(1) Upon payment of an initial license fee as determined by the council, the council shall issue a license to each applicant who passes the examination. Such initial license shall expire as provided by rules and regulations promulgated by the board.
(2) During the second year of a biennial renewal period, the initial license fee shall be one-half (½) of the biennial renewal fee.
(3) The council may, in its discretion, license as a hearing instrument specialist, without examination, on the payment of a fee as set by the council, an applicant who is a hearing instrument specialist, certified, registered or licensed under the laws of another state or country, if the applicant's qualifications for certification, registration or licensure meet the licensure requirements in force in this state upon the date of the specialist's application for certification, registration or licensure in this state.