An application for renewal of a license, certificate, permit, or other authorization that an individual is required by law to hold to engage in a profession or trade is considered timely if the application is submitted within 1 year after the end of the individual’s active service in the uniformed services. An individual applying to work in a trade or profession is entitled to credit toward a period of service as an apprentice in, or in preparation for, the profession or trade if: the period is required by law for the profession or trade; the applicant performed work or received training pertaining to the profession or trade while in the uniformed services; and the applicant submits evidence of time and nature of the work or training satisfactory to the entity that has approval authority under the law. This section shall be construed liberally.