(1) Ankle surgery certification will be granted to a doctor of podiatric medicine licensed to practice in Montana, or to an otherwise qualified applicant for a license to practice podiatric medicine in Montana, who makes application on forms provided by the board, and who:

(a) submits proof of certification by the American Board of Foot and Ankle Surgery or its successor(s) in foot and ankle surgery or reconstructive rearfoot/ankle surgery; or

(b) submits proof of current licensure or certification to perform ankle surgery in another state whose licensing standards at the time the license or certificate was issued were essentially equivalent, in the judgment of the board, to those of this state; or

(c) submits proof of completion of a podiatric surgical residency approved in the year of the candidate's residency by the Council on Podiatric Medical Education or the American Board of Foot and Ankle Surgery or its successor(s), and submits evidence satisfactory to the board of not fewer than 25 ankle surgeries performed by the applicant and proctored by a primary surgeon of record who is an orthopedic surgeon with foot and ankle experience or a doctor of podiatric medicine with ankle surgery certification within the five years immediately preceding the application.

(2) The applicant shall submit a nonrefundable fee of $100 with the application for certification in ankle surgery.