The board may dispense with examinations of applicants as provided in this article and may grant certificates of registration or licenses under the respective sections, upon the payment of the required fee as provided in this article; provided, that such applicant is currently licensed in and has complied with the requirements of another county, state, territory, District of Columbia, or foreign country, state, or province wherein the requirements for registration were substantially equal to those in force in this county at the time the license was issued by the county, state, territory, District of Columbia, or foreign country, state, or province or upon due proof that the applicant has continuously practiced the practices or profession for which a license is applied at least five years immediately prior to application and upon the payment of a fee provided in Section 45-39-40.12.