Licensure.

(1) The department shall license any applicant who the board certifies is qualified to practice landscape architecture and who has paid the initial licensure fee.

(2) The board shall certify for licensure any applicant who:

(a) Passes the examination required by s. 481.309; and

(b) Satisfies the experience requirement of s. 481.310.

(3) The board shall certify as qualified for a license by endorsement an applicant who:

(a) Qualifies to take the examination as set forth in s. 481.309; and has passed a national, regional, state, or territorial licensing examination which is substantially equivalent to the examination required by s. 481.309;

(b) Holds a valid license to practice landscape architecture issued by another state or territory of the United States, if the criteria for issuance of such license were substantially identical to the licensure criteria which existed in this state at the time the license was issued; or

(c) Has held a valid license to practice landscape architecture in another state or territory of the United States for at least 10 years before the date of application and has successfully completed a state, regional, national, or other examination that is equivalent to or more stringent than the examination required by the board, subject to subsection (5). An applicant who has met the requirements to be qualified for a license by endorsement, except for successful completion of an examination that is equivalent to or more stringent than the examination required by the board, may take the examination required by the board without completing additional education requirements. Such application must be submitted to the board while the applicant holds a valid license in another state or territory or within 2 years after the expiration of such license.

(4) The board may refuse to certify any applicant who is under investigation in any jurisdiction for any act which would constitute a violation of this act or of chapter 455, until the investigation is complete and disciplinary proceedings have been terminated.

(5) The board may refuse to certify any applicant who has violated any of the provisions of s. 481.325.