No person shall be eligible for the examination or shall be given or issued a license pursuant to Section 2101, 2102, or 2103 unless he or she possesses a bachelor’s degree from an accredited four-year college with specialization in one or more appropriate disciplines in the agricultural, biological, chemical, or physical sciences, or other appropriate disciplines, as determined by the secretary. If a person is registered as a senior in an accredited four-year college in one of the specializations described herein, that person shall be admitted to the examination, but a license shall not be issued until that person graduates. In determining whether or not a college is accredited, the secretary may rely on accreditation granted by a state or national association formed and operated for the purpose of determining accreditation. This section shall not apply to any person holding a valid license of qualification in weights and measures who was employed by a county agricultural commissioner or sealer in a permanent classification before January 1, 1995, and who possesses at least one license in an agricultural category no later than December 31, 1996.

(Amended by Stats. 1995, Ch. 818, Sec. 1. Effective January 1, 1996.)