(a)

(1) An applicant for an athletic trainer license must submit an application to the board on forms prescribed by the board and submit the examination fee required by this chapter.

(2) The applicant is entitled to an athletic trainer's license if the applicant possesses the qualifications enumerated in § 63-24-104; completes and passes the certification requirements and examination of the National Athletic Trainers' Association Board of Certification, Inc. or its equivalent as determined by the board; completes the jurisprudence examination administered and/or selected by the board, to its satisfaction; pays the licensure fee as set in § 63-24-106; and has not committed an act that constitutes grounds for denial of a license under § 63-24-107.

(b) Any person who is issued initial licensure as an athletic trainer is deemed to be registered as such for two (2) years, or to the next even-numbered year immediately following conclusion of the initial two (2) calendar years. Thereafter, such person shall biennially apply to the board for certificate renewal and shall submit such information as may be requested by the board. Upon making an application for renewal, such person shall pay a renewal fee as prescribed pursuant to § 63-24-106.

(c) Any person licensed to practice by this chapter, who has retired or may hereafter retire from such practice in this state, shall not be made to register as required by this chapter if such person files with the board, an affidavit on a form to be furnished by the board, which affidavit states the date on which such person retired from such practice and such other facts as tend to verify such retirement as the board deems necessary. If such person thereafter reengages in such practice in this state, such person shall apply for registration, with the board as provided by this chapter, and shall meet other requirements as may be set by the board.

(d) Notwithstanding any provision of this chapter to the contrary, the division of health related boards, with the approval of the commissioner of health, shall establish a system of license renewals at alternative intervals that will allow for the distribution of the license workload as uniformly as is practicable throughout the calendar year. Licenses issued under the alternative method are valid for twenty-four (24) months, and expire on the last day of the last month of the license period. However, during a transition period, or at any time thereafter when the board determines that the volume of work for any given interval is unduly burdensome or costly, either the licenses or renewals, or both of them, may be issued for terms of not less than six (6) months nor more than eighteen (18) months. The fee imposed for any license under the alternative interval method for a period of other than twenty-four (24) months shall be proportionate to the annual fee and modified in no other manner, except that the proportional fee shall be rounded off to the nearest quarter of a dollar (25¢). No renewal application will be accepted after the last day of the month following the license expiration date under the alternative method authorized in this subsection (d).

(e) Any person who possesses a certificate or temporary certificate issued by the board shall be deemed to possess a license or temporary license, respectively. At the time of renewal, a certificate holder who is approved for renewal shall receive a license from the board rather than a renewal of the certificate.