(a) A person directly appointed by the Governor, without the nomination of any officer or board, or directly appointed by the Attorney General, Lieutenant Governor, Controller, Secretary of State, Treasurer, or Superintendent of Public Instruction exempt from civil service under Article VII of the California Constitution, except those appointed pursuant to subdivision (i) of Section 4 thereof, is excluded from membership in this system unless he or she files with the board an election in writing to become a member.
(b) Upon electing to become a member, the person may further elect at any time prior to retirement to receive service credit for his or her prior, excluded state service by making the contributions as specified in Sections 21050 and 21051.