The commissioner of health, in the case of water supply system operators, and the commissioner of the Pollution Control Agency, in the case of wastewater treatment facility operators, upon application, may issue certificates without examination, in a comparable classification to any person who holds a certificate in any state, territory, or possession of the United States or any country, providing the requirements for certification of operators under which the person’s certificate was issued do not conflict with the provisions of sections 115.71 to 115.77 and are of a standard not lower than that specified by rules adopted under sections 115.71 to 115.77.