1. Except as otherwise provided in subsection 2, an appointing authority shall not require an applicant for a position of employment in the classified or unclassified service of the State to have obtained a bachelor’s degree as a condition precedent to employment.
2. The provisions of subsection 1 do not apply if the appointing authority determines that the knowledge, skills or abilities required for the position for which the applicant is applying may only be obtained through a course of study in pursuit of and that culminates in the award of a bachelor’s degree.