All time worked at the Office of Commissioner of Higher Education or at any unit of the university system at ¾ time or more shall count toward the 5-year qualifying period as long as there is no break in service when the employee accepts a new position at a different unit of the university system.

Employment at any private institution, at any tribal college or the community colleges in Kalispell, Glendive and Miles City does not count towards meeting the 5-year qualifying period.