(1) Beginning on July 1, 2012, the board and Interior Design Advisory Committee shall receive applications for certification as a Mississippi Certified Interior Designer on forms prescribed and furnished by the board and IDAC.

(2) Upon receipt of an application, the board, upon the recommendation of IDAC, may approve the application, provided the applicant meets one (1) of the following requirements:

(a) The applicant passed the IDQE as administered by NCIDQ before January 1, 2012;

(b) The applicant has a degree in interior design from a program accredited by the CIDA, a degree in architecture from a program accredited by the National Architectural Accreditation Board (NAAB), or a four-year degree in interior design from a college or university approved by the regulatory board. Additionally, the applicant must have passed the IDQE as administered by NCIDQ or its approved successor;

(c) The applicant is a licensed architect in the State of Mississippi who has passed the IDQE as administered by NCIDQ or its approved successor; or

(d) The applicant is a licensed engineer in the State of Mississippi who has passed the IDQE as administered by NCIDQ or its approved successor.

(3) The applicant must exhibit to the regulatory board and IDAC the applicant’s good standing in the profession and the applicant’s moral character. Except as otherwise provided in this subsection, any of the following acts shall preclude an applicant’s eligibility as a candidate for certification:

(a) Conviction by any court for commission of any felony or any crime involving moral turpitude.

(b) Conviction by any court of a misdemeanor involving fraud, deceit or misrepresentation.

(c) Misstatement or misrepresentation of fact by the applicant in connection with the applicant’s application for certification in this state or another jurisdiction.

(d) Violation of any of the rules of conduct required of applicants or interior designers as adopted by the board.

If the board determines that the applicant has shown clear and convincing evidence of rehabilitation and reform, the board may certify an applicant otherwise precluded from consideration because of an act prohibited under this subsection. A decision to certify an applicant notwithstanding the applicant’s violation of an act prohibited under this subsection is in the sole discretion of the board and upon such terms, conditions and evidence as the board may require.

(4) The board and IDAC may require that the applicant appear before the board for a personal interview.

(5) The board, upon the recommendation of IDAC, may adopt or develop alternate routes of eligibility and examination requirements based on standards as set forth by NCIDQ or its approved successor.

(6) Any application submitted to the board and IDAC may be denied for any violation of the provisions of this chapter.