Examinations must be offered at least annually, the time and place to be established by the department.

At the discretion of the department, the written examination may be administered to candidates who are eligible for registration under Section 40-28-110. The department may admit to the examination a person who may complete the experience requirements within ninety days after the examination.

Administration and evaluation of the examination must be conducted in a manner prescribed by the department.

Candidates shall retain credit for any parts of the examination passed and may be permitted to retake a failed part of the examination.

Upon proper application, the department, at its discretion, may credit to a candidate a prescribed part of the examination successfully passed and properly attested to by another state, territory, or possession of the United States or the District of Columbia. The candidate then may take the remaining examination parts and, if successfully completed, may be registered and licensed by the department. The department shall accept the transfer of grades only from the state of original application.