If, in the opinion of the board, there is a need, in addition to licensing as a professional geologist, for more definitive recognition of geologic expertise, qualified persons may also be eligible for certification in a specialty. Specialties may be created by the board after notice to all Alabama licensed professional geologists of a hearing to explain the proposed specialty or specialties and after approval of the proposed specialty or specialties by a majority of all Alabama licensed professional geologists. Specialties shall be created by regulations which shall contain any required additional qualifications or limitations. Only licensed professional geologists shall be eligible for certification in a specialty. Applications may be submitted for both licensing and certification in a specialty at the same time, but the applicant shall be approved for licensing as a professional geologist before being considered for certification in a specialty. The certification in a specialty is dependent, in every case, upon the approval of licensing as a professional geologist.