The board shall determine whether the education, examination, and experience qualifications of another state or an individual are substantially equivalent to the national standard or to another standard established by the board to protect the public interest. The board may adopt by regulation the qualifications established by a nationally recognized professional organization for accountants as the national standard or for another standard established by the board to protect the public interest. The board may accept the determination of a nationally recognized professional organization for accountants or adopt another standard as to whether the qualifications of the other state or an individual are substantially equivalent to the national standard. When ascertaining substantial equivalency under this chapter, the order in which education, examination, or experience requirements were attained shall be disregarded.