(a) Any person from a nonlicensing state who desires to provide ophthalmic dispensing services to the public as a licensed or registered dispensing optician in this state, and who submits satisfactory evidence to the Arkansas Board of Dispensing Opticians that he or she meets the following requirements, shall be eligible for licensure or registry by the board.
(b) The applicant shall:
(1) Be qualified under the provisions of this chapter;
(2) Have been engaged in ophthalmic dispensing as described in § 17-89-102(4) for a period of:
(A) Five (5) years for applicants for licensure, of which no more than three (3) years may be while working in a qualified full-service optical laboratory approved by the board; or
(B) Three (3) years for applicants for registry, of which no more than one (1) year may be while working in a qualified full-service laboratory approved by the board immediately before the date of application;
(3) Successfully complete the written and practical examination for licensure or registry prepared and conducted by the board; and
(4) Have paid the fee prescribed in § 17-89-304(f) to the Secretary-treasurer of the Arkansas Board of Dispensing Opticians.