An application for original licenses shall be made to the Department on forms or electronically as prescribed by the Department and accompanied by the required fee, which shall not be refundable. All applications shall contain information which, in the judgment of the Department, will enable the Department to pass on the qualifications of the applicant for a license as a licensed behavior analyst or licensed assistant behavior analyst.
     A license to practice shall not be denied to an applicant because of the applicant’s race, religion, creed, national origin, political beliefs or activities, age, sex, sexual orientation, or physical disability that does not affect a person’s ability to practice with reasonable judgment, skill, or safety.
     For a person who has successfully completed a graduate degree from a nationally or regionally accredited university approved by the Department and can demonstrate that the person has passed a competency examination authorized by the Department before the effective date of this Act, the Department may allow that person to apply for licensure under the terms of this Act beginning 20 months after the effective date of this Act.
     An applicant has 3 years after the date of application to complete the application process. If the process has not been completed in 3 years, the application shall be denied, the fee shall be forfeited, and the applicant must reapply and meet the requirements in effect at the time of reapplication.