Upon payment to the board of a fee and the submission of a written application on forms provided by it, the board shall issue without examination a license to a respiratory care practitioner who holds a valid license issued by another state or possession of the United States or the District of Columbia which has education and experience requirements substantially equivalent to the requirements of this act; provided, that, the applicant has not previously failed the board exam referred to in section 15 of this act, in which case licensing shall be at the discretion of the board.

L.1991,c.31,s.13.