(1) The State Board of Tax Practitioners may issue a license to an applicant for a license as a tax consultant or as a tax preparer who:
(a) Presents evidence satisfactory to the board that the applicant is licensed as a tax consultant or preparer in a state that has requirements for licensing substantially similar to the requirements for licensing in this state; and
(b) Has passed to the satisfaction of the board an examination covering Oregon personal income tax law, theory and practice, the provisions of ORS 673.605 to 673.740 and the code of professional conduct prescribed by the board.
(2) Notwithstanding ORS 673.625 (1) and (3), but as otherwise provided in ORS 673.605 to 673.740, the board shall license as a tax consultant any person who is, on the date of the application for a tax consultant’s license, enrolled to practice before the Internal Revenue Service pursuant to 31 C.F.R. part 10 if the person has passed to the satisfaction of the board an examination covering Oregon personal income tax law, theory and practice, the provisions of ORS 673.605 to 673.740 and the code of professional conduct prescribed by the board.
(3) Except as otherwise provided in this section, an examination is not required for licensing under this section.
(4) Any person desiring to be licensed under this section shall make written application to the board and shall pay to the board at the time required by the board the examination and license fees provided by rule of the board.