(a) If an individual has been convicted of an offense listed in Arkansas Code § 17-3-102(a), except those permanently disqualifying offenses found in Arkansas Code § 17-3-102(e), the State Plant Board or a committee of the board may waive disqualification of a potential applicant or revocation of a license based on the conviction if a request for a waiver is made by:

1. (1) An affected applicant for a license; or
2. (2) An individual holding a license subject to revocation.

(b) The board or committee may grant a waiver upon consideration of the following, without limitation:

1. (1) The age at which the offense was committed;
2. (2) The circumstances surrounding the offense;
3. (3) The length of time since the offense was committed;
4. (4) Subsequent work history since the offense was committed;
5. (5) Employment references since the offense was committed;
6. (6) Character references since the offense was committed;
7. (7) Relevance of the offense to the occupational license; and
8. (8) Other evidence demonstrating that licensure of the applicant does not pose a threat to the health or safety of the public.