(1) The State Board of Medical Licensure shall examine all applicants as hereinafter provided in this chapter.

(2) There is established the Podiatry Advisory Committee to the State Board of Medical Licensure. The advisory committee shall be composed of three (3) licensed and practicing podiatrists in the State of Mississippi. The members of the advisory committee shall be appointed by the executive director of the board from a list of six (6) podiatrists recommended by the Mississippi Podiatric Medical Association who have practiced in the state for not less than three (3) years immediately before their appointment. The podiatrists appointed to the advisory committee shall serve for terms of three (3) years from the time of their appointment. Any vacancy occurring on the advisory committee before the expiration of a term shall be filled by appointment of the executive director of the board from a list of at least two (2) podiatrists recommended by the Mississippi Podiatric Medical Association who have practiced in the state for not less than three (3) years immediately before their appointment. Any appointment to fill a vacancy shall be only for the remainder of the unexpired term.

(3) The Podiatry Advisory Committee shall advise and make recommendations to the State Board of Medical Licensure on all podiatry matters that come before the board. The board shall allow the advisory committee sufficient time to adequately prepare any materials or other information that the committee wants to present or deliver to the board on any matter or issue affecting podiatry. The board shall not make any final decision or take any final action on any podiatry matter until the board has reviewed any materials or other information presented or delivered to it by the advisory committee, provided that the information is delivered within the time period prescribed by the board.