A Block Island Sound license may be issued to an applicant who has been duly licensed or certified as a pilot under the laws of another state, territory, or foreign country when the requirements are substantially equivalent to or exceed the requirements of the examination offered by the commission and if the applicant otherwise meets the qualifications required by this chapter; provided, however, that the state, territory, or foreign country in which the person is licensed extends to licensed Block Island Sound pilots of this state a similar privilege.