1. 1. As used in this section, “academic degree” means a diploma, certificate, license, transcript, or other document which signifies or purports to signify completion of the academic requirements of a secondary, postsecondary, professional, or governmental program of study.

2. 2. A person commits a serious misdemeanor if the person, knowingly and willingly, does any of the following:

   1. a. Falsely makes or alters, procures to be falsely made or altered, or assists in falsely making or altering, an academic degree.
   2. b. Uses, offers, or presents as genuine, a falsely made or altered academic degree.
   3. c. Sells, gives, purchases, or obtains, procures to be sold, given, purchased, or obtained, or assists in selling, giving, buying, or obtaining, a false academic degree.

   4. d. Makes a false written representation relating to the person’s academic grades, honors, or awards, or makes a false written representation that the person has received an academic degree from a specific secondary, postsecondary, professional institution, or governmental program of study, in an application for any of the following:

      1. (1) Employment.
      2. (2) Admission to an educational program.
      3. (3) An award or other recognition.
      4. (4) The issuance of an academic degree to the person.

96 Acts, ch 1039, §1