(a) No person may buy, sell, create, duplicate, alter, give, or obtain or attempt to buy, sell, create, duplicate, alter, give, or obtain a diploma, certificate, academic record, certificate of enrollment, or other instrument which purports to signify merit or achievement conferred by an institution of education in this state with the intent to use fraudulently such document or to allow the fraudulent use of such document.

(b) Any person who violates subsection (a) of this Code section or who aids another in violating subsection (a) of this Code section shall be guilty of a misdemeanor and upon conviction shall be punished by a fine not to exceed $1,000.00 or by imprisonment for a period not to exceed one year, or both.