(a) Subject to the provisions of this section, the Board may waive any examination requirement of this subtitle for:
(1) a certified public accountant licensed by another state; or
(2) the holder of a license, certificate, or degree that is issued by another country and is recognized as authority for the holder to practice public accountancy in that country in a manner comparable to practicing certified public accountancy in this State.
(b) The Board may grant a waiver under this section only if the applicant:
(1) is of good character and reputation;
(2) is at least 18 years of age;
(3) pays to the Board:
(i) a nonrefundable application fee set by the Board; and
(ii) a license fee set by the Board; and
(4) provides adequate evidence that the applicant has met educational, examination, and experience requirements that are:
(i) substantially equivalent to those required by the laws of this State;
(ii) substantially equivalent to those required by the laws of the State at the time the applicant was licensed in another state; or
(iii) after passing the Uniform Certified Public Accountancy Examination, has obtained 4 years of practical work experience, as defined in § 2–302(f) of this subtitle, within the last 10 years immediately preceding submission of the application.
(c) (1) For the purposes of this subtitle, “substantial equivalency” means a determination made by the Board or its designee that:
(i) the education, examination, and experience requirements contained in the laws or administrative rules of another jurisdiction are comparable to, or exceed, the education, examination, and experience requirements contained in the Uniform Accountancy Act; or
(ii) an individual’s education, examination, and experience are comparable to or exceed the education, examination, and experience requirements contained in the Uniform Accountancy Act.
(2) In determining substantial equivalency, the Board shall take into account an individual’s qualifications without regard to the sequence in which the education, examination, or experience requirements are met.