(a)  Every applicant for certification or licensing under this chapter who is not a resident of this state shall submit, with the application for certification or licensing, an irrevocable consent that service of process upon him or her may be made by delivery of the process to the secretary of state, if in an action against the applicant in a court of this state arising out of the applicant’s activities as a state-certified or licensed real estate appraiser, the plaintiff cannot, in the exercise of due diligence, effect personal service upon the applicant.

(b)  A nonresident of the state who has complied with the provisions of subsection (a) may obtain a certificate as a state-certified real estate appraiser or a licensed real estate appraiser by conforming to all of the provisions of this chapter relating to state-certified real estate appraisers. If, in the determination by the board, another state is deemed to have substantially equivalent certification requirements, an applicant who is certified under the laws of that other state may obtain a certificate as a state-certified real estate appraiser in this state upon any terms and conditions that are determined by the board.