In order to be eligible for licensing under this article as an accounting practitioner, an applicant may not hold another license granted under this chapter and must:

1. (1) not have any history of dishonest or felonious acts;
2. (2) be a resident of this State or have a place of business in this State, or as an employee, be regularly employed in this State;
3. (3) be at least eighteen years of age; and

4. (4) meet these requirements:

   1. (a) pass an examination approved by the board, which is designed to test the applicant's basic knowledge of the subjects described in Section 40-2-510(1) and which may consist of parts of the examination administered to certified public accountant applicants or another examination as the board may prescribe; and
   2. (b) have a bachelor's degree with a major in accounting as determined by the board from a four-year college or university accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools or from a college or university having equivalent standards as determined by the board;
5. (5) surrenders, if licensed and holds a current annual permit to practice in this State as a certified public accountant or public accountant, his license and permit to practice as a certified public accountant or public accountant upon being licensed as an accounting practitioner.