A. A state agency shall not require as a condition of eligibility for hire to a position in state employment that an applicant have a baccalaureate degree or more than three years of relevant experience.
B. Subsection A of this Section does not apply if the knowledge, skills, or abilities required for the position for which an applicant is applying can only reasonably be obtained through a course of study in pursuit of, and culminating in the award of, a baccalaureate degree, as determined by the Department of State Civil Service or the State Police Commission for classified positions or the appointing authority for unclassified positions or to management, higher-level positions, or positions in a career progression group as defined by a Department of State Civil Service or State Police Commission rule.