Except as otherwise provided, applicants shall be examined by the board. The examinations may be oral, clinical, written or a combination, at the discretion of the board, and shall be of such character as to test the qualifications of the applicant to be licensed in dental hygiene. No license shall be granted to any applicant who shall not pass such examination satisfactorily. The board shall have the authority to grant a license in dental hygiene to applicants who have successfully passed the requirements of any national or regional testing agency acceptable to the board.