§ 7-308. Term and renewal of license

   (a) Term of license. -- Unless a license is renewed for a 2-year term as provided in this section, the license expires on the first September 30 that comes:

   (1) after the effective date of the license; and

   (2) in an even-numbered year.

(b) Renewal notice. -- At least 30 days before a license expires, the Board shall mail to the licensee, at the last known address of the licensee:

   (1) a renewal application form; and

   (2) a notice that states:

      (i) the date on which the current license expires;

      (ii) the date by which the Board must receive the renewal application for the renewal to be issued and mailed before the license expires; and

      (iii) the amount of the renewal fee.

(c) Applications for renewal; continuing education requirements. --

   (1) Before a license expires, the licensee periodically may renew it for an additional 2-year term, if the licensee:

      (i) otherwise is entitled to be licensed;

      (ii) except as provided in subsection (d) of this section, pays to the Board a renewal fee of $ 100; and

      (iii) submits to the Board a renewal application on the form that the Board provides.

   (2) (i) 1. Except as provided in sub-subparagraph 2 of this subparagraph, the Board may not renew a license unless the licensee meets the continuing education requirements of this section.

         2. The continuing education requirement does not apply to:

            A. the first renewal of a license by a licensee; or

            B. a licensee who has inactive status or who has applied for inactive status.

      (ii) To qualify for renewal of a license, for each 2-year license term of a license, a licensee shall complete successfully at least 8 hours of instruction provided through programs that the Board approves.

(d) Exception to renewal fee requirement. -- A licensee serving on active duty in the armed forces of the United States is exempt from the renewal fee required by this section.

(e) Issuance of renewal. -- The Board shall renew the license of each licensee who meets the requirements of this section.

(f) Staggered expiration of licenses. -- The Secretary may determine that licenses issued under this subtitle shall expire on a staggered basis.

(g) Inactive status. --

   (1) A licensee may apply to the Board for inactive status.

   (2) The Board shall grant inactive status to a licensee if the licensee:

      (i) otherwise is entitled to be licensed; and

      (ii) pays to the Board an inactive license fee of $ 25.

   (3) An individual may return to active status if the individual meets the requirements for renewal of a license under this section.

HISTORY: An. Code 1957, art. 56, § 314; 1989, ch. 3, § 1; 1991, ch. 210; 1993, ch. 470; 1997, ch. 59; 1999, ch. 314.