(a) An applicant for initial registration under this chapter shall be required to pass an examination adopted by the Board and graded by a national testing administrator. The Board, or its agent, shall, at least once per year, provide for the administration and grading of such examination. Where an applicant has failed to pass the examination, but has successfully completed and passed certain portions or sections of the examination, the applicant shall in the next subsequent examination be tested only for those portions or section which the applicant has previously failed.
(b) The Board may exempt from the written examination requirement an applicant who holds a certification issued by the National Council of Architectural Registration Boards.