Every person who desires to obtain a license under this Code shall apply to the Department in writing on forms or electronically as prescribed by the Department. The application shall contain proof of the particular qualifications required of the applicant, shall be certified by the applicant, and shall be accompanied by the required fee that shall not be refundable. Applicants have 3 years after the date of application to complete the application process. If the process has not been completed in 3 years, then the application shall be denied, the fee shall be forfeited, and the applicant must reapply and meet the requirements in effect at the time of reapplication.