340.234.  Examination — licensure without examination. — 1.  If the board determines that the applicant possesses the proper qualifications as set forth in subsection 3 of section 340.228, it shall admit the applicant to the next scheduled examination.

  2.  Applicants shall submit an application and the registration and examination fees as required by rule of the board.

  3.  The board shall establish the requirements for a passing score on the examination.  In order for a previous examination score to be transferred for a current licensing period, the score must have been received within five years prior to the application.  If that passing score was not received within three attempts, the board may require the applicant to appear before the board or submit evidence that the applicant has completed at least thirty hours of board-approved continuing education.  The board shall have sole discretion on whether to accept for transfer a score from another state's licensing authority.

  4.  If all the other requirements of sections 340.200 to 340.330 have been met, the board shall issue licenses to the persons who successfully completed the examination.  The executive director shall record the new licenses.

  5.  If the board determines that the applicant is eligible for licensure without examination through the reciprocity provision of section 340.238, the board may grant the applicant a license without examination.