Section 18Sec./Art. 18

Registration Without Examination. - Upon approval of the application and payment of the prescribed fines, an applicant may be registered as an agriculturist without examination if it is proven top the satisfaction of the Board that the applicant:

(a) Is a graduate of a Bachelor's Degree in Agriculture or any agriculture-related degree or related baccalaureate program from a school, college, or university established or recognized by the government; and

(b) Has served the agriculture industry in any technical capacity in the government or private sector for not less than five (5) years before the effectivity of Republic Act No. 8435, otherwise known as the "Agriculture and Fisheries Modernization Act of 1997", prior to the start of the Agriculturists Licensure Examination in 2003 pursuant to the PRC Board of Agriculture Resolution No. 2, series of 2003, and prior to the creation of the Board of Agriculture. This service shall be certified in the service record of an applicant who is a government employees and certified under oath by an authorized official of the form, company, or corporation of an employee in the private sector; or

(c) Is a holder of a regular doctorate degree in agriculture from a reputable university on any of the six (6) fields of specialization specified under Section 14 of this Act: Provided, That such individuals submits required documents on educational attainment and evidence of active practice of agriculture. The Board may require presentation of the doctoral thesis and other evidence of achievement in agriculture.

Registration without examination under this section may be availed within five (5) years upon the effectivity of this Act. All laws and issuances inconsistent with this provision are hereby repealed or amended accordingly.