(a) have successfully completed high school or its equivalent; and

(b) (i) have successfully completed a course of study of not less than one hundred forty hours approved by the secretary, of which at least forty hours shall have been in the form of unpaid field based inspections in the presence of and under the direct supervision of a home inspector licensed by the state of New York or a professional engineer or architect regulated by the state of New York who oversees and takes full responsibility for the inspection and any report provided to a client; or

(ii) have performed not less than one hundred home inspections in the presence of and under the direct supervision of a home inspector licensed by the state of New York or a professional engineer or architect regulated by the state of New York who oversees and takes full responsibility for the inspection and any report provided to a client; and

(c) have passed the National Home Inspector examination or an examination offered by the secretary. Any examination offered by the secretary must meet or exceed the national exam standards set by the Examination Board of Professional Home Inspectors in consultation with the New York State Association of Home Inspectors to include questions related to state-specific procedures, rules, and regulations, and changes to state and federal law, and be updated annually; and

(d) pay the applicable fees. 2. The provisions of this section shall not apply to a person performing a home inspection pursuant to subparagraph (ii) of paragraph (b) of subdivision one of this section for the purpose of meeting requirements for a home inspector license. 3. Upon submission of an application and payment of the application and licensure fee to the secretary, the secretary shall issue a home inspector's license to a person who holds a valid license as a home inspector issued by another state or possession of the United States or the District of Columbia which has standards substantially equivalent to those of this state as determined by the secretary. 4. On or before the effective date of this article, the secretary shall, upon application, issue a home inspector license to a person who:

(a) meets the requirements of paragraphs (a) and (c) of subdivision one of this section and has performed one hundred or more home inspections for compensation within two years prior to the effective date of this section; or

(b) meets the requirements of paragraph (a) of subdivision one of this section and has been engaged in the practice of home inspection for compensation for not less than three years prior to the effective date of this section during which such person has performed two hundred fifty home inspections for compensation within three years prior to the effective date of this section; or

(c) has education and experience which the secretary, considers equivalent to that required pursuant to paragraphs (a) and (b) of this subdivision.