A person, to be eligible to be branched or licensed as the next bar pilot, shall meet all of the following criteria at the time of branching or licensing:

(1) Shall be the senior apprentice, with seniority to be determined by date of satisfactory completion of all requirements to be a pilot except the written examination given by the State Pilotage Commission.

(2) Must be a citizen of the United States of America or legally present in this state.

(3) Shall be of good moral character.

(4) Shall have completed satisfactorily all requirements of the apprenticeship.

(5) Shall hold and have the following current United States Coast Guard licenses and experience:

a. Either (i) an unlimited second mate of oceans license with one year's experience as third mate, or (ii) a master license of freight or motor vessel of 1,600 gross tons with one year's experience as master of vessels of at least 150 gross tons;

b. Either (i) three years' experience in a deck department capacity on one or more vessels navigating Mobile ship channel, or (ii) three years' experience at sea in a deck department capacity on oceangoing vessels of 1,600 gross tons or over, or (iii) be a graduate of a nationally recognized maritime academy holding a bachelor of science degree and have two years' experience at sea in a deck department capacity on oceangoing vessels of 1,600 gross tons or over; and

c. Shall hold a first class federal pilot license for the Mobile ship channel;

(6) Shall demonstrate, if required by the commission to do so, sufficient evidence of satisfactory experience in the safe navigation and handling of vessels, and shall pass a practical demonstration to be administered by the active Mobile bar pilots licensed by the State Pilotage Commission showing their ability to safely pilot steam and motor vessels of unlimited tonnage and tugs with tows. The demonstration shall be deemed satisfactorily completed if two-thirds majority of the active Mobile Bay bar pilots licensed by the State of Alabama shall certify such successful completion.

(7) Shall pass a written test administered by the commission.

(8) Shall make written application to be branched or licensed, accompanied by his or her affidavit that the applicant meets every statutory requirement to be branched.

(9) Shall have been employed in a deck department capacity on steam or motor vessels navigating either inland waters or oceans for a majority of the last five years.

(10) Shall be a graduate of a four-year college or university accredited by a regional accrediting organization recognized by the U.S. Department of Education.