code >> Division 2. >> Part 12. >> Chapter 1.

. (a) Appointment shall be from among persons passing a qualification examination. A person who passes the examination is eligible for appointment for a period of five years from the date of the examination.
  (b) Appointment shall be on the basis of merit without regard to sex, race, religious creed, color, national origin, ancestry, marital status, or political affiliation.