No person shall be eligible for the examination or shall be given or issued a license pursuant to Section 2101, 2102, or 2103 unless he or she possesses a bachelor’s degree from an accredited four-year college with specialization in one or more appropriate disciplines in the agricultural, biological, chemical, or physical sciences, or other appropriate disciplines, as determined by the secretary. If a person is registered as a senior in an accredited four-year college in one of the specializations described herein, that person shall be admitted to the examination, but a license shall not be issued until that person graduates. In determining whether or not a college is accredited, the secretary may rely on accreditation granted by a state or national association formed and operated for the purpose of determining accreditation. This section shall not apply to any person holding a valid license of qualification in weights and measures who was employed by a county agricultural commissioner or sealer in a permanent classification before January 1, 1995, and who possesses at least one license in an agricultural category no later than December 31, 1996.