WashingtonWashington state job rules limit when college degrees are required
For jobs under Washington's state classification plan, a college degree cannot be the only proof of qualifications unless legally required for essential duties.
What it does
Rules for covered state jobs cannot make a two-year, four-year, or postgraduate degree the only proof of qualifications unless the law requires that degree for essential job duties.
Argument forExperienced applicants without college degrees could qualify for covered state jobs when no law requires a degree for the work.
Argument againstAgencies could find applicants harder to compare when job rules allow different ways to show qualifications besides college degrees.
More detail
The director responsible for state job classifications must keep college degrees from being the only way to show qualifications, except when required by law. The rule covers Washington's classified state jobs, which fall under the state's job classification plan. A degree may be the only way to qualify if the law requires it to perform the job's essential duties. The law took effect on June 11, 2026.
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Where it stands
- Introduced
- Passed House
- Passed Senate
- To Governor
- Became Law
Looking ahead
No hearings or votes scheduled.
History
- 2026
- Mar 14Effective date 6/11/2026.Latest
- Mar 14Chapter 38, 2026 Laws.Major
- Mar 14Governor Bob Ferguson signed.Became Law
- Mar 6Delivered to Governor.To Governor
- Mar 6President signed.Passed Senate
- Mar 5Speaker signed.Passed House
- Mar 4Third reading, passed; yeas, 48; nays, 0; absent, 0; excused, 1.Minor
- Vote recorded 3rd Reading & Final Passage (#6). Result: pass.Upper
- Mar 4Rules suspended. Placed on Third Reading.Minor
- Feb 27Placed on second reading consent calendar.Minor
- Feb 25Passed to Rules Committee for second reading.
- Feb 24SGTE - Majority; do pass.Minor
- Feb 24Executive action taken in the Senate Committee on State Government, Tribal Affairs & Elections at 1:30 PM.
- Feb 16Public hearing in the Senate Committee on State Government, Tribal Affairs & Elections at 8:30 AM.
- Feb 2First reading, referred to State Government, Tribal Affairs & Elections.Minor
- Jan 29Third reading, passed; yeas, 97; nays, 0; absent, 0; excused, 1.Minor
- Vote recorded 3rd Reading & Final Passage (#5). Result: pass.Lower
- Jan 29Rules suspended. Placed on Third Reading.Minor
- Jan 27Rules Committee relieved of further consideration. Placed on second reading.Minor
- Jan 22Referred to Rules 2 Review.Minor
- Jan 20SGOV - Majority; do pass.Minor
- Jan 20Executive action taken in the House Committee on State Government & Tribal Relations at 1:30 PM.
- Jan 16Public hearing in the House Committee on State Government & Tribal Relations at 8:00 AM.
- Jan 12First reading, referred to State Government & Tribal Relations.Minor
- Jan 7Prefiled for introduction.Introduced
Economy & Jobs