(a) There is created the Arkansas State Board of Public Accountancy.
(b)
(1) The board shall consist of seven (7) members, appointed by the Governor for terms of five (5) years.
(2) Four (4) members of the board shall be residents of this state who are certified public accountants. One (1) member shall be a resident public accountant licensed under this chapter during the years there are at least twenty percent (20%) of the original registrants under this chapter reregistered or relicensed. Thereafter, the vacancy shall be filled by a resident who is a certified public accountant.
(3) Two (2) members of the board shall be residents of this state and shall not be actively engaged in or retired from the profession of accounting. One (1) member shall represent consumers, and one (1) member shall be sixty (60) years of age or older and shall represent the elderly. Both shall be appointed from the state at large subject to confirmation by the Senate. The two (2) positions may not be held by the same person. Both shall be full voting members but shall not participate in the grading of examinations.
(c)
(1) Vacancies occurring during a term shall be filled by appointment for the unexpired term.
(2) Upon the expiration of the term of office, a member shall continue to serve until his or her successor shall have been appointed and shall have qualified.
(3) The Governor shall remove from the board any professional member whose license has become void or has been revoked or suspended and, after hearing, may remove any member of the board for neglect of duty or other just cause.
(4) No person who has served a full term on the board shall be eligible for reappointment until after the lapse of five (5) years.
(5) Appointment to fill an unexpired term is not to be considered a complete term.
(d) Each member of the board may receive expense reimbursement and stipends in accordance with § 25-16-901 et seq.