The Department may certify as a certified shorthand reporter, without examination, on payment of the required fee, an applicant who is a certified shorthand reporter registered under the laws of another jurisdiction, if the requirements for certification of certified shorthand reporters in that jurisdiction were, at the date of certification, substantially equivalent to the requirements in force in this State on that date.
Applicants have 3 years from the date of application to complete the application process. If the process has not been completed in 3 years, the application shall be denied, the fee forfeited, and the applicant must reapply and meet the requirements in effect at the time of reapplication.
225 ILCS 415/16