KRS 18A.120: Basis for hiring for classified service -- Exception -- Credit for sick leave.

(1) Except as hereinafter provided, all hiring for the classified service shall be on the

basis of competitive examinations and certification by the cabinet in accorda nce

with the provisions of KRS 18A.005 to 18A.200.

(2) As of February 29, 1976, when an entity and its employees, either initially or

subsequently, is brought into the state service, all employees of that entity required

to be covered under the classified service shall be required to meet the minimum

qualifications for the positions to which they are assigned and to satisfactorily

complete a probationary period, except that in the discretion of the secretary they

shall not be required to take an examination . The secretary shall equitably assign

such employees within the salary range of an appropriate pay grade. Upon the

recommendation of the appointing authority, the secretary may authorize the credit

of the amount of sick leave the employee had prior to bei ng brought into state

service. After completion of the initial probationary period employees employed

under this statute shall be credited with the amount of service they had with this

previous entity for accumulation of annual leave and other purposes of this chapter.