(a) This section only applies to employees in an exempt position who have reinstatement rights to their former positions under Section 19141.
(b) Within four years of the termination of an appointment in an exempt position, an employee who has completed a minimum of five years of state service experience shall be given an opportunity upon request to obtain civil service appointment list eligibility by taking a deferred examination for any class that has a current eligible list and for which the employee meets the minimum qualifications of the class.