(a) The Arkansas State Board of Dental Examiners has exclusive jurisdiction to determine who shall be permitted to practice dentistry and dental hygiene in the State of Arkansas.

(b) To this end the board, at its regular annual meeting and at special meetings if it deems it necessary or expedient, shall conduct examinations, both written and clinical, of all qualified applicants who desire to practice dentistry or dental hygiene in the State of Arkansas.

(c) The Arkansas State Board of Dental Examiners is authorized and directed to conduct at least two (2) examinations annually, both written and clinical, of qualified applicants who desire to practice dentistry in the State of Arkansas. Special meetings for those purposes may be held by the Arkansas State Board of Dental Examiners if it deems it necessary or expedient. The two (2) examinations to be held annually shall be scheduled in such a manner as to be conducted following the end of the fall and spring semesters of dental schools in order to accommodate, insofar as is practicable, the greater number of qualified applicants who wish to take examinations to practice dentistry in Arkansas shortly after completion of their regular dental schooling.

(d) The Arkansas State Board of Dental Examiners may accept the results of the National Board Dental Examinations if it so desires and may cooperate with dental schools in other states for the administration of the clinical examination or may cooperate with other states in the administration of a regional clinical examination.

(e)

(1) The board shall determine what grade or percentage the applicant must make to entitle him or her to be licensed.

(2) The grade or percentage shall be the same at any one (1) examination for all applicants.

(f) The board may consider the conduct of the applicant during the examination as a factor in determining the grade or percentage to be given him or her.