A person shall be licensed without examination provided that, within one year of the effective date of this article, the individuals:

1. 1. files an application and pays the appropriate fees to the department; and

2. 2.

   1. (a) is registered by a national certifying or accrediting board for respiratory therapy acceptable to the department, or
   2. (b) has practiced respiratory therapy in a hospital, as defined in article twenty-eight of the public health law, in the state for not less than three years within the last five years prior to the effective date of this article, or
   3. (c) has met the educational standards of a hospital, as defined in article twenty-eight of the public health law, or, in the case of a hospital operated by a public benefit corporation, has met the educational standards of such corporation, and has practiced as a respiratory therapist for at least one year in such hospital.