(1)    In this section, “instruction” means any education, training, instruction, or other experience related to an occupation or profession.

   (2)   The department, if the department issues the credential, or the credentialing board, if a credentialing board issues the credential, shall count any relevant instruction that an applicant for an initial credential has obtained in connection with the applicant’s military service, as defined in s. 111.32 (12g), toward satisfying any instruction requirements for that credential if the applicant demonstrates to the satisfaction of the department or credentialing board that the instruction obtained by the applicant is substantially equivalent to the instruction required for the initial credential.