Upon receipt of the application and the payment of a fee, as established by the board, the fee in no event exceeding two hundred fifty dollars ($250), the board shall promptly notify the applicant of examination requirements for registration, if applicable.
The board may contract with an independent testing agency to prepare, grade, or conduct the examination. If the board determines the applicant requires examination, the applicant shall pay the actual cost of the examination directly to the board-authorized testing agency.
Unless exempted, applicants shall take and pass the professional examination administered by the board or an independent testing agency approved by the board.
Certificates of registrants who are or may be in the Armed Forces of the United States shall not expire until December 31 following the discharge or final separation of the registrant from the Armed Forces of the United States.
A penalty not to exceed the sum of seventy-five dollars ($75) may be added to the renewal fee for failure to renew a certificate upon such terms and conditions as the board may by regulation determine. Failure to renew a certificate of registration by March 31 shall result in a lapse of registration.
Ala. Code § 34-2-33 (1975)