RCW 73.16.010: Preference in public employment.

(1) In every public department, and upon all public works of the state, and of any county thereof, soldiers, sailors, airmen, guardians, marines and other members of the uniformed services with a qualifying discharge as defined in RCW 73.04.005, and their widows or widowers, shall be preferred for appointment and employment. Age, loss of limb, or other physical impairment, which does not in fact incapacitate, shall not be deemed to disqualify them, provided they possess the capacity necessary to discharge the duties of the position involved: Spouses of active duty service members and spouses of veterans with a qualifying discharge as defined in RCW 73.04.005 and who have a service connected permanent and total disability shall also be preferred for appointment and employment.

(2) "Veteran" has the same meaning as defined in RCW 41.04.005 and 41.04.007, and includes a current member of the national guard or armed forces reserves who has been deployed to serve in an armed conflict.