(a) The board shall consist of thirteen members: the Commissioner of Professional and Occupational Affairs; the Director of the Bureau of Consumer Protection in the Office of Attorney General, or his designee; three public members appointed by the Governor with the advice and consent of the Senate, which members shall represent the public at large; and eight professional members appointed by the Governor with the advice and consent of the Senate, which members have had at least five years practical and/or managerial experience in the majority of the practices of cosmetology and shall be actively engaged in the profession. No more than one professional member shall be currently employed as a vocational education teacher of cosmetology in the public schools. No more than two professional members of the board shall be currently affiliated with a private school of cosmetology. No other person who has been affiliated with a private cosmetology school within three years prior to nomination may be nominated. Members currently serving on the board shall continue to serve until the expiration of their terms and until successors are appointed and qualified according to law, but for no longer than six months.

(b) Professional and public members appointed after the expiration of the terms of current board members shall serve the following terms: two professional members and one public member shall serve one year; two professional members and one public member shall serve two years; and two professional members and one public member shall serve three years. Thereafter, professional and public members shall serve three-year terms. No member may serve more than two consecutive terms.

(c) Seven members of the board shall constitute a quorum. The board shall select, from among their number, a chairman, a vice chairman and a secretary.

(d) Each public and professional member of the board shall be paid reasonable traveling, hotel and other necessary expenses and per diem compensation at the rate of sixty dollars ($60) for each day of actual service while on board business.

(e) A member who fails to attend three consecutive meetings shall forfeit his seat unless the Commissioner of Professional and Occupational Affairs, upon written request from the member, finds that the member should be excused from a meeting because of illness or the death of an immediate family member.

(f) In the event that a member of the board dies or resigns during the term of office, a successor shall be appointed in the same way and with the same qualifications as set forth in subsections (a) and (b) and shall hold office for the unexpired term.