The Washington state library commission shall issue librarians' certificates:

(1) Without examination to applicants who are graduates of library/information science schools accredited by the American Library Association.

(2) By examination to:

Applicants who present domestic or foreign college or university transcripts from accredited institutions showing successful completion of a minimum of thirty-six quarter credits or twenty-four semester credits in the professional curriculum. This curriculum shall be in library/information sciences or a closely related program — including, but not limited to, coursework in such areas as reference and bibliography, cataloging and classification, and administration — equivalent to masters degree level work. Applications must include favorable references from employers or instructors — must be library related — indicating the applicant's ability to initiate and carry out effective programs of library service.

The examination for these applicants shall be a formal written one equivalent to that routinely administered to graduating candidates for a masters degree in library and information sciences.

In no case may work experience substitute for education.

The Washington state library commission may delegate any portion of the administration of certification policy (not otherwise specified) to the state librarian.