SECTION 13. Qualifications; grounds for denial of application for appointment

(a) A person qualified for a notary public commission shall be at least 18 years of age and reside or have a regular place of work or business within the commonwealth.

(b) In the governor's discretion, an application for appointment, reappointment or renewal of a commission may be denied based on:

(i) submission of an official application containing a material misstatement or omission of fact;

(ii) the applicant's conviction of an offense that resulted in a prison sentence;

(iii) the applicant's conviction of a misdemeanor offense that resulted in a sentence to probation or a fine or a conviction for a violation of paragraph (a) of subdivision (1) of section 24 of chapter 90 or subsection (a) of section 8 of chapter 90B;

(iv) the applicant's admission to sufficient facts to warrant a finding of guilt of any offense;

(v) a finding or admission of responsibility or liability against the applicant in a civil action based on the applicant's fraud or deceit;

(vi) revocation, suspension, restriction or denial of a notary public commission or professional licensure by the commonwealth or any other jurisdiction; or

(vii) any other reason, including official misconduct, that in the governor's discretion, would render the applicant unsuitable to hold a notary public commission.