(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 as a registered sanitarian 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 in the registered sanitarian occupation in another state, territory, or district of the United States that does not use a sanitarian registration to regulate the sanitarian registration 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 sanitarian registration;
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 sanitarian registration was granted; and
4. (4) The applicant passes an examination specific to relevant state laws that regulate the sanitarian registration.

(b) The Department of Health may waive the requirement for the applicant to pass an examination specific to relevant state laws that regulate the sanitarian registration 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 health, safety, or welfare.

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

1. (1) Meet all other registered sanitarian requirements; and

2. (2) Meet all renewal requirements of the registered sanitarian certification, including without limitation:

   1. (A) A criminal background check; and
   2. (B) Continuing education hours.