(1) A license to practice as a naturopathic physician in the state of Montana may be issued without examination at the discretion of the board, provided the applicant meets all of the following requirements:

(a) verification, in the form of a certified transcript sent directly from the college, that the candidate has graduated and holds a degree/diploma from an approved naturopathic medical college that prepares candidates for licensure as a naturopathic physician, provided that such program, at the time of the candidate's graduation, is equivalent to or exceeds the minimum naturopathic medical educational standards required by the board's laws and rules;

(b) the candidate holds a valid license to practice as a naturopathic physician in another state or jurisdiction. Official written verification of such licensure status must be received by the board from the other state or jurisdiction;

(c) the candidate has completed and filed with the board a notarized application for licensure and the required application fee;

(d) the candidate has successfully passed a naturopathic physician licensure examination in another state or jurisdiction. Written official verification of successful completion of the licensure examination and of licensure in good standing must be requested of the state or jurisdiction by the candidate, and must be received by the board directly from the state or jurisdiction; except:

(i) NPLEX exam scores must be verified by proper NPLEX score reporting agencies and procedures;

(ii) Candidates who have taken the NPLEX examination must have successfully passed, at minimum, sections on basic sciences, clinical science with minor surgery and homeopathic add-ons.

(e) The candidate must be of good moral character as evidenced by written documentation to be provided by the candidate, consisting of three letters of reference, at least one of which must be from a licensed naturopathic physician.