(1) Subject to section 731(5), the department shall issue a sign specialty contractor's license to a person that does all of the following:

    (a) Meets the requirements described in article 2.

    (b) Meets 1 of the following:

    (i) Is an individual who holds a sign specialist's license.

    (ii) Has at least 1 full-time employee who is a sign specialist, resides in this state, and is actively in charge of and responsible for Michigan electrical code compliance of all installations, maintenance, connection, and repair of electric signs and related wiring.

    (c) Provides evidence of public liability insurance coverage.

    (2) A licensed electrical contractor is not required to have a sign specialty.