(a) Any person who is licensed as a registered forester under the laws of another state may be licensed and registered under the laws of Georgia by reciprocity without having to qualify under the other provisions of this part, subject to the following conditions:

(1) That the requirements and qualifications for licensing and registration under the laws of the state in which such person is licensed are substantially equivalent to those of Georgia, such substantial equivalency to be determined by the board; and

(2) That such state permits licensing of foresters registered in Georgia on terms substantially equivalent to those of this Code section, such substantial equivalency to be determined by the board.

(b) Notwithstanding the foregoing provisions of this Code section, the board may decline to license by reciprocity any person on an individual basis where the board determines that such applicant does not possess good character or has been guilty of fraud in making application under the laws of Georgia or of any other state, or where the board determines by examination or otherwise that such applicant is not in fact qualified to become licensed as a registered forester.

(c) Any person desiring to become registered under this Code section shall make application under oath on blanks to be furnished by the board, shall accompany such application with the same fee required for licensing and registration under Code Section 12-6-50, and shall cause to be sent to the board a certificate from the proper authority of the state under which such person is already registered certifying thereto.

(d) Any license issued under this Code section shall be subject to all provisions of this part governing expiration, renewal, renewal fees, revocation, and any and all other provisions of law governing or relating to registered foresters.