(a) The department may issue a license to a person who


(1) has had education equivalent to four years attendance at a high school;


(2) has either


(A) completed at least 1,800 hours of training as an apprentice after registering with the department as an apprentice; or


(B) been engaged for at least 1,800 hours as a practicing optician in good standing in a state, territory, district, or possession of the United States;


(3) has passed the applicable examination required under AS 08.71.090
with a score acceptable to the department;


(4) has passed a course designated in the department's regulations as being acceptable; and


(5) has paid the required license fee.


(b) Graduation from an associate degree program in a recognized school or college of opticianry may be substituted for the experience required by (a)(2) and (4) of this section.