(a) There is hereby created a license by endorsement. The board is authorized to issue a license by endorsement without examination to a person who has been in active practice as a physician assistant in some other state, territory, District of Columbia or other country upon certificate of the proper licensing authority of that state, territory, District of Columbia or other country certifying that the applicant is duly licensed, that the applicant’s license has never been limited, suspended or revoked, that the licensee has never been censured or had other disciplinary action taken and that, so far as the records of such authority are concerned, the applicant is entitled to its endorsement. The applicant shall also present proof satisfactory to the board:

(1) That the state, territory, District of Columbia or country in which the applicant last practiced has and maintains standards at least equal to those maintained by Kansas;

(2) that the applicant’s original license was based upon an examination at least equal in quality to the examination required in this state and that the passing grade required to obtain such original license was comparable to that required in this state;

(3) the date of the applicant’s original and all endorsed licenses, and the date and place from which any license was attained;

(4) that the applicant has been actively engaged in practice under such license or licenses since issuance. The board may adopt rules and regulations establishing appropriate qualitative and quantitative practice activities to qualify as active practice; and

(5) that the applicant has a reasonable ability to communicate in English.

(b) An applicant for a license by endorsement shall not be licensed unless, as determined by the board, the applicant’s qualifications are substantially equivalent to Kansas requirements. In lieu of any other requirement prescribed by law for satisfactory passage of any examination for physician assistants, the board may accept evidence demonstrating that the applicant or licensee has satisfactorily passed an equivalent examination given by a national board of examiners for physician assistants.

(c) This section shall be part of and supplemental to the physician assistant licensure act.

(d) This section shall take effect on and after July 1, 2015.