§ 8356. Special provisions. A person shall be certified without examination provided that, within three years from the effective date of regulations implementing the provisions of this article, the individual: 1. files an application and pays the appropriate fees to the department; and 2. meets the requirements of subdivisions two and five of section eight thousand three hundred fifty-five of this article and who in addition:

(a) has been actively engaged in the profession of athletic training for a minimum of four years during the seven years immediately preceding the effective date of this article; or

(b) is certified by a United States certifying body acceptable to the department.