A qualification that is absolutely necessary for the job is called what?

• A. Job requirement
• B. Certification
• C. Bona fide occupational qualification
• D. Experience

Answer: (C)

A bona fide occupational qualification is a job-related attribute that is truly essential for performing the duties of the position. It’s the specific, necessary quality that justifiably allows an employer to consider or require that attribute in hiring because it directly affects the ability to do the job. This makes it different from a general job requirement, a certification, or mere experience, which aren’t necessarily about performing the essential tasks themselves. The idea is that the attribute is indispensable for the job’s core functions, and only in those narrowly defined cases is it legally permissible to base hiring decisions on it.