jQuery Validate Required Select

use min rule

set first option value to 0

'selectName':{min:1}

the most simple solution

just set the value of the first option to empty string value=""

<option value="">Choose...</option>

and jquery validation required rule will work

You can write your own rule!

 // add the rule here
 $.validator.addMethod("valueNotEquals", function(value, element, arg){
  return arg !== value;
 }, "Value must not equal arg.");

 // configure your validation
 $("form").validate({
  rules: {
   SelectName: { valueNotEquals: "default" }
  },
  messages: {
   SelectName: { valueNotEquals: "Please select an item!" }
  }  
 });

An easier solution has been outlined here: Validate select box

Make the value be empty and add the required attribute

<select id="select" class="required">
<option value="">Choose an option</option> 
<option value="option1">Option1</option>
<option value="option2">Option2</option>
<option value="option3">Option3</option>
</select>