(1) The department shall issue a journey plumber‘s license to an individual who is at least 18 years of age and who does all of the following:

  (a) Files a completed application on a form provided by the department.

  (b) Pays the applicable examination fee established under section 207 and passes an examination provided for by the board and the department.

  (c) Pays the license fee described in article 4.

  (d) Meets either of the following:

  (i) Has at least 6,000 hours of experience gained over a period of at least 3 years as an apprentice plumber in the practical installation of plumbing under the supervision of a master plumber.

  (ii) While serving in the armed forces, served as a plumber or in an equivalent job classification; was honorably discharged from that military service in the 1-year period preceding the date the license application is filed; and has, and provides with his or her application an affidavit signed by a commanding officer, supervisor, or military superior with direct knowledge of the applicant’s service that states that he or she has, at least 6,000 hours of entry-level experience in and basic knowledge of each of the following:

  (A) The terminology of the plumbing trade and the ability to make practical calculations.

  (B) Knowledge related to drainage systems.

  (C) Knowledge related to plumbing fixtures.

  (D) Knowledge related to water and backflow protection.

  (E) Knowledge related to storm and special wastewater disposal.

  (F) Knowledge related to testing and inspections of plumbing.

  (G) Knowledge related to venting.

  (2) If an applicant who otherwise meets the requirements of subsection (1)(d)(ii) has not attained 6,000 hours of entry-level experience or does not have basic knowledge in each of the areas described in subsection (1)(d)(ii)(A) to (G), he or she may provide with his or her application an affidavit signed by a commanding officer, supervisor, or military superior with direct knowledge of the applicant’s service that states the amount of experience the applicant has attained and of which of the areas described in subsection (1)(d)(ii)(A) to (G) the applicant has basic knowledge, and the department may in its discretion grant the applicant credit toward the 6,000-hour experience requirement of subsection (1)(d)(i) based on the applicant’s experience.

  (3) As a condition of renewal of a journey plumber’s license, the journey plumber must demonstrate the successful completion of a course, approved by the board, concerning any update or change in the state construction code within 12 months after the update or change in that code. This requirement applies only during or after those years that the state construction code is updated or changed.