(a) The board shall receive applications for registration as an architect only on forms prescribed and furnished by the board.

Upon receipt of the application and the payment of a fee, as established by the board, the fee in no event exceeding two hundred fifty dollars ($250), the board shall promptly notify the applicant of examination requirements for registration, if applicable.

The board may contract with an independent testing agency to prepare, grade, or conduct the examination. If the board determines the applicant requires examination, the applicant shall pay the actual cost of the examination directly to the board-authorized testing agency.

(b) The board may issue to an applicant without further examination, a certificate of registration as an architect, provided the applicant holds an unexpired certificate issued to him or her by the National Council of Architectural Registration Boards, hereinafter referred to as NCARB.

(c) The following facts established in the application shall be regarded as prima facie evidence satisfactory to the board that the applicant is fully qualified to be examined for registration:

(1) Graduation after a course of study of a length as the board shall by regulation determine from a school or college of architecture accredited by the National Architectural Accrediting Board, hereinafter referred to as NAAB; and

(2) An additional period of practical experience in architectural work under the responsible control of a registered architect or architects as the board by regulation shall deem appropriate.

Unless exempted, applicants shall take and pass the professional examination administered by the board or an independent testing agency approved by the board.

(d) In determining the sufficiency of the qualifications of the applicant for registration, a majority vote of the members of the board shall be required.

(e) Certificates for registration shall expire on December 31 following their issuance or renewal and shall become invalid on that day unless renewed.

Certificates of registrants who are or may be in the Armed Forces of the United States shall not expire until December 31 following the discharge or final separation of the registrant from the Armed Forces of the United States.

(f) Renewal may be accomplished at any time prior to or during the month of December by the payment of a fee established by the board not to exceed two hundred fifty dollars ($250).

A penalty not to exceed the sum of seventy-five dollars ($75) may be added to the renewal fee for failure to renew a certificate upon such terms and conditions as the board may by regulation determine. Failure to renew a certificate of registration by March 31 shall result in a lapse of registration.

(g) A registrant whose certificate of registration has lapsed may have it reinstated, if in compliance with other relevant requirements, by filing a reinstatement application and paying, in addition to the appropriate renewal fee and late penalty, a reinstatement fee of two hundred fifty dollars ($250).

(h) There is hereby created, for renewal of certificate purposes, a status to be known as emeritus status architect, which shall apply to architects who have been registered for 10 consecutive years or longer, and who are 65 years of age or older, and who have retired from active practice. The annual renewal of registration for emeritus status shall be renewed without payment of a fee. If an emeritus status architect subsequently wishes to practice, he or she may do so without penalty by proper application to the board.