(a) A legally licensed practitioner who has been issued a license to practice respiratory care in another state or territory whose requirements for registration and licensure were at the time of his or her registration or licensure equal to the requirements contained in this chapter may be registered and issued a license by the Arkansas State Medical Board if the state or territory from which the applicant comes accords a similar privilege of registration and licensure to persons registered and licensed in the State of Arkansas by the board.
(b) The issuance of the license by reciprocity by the board shall be at the sole discretion of the board, and the board may provide rules governing such admission as it may deem necessary or desirable.