(a) To be eligible for a license to engage in the practice of physical therapy, the applicant must:

1. (1) Submit an application to the board;
2. (2) Be at least eighteen years of age;
3. (3) Be of good moral character;
4. (4) Have graduated from an accredited school of physical therapy approved by the Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education or a successor organization;
5. (5) Pass a national examination as approved by the board;
6. (6) Not be an alcohol or drug abuser, as these terms are defined in section eleven, article one-a, chapter twenty-seven of this code: Provided, That an applicant in an active recovery process, which may, in the discretion of the board, be evidenced by participation in a twelve-step program or other similar group or process, may be considered;
7. (7) Not have been convicted of a felony in any jurisdiction within ten years preceding the date of application for license which conviction remains unreversed;
8. (8) Not have been convicted of a misdemeanor or felony in any jurisdiction if the offense for which he or she was convicted related to the practice of physical therapy, which conviction remains unreversed; and
9. (9) Has fulfilled any other requirement specified by the board.