The Board may authorize an applicant to take a license examination if the Board determines that the work experience of the applicant is substantially equivalent to the work experience requirements of a licensee for the license level requested by the applicant. In evaluating the work experience of an applicant, the Board shall consider: the size of the operation or plant at which the applicant acquired the work experience; the type of machinery the applicant used in acquiring the work experience; and the job responsibilities or duties of the applicant; and the time period in which the applicant held each job responsibility or duty. An applicant may receive not more than 2 years of work experience credit under this section if the Board determines that the work experience is acquired through: a formal course of study; or professional training.