Okla. Stat. tit. 74, § 74-255: Appointments and tenure - Citizenship - Exceptions

The heads of the departments except as otherwise herein provided

are hereby authorized and empowered to appoint persons to hold

positions created in their respective departments. The persons so

appointed shall hold office at the will of such state officer and in

the case of all boards and commissioners, such board or commission

shall, by vote thereof, except as otherwise provided, appoint

persons to hold positions created under such boards or commissions

by this act, and the persons so appointed shall hold office at the

will of such officer, boards or commissions making the appointment,

provided that any board or commission may authorize the secretary of

such board or commission to make the appointment.

Provided further, that it shall be unlawful for the heads of any

department, or any departments, except institutions of higher

learning and state hospitals, the State Health Department, the

Highway Department in the employment of engineers and technicians,

schools for individuals with intellectual disabilities and State

Veterans Facilities as pertains to doctors, dentists, nurses and

other trained technicians, to employ in any way any person who is

not a citizen of the United States, and repealing all laws in

conflict herewith. The provisions of this act shall in no way be

interpreted to repeal any provision of the laws heretofore enacted

creating the Merit System of the State of Oklahoma.