(1) A veteran seeking license or qualification for a trade, occupation, or profession under the laws of this state and whose period of training, study, apprenticeship, or practicable experience is interrupted by, or who has not entered training, study, apprenticeship, or practical experience because of service in the armed forces during any period of war or emergency condition is entitled to license or qualification under the laws covering his qualification or licensing in force at the time of entrance into the armed forces, subsequent legislation notwithstanding. Service in the armed forces is not a disqualifying interruption of a required period of training, study, apprenticeship, or practical experience, and a board of examiners or other qualification board under the laws of this state may accept periods of training and practical experience in the armed forces in place of the required periods of training, study, apprenticeship, or practical experience under the laws of this state if the board finds the standards and kinds of work or training performed in the armed forces to be substantially the same as the standards and kinds required under the laws of this state. An application for benefits under this act shall be made to the respective board of examiners or other qualification board within 6 months after the applicant's release from the armed forces.

    (2) As used in this section, "veteran" means an individual who meets both of the following:

    (a) Is a veteran as defined in section 1 of 1965 PA 190, MCL 35.61.

    (b) Was honorably discharged.

     The intent of this act is to protect the work and study performed by applicants for license or other qualification before being inducted into the armed forces, to prevent service in the armed forces being considered as a disqualifying interruption of any required period of practical experience, apprenticeship, study or training, and to permit boards of examiners and similar boards to equitably evaluate and give credit for training and experience in the armed forces. This act shall be given a liberal interpretation to carry out this intent.