Every person applying to the board for initial registration shall submit an application accompanied by the fee established in accordance with section three of this article with satisfactory evidence that such person holds an accredited professional degree in architecture or has completed such other education as the board considers equivalent to an accredited professional degree and with satisfactory evidence that such person has completed such practical training in architectural work as the board requires. If an applicant is qualified, the board shall, by means of a written examination, examine the applicant on such technical and professional subjects as prescribed by it. None of the examination materials are public records as defined in article one, chapter twenty-nine-b of this code. The board may exempt from such written examination an applicant who holds certification issued by the national council of architectural registration boards. The board may adopt as its own rules governing practical training and education those guidelines published from time to time by the national council of architectural registration boards. The board may also adopt the examinations and grading procedures of the national council of architectural registration board and the accreditation decisions of the national architectural accrediting board. The board shall issue its registration to each applicant who is found to be of good moral character and who satisfies the requirements set forth in this section. The registration is effective upon issuance.