(1) The department shall prepare a standard uniform application. The applicant shall obtain notarized reference statements from at least 5 reputable citizens who swear that they have known the applicant and his or her qualifications for a period of at least 5 years and believe that the applicant is honest, of good character, and competent. The individual providing the reference shall not be related or connected to the person so certifying by blood or marriage.

    (2) Upon receipt of the application, application processing fee, and license fee as described in section 9, the department shall investigate as to the applicant’s qualifications for licensure.