Beginning August 1, 2001, upon application the superintendent of public instruction shall issue a provisional special education strategist credential to any individual who is licensed to teach by the education standards and practices board or approved to teach by the education standards and practices board and who holds a credential applicable to the areas of intellectual disabilities, emotional disturbance, or specific learning disabilities. The provisional credential must be made available to the individual for the lesser of three years or the period of time required by the individual to complete the requirements for a special education strategist credential.