(a) The board shall register each applicant without discrimination who pays an examination fee as prescribed by rule of the board and who satisfactorily passes an examination as provided in Section 34-14-4, and upon the applicant's payment of the application fee, shall issue to the applicant a license signed by the board. The license shall be effective until January 30 of the year following the year in which issued.

(b) An applicant who fulfills the requirements regarding age, character, education, and health, as set forth in subsection (a) of Section 34-14-4, and who shall provide proof of having met all state qualifying examination requirements and requirements of certification as a national board certified hearing aid specialist shall be issued a dispenser's license.

(c) An applicant for licensure by reciprocity shall submit to the board, in form and content satisfactory to the board, written proof of all of the following:

(1) That the applicant is currently licensed as a hearing aid specialist, hearing aid dispenser, or hearing aid dealer under the laws of another state or the District of Columbia.

(2) That the requirements for the license are equivalent to or greater than those required in this state. Minimum acceptable tests shall be approved by the board and shall be at or above the standards set by the National Institute of Hearing Instrument Studies examination. Scores from the licensing authority shall be mailed from that authority directly to the board and the test shall have been taken within the past 12 months.

(3) That the licensee is in good standing and his or her license has not been suspended or revoked.

(4) That verification of all licenses that have been issued are on file with the board.

(5) That the state that issued the license has a current reciprocity agreement on file with the board.

(d) An applicant who has a complaint pending against him or her in another state may not be granted an Alabama license until the complaint is resolved and resolution validated by the licensing agency of that state.

(e) Any person making application for licensure under this section shall be required to pass the Alabama law written test and all areas of the practical examination.

(f) The holder of a certificate of endorsement shall be registered in the same manner as a licensee. The fee for an initial certificate of endorsement shall be the same as the fee for an initial license. Fees, grounds for renewal, and procedures for the suspension and revocation of a certificate of endorsement shall be the same as the fees, grounds for renewal, and procedures for the suspension of a license.