(a) The state board of education shall prescribe an examination designed to insure that the licensure of a person as a teacher is a reliable indicator that the person has the basic knowledge and qualifications necessary to engage in the profession of teaching in this state.

(b) In order to comply with the requirements of subsection (a), the state board of education shall select an examination which will measure the basic knowledge and qualifications of applicants for licensure as teachers and shall provide for administration and validation of the examination. The examination shall be administered to applicants at least two times each calendar year at various locations within the state.

(c) The state board of education shall adopt rules and regulations to guarantee the confidentiality of the examination, but shall make available to applicants information regarding examination specifications and shall prescribe the method by which persons who take the examination may obtain the results thereof.