(a)

(1) A person not previously licensed to practice dentistry in the State of Arkansas who desires to do so shall apply in writing for examination to the Secretary of the Arkansas State Board of Dental Examiners and shall transmit with the written application his or her examination and licensing fee.

(2) The examination and licensing fee shall be determined by the board and shall be an amount reasonably calculated to cover the costs of administering the examination, issuing the license to practice, and otherwise administering this chapter.

(b) An applicant:

(1) Must:

(A) Be at least twenty-one (21) years of age and of good moral reputation and character;

(B) Submit upon request such proof as the board may require touching upon age, character, and fitness; and

(C) Have been graduated from an American Dental Association-accredited college of dentistry with the degree of Doctor of Dental Surgery or Doctor of Dental Medicine; or

(2) Must:

(A) Be at least twenty-one (21) years of age and of good moral reputation and character;

(B) Have graduated from a college of dentistry in North America with the degree of Doctor of Dental Surgery, Doctor of Dental Medicine, or an equivalent degree approved by the board;

(C) Have passed an examination approved by the board and authorized under § 17-82-303;

(D) Be a resident of the State of Arkansas and the United States and be in compliance with federal laws of immigration; and

(E) Serve a period of at least one (1) year under a provisional license issued by the board to foreign graduates and successfully complete the monitoring requirements as ordered by the board at the time the provisional license is issued.

(c)

(1) If the board determines that the applicant is qualified to take the examination required for licensing, it shall notify the applicant of the time and place to report before it for examination.

(2) If a qualified applicant fails to appear for examination, the fee shall be retained by the board and the applicant shall be entitled to take any examination required for licensing held at any time within three (3) years thereafter, if he or she is then qualified, without additional fee charge unless the amount of the fee is increased by the board, in which event the applicant must pay the difference between the amount of fee credited to him or her and the increased fee amount.

(3) If an applicant fails to make the grade or percentage required by the board, the fee paid by him or her shall be retained by the board.

(4) If an applicant makes the grade or percentage required by the board, then it shall issue to him or her without further initial cost a license to practice dentistry in the State of Arkansas.

(d)

(1) All licenses shall be numbered and issued consecutively.

(2) If a license is lost or destroyed, the secretary shall furnish a certified copy to the licensee upon the payment of a fee to be prescribed by the board. The fee shall be an amount reasonably calculated to cover the cost of furnishing the certified copy.