(1) An agency head or higher education institution president may consider granting preference to eligible applicants in the hiring process if administering an examination prior to certification for any of the following qualifications in accordance with RCW 41.04.012:

(a) Ten percent to an applicant who has obtained full professional proficiency or who is completely fluent as a native speaker in two or more languages other than English;

(b) Five percent to an applicant who has obtained full professional proficiency or who is completely fluent as a native speaker in one language other than English;

(c) Five percent to an applicant with two or more years of professional experience or volunteer experience in the Peace Corps, AmeriCorps, domestic violence counseling, mental or behavioral health care, homelessness programs, or other social services professions; and

(d) Five percent to an applicant who has obtained an associate of arts or science degree or higher degree.

(2) The preference granted under this section may not be aggregated to exceed more than 15 percent of the applicant's examination score, shall be added to the passing mark, grade, or rating of competitive examinations until the applicant's first appointment, and may not be used in promotional examinations.

(3) For purposes of this section "full professional fluency" and "native speaker" have the same meaning as in RCW 41.04.012.