Section 56C. Any person who is a licensed or registered veterinarian in another state and who has been engaged in the practice of veterinary medicine for at least five consecutive years, and who presents to the board a copy of his certificate of registration or license, certified or attested under seal by the board of examiners or like board of any other state board whose standards in the opinion of the board are equivalent to the requirements of the commonwealth, may, upon application, accompanied by a fee to be determined annually by the commissioner of administration under the provision of section three B of chapter seven, be given a practical examination, without examination on the theory of veterinary medicine, by the board, and if he demonstrates to said board his fitness to practice veterinary medicine, be registered as a veterinarian, and shall receive a certificate thereof; provided, that the applicant intends to remove to and reside in the commonwealth; and provided further, that such other state accords similar privilege to veterinarians registered under the laws of the commonwealth and removing to such other state.