The Department may, in its discretion, license as a nursing home administrator, without examination, on payment of the required fee, an applicant who is so licensed under the laws of another U.S. jurisdiction, if the requirements for licensure in the other jurisdiction in which the applicant was licensed were, at the date of his or her licensure, substantially equivalent to the requirements then in force in this State; or if the applicant’s qualifications were, at the date of his or her licensure in the other jurisdiction, substantially equivalent to the requirements then in force in this State.
     Notwithstanding the provisions of this Section, all applicants seeking licensure under this Section shall be required to take and pass an examination testing the applicant’s knowledge of Illinois law relating to the practice of nursing home administration.