The Department may, at its discretion, license as an acupuncturist without examination, on payment of the fee, an applicant for licensure who is an acupuncturist under the laws of another state if the requirements pertaining to acupuncture in that state were at the date of his or her licensure substantially equal to the requirements in force in Illinois on that date or if an applicant possesses individual qualifications that are substantially equal to the requirements under this Act.
     An applicant has 3 years from the date of his or her application to complete the application process. If the process has not been completed in 3 years, the application shall be denied, the fee shall be forfeited, and the applicant must reapply and meet the requirements in effect at the time of reapplication.