(a) Any person, firm, partnership, association or corporation applying for a license under the provisions of this act may obtain the license by complying with the provisions of this act and by passing an examination conducted by the abstracters’ board of examiners. No examination or any collateral written or verbal inquiry by the board shall require any applicant for a license to declare the city, county or other area of the state in which the applicant intends to engage in the practice of making, compiling and completing and selling abstracts of title to real estate in this state. The board shall hold at least two examinations each year, to be held at times and places to be fixed by the board. The board at least 30 days before the time fixed for the commencement of an examination shall give notice thereof by publication in the Kansas register. The fee for the examination shall be fixed by the board by rules and regulations in an amount adequate to cover the cost of the examination and shall be paid to the board at the time application is made for such examination. In the case of a firm, partnership, association or corporation, the examination need only be taken by the active manager or one of the active managers of the firm, partnership, association or corporation.

(b) If in the opinion of the board the applicant does not pass the examination, a license shall be denied, and the fee shall be retained by the board. An applicant who has failed to pass such examination may apply for and take a second examination after a period of six months has elapsed from the date of the previous examination.

(c) All examination fees charged and collected by the board on and after July 1, 1983, and prior to the effective date of this act are hereby specifically authorized and validated.