Prior Washington state service credit and transfer between state of Washington employers
Last updated: September 22, 2023
This page applies to all professional, classified, and contract covered staff.
Prior Washington state service credit
If you are a staff member who has previously worked in a non-temporary staff position for the state of Washington, you may be eligible for crediting of your prior Washington state service. Employment with a private higher education institution or a city or county is not considered state employment.
Credit for past employment with a Washington state agency or public institution of higher education is used to establish your:
- Months of service toward a higher vacation time off accrual rate
- Sick time off balance
This webpage does not describe or define service as it relates to healthcare insurance eligibility, the Department of Retirement Services (DRS) rules regarding service credit for retirement, or the UW Service Recognition Program.
Credit for previous state employment is not automatic when you start working at the UW. You must submit an online crediting request to UW Human Resources (UWHR).
Vacation time off accrual rate adjustment
Your vacation accrual rate is based on total months of service. Therefore, your accrual rate may increase if your prior state employment months of service are added.
You must have at least 48 months of qualifying state employment (combined current and previous) before your vacation accrual rate will be adjusted.
Sick time off reinstatement
If you had a break in service, UW can reinstate your previous sick time off balance if ALL of the following are true:
- You left behind a sick time off balance at your previous employer, including UW
- Your previous employer was a Washington state agency or public institution of higher education (not public school or educational service district)
- Your break in service was no more than five years
Transfer between state of Washington employers
Employees hired into staff positions can transfer vacation and sick time off balances, unused personal holiday, and months of service if moving without a break in service between another state agency or public institution of higher education and the UW provided they remain eligible for Washington state service credit. If transferring without a break in service from or to a public school or educational service district, you can transfer only your sick time off balance. A break in service is one business day or more, weekends and holidays not included.
Requesting prior state service credit and time off balance transfers
Complete and submit the Request for crediting of Washington state employment to UWHR.
Human Resources will verify your service history and notify you of your crediting result.
Policy exclusions
Employees in non-UW student staff positions (job profiles 11835, 11836 and 21877) are not eligible for prior service crediting and transfer of time off balances.
Time worked as a temporary hourly employee at an institution of higher education, including UW, is not eligible for prior service crediting. Temporary hourly employees moving to UW are ineligible for transfer of months of service or time off balances.