(a) Certificates of registration.

1. (1) Pursuant to the Arkansas Professional Corporation Act, Arkansas Code § 4-29-201 et seq., one (1) or more persons duly licensed by the laws of the State of Arkansas to render the same type of professional services, such as social work services, may form a corporation to:

   1. (A) Own, operate, and maintain a professional corporation; and
   2. (B) Engage in the professional services authorized by that license.
2. (2) In order for a corporation to open, operate, or maintain an establishment to engage in social work services, the corporation must obtain a certificate of registration from the Arkansas Social Work Licensing Board (the "board").

(b) Application, issuance, and denial.

1. (1)

   1. (A) Application for a certificate of registration will be made to the board in writing on the application form prescribed by the board.
   2. (B) The application must be accompanied by a nonrefundable registration fee of twenty-five dollars ($25.00).

2. (2) Upon receipt of an application, the board will investigate the corporation to determine whether:

   1. (A) The incorporators, officers, directors, and shareholders are each licensed by the board; and
   2. (B) Any disciplinary action is pending before the board against any of them.
3. (3) If the board determines that all incorporators, officers, directors, and shareholders are licensed by the board, with no disciplinary action pending against any of them, and that the corporation will be conducted in compliance with the Arkansas Professional Corporation Act and the rules of the board, the board will issue a certificate of registration to the corporation.
4. (4) If the board determines that the applicant does not meet the requirements established above, the board will deny the certificate of registration.

5. (5) Once issued, the certificate of registration:

   1. (A) Will be nonassignable; and
   2. (B) Must be conspicuously posed on the premises of the corporation.
6. (6) The certificate of registration will remain effective until January 1 following the date of issuance of the certificate.

(d) Renewal.

1. (1) The certificate of registration must be renewed annually.
2. (2) If the board determines that the corporation has complied with applicable laws and board rules, it will renew the certificate of registration upon written application by the holder of the certificate.

3. (3) The application for renewal:

   1. (A) Will be made on the form prescribed by the board; and
   2. (B) Must be accompanied by a nonrefundable fee of ten dollars ($10.00).

(e) Suspension and revocation.

1. (1) The board may suspend or revoke the certificate after giving written notice to the holder and allowing for a public hearing in accordance with the Arkansas Administrative Procedure Act, Arkansas Code § 25-15-201 et seq.

2. (2) The certificate may be suspended or revoked for any of the following reasons:

   1. (A) The revocation or suspension of the license to practice social work of any officer, director, shareholder, or employee not promptly removed or discharged by the corporation;
   2. (B) Unprofessional conduct, as defined by the rules of the board, on the part of any officer, director, shareholder, or employee not promptly removed or discharged by the corporation;
   3. (C) The death of the last remaining shareholder; or
   4. (D) Upon finding the holder of the certificate has failed to comply with the:

(i) Arkansas Professional Corporation Act;

1. (ii) Arkansas Social Work Licensing Act, Arkansas Code § 17-103-101 et seq.; or

   1. (iii) Rules of the board.

(f) Appeal.

1. (1) Any corporation whose application for a certificate has been denied or whose certificate of registration has been suspended or revoked may, within thirty (30) days after notice of the action by the board, appeal the decision to the Pulaski County Circuit Court.
2. (2) The appeal will be in accordance with the Arkansas Administrative Procedure Act.