RCW 41.04.010: Veterans' and uniformed service members' scoring criteria status in examinations.

(1) In all competitive examinations, unless otherwise provided in this section, to determine the qualifications of applicants for public offices, positions, or employment, either the state, and all of its political subdivisions and all municipal corporations, or private companies or agencies contracted with by the state to give the competitive examinations shall give a scoring criteria status to all veterans as defined in RCW 41.04.007 and members of the uniformed services as defined in this section, by adding to the passing mark, grade or rating only, based upon a possible rating of one hundred points as perfect a percentage in accordance with the following:

(a) Ten percent to a veteran or member of the uniformed services who served during a period of war or in an armed conflict as defined in RCW 41.04.005 and does not receive military retirement. The percentage shall be added to the passing mark, grade, or rating of competitive examinations until the veteran's or uniformed service member's first appointment. The percentage shall not be utilized in promotional examinations;

(b) Five percent to a veteran or member of the uniformed services who did not serve during a period of war or in an armed conflict as defined in RCW 41.04.005 or is receiving military retirement. The percentage shall be added to the passing mark, grade, or rating of competitive examinations until the veteran's or uniformed service member's first appointment. The percentage shall not be utilized in promotional examinations;

(c) Five percent to a veteran or member of the uniformed services who was called to active military service from employment with the state or any of its political subdivisions or municipal corporations. The percentage shall be added to promotional examinations until the first promotion only;

(d) All veterans' scoring criteria may be claimed:

(i) Upon release from active military service with a qualifying discharge as defined in RCW 73.04.005;

(ii) Upon receipt of a United States department of defense discharge document DD form 214, NGB form 22, or their equivalent or successor discharge paperwork, that characterizes his or her discharge as a qualifying discharge as defined in RCW 73.04.005; or

(iii)(A) Upon receipt of a predischarge certification as defined in RCW 73.04.005, provided that:

(I) The predischarge certification was issued not more than 120 days prior to the date of submission; and

(II) The individual provides the official discharge documentation, such as a DD form 214, NGB form 22, or equivalent or successor discharge paperwork, that characterizes his or her discharge as a qualifying discharge as defined in RCW 73.04.005, within 30 days after the date of discharge.

(B) If official discharge documentation is not provided within 30 days of discharge, the employing agency shall notify the individual and afford a reasonable opportunity, a minimum of 15 days, to submit the required documentation.

(C) If official discharge documentation is not provided within that additional period, the agency may rescind any appointment or benefit granted based solely on the predischarge certification.

(D) The predischarge certification shall not be used to determine eligibility for preference beyond the date of discharge, including in layoff or retention actions, unless and until official discharge paperwork is submitted.

(2) As used in this section, "member of the uniformed services" or "uniformed services member" means a person serving or who has served in the United States public health service commissioned corps or the national oceanic and atmospheric administration commissioned officer corps who received a qualifying discharge as defined in RCW 73.04.005 or is actively serving honorably.