(i) have completed a comparable program from a regionally accredited institution of higher education or a higher education institution that the commissioner deems substantially equivalent, provided that such program leads to initial certification as a school counselor, or similar school counselor certification, in the jurisdiction in which the higher education institution is located; or

(ii) have at least three years of satisfactory experience in a public school (grades K-12) in another state or territory of the United States or the District of Columbia in a position that would have required the equivalent of initial or professional certification as a school counselor for employment in New York State and while under a certificate issued by such other state authorizing such service, such experience must have been completed within five years immediately preceding the application for endorsement of the out-of-state certificate; or the candidate shall have equivalent experience as determined by the commissioner.