(a) No person shall be entitled to take any examination for such registration unless that person shall furnish the Arkansas Board of Podiatric Medicine with satisfactory proof that he or she:

(1) Is twenty-one (21) years of age or over;

(2) Is of good moral character; and

(3) Has received a license or certificate of graduation from a legally incorporated, regularly established school of podiatric medicine recognized by the Council on Podiatric Medical Education of the American Podiatric Medical Association within the states, territories, districts, and provinces of the United States or within any foreign country.

(b) No applicant shall be entitled to such registration and certificate unless the applicant shall have completed prior to the beginning of the applicant's course in podiatric medicine a minimum of three (3) years in an accredited university or college of the liberal arts or the sciences.

(c) A diploma issued by an accredited school of podiatric medicine, approved by the American Podiatric Medical Association bestowing the degree "Doctor of Podiatric Medicine" shall be recognized as a qualification under this chapter only in the event that the diploma represents the actual standards of preliminary and professional education established by the board.

(d)

(1) A certificate issued by an accredited podiatric residency program approved by the Council on Podiatric Medical Education of the American Podiatric Medical Association as proof of the satisfactory completion of a minimum of a one (1) year postgraduate residency program.

(2) A podiatrist who graduated prior to 1990 and can show proof of continuous practice since graduation is exempt from the residency requirement.

(3) Podiatrists who are licensed to practice in the State of Arkansas prior to 1997 are exempt from the residency requirement.