Subject to the provisions of this section, the Board may issue a license by endorsement and waive any appropriate examination requirement of this title for an applicant who has an active unencumbered license to practice registered nursing or licensed practical nursing in any other state or country. The Board may issue a license by endorsement under this section only if the applicant: Submits to the Board an application on the form that the Board requires; Submits to a criminal history records check in accordance with § 8–303 of this subtitle; Pays the application fee set by the Board under § 8–304 of this subtitle; and Holds a valid, unencumbered multistate license under the Nurse Licensure Compact; or Except as provided in subsection (c) of this section, provides adequate evidence that: At the time the applicant graduated from a nursing education program approved in the other state or country, the program was substantially equivalent to the education program approved in this State; At the time the applicant became licensed or registered in the other state or country, the applicant passed in that or any other state or country an examination that was similar to the examination that then was given in this State; and Meets the qualifications otherwise required by this title. An applicant for licensure as a registered nurse by endorsement who cannot provide the evidence required under subsection (b)(4)(i) of this section may qualify for licensure as a registered nurse by endorsement if the applicant meets the requirements of paragraph (2) of this subsection. An applicant may qualify for licensure as a registered nurse by endorsement if the applicant has: Completed satisfactorily and met all requirements for an associate or a baccalaureate degree in registered nursing from a college or university that, at the time of the applicant’s graduation, is: Accredited by a national or regional nursing accreditation agency that is recognized by the Secretary of the U.S. Department of Education or the Council for Higher Education Accreditation; and Approved by the board of nursing or other applicable state regulator in the state in which the program is located; and Completed a minimum number of direct patient care practice hours as required by regulations adopted by the Board.