(a) An applicant shall be eligible for automatic occupational licensure if:

1. (1) The applicant either:

   1. (A) Is in good standing for at least one (1) year for a cosmetologist, electrologist, manicurist, aesthetician, body artist, or instructor license with similar scope of practice issued by another state, territory, or district of the United States; or
   2. (B) Has worked for at least three (3) years as a cosmetologist, electrologist, manicurist, aesthetician, body artist, or instructor in another state, territory, or district of the United States that does not use cosmetologist, electrologist, manicurist, aesthetician, body artist, or instructor licensure to regulate the cosmetology or body art occupation for which the applicant is applying;
2. (2) The applicant does not have a disqualifying criminal offense under Arkansas Code § 17-3-102 or under any additional state law relating to the cosmetologist, electrologist, manicurist, aesthetician, body artist, or instructor licensure;
3. (3) The applicant does not have a complaint, allegation, or investigation pending in his or her occupational activity in this state or in the state of the applicant’s previous residency where the cosmetologist, electrologist, manicurist, aesthetician, body artist, or instructor licensure was granted;
4. (4) The applicant passes an examination specific to relevant state laws that regulate the cosmetologist, electrologist, manicurist, aesthetician, body artist, or instructor occupation.

(b) The Department of Health may waive the requirement for the applicant to pass an examination specific to relevant state laws that regulate the cosmetologist, electrologist, manicurist, aesthetician, body artist, or instructor occupation if the department finds that:

1. (1) The combination of the applicant’s education, training, and experience is a sufficient substitute for the state law examination requirement; and

2. (2) A waiver by the department will not harm public:

   1. (A) Health;
   2. (B) Safety; or
   3. (C) Welfare.

(c) Upon the applicant being granted automatic occupational licensure, the applicant shall meet all:

1. (1) Other cosmetologist, electrologist, manicurist, aesthetician, body artist, or instructor licensure requirements; and
2. (2) Renewal requirements of the cosmetologist, electrologist, manicurist, aesthetician, body artist, or instructor licensure, including without limitation a criminal background check and continuing education hours.